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“You weren’t kidding when you said it was hidden.”
I follow his guidance through various twists and turns. The passages open up, giving me more walking room than expected. Along the way are various holes in the walls to allow for light. We come to a vent where Slyth gestures for us to stop.
“This is it,” he whispers. “Zalith’s parents are below us.”
I peer through the vents, spotting them lounging below. The doors to the room open as Zalith enters as if on cue. His eager eyes are met with strange looks from his parents.
“Son,” says Shradga. “We’ve been looking for you.”
“Good,” replies Zalith. “I’ve needed some private time with the both of you, so let us talk.
“What’s going on?” asks Khatreya.
“I’ll explain everything,” says Zalith.
“Something’s not right,” whispers Slyth. “I can feel it.”
“Let’s just see what happens,” I mutter as Zalith takes a seat facing his parents.
“Mother, Father, I need to talk to you concerning Vippera. This engagement needs to end.”
“Not this again,” groans Shradga. “How many times must this conversation be had?”
“Listen to me, Vippera has shown time and time again that she’s unpredictable. I don’t think someone so volatile belongs in a position of power.”
His parents say nothing.
“You saw how she had that servant executed for trying to poison me, well… That was her doing, too.”
“What is this nonsense you speak of?” hisses Shradga, his voice rising. “I’ve had it up to –”
“Calm down,” says Khatreya, laying a hand on her husband’s shoulder before turning to her son. “Zalith, do you hear the words coming out of your mouth?”
“Are you even listening to what I’m saying?”
I feared his parents would think he was crazy, and the looks on their faces confirm it.
“You’re lucky Vippera is looking out for you,” says Khatreya. “You’ve been acting strange ever since she arrived, something that she and King Tikzorcu have also picked up on.”
“What?” remarks a stunned Zalith.
“Vippera and her father already came to us earlier in the day. We all had a conversation about your concerning behavior.”
“I’m the one with the behavior issues? Are you crazy?”
“Watch how you talk to your mother,” snaps Shradga. “Clearly this whole affair has been getting to you. What they told us makes sense, that the stress of it all is causing you to get paranoid with these made-up plots inside your head.”
“No, I swear I’m telling the truth! Please, I cannot marry this woman!”
“Enough, Zalith,” snaps Khatreya. “We know you were never keen on marrying Vippera, but to go to the level of sleeping with a human mistress? What’s gotten into you?”
“By the gods…” groans Zalith.
“This isn’t good,” I whisper to Slyth. “If Vippera got to his parents first then that could –”
“You’re a disgrace right now!” exclaims Shradga. “Do you no longer care for the throne?”
“That’s exactly why I’m here! Can’t you see?”
