"The Lord Constable and the Arch-Cardinal are taking much longer than I expected," murmured Francisco. "It's only a three days ride from Navitium in a carriage and I sent the message two weeks ago."

Serpent Guard lined the throne room and Francisco's friends and retinue stood before him along with Benedict. Prince Jacquez stood at Francisco's side, a hand on the Crown Prince's shoulder.

Francisco stood up and began pacing back and forth. "They sent a reply to me as well. So I know they've received my message. They said they were coming right away."

A flurry of ideas and theories were thrown at the Crown Prince. He pretended to listen to each and every one of them by shaking his head slowly as if he understood what they were saying. Benedict wanted to roll his eyes but. . . all he could think about was the inheritance of the Serpent Throne. All he could think about was how not only would a person who did not deserve the Crown get it, but he was also a bastard. Benedict was the true Heir to the Serpent Throne. He should be the next wearer of the Serpent Crown.

He deserved it.

Benedict discreetly made the sign of the Angel King. What was that? That wasn't like him? Anyway, his brother had amassed a substantial amount of support and the dukes and duchesses of Sersalvon loved the freedom King Gallo had given them and they knew that would continue under Francisco's "rule."

But not under yours.

"Sweet Evangelynn," Benedict whispered to himself. Those were not his thoughts.

Suddenly, a group of guards burst into the hall. They seemed to be holding a prisoner. Benedict looked at the man they had brought with him and recognized his sigil: it was Count Jovan Galamez.

"Your Highness," one of the Serpent Guards said, "the count came to us, seeking an audience with you. He brought a retinue with him whom we've taken prisoner."

Prince Jacquez whispered something into Francisco's ear.

"Job well done, man," Francisco grinned. "Well, well count. Didn't think you would show face after the attack you ordered on the royal procession."

Count Jovan Galamez was a surprisingly young man. Having inherited his seat only a couple years ago after the untimely death of his grandmother the Countess of Vizayaca. He could've been no older than twenty-five.

"Hear me out, Highness," the count asked, his voice was stoic and without any sign of pleading.

Francisco's face twisted in anger. But Benedict saw through the facade and knew his brother was faking it. For show.

"Bah!" Francisco scoffed. "There is no 'hearing out' that can be done. You attacked the King of Sersalvon and committed the highest order of treason. Guards―" he made a gesture that Benedict recognized as a sign to execute the man.

"Wait!" Benedict cried. The Serpent Guard hesitated at his outcry. "We should at least give the man a chance to speak."

Now, Jacquez spoke, his voice was low and slippery, like a serpent. "This is the man who ordered the attack that killed your father, Benedict! The only way to avenge him is with Count Jovan's death!"

"Father isn't dead!" Benedict shouted.

"And I did not order that attack!" The count hollered.

Benedict whirled around to face the count. "What?"

"I did not order the attack on the royal procession," Jovan repeated.

"Enough!" Francisco bellowed. "I've had enough of these lies and insubordination. I'm the Crown Prince, Benedict! You are a second son!"

Oh the irony, that foreign voice in his head said.

Benedict watched his uncle. Jacquez did not so much as twitch. But he did notice Benedict's gaze, and his eyes narrowed.

Francisco continued: "You will do as I say!"

Feeling chastised, Benedict stepped back and turned away from the count. He wanted to hear the man out but he was overstepping his boundaries.

And you weren't overstepping your boundaries when you raised an army and subjugated a not two, but three rogue lords? That voice chided.

"Who are you?" Benedict whispered. Some highborns turned and looked at him funny.

I'm your guardian angel! The voice said cheerfully. Now go save that count! He may be innocent, as you already have gathered.

Guardian angel? Then he remembered what Mikkael had said to him before his dream-vision had ended. He would send him a guardian angel to guide the way.

The Serpent Guard had forced the count to the ground, where he struggled fiercely. One of the guards hefted his spear and prepared to run the count through. Without wasting another second, Benedict drew his side-sword and charged. His dream training with Mikkael kicked in and he made it to the count just as the spear began its motion. Deftly, he blocked the thrust and swept the guard's feet from underneath him. Quickly, he slashed the ropes holding the count's hands together and handed him the spear of the fallen guard.

Francisco stood from his throne and drew his Aes Sídhe bastard sword. "Seize them both!" he screeched.

"Don't kill anyone," Benedict whispered to the count.

"I won't," Jovan replied.

And they sprang into action.

Benedict danced and spun as one by one the Serpent Guard fell. The guards were reluctant to hurt him, for he was popular amongst the Serpent Guard. He knew most of their names. Their green capes billowed behind them as they fought the count and Benedict. The Serpent Guard were fierce warriors, but they were no match for a man who had been trained by an angel. Although Benedict had only trained with Mikkael for little over a month, his time in the presence of an angel had blessed him. He was stronger and faster, he had learned moves and strategy at over twice the rate of the usual person.

You're angel-touched, his guardian angel whispered. And not just by the Warrior.

In a matter of seconds, Benedict had dropped seven of the Guard and four others retreated to protect Francisco. Some of Francisco's friends decided to take up the fight and drew their weapons. Sabres, side-swords, cutlasses, and estocs were drawn as the highborn friends of Francisco moved on Benedict. Unlike the Guard, they were not afraid of hurting him.

