Chapter 2

Father and Cecily kept smiling, as if nothing were wrong at all.

In my first life, they had indulged Percival just like this. When I rushed out and dragged him to his knees, they even frowned at me in displeasure and accused me of ruining my brother's reputation.

It wasn't until the King docked a year of Father's pay that their faces changed, and they finally scolded Percival for his nonsense too.

I thought they'd understood how serious it had been. I never imagined that after Percival hanged himself, they would come to hate me.

They bided their time for a whole year, just to strike when I was at my weakest—one fatal blow that left no trace.

I turned my head to look at my wife, Lavinia, who stood beside me.

A doting smile played on her lips, and those eyes, usually so cool and distant, had softened with a tenderness I'd never seen as they rested on Percival.

A cold smile tugged at my own lips. In my first life, I'd never noticed she had feelings like that for Percival.

As the rumors spun further out of control, my page, Theo, went red in the face with panic and couldn't hold back. "Lord Percival is only joking! All this talk of rebellion and troops is—"

Before he could finish, Percival lunged over and struck him hard across the face.

A red handprint bloomed on Theo's cheek, and he staggered two steps to the side.

Percival lifted his chin haughtily. "Since when does a dog of a servant get a say?"

He looked at me sidelong and laughed, his tone dripping with mockery. "Do me a favor, Benedict, and keep your people in line. Don't ruin our big plans."

He paused, then raised his voice on purpose so the whole street could hear. "After all, your wife is Chancellor Wycliffe's daughter. We'll be counting on her family to bankroll the uprising."

In an instant, every shocked eye on the street fixed on Lavinia.

The Wycliffes were known far and wide as a family of spotless integrity and steadfast loyalty to the Crown.

No one could ever have linked the name Wycliffe with treason.

Yet now, with every eye upon her, Lavinia, usually so cold, smiled faintly.

Her tone was exasperated and fond all at once. "All right, all right. The money's ready. It's just waiting for you to come and get it."

At those words, the whole street practically exploded.

I stared at her, and my mind went back to our wedding day.

A good friend of mine sent a fine silver goblet as a wedding gift, and I accepted it gladly.

She turned on me right there and, in front of a hall full of guests, berated me as greedy and grasping.

"For generations, the Wycliffes have kept their hands clean. We never accept gifts! And now, because of you, a lowly bastard, my rule has been broken!"

I was so ashamed I wished the floor would swallow me whole. I returned the gift that very night and never spoke to that friend again.

Now Percival was announcing in the middle of the street that she was part of a rebellion, and she didn't say a single word about her family's principles.

Seeing Lavinia's attitude, Princess Adelina actually relaxed.

"I knew it. You're all joking."

She shot Percival an impatient glance and turned back to her carriage, her voice cool. "Young lord, I don't care to hear jokes like that again. I hope you won't make them anymore."

The carriage had barely started moving when Percival sprang forward and seized the reins.

"Who's joking? What makes you think you can look down on me?!"

His voice was shrill and piercing as he flung out words that stunned everyone.

"When we storm the palace, I'll be the first to drive a blade straight into that old King's heart!"

The whole street gasped as one, and a few of the more timid onlookers collapsed to the ground.

All the color drained from Princess Adelina's face.

She stared hard at Percival and hissed, "How dare you!"

Thrilled to finally have her full attention, Percival looked smug.

He spun around and pointed at me, shouting, "My brother Benedict is the Prince Regent's favorite! He's already dug up everything we need. What time the King goes over his state papers each night, who he meets with in secret—I know all of it!"