Chapter 110

I got too worked up.

I breathed quickly as I stepped out of the dining hall.

This sort of thing had always been frequent for Rene—the Empress and Anton forever needling her. That was nothing new.

But I was not these people. Even the assassination attempts had left me steady. So why was I this angry?

"Your Highness."

The worried voice made me turn. Friedrich and Mari had followed me out, both watching me carefully.

I exhaled, pressing my fingertips briefly to my forehead.

"...They keep touching the people I care about."

My family. The people I love.

"There's only so much I can take."

Friedrich stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me without a word.

The faint, clean scent of soap, and the soft unhurried stroke of his hand—they worked through the heat of my anger slowly, like water cooling stone.

"You shouldn't be under this kind of…