I can’t stop thinking about Renee on the drive back to the castle. Nobody should have to go through what her family has been forced to deal with. She’s clearly a strong girl, especially if she’s been dealing with Julian for as long as she has been.

I can’t imagine what he life would be like if he won. Nobody would come to save her, and millions more girls like her would be forced into horrible situations. Julian wants to cut every single program that families like Renee’s depend on, and they’d end up even worse off. The frustrating part is, so many people believe in Julian’s shit and think that cutting programs and waving the flag more will save lives.

I’m not letting Julian gut this country. No fucking way. Maybe Renee hasn’t given me the direct proof that I need, but I have enough for now. I’ll need to get her on tape admitting everything, but for now, I can start moving forward.

I’m plotting my next moves as we pull into the underground parking structure and start up into the castle. Hazel walks next to me, idly scrolling through her phone as the elevator doors ding open.

We step inside and I’m thinking about which nobles I’m going to approach. I already know I’ll tell Jessie about this, and she’ll have some good ideas about what to do with the info. We might need to sit on it, just so that Julian doesn’t get tipped off, but I don’t know. My head is buzzing with strategies when the doors open and we step out into the castle.

And are met by two guards and two stewards.

“Prince Nolan and Wife Consort Hazel,” the steward standing closest to us says. “I am ordering you both attend Second Steward Andrew Schmid immediately.”

I stop in my tracks and glance at the guards. “What’s happening here?” I ask the steward that addressed us. I don’t recognize the man, which means he’s probably one of Julian’s.

“The Second Steward has ordered that you and the Wife Consort are to be brought before him as soon as you step foot in the castle,” the man says. “This is by decree of the king himself.”

I stare for a second, not understanding. “If Andrew wants to see us, why would he send you people? And what’s with the fucking guards?”

“Please, Prince Nolan, come with us.”

I have a bad feeling, but I don’t know what else I can do. I have no supporters nearby. The only choice I have is to follow for the time being.

I nod and gesture. “Lead the way,” I say.

One guard falls in front of us and the other walks behind us. Hazel looks worried as we walk down the halls toward Andrew’s office.

This makes no sense to me. Andrew is supposed to be on my side. Why would he send these goons here to pick us up, unless something is happening? I can’t imagine that he turned on me, but then again, I’ve been away from court for a long time, which everyone loves to remind me.

Andrew used to be my close friend. We grew up together, though we could never be seen as equals. I was always the prince, and he was always the son of a steward. We were in different social classes, and we were kept apart a lot of the time. Although we were close friends, Andrew never forgot that I was his superior.

Maybe Julian got to him. Maybe all those years of resentment came boiling to the surface when I returned, and now he’s stabbing me in the back. I don’t understand any of this, but maybe I’m a fool for trusting him.

My gut is a mess when we finally reach his office. The steward opens the door and we file into the cramped space. Andrew is sitting at his desk, his face a mask of serious neutrality.

“Prince Nolan, Wife Consort Hazel, thank you for attending me,” he says, standing. “Steward Michaelson, Steward Paulaner you are both dismissed.”

The two stewards bow to Andrew and file out, but the guards remain. Andrew glances at the guards but doesn’t say anything.

“Please, sit,” he says, gesturing. I take a seat and Hazel sits down next to me a moment later. Andrew sits in his chair and sighs.

“We’re here to determine the guilt of Wife Consort Hazel Joyce.”

I stare at Andrew, completely shocked. “Guilt?” I ask him. “What the fuck is this, Andrew?”

“Prince Nolan,” Andrew says. “The Wife Consort is accused of high treason. These are serious charges.”

“Bullshit,” I say. “You know that media shit is total garbage. It’s just a story put out by—“

“Prince Nolan,” Andrew says loudly, cutting me off before I can say Julian’s name. “I’ll remind you that this is an official hearing, witnessed by the guards of the castle. Do you understand?”

I hesitate before nodding. “I understand,” I say, and I think I do.

Andrew’s warning me. He just stopped me form accusing Julian of anything, and now he’s telling me that the guards are Julian’s men.

Maybe he’s not a traitor after all, but a steward caught in the middle.

“Good,” he says. “Now, we’ll review the evidence against the Wife Consort.” Andrew produces a piece of paper and slides it across his desk. “Can you tell me what this is?”

I pick up the paper and show it to Hazel. She glances through it and shakes her head. “I’ve never seen this before,” she says softly.

“Can you confirm what it says?” Andrew asks.

“It says that Hazel was hired by the American Defense Department,” I say.

“I couldn’t even drive back when this says I was hired,” Hazel says. “This is absurd.”

Andrew glances at the guards. “Maybe,” he says. “But we must continue. There are rumors of treason and spying here, you understand.”

“She’s not a traitor,” I say.

“I have not and never will work for the American government,” Hazel says clearly.

“Is that your official statement?” Andrew asks.

“Yes,” she confirms.

He nods and writes it down. “Very well. Is there anything else you wish to add in your defense?”

“I was a child back then,” she says. “The idea that I was hired to be a spy at that age is absurd. That’s not how things work in America.”

Andrew nods slowly. “Very well.” He jots it down quickly. “Anything else?”

“No,” she says.

“Thank you for cooperating, Wife Consort Hazel,” he says. “And thank you, Prince Nolan.”

I blink, surprised. “Is that it?”

“For now,” Andrew says. “The investigation will continue.” He gestures at the door. “You two are free to leave.”

I hesitate for a second. We’ve barely been here a few minutes, but I think I know what’s happening here. Andrew is doing just enough to make it look like he’s actually trying to follow orders, but not enough to actually prosecute anything. He’s going to drag this fake investigation on as long as humanly possible, hopefully giving me the time I need.

I stand and nod to him. I hope he understands that I know what he’s doing. He nods back. Hazel heads toward the door and I follow her. The guards step back and allow us to leave. As soon as we’re outside, the guards leave and head in two different direction.

We stand outside of Andrew’s office for a second, watching the guards leave. Hazel takes my hand and squeezes. “You were right,” she says.

“About what?” I ask.

“It’s dangerous here.”

I nod slowly. “I hoped it might blow over. But still, we can’t afford to be anywhere else.”

We start walking back toward our apartment, and my heart is beating fast. I don’t know what I’m going to do to keep her safe, especially now that Julian has his own little guards.

“Come on,” Hazel says, pulling at my hand. “Let’s go back to our room. We need to start planning.”

“You’re right,” I say, sighing. “I need to get some guards for us first, though.”

She hesitates but nods. “You’re probably right.”

“We can’t be caught off guard again. This might be over soon, but we should be smart about it.”

“Okay,” she says, looking at me. “If that’s what you think’s best.”

“I know it’s messed up,” I say softly. “But your safety is my priority. You know that, right?”

“I know,” she says. I grab her hand and pull her against me. I press her up against the wall, dipping into the shadows near the corner of the hall.

“I’m not going to let them hurt you,” I whisper into her ear. “You’re my princess.”

Her lips graze mine. “I know,” she says. “I’m in this, no matter what.”

“Good.” I kiss her softly. “Now come on. Let’s get some work done.”

She pouts and I laugh. I’ll give her what she wants soon enough. But for now, we have to do some planning.

I take her hand and pull her along behind me.