Cassius was stunned. He blinked several times, trying his best to look innocent. “Wh-who, who would ever seek to dethrone you, the rightful ruler, Queen Rona?”

Her eyes penetrated into his like two beams of light cast down from the heavens, though not ethereal in any way. “I’m not sure. But I believe there is someone. Perhaps you know.”

“I don’t know anything, my Queen. In fact, when I thought I saw the duke, I went to the guards, your guards. If I was in cahoots with your husband, why would I do such a thing?”

She had to ponder that for a moment, which seemed like a win to...