Chapter 43: "Shadows of the Throne"
"You are the witch known as Mage; your beauty is quite apparent. I assume you'd prove appealing in the bedchamber," he insinuated, attempting to touch her face. She promptly retaliated by biting him, earning a swift slap. "Escort this individual to the dungeon," he ordered, tending to the bite and its resulting blood. The guards interrupted, "Your Majesty, the seventh prince has gone missing." He responded sternly, "What? I presumed he was detained for fratricide. How did the young prince vanish without our knowledge? Find him immediately."
...
"I am thoroughly fatigued from this ordeal," Queen Liora expressed, having run tirelessly through the night while cradling her pregnant stomach. "We are nearly at our destination," reassured the shadow guard. Frustrated, she voiced her discontent, "Where are you taking me? Your intervention was unnecessary. It is my duty to safeguard the kingdom; I am no coward," she protested. "Forgive me, my queen," he said, administering a swift strike to her neck, causing her to lose consciousness. He carried her into the depths of the nearby woods.
...
Maximus sat regally upon the throne, calmly scrutinizing his subjects, the air tense with an aura of suspicion. "It appears everyone is ill at ease seeing me seated upon my late father's throne," he observed. "Should I vacate the throne? That, however, is not a viable option," he mused, allowing a scroll to fall dismissively. "During Aurelian's reign, the burdens on the impoverished far outweighed those on the affluent. Why?" he inquired, prompting only hushed murmurs. "Lord Cedric, share your insights," he commanded. "I did not serve during Aurelian's reign. I frequented the palace and served the benevolent king prior to his demise, Adrian, your majesty," Lord Cedric responded. Maximus scoffed, "Benevolent king."