#Chapter 381: For The Good Of The Kingdom

The servant led Nicholas and I to a sitting room where the King stood behind the chair his wife was sitting on. A table had been arranged in front of her, with two teacups and an extravagant silver teapot. The Queen stirred a sugar cube into her tea. The gentle chime of the spoon hitting porcelain was the only sound in the room as we entered. The both looked up as we entered, though it wasn’t until they spotted Nicholas, that their blank faces shifted to ones filled with annoyance. I was nervous at their looks. The King and Queen could demand whatever they want, but Nicholas simply stood at my side with his head held high. “Your presence is neither requested nor required for this meeting, Nicholas,” the King said. Nicholas lifted his chin even higher. “I’m not going anywhere, Father. Save time and don’t waste your breath.” The King narrowed his eyes. I imagined he wasn’t often spoken to this way, let alone by his own children. Or Nicholas, at least. Joyce had been brainwa