Sister
Early July
Prince Julius sat at his desk, his face shadowed with irritation as three guards knelt in front of him. Their heads bowed, sweat trickled down their foreheads as they stared at the floor, too frightened to look at their prince.
The silence weighed heavily in the room until Julius finally spoke, his tone sharp. "So, why is there no reply to the letters I asked you to deliver to the Earl of Cardiff? Tell me what happened."
The guards remained silent, fearing the prince's wrath. Julius' temple throbbed as his frustration grew. He pointed to the first guard on his right.
"How many letters have been delivered to Birmingham? You answer, Guard number one."
The guard flinched at being singled out, his voice shaky as he replied cautiously, "Twenty-two, Your Highness."
Julius nodded, his expression darkening further. "Did the letters reach the manor? And who received them? Guard number two!"