Return of the General's Daughter

The kneeling man—Commander Bato—lowered his head further, blood trickling down the bridge of his nose and dripping onto the marble floor.

"Your Highness," he said through clenched teeth, "The rebel group’s coming out was unforeseen. Who would think they would go back on their words and tell everyone that they are the Vengefuls?"

Bato could feel the chill in the room as Rueben’s aura grew even darker.

"When we chased them, they were like ghosts—planted false trails, used decoys. They also led us to believe the assassination attempt on the king had not happened yet. It was supposed to happen tonight."

Prince Reuben’s jaw tightened. He paced the length of the chamber, boots striking hard against the floor. Sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows behind him, painting his crimson cloak with flickers of blue and gold, a twisted mockery of serenity.

"You thought wrong," Reuben hissed, whirling on him. "You let them slip through the capital gates. You let them poison a Duke. A Duke, Bato! And now Kasmeri—my bastard half-cousin—is gaining sympathy!"

"My prince, the duke had a heart attack. We—"

"You failed, Commander Bato." Reuben spat, pointing an accusatory finger. And now, the Defence Minister is whispering. They wanted to investigate the cause of Duke Caspian’s death, and the Caspian family is not without allies."

The commander flinched. The duke’s death was due to a heart attack. "I will rectify this, Your Highness. Just give the order."

Reuben’s eyes narrowed to slits. "You will do nothing without my order. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Highness."