BOOK TWO: THE REGENT'S REIGN
The dress had looked beautiful in the morning when her maid dressed her, but now it weighed on Marriette like a heavy chain. She rested her hand on her husband's arm to maintain balance as she navigated the rough cobbles forming the street in this district of Bellopolis.
"I hadn't expected the simple act of opening a school to require such a circus." Marriette leaned a little more on Torrance's arm. As the King's Ward and Regent, she would not give in to exhaustion. She looked around at the people, both those protecting her and those who came to see her.
Marshal prowled ahead of her examining everything from the crowds to the windows overlooking the street. Men in the crowd watched too. Three more followed behind her. Torrance held her right arm, and at her
