CHAPTER 40

“This is not true! It’s all lies!” Thiago yelled, but Kingston shook him hard enough for his teeth to rattle.

Queen Dorothea’s hand covered her mouth as King Hernando’s opened and closed like a fish out of water.

“Romaine… What are you saying? This is madness! This is pure madness! Thiago is your cousin! You’ve been close your entire lives… He cares for you…”

“And he wants the throne, Father,” Romaine argued angrily. “But you know this… Both of you do.”

“I don’t understand,” Queen Dorothea whispered. “Romy, sweetheart, we would have known if you were kidnapped.”

“Obviously not, Mother,” she replied gently, trying to reign in her rage. “You’ve been too busy deciding for me, controlling my life, playing my strings like I was some soulless, stupid marionette to realize the actual danger I was in.”

She tossed the phone to Brent.

“Can you, please, play the file that’s up, and make sure everyone can hear it.”

“Immediately, Your Royal Highness,” Brent said.

He b