“This was never her kingdom, not really. I do not blame her for what she did, especially after what I learned she’d been hiding from me. Once, yes, but not anymore. I’m too old to cling to petty grudges, and I do not wish for you to hold such anger in your heart lest it burn you alive.”

“I won’t forgive her.”

“I didn’t ask you to. But your brother also had no choice in what transpired on the day of your births.”

“Does he not have a choice now? To forsake the throne he stole and return to where he belongs?”

“If he returned, he would be the crown prince. Not you.”

“Yes, he would. And I would support him.”

“That’s…noble.”

“I’m not trying to be noble, Father, but I won’t spit in the face of tradition and honor like my own mother has.”

“Watch your tongue!” the king snapped.

“I—I’m sorry,” Tomas said, sounding as contrite as Ludo had ever heard him sound. Maybe he had a conscience buried deep inside him after all. “You’re right. I am only angry on your behalf. You deserved a better, more loyal wife than she.”

The king released a breath so deep and heavy it might’ve originated in his abdomen and not his lungs. “You don’t know everything about our marriage, Tomas. I have sought to shield you from that which would hurt you.”

“I’m not a child anymore. I don’t need shielding.”

“Of course you don’t, but I’m still your father, and it’s my job to protect you. And I will do just that as long as my heart continues to beat.”

Ludo had been listening to the entire exchange with interest, though to anyone looking upon him his expression showed only boredom. Now, the king seemed to remember he wasn’t alone with his son. “You have your orders, King’s Blade. Before you leave Marchessault, stop at the treasury. They are expecting you. You’ll be granted a sum of a hundred gold coins, more than enough to get you to Nal Eston and back a half-dozen times over if necessary. Whatever remains at the end of your quest is yours to keep as payment for services rendered.”

“That is most generous, Your Majesty,” he said, trying to banish old memories upon hearing the name of a place that had saved him even as it sought to kill him on a daily basis. He sensed the king had more to say, so he didn’t turn to leave just yet.

“I’ve prepared an escort as well.”

“That’s not necessary, Your Majesty. I prefer to work alone.”

“Of course, you do. It’s no surprise you’ve earned ‘the Ghost’ as your nickname, though personally I find it rather silly.”