A Royal Entry

The heavy, drifting snow muffled the sounds of the courtyard as Isolde wheeled Cassian toward the waiting carriage. Kaelen Briggs, the prince’s personal guard, stood waiting by the imposing, polished vehicle. As they approached, Kaelen stepped forward and offered a crisp fist-to-heart salute, but his eyes betrayed profound, barely concealed shock. His gaze darted back and forth between the prince