"Are you hiding the Crown Prince amongst your disciples?"
The world must've stopped for a few seconds as all eyes were glued to Kari. They awaited her answer, like watching a bomb that was just about to hit home.
The one who spoke up however, was Viscount Welf.
"Now, now. Let us not get ahead of ourselves." Shoving past the group of nobles, Welf came up front with a chagrin smile. He gave Kari Faust a meaningful glance before he faced the noblemen.
"That rumor is simply speculation. It has no real truth." The viscount explained. His involvement caused a stir among the noblemen. They whispered amongst each other.
"How can you be sure?" The old man asked again. He looked at Kari pointedly, as if she held all the answers. Kari glanced over the group of nobles, catching their eager expressions.
Then, she looked at Dustan.
"He's not here."
Before she realized it, the words had already spilled out of her mouth.