And so Benedict loosened his restraint a little.

Many of the highborns were dressed in robes that prevented mobility. Benedict used this to his advantage by pulling on robes and tripping the highborns. Just as he brought another highborn to the ground, an estoc pierced his clothes and grassed his left hip. Grunting in pain, he turned around, deflected the next thrust, and stabbed the highborn in the thigh. She went down screaming.

He heard a cry and saw that Jovan had gone down, his shoulder was bloody from what seemed to be the glancing blow of a mace. Benedict bashed a highborn in the face with his pommel and ran to Jovan. He stood over the count's fallen body. "If you want to kill him, you'll have to kill me!"

The highborns parted and made way for Prince Jacquez. Staring at him now, Benedict noticed all the similarities between Francisco and his uncle. Another confirmation that Francisco really was a bastard.

Was Mikkael's confirmation not enough? His guardian angel inquired innocently.

"Benedict," his uncle began. Benedict resisted the urge to spit at him. "Why does the count matter so much to you?" His voice was gentle, but Benedict picked up the thin layer of poison that coated his seemingly soft words.

Benedict ignored him. "A ruler should be just and even-handed. He is the justice of men, but all who come to trial deserve a voice," he said to Francisco.

The Crown Prince stared at him incredulously. "You're quoting the Angelic Tome to me?"

Benedict felt his breath start to come in rapidly and his heart began to beat faster and faster. "I thought you might've needed a reminder."

Jacquez shook his head in disgust. "I thought you were better than that, Benedict." He hefted his Sídhe claymore and began to advance.

But then, Francisco held him back.

Jacquez barely stopped himself from spinning around violently. "Francisco. What is the meaning of this?"

Francisco did not answer. He visibly swallowed his pride. "I've decided to hear out the count." Well, perhaps not completely.

Jovan breathed a sigh of relief. "Highness, those mercenaries that attacked the royal procession were not hired by me."

"And why should I believe you?" Francisco shot back.

Jovan smiled grimly. After what happened to the Houses Álavar, Herreran, and Canova, one would have to be a special kind of fool to directly attack the Royal Family. Of course, an attack of the royal procession on my lands makes it very easy to pin the blame on me. Especially considering my. . . distaste of the Royal Family―" Jacquez growled threateningly. "―and we all know it's no secret. Sersalvon has fallen apart. It's a splintered shadow of the once great kingdom it used to be." Jovan faced Benedict as he said, "But I believe there may still be some hope."

Francisco noted the exchange and sneered. "What if you just wanted to kill my father?"

Jovan laughed. "Why? Surrounded by Serpent Guard and with hundreds of soldiers, there was little chance of success if I had indeed decided to attack the procession. The blame would've immediately been pinned on me and I would find my lands under siege in a matter of weeks if the king had died. My house would've been wiped from history!"

"So you just came here to convince me that you didn't attack the procession and that's it?" Francisco asked.

"No," Jovan answered mischievously. "I've come to pledge allegiance to Prince Benedict Navíste."

The hall erupted.

Francisco and his retinue alike shouted in protest. The Serpent Guard mingled about, not quite sure what to do. Benedict stood there, stunned. The count wanted to swear fealty to him? Why not to Francisco? The count was giving more power to Benedict while stripping away thAt that same moment, the doors flung open and the Duchess Lilliana Florjes entered the hall.

"What is the meaning of this madness!" the duchess demanded. She was an imposing figure. Her curly dark hair falling around her shoulders, shaking as her head whipped back and forth witnessing the madness of the hall. Behind her, a contingent of Florjes guards accompanied her. When she was informed, her expression did not show even a hint of surprise. She said something to her guards and they immediately began to work with the Serpent Guard to restore order to the hall.

Once everyone had finally calmed down or been subdued, Prince Jacquez stepped forward. "Your Grace, forgive us. Some of the younger lordlings seem to have gotten out of control."

The duchess sniffed haughtily. "Quite out of control, indeed."

"Your Grace!" Jovan shouted, catching the duchess's attention. "If I may, I haven't quite finished my pledge of allegiance."

The duchess nodded slightly.

Jovan fell to one knee before Benedict. "I pledge on my faith before the Angel King that I shall be faithful and loyal to my liege. I shall never cause him harm and do my homage to him completely in good faith and without deceit. May Mihael, the Angel of Loyalty keep me loyal. May Pharisa keep my binded to my oath. And may God give me the strength to serve my lord." The count made the Angelic Sign and kissed Benedict's hand.

And so it is done, his guardian angel whispered.

Benedict's knees felt weak. He barely managed to keep himself from buckling. Instead of renewing his oath to Francisco or his father, Jovan had pledged allegiance to him. To Benedict. A count had pledged allegiance to him.

This single-handedly would elevate Benedict to the title of duke. He would have at his disposal the resources of a county and multiple lordships.

It would also tip the balance of power in the royal family.

With the king's state in limbo, the political factions of Sersalvon had begun to move, preparing to strike. Jovan's declaration of allegiance to Benedict had caused a major upset.

Benedict snuck a glance at the Lilliana, Duchess of the Mercenaries, and he thought he saw a look of satisfaction on her face.