Henrick twisted his goblet around, seemingly lost in thought. Finally, he looked at Reid. “My brother, Hudson, was born two minutes before me. He assumed he would rule. However, he cared more for women and hunting than he did for politics. I studied under my father, learning everything I could. Not because I wanted to rule, but because I enjoyed the studies. When we turned eighteen, Father declared me as his heir. Hudson went into a fit of rage, swearing to destroy the City of Radella and everything my father held dear. Around that time, I’d made an offer of marriage to Lady Leigh. Our parents were in the middle of contract negotiations when my father fell ill quite unexpectedly and died. I was shocked and heartbroken. After Father’s death, my brother took control of the army. He declared he was going to marry Leigh instead. When my brother’s actions toward me began to seem threatening, Leigh begged me to leave the city—to hide on her friend’s estate. I complied, thinking it would give my brother time to calm down.”

Reid had never heard any of this before. “But what of the dukes?”

“Hudson produced evidence, signed by my father, that proclaimed him as the rightful heir. While I believe he forged it, I have no proof. He claims Father changed his mind on his deathbed. There were supposedly two witnesses, both men loyal to my brother.”

“What happened then?” Reid asked.

“Henrick came to my family’s land,” Nara said. “I was Leigh’s best friend, and I promised to protect Henrick.”

“Months later, when it was announced Leigh was with child, Hudson declared he was leaving the City of Radella. He traveled north of the Gast River to the City of Buckley, where he had a new castle built. One with a large wall. Since his wife was with child, the dukes supported him. Hudson said I could remain in Axian so long as I never crossed the river, so I agreed and came out of hiding. I returned to the palace where I’ve been living peacefully since.”

“Why do you think Hudson left?” Reid asked. Why hadn’t he stayed in Axian where the palace was far grander?

“I think he left because he couldn’t handle the guilt,” Nara said. “To live in the palace where he’d killed his father was too much for him. He ran from his childhood memories and what he’d done. In the City of Buckley, he started a new life, one separate from everything he knew in Axian.”