#Chapter 217: A Familial Betrayal

Nicholas I pushed my errant brother through the door of the first nearby empty room. It was a library with floor to ceiling bookcases. I shoved Joyce into the center of the room and he fell to his knees. The King and Queen came in behind me, with Julian sauntering in last. Nathan closed the door to the room and stood outside of it, protecting the shattered remains of our privacy. Joyce whimpered where he sat on the ground. He wiped at his eyes were genuine tears were beginning to well. His face was a mix of fading determination and building sadness and stress. “Joyce, you absolute twat,” Julian said, and there was unbridled fury in his voice. Fury I couldn’t quite bring myself to feel for my youngest brother. I had never hated my brother. He kept to himself, but seemed thoughtful and well-educated. Perhaps his lack of social awareness led to his downfall here. As furious as I was, for his accusations against Piper, I felt angrier at myself for being unable to protect his weaknes