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“They weren’t his grandchildren.”
“I don’t see…” I trail off, his statement not immediately sinking in.When it does, my mouth falls open, my eyes widening.“They weren’t?”
Did my aunt have an affair that resulted in my cousins?Could this be the secret my grandfather didn’t want to get out?But if that’s the case, why would my uncle walk away from the royal family after learning his wife had an affair?It doesn’t make sense.
“They were his children,” Silas states.
“His…children?”I squeak out, a heaviness settling over me.
“Nicholas and Evelyn were married for quite a few years without conceiving a child.People were starting to talk.Wondered if they were able to have children and what that might mean for the monarchy.We knew Evelyn was fertile.She’d been examined before King Theodore approved of their marriage.”
I push down the bitter taste in my mouth at the reminder of how fucked up this world is.Most parents want to make sure their children marry someone they love.Someone they hope to grow old with.Not us.The only requirement is that our chosen spouse can provide an heir.
“But Uncle Nicholas wasn’t fertile,” I say, filling in the blanks.
“This was before IVF, so that wasn’t an option.Because of that, King Theodore needed to take matters into his own hands.He needed to ensure the bloodline continued.”
“And Aunt Evelyn was okay with this?”I ask incredulously.
“She was reminded of her duty to the crown.”Silas lifts his chin.
“So he raped her,” I snip out.
“No.She had a choice.”
“I highly doubt she thought she did.”I bark out a disbelieving laugh.“Did Uncle Nicholas know what his father did?”
It’s one thing to learn this about my grandfather.He was never a warm person.But Uncle Nicholas was always kind.Always smiling.Always loving.I don’t want to think he was a willing participant in this.
“Not until Evelyn went back on her word and told him the truth.”
“I imagine that didn’t go over very well.”
“Of course not!And because she couldn’t keep her mouth shut, Nicholas threatened to go public unless King Theodore agreed to remove him and his children from the line of succession.But Theodore knew something like that would raise eyebrows as to why the heir apparent was so eager to relinquish not only his birthright but also that of his children.Or who everyonebelievedto be his children.”
“Maybe he should have thought of that before he raped my aunt just to produce a few heirs.”
“He did what was necessary to—”
“I don’t want to hear you say it was necessary to kill six people in order to protect the monarchy.He was so worried about the truth of his actions getting out?Did he not think what would happen when people found out they were murdered?”
“I assured him that would never happen.And it’s a promise I plan to keep.”
“How?By silencing everyone who could potentially expose the truth?”
“This would have ended years ago if Jameson had just handed over the recording when he found it.If you’re so worried about more people losing their lives, I suggest telling me where it is.”
I hold my head high.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Without hesitation, he lifts his hand, delivering a harsh slap to my face.I somehow manage not to lose my balance, remaining sunken on my knees as I blink through my tears.
“I warned you.We can do this the easy way or the hard way.I’m happy to trade places with Kingsley.His methods are somewhat…unusual.By the end, you’ll be begging him to put an end to your suffering.So if I were you, I’d give me what I want.Save yourself the hassle…” His mouth twists into an evil smirk.“And the torture, really.”
“You want to know where it is?Well, I’ll give you a little clue.”I glower at him, my expression a mask of steel, my heart pounding.“You can tear apart this entire place, and you’ll never find it.You’re going to kill me anyway?Go ahead and do it.But believe me when I say you won’t get away with it.Not this time.If a princess ends up dead, someone is bound to ask questions.”
“Do you honestly think I haven’t already thought of that?”
He returns to the chair, his face mere inches from mine, but I refuse to flinch.Refuse to show any fear.
