Chapter Sixteen

Remus was awakened that night by something clinking and a light, familiar weight from the collar. Something cold touched his chest, and he swiped at it.

The chain. Spectacles straightened up from the metal plate.

"What the fuck are you doing?" asked Remus.

"Restraining you until further notice. We have issues, but it's nothing you need to worry about. Go back to sleep."

"I didn't do anything wrong!" snarled Remus. "Why are you chaining me up?"

"It's not punishment." He pushed up his spectacles and stepped back. Despite the time which felt late to Remus, he was fully dressed.

"You just felt like locking me up in the middle of the night?"

Spectacles lifted his chin and looked down his nose. "The Regent commanded it due to an issue with werewolves outside of the Palace. The Prince is indisposed at the moment, and we need all of the men. Do you think we'd let you run free?"

"Tell me what's going on. Where's the Prince?"

"You're quite demanding, and it's not fitting for a slave. Sébastien should have whipped that from you." Spectacles turned to leave, and he slammed the door shut.

He'd left the lantern on. Remus waited a minute and yelled, but nobody answered, and it was dead silent beyond his door. Shit. Were all of the guards really gone? Indisposed could mean the Prince wasn't well, he was asleep, or he'd gone out to deal with the supposed issue.

Maybe he wasn't lying, and Sébastien and the Regent wanted everyone. If something happened, werewolves on the ground in the dark could spell disaster if it turned out there were many. The Palace wasn't fortified for a true battle.

His gut said something else was wrong, and tonight might be a good night to off the Prince and make it look like an accident or something of the sort. Why not try one last time before Sébastien left Soleil? Remus got out of bed and yelled Sébastien's name in case he was in his bedroom. Would he even hear from that distance?

"Fuck." He tried yanking on the chain, but he knew that was hopeless. What if someone decided to off him too?

Footsteps hurried down the hall moments later, and he tensed. Pointy, whom he hadn't seen in ages, burst in and hesitated in the doorway.

"What?" asked Remus.

Pointy opened his mouth and paused. "The guards that Prince Sébastien trusts most are scattered on the grounds, and-can I trust you to protect the Prince?"

Did it mean getting free and having a chance? Something big was going down, and he'd rather die off the lead. Also, the Prince was a prick, but someone should help him instead of leaving him to the snake. Remus wished someone had helped him that one night. "Yes."

"I know you don't like him, but can you be a man and put those differences aside?" demanded Pointy.

"Haven't I already proved that? He'd already be dead if I hadn't. What's-"

Pointy rushed forward and unlocked the chain from his collar. "Follow me. The Prince was sick, and Maxime is with him now."

"What happened?" Remus followed him out.

"He had a fit, but there's something else-"

Beyond the double doors in the hall, Spectacles was dead with a patch of blood on his chest. In his slack hand lay a dagger with a bone handle.

That wasn't a Soleilian or Rowland weapon.

"I killed him," whispered Pointy. "He tried to stab me. I don't know why."

"Wait-what?"

"Hurry."

Remus didn't know what to think. Why would he attempt to kill Pointy, who must have been his assistant in managing the slaves who did menial work at the Palace? The corridors were empty as they hurried to Maxime's room. On the bed in the corner, the Prince looked like he'd been deposited there while unconscious. His coat was wrinkled, and his hair lay askew. Maxime was standing by the bed with an unsure expression.

"He's dead?!" Remus practically shouted.

"No!" Maxime furrowed his brow. "He came in and said he didn't feel right. I got him to sit, and I tried asking him if he'd had anything recently. He collapsed and started convulsing."

"What do you think it was?"

Maxime shook his head. "I think it was a real fit, not poison."

"After what already happened?!"

"He had one at the age of fifteen."

Remus paused by the bed. Jean and Remere had been alive when he was fifteen, so he was sure at the time, the Regent hadn't been plotting against Sébastien. Too many other stumbling blocks had lay between him and the crown, and he hadn't tasted real power. They hadn't even gone to war yet.

"Some people have them. You might have them frequently or just one or two in life. He's stressed, and it's believed that can be a factor, so…" Maxime shrugged. "I sedated him, and that's why he's asleep."

Remus tilted his head. "Why would you sedate him?"

"He needs to rest."

