News of what happened at Matilda's castle reached Elora through the spy she had planted inside.
A chuckle escaped her lips, her face flashing with mockery and disdain for Matilda's hopeless ambitions.
Though her plan seemed well thought out, it was destined to fail even without Elora's involvement. Other royal families were already eyeing the throne, and Matilda couldn't use her marriage to the late queen's husband to claim it, no matter how much she insisted it was for her daughter.
Let's not forget the late queen's other children. Speaking of the devil, she saw an invitation for the consort of the Nightbrew kingdom—opening it up, she read…
"Dear Sister,
I trust this letter reaches you in good health and high spirits. An urgent matter kept me from attending your wedding, and for that, I offer my apologies. I write to ask that you kindly watch over my daughter when she travels to Palaverda following the magic competition.
May the Lord of Light guide and bless you."
