Lady Ayara's mind raced. She thought back to everything she'd observed since arriving at the palace.
The exceptional organization of Arthur's household. The discipline and excellence of his servants.
The way even the Emperor seemed to regard his son with a mixture of pride and something that almost looked like deference.
She thought about the tournament. The decisive way Arthur had won. The way other competitors seemed almost afraid of him despite his young age.
She thought about the recent rebellion that had been quelled so swiftly and efficiently. The whispers about mysterious circumstances. The timing that seemed too convenient.
Could Prince Arthur have been involved in that? Could he have played a role that no one suspected?
[A/N: Just in case I never wrote it properly... everyone was transported out of the arena except for the rebels and a number of other people loyal to the emperor and some like Qin Tian.]