Something about Maxime's face tugged on Remus's gut. Since when did someone need to be forced to sleep after a fit? He turned to Pointy. "What the fuck is going on? What's your name?"

"Noel."

Noel remembered hearing that name. He was the one who whipped slaves if they disobeyed.

Noel rubbed his arm. "I was awoken by a commotion of guards going by, and a lot of the courtiers were up too since they'd heard shouting. Some are hiding."

"But why?" Remus wanted him out, but he also needed to know what was going on.

"A traveler said he spotted werewolves outside of the city and heading this way. They were following him. Two guards outside said they heard strange noises from the forest in the back. There used to be a pack in Moria. Perhaps they were related to the one who'd been brought here for entertainment. That baby escaped, and I'm sure he found others."

Those were likely events. Maybe adults wanted to avenge the baby's family or Vemer. Revenge could be a good driver for some, but not always.

"Everybody is looking outside," said Pointy. "It's a bit odd that it happened when he doesn't feel good, and-"

"A fit can happen-" said Maxime.

"But Eworn had a South Sea dagger, and he tried to kill me. There's something else going on, but I don't know what."

"What do you mean he tried to kill you?!"

"He came at me in the hall-"

Remus tried to think. While werewolves in South Sea were quite capable and happy without fairy-made items, they sometimes used relics and things found around South Sea. Bone handle knives had been a popular item at one time. Some werewolves had smithing skills, and a few forges remained from before the fairies in that region were massacred by Moria and South Forest.

"There's a few South Sea fairies left," Noel whispered as if he thought one might be listening by the door right at that moment. "I know we sometimes say they're extinct, but they're not entirely gone."

"So?" asked Remus. "A couple dozen or whatever don't have enough to fight any Kingdom now, and coming here to invade the Palace would be absolute folly. How about if you-"

"But it's said there's a shaman there," said Noel.

Dear Elira. Magic hooey nonsense. Anyone could hand out weapons from a different Kingdom, point the finger, and make it look like some convoluted plot by outsiders when the perpetrator lurked in the intended victim's home.

Maxime was a perfect person to use.

"Listen, I'll go have a look and see if I can find anything," said Noel. "You stay here with the Prince."

"That's a good idea. You should go do that. I'll stay right here with him."

And the person who knew a lot about various poisons. Remus glanced at the sword the physician wore on his belt as Noel scurried for the door. A lightning bolt had been carved into the hilt, and it was the sort of weapon a man might carry if he needed the weapon to channel his magic.

Remus waited until the door was firmly closed before he locked it. Maxime started to say something as Remus marched back to check the Prince's pulse on his neck.

"Be quiet."

Satisfied that the Prince's pulse was steady for the moment, he grabbed Maxime by his coat collar, lifted him, and slammed him against the wall.

"Reach for that sword, and I'll snap your neck," he roared as the physician kicked at him.

"What are you doing?!"

"What did you give him?" Remus shook him. "I'm pretty sure a person who's had a fit doesn't need to be put to sleep."

"I had to-"

"Bullshit!" Remus tightened his grip. "What's the antidote? How long does he have?"

"I didn't give him anything poisonous! I had to make him sleep! I lifted his eyelids, and they were red. His eyes, I mean!"

Remus froze. He'd seen that before. Or he thought so. He'd dismissed it as light or something odd because eyes didn't change colors.

"That's not natural or any effect I know of." Maxime raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I wouldn't kill him, and if I wanted to, I wouldn't have shown you the paintings of him before."

Remus kept him against the wall. "Were you trying to tell me something?"

"Maybe, but his eyes-"

"Did someone rape him when he was younger?" Remus asked slowly.

"I-I think so. I have no proof, just guesses."

"Who?"

"I don't know for sure." Maxime shook his head. "I tried to ask him because he seemed so off, and not just from grief. When he was sixteen, I truly started to suspect things, so I spoke to him in private. He denied it and threatened to have me sacked if I spread such rumors. Behind his back, everyone calls him names and says he's a virgin. I don't think he's ever been with anyone since because if he had lovers, they probably would have bragged. I've even heard a couple saying that his virginity is something they want to take."

Remus's stomach dropped. Sébastien had surely heard those rumors too, and being treated like he had some grand prize to giveaway was disgusting. It would be worse if he'd been abused. "Do you have suspects?"

