"Love also decreases if a woman realizes that her lover is fearful in war, or sees that he has no patience, or is stained with the vice of pride."

—From How Love is Diminished,

By Andreas Capellanus 

Taking a seat at the dais in a position slightly below his parents, Kaiden stared out into the crowd. Nobles were milling around, their chatters of gossip reaching his ears indistinguishably. The sweet scent of flowers blooming on the vines that twined around the marble pillars drifted toward him. It mingled with the aromas of mulled cider and mead that rose from the crystal goblets that the guests were drinking from. Sunlight poured in through the spaces between the pillars, which were only partially obscured by billowing white curtains. Holly stood in front of him, her posture stiff and on guard, ready to defend him from any dangers.

Still, an uneasy feeling brewed in the pit of Kaiden's stomach. He had the oddest sensation that danger was closer than he believed. Tapping Holly on the shoulder, he leaned forward and wanted to give her a warning. A sign that something, anything, could happen. After all, they lived in a world of intrigue and magic, where anyone could change the direction of the tides if they wished or the phases of the moon. Who was to say that nothing terrible could happen?

But when her brown eyes turned onto his, the panic subsided in his mind, lulled into a stupor. "What is it, Kaiden?"

He did not wish to distress her. After all, she was a well-trained guard. If there was someone lurking in the shadows or some evil that threatened tod estroy him or his country--well, she would already know about it. Some part of him, despite everything, wished to protect her. "I... It's nothing."

She raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her full lips. "Are you quite certain about that?"

"You look lovely," he said, changing the subject. She did. Having bathed and changed into a formal uniform, her figure was highlighted by her simple but elegant gown, one that covered her body but was fitted enough to fight and move around in. She had the dagger that he had given her, on a belt, and it winked at him in the sunlight. He could smell her scent: something faintly smoky mingled with cinnamon, all spice and heat.

"You are dodging my question, prince," she said, the smirk changing to an amused smile. "If something is the matter, it is my duty to know."

"If something were the matter, then I would trust you to already know it," he countered. Music began playing from the musicians gathered in the corner, their bows poised above their fiddles as they tapped their feet in rhythm with the beat.

She frowned, scrunching up her nose in an adorable manner. "Be serious with your words or do not speak at all."

Just as he was about to reply, a man dashed into the room, winded and out of breath. His dark clothes with the gold vine-and-leaf patch of the crown, ragged and dirt-stained from travel, signified that he was a royal messenger. He scrambled onto the dais, the crowd parting for him and staring in shock and no small amount of interest. Conversations were silenced, though the musicians were oblivious as they kept playing.

"The assassin has failed," the messenger intoned in a low voice, his tenor urgent as he faced the king, whose expression was unreadable.

Kaiden's head snapped over as he heard his father murmur something in reply. Confusion and anxiety surged through his body, sending his pulse racing and his mind spinning. He stood and neared the throne, looking up at Connell Thorne. "Father?"

"Take a seat, Kaiden. This is none of your business."

He did no such thing, instead facing his father. "Who are you attempting to kill, Father?"

"Kaiden..." he heard his mother say in warning as a feminine hand touched his arm. It was Holly, telling him not to drag himself into any more trouble. But trouble always had a way of finding him, it seemed.

The greying hair of Connell Thorne glinted at his temples, his lined face stern as he faced his son. "Sit. Down. Kaiden."

The nobles had ceased their chattering and had begun staring at the two of them. Tension rose, weighing down on his shoulders as he stiffened. Holly tugged at his sleeve. "Do as he says."

"Did you send someone to assassinate the Mordanian queen?" he wondered aloud, tapping his chin. "Or perhaps you finally wanted to get rid of the Lord Regent, finally having found him useless to you."

"Do not test me, son." Connell spat at him. There was something fiercely unnerving his gaze, something cold and uncaring. The face of a man who would use whatever means he could to achieve his ends. "You will regret it."

"Well, this is hardly the ideal time to schedule assassinations, Father." Kaiden said the words in a drawl, his relaxed tone not matching the pace of his thudding heart. "We have a future dynasty to choose."

"Then, I am certain you would agree that this is also not the time to be showing weakness by causing such a scene, Kaiden," his mother broke in, placing a hand on Connell's arm. Her smile was one of false cheer, her eyes narrowed.

The messenger cleared his throat, his voice a squeak. "There is one more thing I have to say."

Everyone dropped their argument for the moment being, laying down their pointed words and sharp spears. Connell Thorne looked at the messenger expectantly. "Well? Brevity is the soul of wit."

"The librarian instead of the queen was the one who received the dose. He may not survive. That is all." With that, he took a deep bow and made his exit.

The room filled with noxious voices, as everyone watched and waited to see if a monarchy would fall.