I silently watched as Ash shared his plans with his mother. Her face furrowed in disapproval with every document he passed her. Sensing this, he saved the denouncement of his father for last. Even such a strategic move, however, did not save him from the Queen Mother's temper. Her hands started shaking as she read the parchment that delineated her late husband as a traitor. She looked up at Ash with a red-eyed expression that may have mirrored mine from last night.

"I am torn, Ashton. As your mother, I believe I need to guide you towards justice, but as a wife, I simply cannot stand and watch you taint my husband's name. Even you have your duty as a son to protect your father's honor. As a family, we must protect each other's righteousness."

His jaw clenched, "I left behind all personal ties once I took the throne, Mother. Today, I am neither a son nor brother, but a servant to Sedalia. Raising this kingdom is now my one and only duty. If I were to tread off this path, then it would only be acceptable for me to abdicate this responsibility and settle elsewhere with only my family and nothing else."

That idea sounded very promising. Perhaps in a field somewhere, it would simply be us and nothing else. Suddenly, Elena's smug expression invaded my thoughts and the idea was no longer as appealing. In fact, it was rather selfish. At some point, I myself lost sight of why I took the decision to marry Ashton and accept the position of Queen. Everything was much simpler before personal interests got involved.

Just looking into his eyes made my heart beat faster.

I was too far-gone.

"Will you be satisfied if, even after tarnishing your father's name, Sedalia doesn't become what you desire it to be?" His mother's words weighed heavily in the room.

Yet without hesitation, Ash answered, "Yes, because at least I would have exhausted all my efforts."

Aunt Claire's expression darkened to a shade I'd never seen before. It was rather frightening, but she knew she couldn't do anything beyond that. Her position was no more than an advisor after descending the throne, and if he didn't take her advice, then so be it.

"As long as you don't regret your decision, Ash." She stated before promptly rising from her seat.

"As I see it, I'm making up for father's regrets as well." He answered before she wordlessly closed the doors of the study behind her.

His sigh broke the gloomy silence, "She is very upset."

I nodded in agreement, "Understandably so."

He looked at me with sad eyes, "I feel like a sinner, with the way all of you are looking at me. What wrong have I committed?"

Shaking my head, I dismissed the idea, "There's this irrevocable bias in all of us that your proposition threatens, that's all."

Nodding in consideration, he gathered the pile of documents and headed for the door.

"I'll submit these to the Royal Herald so that copies can be made and distributed, and I'll give notice to the Royal Guard to proceed with what we discussed. And then," he paused before giving me a sheepish look, "I believe we have some unfinished business."

"I believe we do, as you haven't informed me of what you saw last night, without me." I retorted, completely ignoring his attempt at coquetry.

He frowned, "And you used to say I wasn't romantic."

I smirked, "Consider this my revenge."

"A farmer was murdered. Suspect is Marcellus. 'The King's Will' was carved into his torso." He was curt.

"The King's Will?" I repeated, my eyebrows furrowed.

"I suppose he's trying to sway my public opinion, attempting to paint me as corrupted nobility like the rest of them. That's why I'm trying to get these out there as quickly as possible. If anything, we need the support of the lower classes because we'll be losing the support of the upper."

"But Ash... it's as if he's taunting you to move forward with your plans."

"What do you mean?"

"If he's trying to create backlash, he knows what you intend to do. He must be in touch with a noble, perhaps several."

"Then so be it. Everyone will be jailed within the next night anyway."

I held onto his hand, "Please proceed with caution."

He gave me a reassuring smile, "Don't worry about anything. I promise everything will be in order within these next few months. Soon, there won't be just one library, but multiple, and the children of Sedalia will be the most advanced that society has ever seen."

I couldn't help but smile as he referenced my idea. With his drive to fight being so strong, I couldn't argue any further.

"Ash, I stand by you, regardless of where this takes us." I vowed, knowing full well that these words have escaped my mouth before and that he knew my intentions without me vocalizing them.

"I'll express my gratitude once I'm back." He winked, before rushing out.

Before the anxiety of forthcoming events could consume me, I decided to find Adele. I felt that recent events put a strain on our friendship. In the past, she didn't sleep until she told me about any boys of interest. Yet now, the beginnings of a relationship went unnoticed by me, and I couldn't help but feel that I hadn't been there for her. All I could do was appreciate her prioritization by leaving me to deal with more serious matters than her love life.

However, all thoughts eluded me when I saw her moping in the corner of her chambers. Was it not just the other day that she was chirpy, drowned in the warmth of young love? She perked up once she saw me.

"Ev!" She burst out, pulling me into a hug.

I frowned, "Something is amiss."

She groaned, "I'd rather not talk about it."

My eyebrows flew up in surprise, "Addie, you're never one to hide your feelings."

With a pout, she answered in a quivering voice, "Well, I suppose I learned my lesson."

"What do you mean?"

"Lord Arden and I fought. Well, not literally, it was more of a tiff... but he insulted Father." Her voice broke towards the end.

"Oh Adele..." I placed a comforting hand over her shoulders as they started to heave up and down.

"Father had good intentions, but he wouldn't understand that. Regardless of his actions, should that not earn some respect? He's simply a Lord after all! He has no right to insult the late King."

"Adele..." I hushed her as I thought of my next words carefully.

How am I supposed notify her of the fact that Ash approved to posthumously charge King Gavin for treason?