"There was a lord who seemed to be around him a lot after Margot and Enzo died, and I found them speaking to each other a few times. I didn't suspect anything at first. It might have been him, although I don't have proof. The lord left and later died in the war. I tried to tell you because I don't think his attitude is entirely his fault, and he's not all bad. He's locked in himself, and that's why he lashes out."

Remus let go of him and stepped back. If he wasn't the only one who thought so, there was a good chance they were right. How Remus wished to be wrong.

"Why didn't you say something to his Father?"

"I wanted to, but-"

"But what?! His Father would have gutted the man."

"I was torn-"

"How could you fucking be torn?" yelled Remus. "If there's a sick fuck who likes touching young boys, you make sure they're dead so they can't do it again."

"Sébastien said I was crazy and denied anything had happened. If I had said something but was wrong, and Jean believed me, what if an innocent man had been put to death for a heinous crime that he didn't do?" Maxime flung his hands up. "If Prince Sébastien wouldn't say the words himself, I couldn't take that risk. I still believe he was abused, and that's partly why he's like this today, but if there was some slim chance that I was wrong or had the wrong person, an innocent man could have died. It is possible that Sébastien changed so fast since Margot and Enzo had died."

"I-"

"Imagine if someone pointed the finger at you," said Maxime. "But you were innocent. You've already got a false crime tacked on you in Rowland. I don't know how many there believe it, but I think you see what I'm talking about. Even with good intentions, I couldn't have done that."

Remus took a deep breath to steady himself. Maxime had a point. A false accusation flung at the wrong person with the Prince refusing to say anything could have been a disaster.

"Okay, you've got a point."

"As for the red, I don't have an explanation for that." The physician straightened his collar. "When he comes around, I'm hoping he'll be okay, and that it was just…I'm sure he'll be fine."

Maxime didn't seem like the flighty sort, and Remus had seen it too. "Are you sure he wasn't poisoned again?"

"Yes, and fits shouldn't cause that. Maybe it's harmless, but it frightened me. It wasn't natural, and it's like it wasn't him."

Or he'd had a flighty moment after recent events. Physicians were susceptible to stress, right? Remus leaned over the Prince and carefully lifted an eyelid. The pupil was partially rolled back, but he could see enough. It looked like the same silver eye he was used to, minus the disdain and anger.

"Was it a trick of the light, shadows, or something like that?"

Maxime's brow furrowed. "I don't see how."

"Well…we can't do anything about red eyes, and he seems fine now," said Remus. "Er, sorry about that."

"Forget it."

"I don't like us being in this room. Something's going on, and it's not murderous werewolves. This whole thing is ridiculous. We need to move because that door isn't sturdy enough if someone comes in." Trying to figure out the red eyes wasn't going to help much if anyone intended to kill Sébastien. They needed a safe spot to hide out for a while.

"Where?" Maxime frowned. "The guards will keep anyone out, and he's under our eye."

"We're going. This is some kind of complicated plot to kill him. It's not werewolves lurking and hoping to kill a few fairies for revenge or whatever."

"What on Ymir's dirt are you talking about?"

Remus remembered a good spot. "Your little attic room. We can hide in there, it's out of the way, and it might be forgotten. Don't argue with me."

"Uh, okay."

"I'll take him."

Maxime grabbed a crystal lantern, and Remus hauled the Prince up to sling him over his shoulder before he followed.

"How long will he be out?" The last thing Remus needed was for Sébastien to suddenly wake up and grow furious because his slave was taking liberties with his Royal Person.

"Hours," said Maxime. "I told you I was scared."

"Grab the lantern."

Thankfully, Remus was a lot more muscular, so the Prince's weight didn't slow him down too much as he went up the staircase with Maxime. He had to be careful in the narrow space so he didn't accidentally knock the Prince's skull on the wall. Just before he entered the hatch, he heard a noise like something slamming into a door.

Someone was already looking for him.

Maxime made a slight noise before he hastily closed the hatch, latched it, and sat on it while holding the lantern. Remus set the Prince on the floor and ran for a hefty crate.

"Move."

Remus slid it over as he heard someone shout. Once it was fully covering the hatch, he got on top to add his weight. Someone called out in the hallway.

"Who is that?" whispered Maxime.

