Vincent acknowledged the King with a subtle nod, his attention already focused on Katelyn. Gently, he guided her toward the exit, his touch both protective and reassuring.

As they moved through the grand halls, Katelyn turned to him, her lips parting as if to speak. But Vincent’s hand tightened slightly around her wrist—a quiet, unspoken signal.

She understood immediately, her gaze shifting back toward the palace one last time before they stepped into the cool evening air. The walk to the car was silent, the weight of the day settling between them.

Once inside, the doors closed, sealing them in a cocoon of privacy. Vincent finally turned to her, his voice softening as he asked, “How are you feeling now?”

Katelyn clicked her seatbelt into place and turned to Vincent, her expression thoughtful. “I’m alright, but the woman I went to investigate… she’s elusive. There’s something about her that doesn’t add up.”

She leaned back, her fingers tracing the seatbelt in a moment of contemplation. Not knowing this woman’s identity was becoming a serious roadblock, and it made the entire situation far more precarious. Vincent’s gaze sharpened, sensing the tension in Katelyn’s words. “What exactly do you mean?”

He had spent the entire night on edge, his anxiety simmering beneath the surface. If it hadn’t been for Jaxen’s update, he might have lost his composure entirely—a rare lapse for someone as controlled as Vincent. Thankfully, the evening had passed without incident, but the tension lingered.

Katelyn’s frown deepened as she continued, her tone measured but uneasy. “She’s unstable, mentally. I couldn’t get any useful information from her, but my instincts tell me she’s central to everything I’ve been looking into.”

The frustration was evident in her voice. The woman was clearly significant, but without being able to extract her from the palace, Katelyn felt stuck. It was a problem she hadn’t anticipated, and it gnawed at her.

Vincent noticed the crease of worry etched across Katelyn’s forehead and, his voice softening with reassurance, said, “Don’t stress over this. I’ll find a way to manage it.”

Let your mind wander with g?lnσν?s﹒

He trusted Katelyn implicitly. She was far from impulsive, and her judgment had always been sound. Whatever course of action she chose, Vincent was determined to stand by her.

Besides, the fact that someone like this woman was being held captive within the palace walls raised serious questions. It wasn’t just about Katelyn’s investigation anymore but about uncovering the truth behind the King’s motives.

Katelyn met Vincent’s gaze, her tone measured but urgent. “We have to tread carefully. If we repeat our earlier approach, the King will see through it.”

Before Vincent could respond, a soldier emerged from the palace; his footsteps hurried, and his expression tense.

“Please wait a moment, Miss Bailey, Mr. Adams,” the soldier called out. Confusion crossed Katelyn’s and Vincent’s faces as they turned towards him.

“Is there a problem?” Katelyn asked.

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