Chapter 17: Whispers of Excitement

[Margaret’s POV] I knew it. The thought echoed in my mind, helpless and heavy. “Didn’t Anthony do anything for you?” I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity. Elizabeth hesitated, her bright eyes dimming slightly. “Ah… he—he did help a little.” Her voice faltered, and the awkward silence that followed pulled at my nerves. I turned to look at her, puzzled by her sudden withdrawal. Elizabeth seemed distant, her thoughts spiraling far from the conversation. Her gaze drifted, unfocused, before she noticed me watching her. In a blink, her cheerful mask snapped back into place. “But you should come back,” she added quickly, brushing aside her momentary lapse. “I have the inauguration ceremony. It’s going to be the event of the year!” I hesitated, recalling what Donald had told me the night before. If there was any truth to the whispers of an impending attack, there was no way the rituals would proceed as planned. Safety always came first. But as I looked at Elizabeth’s excited face, her