"Just stay with him and keep quiet."

Sébastien remained out on the floor with his normally pissed face slack and too peaceful for the circumstances. Boots thumped up the stairs, and Maxime drew his sword. Lightning crackled around the blade as it held his channeled magic. Remus sure would have felt better with his own lightning magic as a few someones came closer.

Voices rumbled, and boots stomped. Something slammed into the hatch. A sword hilt? An axe? Remus was practically afraid to breathe.

Whatever it was, it slammed into the hatch several more times, and Remus was sure he heard someone say it was stuck.

Yes, please think it was stuck from disuse and fuck off. Maxime kept his sword lit up as someone gave another thump, probably from frustration. Boots stomped back down and away. Remus was sure he heard a door slam.

Neither dared to move just in case it was a trap and someone waited. Maxime looked ready to piss himself as he stood over the Prince. It was several minutes before Remus dared to shift and get a little more comfortable.

"Now what?" whispered the physician.

"Erm…we wait," muttered Remus. "It's safe enough in here, and if someone's waiting at the end of the stairs, I'd rather not find out. Do many know of this room?"

"No. I never even asked to use it. I just did. No one said a word."

"Can Noel find us?"

"He knows about this spot, but it might take a while. I doubt it'll be his first thought. Can you tell me what the fuck is going on? Who's plotting?" Maxime crept a little closer and crouched as his sword went out. A last thread of lightning lingered near the tip before it jumped off like a spark and vanished.

Remus hesitated and glanced at the enormous, slanted window with its multitude of plants. "I-I probably shouldn't say."

Sébastien likely wanted that kept quiet. Accusing the Regent of treason wouldn't be a good idea for the Prince, and with no actual proof, he'd appear as if he simply wanted the throne earlier.

"I'm not going to blab," said Maxime.

"I don't need him raging at me later because I said everything. He probably won't even like that I mentioned it. When he leaves for Midland, I need to come with him, and I'm not sure if he'll let me. He acts like he doesn't need me, but I think he knows he does. The problem is that he's more stubborn than a mule, and the Middies are going to devour him."

Remus slipped off the crate to press his ear to the floor and listen. He didn't hear anything, and he sat on the crate again just in case. If anyone was waiting, they'd be playing a long game. What were they supposed to do afterward? Whatever the Regent was doing, he'd have to pull back with the opportunity gone. He'd say convincing lies to calm the court, but he'd be furious.

Sending his nephew to Midland was a good way to get him killed, but he must have decided to try one last time. A time of confusion was perfect.

"Wait a second," said Remus. "Did Sébastien come in with anyone earlier? How would anyone know that he was in there?"

"I told the Regent."

Remus froze. "What?"

"I'm under strict orders to tell the Regent if Sébastien is ever ill in any shape or form."

"You told him?"

"Well, I had a servant do it. There's one that sleeps down the hall, and I'm to wake him if I need something like water or to run a message."

That figured. No one would think it odd if the Regent wanted to know. That was his precious nephew after all. If Sébastien were ever truly ill, it would also be an opportunity for the Regent to decide if he could use that to his advantage. "Who else?"

"Nobody. I'm sure the Regent told the guards," said Maxime. "They told...whoever that was."

Spectacles, or Eworn, had also known the Prince wasn't in his rooms. Remus remained quiet as they sat and waited. Through the window, the sky wasn't quite so dark when footsteps sounded on the stairs.

"Maxime?" came Noel's voice. "Are you in there? Where's the Prince? Everything has calmed down now."

They couldn't stay in their nook forever, so Remus took the chance to push the crate. Noel banged on the hatch.

"Hello? Remus?"

Remus threw open the hatch, and Noel flinched. No one was waiting right behind him with a weapon, and the assistant let out a shaky breath.

"Good Elira, you scared me. I've been trying to find you."

"What's going on?"

"They caught a werewolf in the back of the grounds," said Noel.

"Bullshit. You saw it?"

"No. There were some strange men too that were killed." Noel rubbed his face. "Everything's clear so you can come out. I don't know much else. I was shoved into a room where some courtiers were hiding. I came out, and someone said there was a dead werewolf outside."

"What do you mean strange men?"

"I don't know! That's what someone told me! Another courtier saw the men's corpses."

"We'll take Sébastien to his room," Remus told Maxime.

