She stood there, shocked at my words. She began to write on her notepad: "I thought you were having it under control? You were trying to make her jealous as we went for that dinner, now that you know she's after your throne, you're standing here in regret."

I shook my head in disappointment, not knowing what to say to her, as I read what she wrote: "What I am angry about is that I allowed you to deceive me, to follow you to that dinner."

I felt a pang of guilt as I read her words. I had deceived her, used her as a pawn in my game to...