Journal Entry 83

10.10.2026

I’m struggling, my dearest journal.

This past week, I left the castle only on official business. I spent countless hours meeting with members of parliament and attended Jonas’s press conferences. It should have felt like business as usual, but in public, my King barely acknowledged me as I went about my duties as his private secretary. I don’t know why he kept his distance, but it felt deliberate.

Yet each evening, once the doors to the royal suite were locked, Jonas relaxed. He was clumsy, sarcastic, and funny again, just as he had been when we were in our teens and twenties.

Something is not right with my King.

From the depths of my soul, I want to ask him why. How can he barely look at me all day, then be so much himself the moment we’re alone?

I have yet to ask him. I know Jonas. I shan’t rattle the lion’s cage.

Yesterday, I overheard part of a conversation between Jonas and Damien about the hourglass Jonas found on his office windowsill. They were still no closer to finding out who had put it there.

I feel for Damien. He’s responsible for the King’s safety, and someone got close enough to leave an hourglass in Jonas’s private office. I wonder how often he’s gone over that in his mind, asking himself what he should have done differently.

There must be something they’ve overlooked. I intend to find out who put it there.

Correction. I WILL find out who put it there.