He wasn't leaving unless they pried him away. He still didn't like the little shit passed out on the floor, but the Regent was no better than Quintus.

Remus carried Sébastien over his shoulder as they made their way back to the physician's room and into the main corridor. A couple of ladies with cloaks over their nightgowns hurried by from wherever they'd hidden. Maxime tried to ask them what had happened, but they kept going.

They hadn't gone far when the Regent came stalking down the hallway with several guards behind him. Remus didn't recognize them, and he assumed they were ones particularly trusted by the Regent.

"What are you doing with him?" Corentin demanded.

Maxime started to speak, but Remus talked over him. "We took him to a private room to wait just in case something happened. Noel said werewolves were outside."

Corentin turned his furious gaze to Maxime. "Why is he unconscious? You said he had a fit!"

"I sedated him only because he was quite stressed afterward," blurted Maxime. "Stress can cause them in the first place, so I thought it was best if he slept."

Talking about red eyes would sound like silly imaginations gone wild. Remus didn't think it was a good idea to mention that someone had tried to get into that attic room. He needed to act dumb. Thankfully, Maxime kept his mouth shut about that too.

Corentin hesitated and didn't look too pleased. "Hand him over."

"I'm taking him to his room," Remus said in a firm voice.

"The guards can do th-"

"Or I can do it since I don't know who to trust now."

A few of the men shifted uncomfortably at the tone, and Corentin raised an eyebrow. "You don't trust my favored men? They risked their lives tonight."

"Eworn, the one in charge of the slaves-he had a bone handle knife from South Sea," Remus said as he thought fast.

"He tried to kill me," added Noel.

Corentin was certainly good at looking surprised, concerned, or whatever was needed. "Excuse me?"

"I got up, and I didn't know what was going on, and I was looking for him, and he attacked me with his knife!" said Noel. "I've worked for him for almost five years now, and he tried to stab me! He said nothing and just came at me! I had to kill him!"

A couple of the guards started murmuring with furrowed eyebrows.

"I brought Prince Sébastien's slave to sit with him just in case. You had a snake in your home this whole time!"

Corentin pinched the bridge of his nose. "That partly explains the men. I didn't think Eworn-dear Elira. Remus, take your Master to his rooms. In the future, don't interrupt anyone when they're speaking. I'm only letting this go since you're protecting my nephew."

No. Because he couldn't do shit at the moment. That was the only reason. Remus bit his tongue as Corentin ordered a couple of his men to follow. Remus didn't like their eyes boring into his back as he returned the Prince to his rooms. Maxime made them wait in the hall while Remus deposited Sébastien in his bed and tossed the blanket over him before he went into the sitting room. Noel paced in front of the doors while tapping his fingertips together.

"How long have you been here?" Remus sat next to Maxime.

"Me?" asked Noel.

"No, the invisible guy behind you."

Noel frowned. "Almost five years."

"You decided a job with slaves sounded like a fabulous thing to devote your life to?" Remus couldn't help but ask as his annoyance prickled. He wasn't sure if he trusted a man who worked with slaves. "It's you that doles out the whippings, isn't it? Eworn threatened one with a whipping from you, so I guess you're his assistant who does the tasks he's too lazy to do."

Noel paused. "I very rarely have to do that. I mostly organize them to ensure tasks are covered, and I also organize the paid servants. I ensure the slaves remain clean and obedient, and if someone's put on the post, I'm much kinder about it."

Maxime shifted as Remus scoffed. "‘Oh, my apologies for hurting you. There, that's all better, right?' Is that what you say?"

Noel clenched his fists. "Eworn was much crueler, and if either of us punished you, you'd see. If a slave misbehaves, I give them a warning and brush it under the rug if I can. If he was around, I couldn't and had to be much stricter. The slaves know this too. I don't like hurting people, but I needed a job and a way to eat. So sorry that we're not all born rich Princes. Also, Eworn often used the Palace slaves in his bed as he pleased. I never did."

Like having the basic moral of not raping someone was worthy of applause.

"Can you two please not?" muttered Maxime. "We have more pressing matters to deal with right now. If Noel hadn't been hired, another would have the job. Maybe someone worse."

Remus forced down his annoyance. "Did you see that knife before?"

