Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“Yes, I would call the debt settled.”
“Okay, I’ll play your game.”
He probably should have taken at least a minute to consider the possibilities of what he could be getting himself into. It was already more than obvious that he wasn’t smart or experienced enough to handle this. He didn’t know a damn thing about diplomacy, negotiating, or politics. How could King Victor take him seriously about anything? But if it meant getting Prince Everand home, what did it matter?
King Victor’s grin slid back into its usual smug look as he continued to lead them on their stroll through the garden. Hugo’s feet lagged for a breath as his brain briefly panicked over what he might have agreed to.
“Since I am playing this game with you, wouldn’t you agree that it’s only fair that I understand the story behind this debt?” Hugo started.
The somewhat happy expression disappeared, and Victor glared at him, a snarl curling his upper lip. “I’m sure Prince Everand has told you what happened.”
“Prince Everand told me the Branem version of the story that he learned from his father, but what he knows has been…filtered,” he replied, struggling for the proper word to describe what was clearly an incomplete story. “I would like to know Wulia’s point of view regarding the events.”
The muscles in Victor’s jaw jumped as he ground his teeth and made no move to speak.
Hugo skipped ahead of him and cut in front of him, blocking his path. “I gather that it’s my life that’s on the line in terms of this game I’m playing with you. You’ve struck me as a fair man, Your Majesty. In the name of fairness, please tell me what caused this rift.”
“Your cuteness will help you only so much.”
Hugo jolted, his lips parting slightly. “You think I’m cute?”
Victor huffed a near-silent laugh. While Hugo was still marveling at the king’s words, Victor placed his hands on Hugo’s shoulders and forcibly turned the man around so they could continue walking along the stone path, following it as it curved under the long limbs of a weeping willow.
“Many years ago, the kingdoms of Branem and Wulia were allies. The kings of both countries were old friends, but it all fell apart because of one man’s betrayal. Prince Philip of Branem had met Lady Victoria Gromwell first and was actively wooing her. King Dominic of Wulia was a friend of Philip’s, and he did find Lady Victoria to be lovely. Unfortunately, Prince Philip’s parents didn’t approve of Lady Victoria and her family. They rejected all their son’s demands to marry her. During this time, Lady Victoria secretly sought King Dominic and confided that she was pregnant with Philip’s child. However, she was afraid that if Philip’s parents discovered the truth, they would have her and the child killed rather than allow her to marry Philip.”
“Kill her? Why couldn’t she just be ostracized? Why go to the extreme of killing her and an innocent child?” Hugo demanded. His hands were balled into fists and trembling at his sides.
“Because the royal family can’t afford to have bastards running around, making dubious claims on the throne. The bloodline must be protected.”
Hugo snorted but said nothing. There was no point.
“Out of the goodness of his heart, King Dominic made an offer of marriage to Lady Victoria’s father in the name of protecting her,” Victor continued.
A sharp gasp broke from Hugo’s throat, and he swung to face Victor. “Does that mean—”
“No.”
“But you don’t even know what I’m going to say.”
The corner of Victor’s mouth lifted, and little crinkles formed at the corners of his eyes. “You think my father is Philip’s child. No, Lady Victoria lost the baby well before she married King Dominic.”
Hugo sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Then why go forward with the wedding if it was no longer necessary to protect Lady Victoria and her unborn child?”
“Because nothing had changed. Philip’s parents still wouldn’t relent. He couldn’t marry her. Victoria had lost all hope.”
“Philip probably could have if he’d been willing to give up all hope of sitting on the throne,” Hugo muttered under his breath.
A loud, rough bark of laughter erupted from Victor. “What prince would ever be willing to do that for love?”
A soft smile returned to Hugo’s lips and a warm spot burned in the center of his chest, enveloping his heart as he thought of all the times Everand offered to run off to live in a cottage in the woods with him, giving up the crown in favor of a small garden, rabbits, and Hugo. There was at least one prince in the world who was willing to do it.
“Yes, Lady Victoria was honest with King Dominic about her feelings for Prince Philip, but she went ahead with the wedding because she’d given up all hope of marrying Philip and needed protection. And who would ever turn down the chance to be queen? She swore to be faithful and loyal to King Dominic.” That sentence was spoken as if torn from Victor’s soul, sending a chill through Hugo.