Chapter 144 - 144: Britannia Commands the Sea

Morning bled into the chamber through the tall windows of Buckingham Palace, pale and silver, strained through heavy curtains embroidered with royal arms. Oskar woke reluctantly, his body heavy, his thoughts sour and uncooperative, as though he had spent the night locked in argument rather than sleep.

He remained still, staring at the ceiling, aware of a deep, pervasive exhaustion—physical, yes, but more than that. A mental depletion. As if something had been taken from him without his consent.

He despised nights like this.

...