Noel scratched the tip of his thin nose and resumed pacing. "No. He must have kept it hidden."

"How the fuck did I get in here?"

Noel jumped, and Remus turned to see Sébastien leaning against his bedroom door frame for support.

"I sedated you," said Maxime. "You had a fit. Do you remember anything?"

Sébastien gave him a rather blank stare. Whatever had been used to make him sleep hadn't quite worn off yet, and he looked ready to fall over. "I came to find you. You were in your office, and I didn't feel well."

"You had a fit and convulsed."

"Oh." Sébastien's eyes drifted away. "I didn't eat or drink anything after dinner."

"Well, if you're stressed, it's possible to have a single fit," said Maxime. "You had one before, remember?"

Sébastien grunted.

"Sometimes, it's a quirk. You were distressed when you came around. Do you remember that?" The Prince shook his head. "I sedated you and thought it best. The Regent knew you were ill-"

Sébastien's eyes slid right back to the physician.

"-and something happened. You can lie down, and I'll tell you."

"No." Sébastien made his way to an armchair.

"If you're not feeling well-"

"I'm muddled. That's it. Noel, go out."

"Why do I have to go?"

"Why are you even in my room?"

"Because…I don't know what else to do."

"So find something else to do." Sébastien sat in the armchair, and Noel left with a slight huff.

They gave him a quick version. His blank look was rather unsettling, although Maxime didn't appear bothered. Remus was used to him in a hissy mood, like a cat, but he could tell the Prince was still absorbing the information and already calculating what to do.

Maxime left out the part about his red eyes, but he did mention someone trying to get into the attic space, and how Remus said someone was plotting against him. That was why Eworn had tried to keep Remus in his room and attempted to murder Noel. He'd barely finished when a guard knocked and peeked in.

"Oh, you're up, Your Highness. The Regent is gathering everyone in the Hall for an announcement.

"Very well." Sébastien stood.

"He said you might be sleeping, but I was to tell you that you don't have to come. You can rest, and he'll speak to you afterward."

"I'm fine."

"You should rest," Maxime said in a small voice. "A fit can make a person sore because of the muscles convulsing, so it might be better if you-"

"I said I'm fine," the Prince said with his usual edge.

Nobody told Remus to stay behind, and Sébastien didn't seem to give a shit about what he did. He tagged along behind the Prince who didn't bother to ask for a lead and barely looked at him.

At that point, Remus could truly say he felt sorry for the Prince. Even after a fit, he had to be completely on guard and thinking ahead while pretending not to know what his Uncle was plotting.

Nobody should have to live like that and never feel safe in their own home.

The Hall was buzzing with talk. Some courtiers had sat, and others stood in clusters closer to the dais as they talked. Sébastien kept his posture and stride normal like nothing had happened. Remus caught flashes of sleep clothes under a few cloaks since several apparently hadn't dressed yet. No one seemed to care even though walking about like that wasn't done, especially at court. Others had attired themselves properly, and all kept looking at the Regent who was seated at the High Table and speaking to a guard.

The Regent stood as Sébastien came around the table, and the guard moved away.

"Are you well enough to be here?" The concern on Corentin's face was so perfect that Remus had the urge to sarcastically applaud like Sébastien had the day before.

"I'm fine." The Prince pushed his chair back a little and stood by him. "It was probably stress. I want to know what happened while I was asleep."

Sébastien's back was too rigid. Remus didn't fully understand fits in general, but he knew big ones that made a person convulse must have left them sore.

Remus stood to the side and behind them. Corentin didn't look at him and seemed to have forgotten him, and neither said to kneel. Corentin called for silence, and everyone looked at him, eager for an explanation.

"Earlier tonight, a traveler from Lare said he saw huge, dog-like shapes following him along the road. He was sure it was two werewolves, and they kept using the trees for coverage. When he drew closer to the Palace, they seemed to vanish into the forest. He ran to our gate to tell the guards."

Remus carefully listened. Why had the man chosen to travel all night? Of course, the men at the gate told others who went to investigate. It was thought two were running around in the woods behind the Palace and seeking a way in. Since no one had forgotten the incident with Vemer, and even one could be a problem, all of the Palace guards on shift were called outside to deal with the werewolves. If there were more, they didn't want to be caught unaware.

