Page 119 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“I don’t like seeing you get hurt,” he replies.

My head flinches back a little. “Wh-what?”

Henry, a palace guard, doesn’t like to see me get hurt? Where did that come from? Why does he care all of a sudden?

“I don’t like seeing anyone get hurt, but especially not women who don’t deserve it,” he repeats.

“The prince doesn’t think that way,” I mumble, not able to stop myself.

“The prince is the prince, he can think however he wants and no one will question it.” Henry gives me a pointed look like he knows something I don’t. “But that doesn’t mean his guards don’t have a brain. A lot of us do, we just don’t say anything.”

“Because you aren’t allowed to?” I cock an eyebrow and start walking again.

My hand still aches as I walk down the long hallway, wanting to get home as fast as I can and away from prying eyes. I need to get stuff on my hand before it gets even worse and the salve won’t do anything.

“Partially.” Henry shrugs as he keeps pace with me. “Some don’t want their opinion known. It makes everything easier if no one knows and just assumes.”

“Unless you are of the opposing view.” I point out. “But no one would actually say if they are because if they did then the prince would have their head.”

“You’re right. However, I think some people may already have, without the prince knowing. Some people are just better at hiding it than others,” Henry points out.

“True.” I mull over his words.

I haven’t said anything, but I am one of the people with an opposing view to the prince and king. Do other people know that?

We walk in silence for several minutes past the gates of the palace.

“You don’t have to walk with me back to the house.” I slow my pace and hide my hand, not wanting the townspeople to see the damage Hilga has done.

“But I must. Prince Archie gave me explicit orders to pick you up at your house and drop you off,” he replies. “I don’t want to lose my head because you told me not to.”

I sigh and shake my head. “Fine, if you must.”

This is probably another way for Prince Archie to keep track of my every move and ensure I don’t do anything he would disapprove of.

“Here is a different salve to use on your hands that will help heal it faster.” Henry pulls something out of his pocket. “You only need to use a little because it goes a long way.”

I look at the little jar in his hands with apprehension. For all I know it could make it worse if I put it on.

“How do I know you are telling the truth?” I ask, not taking the jar from his hand.

We’ve stopped walking again, standing in the middle of an empty street.

“A mutual friend wanted me to give it to you,” he vaguely says.

“Mutual friend?” My eyebrows pinch together. “The only mutual friends we have are the prince and my sister, who I don’t consider friends.” I roll my eyes.

“They aren’t my friends either,” he replies. “Her name starts with a Z.”

My eyes go wide as I stare at him.

“Zah—”

“Do not say her name,” he growls. “Only I am able to utter her name.”

Only he is able to utter her name?

“Is she your⁠—”