How The Queen Was Killed

"...and my wife here, she would have been a princess of that kingdom if not for Cliffords ruining their family," Arlan declared.

His intentions were clear—to silence those who mocked Oriana for not being worthy of the title of Crown Princess. By revealing her royal lineage, he showed that she was more deserving than any woman around him.

To Arlan, it didn't matter whether she was a royal or a commoner; he couldn't let others look down on her. Her pride was his to protect.

"Now, getting back to where we were," Arlan continued, "Luis planned to assassinate the Queen and blame it on Lord Verner to eliminate both obstacles at once." He turned to the Wizard. "Will you tell us now how my mother was killed, or do you want my knight to use that whip on you until you are tortured to death?"

The Wizard shook at the thought. That whip was no ordinary instrument; it was designed to torture practitioners of black magic, each strike excruciatingly painful.