Chapter 161

Adrien's POV:

The doctor’s gaze shifted to her reluctantly.

The doctor exhaled heavily. “Your Majesty, His Highness has been self-harming.”

My own breath caught in my throat.

“Why didn’t anyone tell us?” she whispered. “Why didn’t anyone see? Why didn’t I see?” My mouth opened, but I said nothing. Because I could have said the same. I should have seen it. I should have known. I held his hands. I had run my fingers over his skin more times than I could count. I had seen every inch of him and yet I never saw this.

The doctor continued, his voice gentler now. “He must have hid them well."

I swallowed hard, but the lump in my throat wouldn’t go down.

“I should have known,” the Queen whispered again, folding her arms tightly around herself. “I am his mother.”

The doctor lowered his gaze. “Sometimes those who are suffering the most go to great lengths to appear fine. They become very good at pretending. Especially when they think no one will understand.”

The Queen’s sob broke thr