A few were ordered to check around the Palace just in case one managed to sneak in. With it being dark, they were guessing at numbers and location. The traveler had said two, but that didn't mean he was right.

Some went into the woods to search with lanterns, horses, and a dog to sniff. When the group inside searched the Palace, they found four men near the Prince's rooms who tried to attack them.

Some of the courtiers squinted at the Regent as murmurs rose throughout the Hall, and a couple clamored for answers on that.

Corentin raised a hand. "The Prince wasn't feeling well, and he'd already gone to our physician. As you can see, he's unharmed. The men had South Sea weapons with bone handles, and while they were dressed in our armor, none of ours recognized their faces. Two spoke with a Rowland accent, and one had wings."

"What does that mean?" someone called. "I thought this was a werewolf problem."

Corentin dipped his head. "Yes, and that's where we made a mistake. Those outside did find a werewolf, and they killed him. With the uproar, it was easy for four men to join the mix. The flier likely came over the fence somewhere, and the others slipped in or were carried over the wall by the flier."

A few gasped.

"When you see someone in the armor of your fellows, you'll likely think he's with you. That's how they weren't noticed at first. Nobody guarded the doors, and the temporary Commander over our men isn't experienced in such matters when there's true danger."

It was assumed the other two were from Rowland as well, and they'd come to Soleil with one or two werewolves who acted as the distraction. The Rowland fairies slipped in and headed for the Prince's rooms, hoping to kill him. Eworn, the slave handler, also had such a weapon and attempted to kill his assistant earlier when he went to check on Sébastien's slave. He was originally from Moria but had a Rowland Grandmother, so it was obvious he had no real loyalty to Soleil in the end.

Talk rose as the tension grew in the Hall, and someone yelled the treaty had been broken. Remus wanted to shout bullshit. Quintus hadn't sent six to assassinate the Prince, and that was utterly ridiculous.

The plan and using the confusion to slip men in wasn't the worst plan, but he highly doubted a group of six would agree to that. Too much could go wrong, and even if they killed the Prince, they could be caught afterward. Getting out wasn't guaranteed, and most people like to keep living after completing a dangerous task.

Corentin raised both hands. "I'm not saying that Rowland is innocent or guilty. I highly doubt King Quintus set up such an elaborate plan and would risk our peace."

"You just said they were likely all from Rowland, Your Majesty," declared a lord. "I think that makes it obvious, and many South Sea relics and weapons are sold around that area."

Corentin shook his head. "That doesn't mean they were sent by their King. Please remember that the werewolves are crude and like revenge. Plenty of men in Rowland have also lost family and consort with those beasts, and a few fairies are living in South Sea. I imagine they're particularly barbaric. A small and foolish group could have concocted this entirely on their own. Prince Sébastien probably isn't looked upon kindly by everyone."

The courtiers seemed to be mulling that over. Plenty from both sides had either lost a family member to the war, or they knew someone who had. Soleil still viewed Rowland as an enemy along with being inferior thanks to the war. A peace treaty didn't mean everyone was happy and ready to forget the past in a blink.

A man might be willing to risk death if he's commanded by his King because refusing could lead to an early end. He might also risk his life to avenge someone, and someone who was close to werewolves likely wasn't too smart in the eyes of a Soleilian.

"We will be upping our protective measures and bringing in more guards to patrol the wall and the woods. Anyone who enters the gate must show their face to the guards whether they're coming or going. We've grown lax in the comfort of our home with peace, and we must always remember that while things are well between Quintus and me, there are people who dislike us, and werewolves are beasts. They hate our laws and seek to blame us when they bring trouble upon themselves."

Remus had a feeling now of the real story. The courtiers appeared reassured at the mention of extra guards. Someone had gotten quite far inside, but that wouldn't happen again. Not everyone was entirely happy since someone they should have left after the first werewolf incident.

Corentin said the body of the werewolf they caught would be buried. The other had run, but a group would check the area and make sure it wasn't terrorizing the local farms or travelers.

Someone said it might come to avenge the one they killed, and Corentin said they'd deal with it if it did. He said he needed to deal with some matters, and the courtiers set to talking among themselves.

Corentin said something to his nephew who flapped a hand at him.

"I was sick in case you forgot, and I'd like to rest now that I know we'll be fine. Remus, follow."