CHAPTER 56 - PRUDENCE

"Your Majesty," Prince Roderick spoke earnestly, "I believe it would be more prudent to approach Melina's aunt first. Directly confronting Melina might muddy the waters and cloud the information we seek. Her aunt, on the other hand, is likely to be aware of her whereabouts. Even if she denies Melina's visit to her beloved, we may be able to discern the truth from her demeanor. There is no way that woman can tell us a lie and we wouldn't detect it. And even if she doesn't say anything, we could threaten her to talk and if she doesn't, we would throw her into the dungeon. This would make Melina so vulnerable and tell us every truth and.." He paused and took a deep breath.

The hesitation in his voice betrayed the weight of his words. Prince Roderick took a deep breath again, aware of the gravitas of what he was about to say. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, for the bluntness of my words, but bestowing the title of acting queen upon Melina... it seems undeserved. It would have been more fitting