MasukKaine’s POVMy mind is racing so fast that I can barely cling to a single thought before ten more shove it out of the way. It’s all too loud, too complicated.What the fuck am I supposed to do?Things have never been good between my stepmother and I, but I never dreamed that it would escalate to thi
The chatter in the room grows as everyone stops addressing the King directly and talks among themselves about the Prince. Now that the evidence has been disproven, everyone feels confident enough to voice their doubts based on what they know about Kaine’s personality.My eyes focus on the Queen who,
“Ember?” the King prompts again.I have no idea why he’s putting so much faith in me. I didn’t expect the other guard’s word to matter that much to him, but he asked me for my opinion before the actual Scribe who was assigned the job.It doesn’t feel like I’m a suspect scrambling for survival anymor
The King stares at us, supposedly trying to make up his mind about if he’ll allow it or not. I refuse to look too eager and solidify my expression into a blank one.Before he can speak, there’s another voice that comes from my side. “I’ll vow for her as well!”“And me!”After about twenty guards voi
Royal law states that all matters like inspection must be done in public. So, even though the Court was technically in recess, no one moved a muscle to take a break. Everyone wants to see how this is going to play out.A show for their consumption.The energy in the room was so heavy that it was nea
“Prince Kaine, you truly had no idea of the suspicions of Laramie Bell before he was arrested?” the King asks, doubt lacing his tone.“Truly, Father, My King, I swear to you that I had no idea that Mr. Bell was even under the Crown’s suspicion.”The King opens his mouth to say more, but the Queen in
“Thank you,” Kaine tells the guard. “Please go ahead of us to inform the King and Queen that we are on our way.”It doesn’t seem like the order are exactly what the guard hoped for judging by the grimace on his face, but that doesn’t stop him from nodding and leaving the two of us alone in the room.
I can’t go back inside, so instead, I sit on a log not far from the door and wait for Kaine. I wasn’t exactly sure why, but I knew in my soul that Kaine wouldn’t do anything to hurt Clara, so I didn’t have a problem with leaving him inside privately to finish his moment.Nothing was better than seei
I watch Prince Kaine as he addresses another attendant. “Bring out the items I have prepared.”The attendant looks at me for a moment, shocked but quickly catches himself and smiles at me. “Yes, of course.”He’s gone for a moment before striding back to the front of the shop an array of items in han
The guard captain bows his head to Prince Kaine, not daring to speak back, but the look in his eye betrays his continued skepticism. He is clearly unhappy at the prospect of taking orders from me. I hesitate for a moment before coming to a decision.I will challenge him to a duel. I am confident in







