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Spain, but we could not marry because my lineage was not worthy enough for a king, or so we were told.
    As a consequence, Rudolf brought me to Prague as a member of his court, so I could be near him. After some court speculation, my marriage to Václav was arranged to quell the whispers of our relationship.
    Mila, please understand, you must keep your lineage a secret until the time is right.
    If this critical information falls into the wrong hands, before you are ready to accept what this truly means, they will kill you. When the time comes, and this great kingdom needs your leadership, you will be there to bring guidance and integrity to this beautiful land.
    Fight for your beliefs.
    Fight for what is right.
    Fight for the people of Bohemia.
    With my last words, let me solidify your claim to the throne. In the Royal Treasury keep, in a small golden treasure box with an emerald rose gilded on the lid, is a royal decree signed by King Rudolf.
    The decree attests to your lineage.
    No one can deny your right to the throne once this document comes to light. The treasure box is locked and Rudolf wears the key around his neck. When the time comes, and you are ready, use this decree to save the kingdom.
    I love you more than you could ever imagine. Please remember when you hear about the things I’ve done, know that I did them for one of three reasons—for my love of you, for the People of Bohemia, or for Rudolf.
    Long live Princess Ludmila Nováková, the first of her name, may you reign justly and intelligently.
    With all my love,
your mother
    P.S. Remember that doing the right thing is not always the easiest. However, doing what is right should come before everything else. Before self-satisfaction. Before pride. Even before love.

Chapter Three
    â€œA re you all right?” Henrik no longer appeared drunk. His eyes were focused and glued to my face. “Are you going to faint?”
    Somehow, during the course of reading my mother’s letter, I’d risen to my feet and begun to pace in front of the tree. Now, here I was, standing in front of a very concerned-looking Henrik.
    â€œAre you all right?” He repeated.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œIt looks like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    â€œI heard from one. Does that count?”
    Henrik stared at the parchment vibrating in my shaking hand. “Is there something bad in that letter?”
    â€œDepends on who you ask.”
    â€œI’m asking you.”
    I glanced up at him. I didn’t know what to say. I opened my mouth but quickly closed it.
    He stepped closer. “You can’t tell me?”
    â€œI don’t know. Can I?”
    â€œYou can tell me anything,” he whispered. He bent his head down to mine and stood so close to me that the quivering letter grazed his stomach. He smelled of cedar.
    â€œYou can keep a secret?” My words were barely above a whisper.
    â€œOn my life.”
    I believed him. And I wanted nothing more than to tell him my secret. I did not want to be judged by the letter’s contents. It was too big of a burden wrapped up in one small letter and I didn’t want to bear it alone.
    I could trust Henrik, couldn’t I? He was Marc’s older brother. Of course I could confide in him, but my mind countered with an extremely important point—I hadn’t told Marc about any of this. Should I tell his brother first? Was I committing some moral betrayal?
    Henrik studied my face.
    â€œIt’s a letter from my mother,” I said. “The king is my father. I’m King Rudolf’s only surviving child. I’m his heir.”
    A long moment passed.
    Henrik’s face remained calm, but his eyebrows rose to his hairline. He scratched his head. He bit his bottom lip before the words came tumbling out. “You’re telling me that you are the heir to the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Bohemia?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œReally,” I said.