Esme – POV
The silence in the room was suffocating. The tension was unbearable.
"How do you plan to handle this situation? King Vorn? King Liam?" Lady Margaret asked.
"The Baredon family is not considered a royal noble house under the Western Land crown," King Vorn replied.
"No… please, King Vorn. Don't do this," Merina begged. Duke Rathon's eyes widened in shock, but no words left his mouth.
"I cannot grant your plea, Lady Merina. Your father committed a grave sin—not only was he engaged to an Eastbrone woman, but he also hid a daughter and conducted business on Eastbrone lands. He nearly pushed King Liam and me into war over Lady Esme," King Vorn said coldly.
"Guards. Take Lady Merina, Duke Rathon, and Lady Esme to the prison," he ordered.
The imperial guards approached, but just as they reached for me, a single hand stopped them. Liam's crystal-blue eyes locked onto mine.
"Duke Rathon," Liam's voice was dangerously low.
"You hurt your daughter," he said.
Silence.
