Chapter 3

"Benedict is the biggest hero of our uprising."

Instantly, the people around me scrambled to put distance between us, as if I had the plague.

The officials present looked at me in a completely different way.

The whole capital knew I was a favorite of Prince Regent Sebastian Valmont.

I clenched my fists, blood rushing to my head.

In my first life, I'd given everything to cover for them, and my reward was two broken legs and a silk sash pulled tight around my throat.

In this life, I hadn't done a thing, and they were still dragging me down with them!

I took a deep breath. My voice came out so calm that even I didn't recognize it.

"My brother's joking. His Highness the Prince Regent has shown me immense kindness. If I were really plotting rebellion, wouldn't I just be asking to die? All this talk of troops and spying is nonsense."

Percival glared at me viciously. "What are you so scared of? You're such a coward. How are you fit to be an Arkwright?"

He took a step closer, raising his voice. "What about the time someone nearly assassinated the Prince Regent at the West Hill hunting grounds? Didn't you set that up?"

Cries of shock rose all around us.

One official drew a sharp breath and blurted out, "That's right! You were the one who talked the Prince Regent into going to West Hill to unwind! You said the autumn air was crisp and perfect for hunting, and that's what gave His Highness the idea!"

"His Highness treated you like his most trusted man, and you did this to him!"

Someone spoke up in outrage, and the resentment, fury, and shock in every face around me held me frozen where I stood.

I glared at Percival. "So I set it up, and then I had you announce it in front of everyone? What would I get out of that?! A death sentence?!"

Percival had no answer. He stamped his foot and turned to Father and Cecily with a wounded look.

Father's face went dark at once, and he berated me. "If you did it, you did it. Doing something and not having the nerve to own it—you're a laughingstock!

"You're so spineless. You don't have half your brother's backbone. How are you a soldier's son?"

Cecily sighed too. "Benedict, you did plan it. Why keep making excuses now?"

I looked at the two of them, cold to the bone.

They had truly lost their minds. They'd go this far for Percival!

"I didn't—"

Before I could get the words out, Lavinia snapped, "Enough!"

She grabbed my wrist so hard it felt like she was trying to crush the bone.

She leaned in and hissed through gritted teeth, "Do you have to tear Percival down in front of all these people? You just can't stand to see him do well, can you?

"Say one more word, and I swear I'll divorce you!"

Seething, I tried to shove her away, but she had her servants drag me into the house instead.

"Ridiculous! Tomorrow, I'm going back to my father's house. I'll come back when you've learned your lesson!"

Percival huffed smugly and preened in front of the princess.

"Scared now, aren't you? But if you agree to go boating on the lake with me, I'll ask my father to spare your life."

He looked down and straightened his collar with a hint of boyish charm.

He never noticed the cold, sinister look on the princess's face.

"Lord Percival, I don't think there'll be any boating."

She spoke calmly. The moment the words left her mouth, the tramp of marching feet came from both ends of the avenue, so heavy the ground shook.

The Royal Guard poured in from every direction and sealed off the entire street.

Their leader, Commander Thorne, looked utterly unmoved.

"Which one of you is Percival Arkwright?"