Memory & Shadow

The Weight of Memory

Fifty years ago

Celeste Hardwick stood in the ruins of her family's estate, watching smoke curl into an indifferent sky. Three days. That's how long it had taken for everything she'd ever known to burn.

Her father's body had been found in his study, throat cut, papers scattered across blood-soaked carpet. Suicide, the Crown investigators declared. Guilt-driven madness after his treasonous plot was discovered. The evidence was irrefutable, letters in his handwriting detailing plans to overthrow the King, meetings with known conspirators, gold transferred to fund a rebellion that never came.

All lies.

Celeste knew her father. Marcus Hardwick had been many things, stern, demanding, occasionally cold, but he had loved the kingdom with a devotion that bordered on religious fervour. He would have died before betraying his King.