Victoria's carriage finally approached the palace gates, and as the horses halted, the footman announced their arrival with a booming voice.
"Open the gates! Her Majesty, the Queen, has arrived!" The guards snapped to attention, their sabatons clanking in unison as they saluted. The gate creaked open, and the coachman guided the carriage further inside.
The moment the carriage stopped in the palace grounds, Victoria's footman assisted her down. Her heels clicked against the cobblestone path as each step echoed in the stillness. She walked briskly towards the inner palace while her heart pounding with dread at the memory of Leticia's words.
Victoria's mind raced. It was inconceivable that her hired men had failed. They were professionals, experts in their craft. The only objective had be
