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The duke and two of his men in back hooded robes were standing at the doorway in front of the four royal guards they had just killed in cold blood. They were now pointing their crossbows at the three men in the room.

"What is the purpose of this?! Speak to me!" King William shouted at the intruders.

Theo looked around the room. Charlotte was covering her mouth with her hands, holding in screams. Bella was still startled and didn't quite understand what was going on, yet, and Chase had his hand on the hilt of the sword sheathed at his waist, ready to strike at any moment.

So, Gabriel's warning of the worst-case scenario had been realized, Theo thought. The Anson family must have had known that their plan was exposed, and this was their hail-Mary.

"Do you not see what is going on, Your Majesty?" The duke mocked.

"No, explain to me."

Theo was impressed by how the king could still keep his composure and stature under such a tense circumstance.