Rumors of an Heir

Sunlight filtered through the sprawling canopy of the palace gardens, casting dappled shadows over the pristine stone pathways. Princess Isolde strolled at a leisurely pace, her silk skirts brushing the vibrant blooms. Beside her walked Royal Concubine Daphne, her delicate features pinched with an unspoken tension. The usual serene atmosphere of the gardens felt fractured. Maidservants scurried in