...or unless my uncle had lied.
Uncle Wylan wasn’t a liar, though, and if he had wanted to mention something specific they tried to steal, why be as specific with a worthless ring?I reached into my desk, pulling out a small painted portrait of the royal family.It was a copy of the massive one hanging in the royal hall.I had never seen anything so fake in my entire life.The royal family.All standing together as if they cared about one another at all.I was just a baby at the time the portrait was commissioned, and Rivero had still been at home.
But the portrait lacked my uncle.
I’d heard he left for several years when he was younger after my father was crowned king.As far as I knew, no one had spoken to him during that time or knew where he had been.It was a mystery now that I thought about it, only he wasn’t important enough for it to be considered a mystery worth solving.
That time had to have been where the ring came from.Something in his past, something that was evil coming back to haunt him.Evil enough he thought it was connected to my brother’s assassination.Just what had he gotten into that was bringing wrath down upon our whole family?
No matter.
There was little I could do about it now when we didn’t even have a suspect.
I glanced out the window, noting the falling sun.The sixth ball would be starting soon.It had always been my favorite, but now I dreaded it.It held more weight, more purpose.I was no longer a kid who could simply enjoy frivolous affairs.I had a job to do.A family reputation to uphold.
But more than anything, I needed a distraction tonight.
I strode over to the door, flinging it open and catching the sentry off guard.
“I’ll be leaving for the ball in ten minutes,” I announced.
Howland harrumphed from where he’d been sleeping on a couch across the hall.
I shut the door behind me and searched my closet for something to wear.It didn’t need to be fashionable, but functional and practical.I picked out a pair of trousers and a tunic, lacing up a freshly shined pair of boots.
I would win the competition at this ball.
A small smile lit my face.
And I knew exactly who I would go with.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Analleia
Desmond and I spentthe days leading up to the sixth ball forming a plan.It wasn’t much of one.We had no way of figuring out Athello’s schedule, but it was better than nothing.We had located his office and Desmond knew he had a meeting scheduled during the ball.A short window, but we could make it work.
