The royal court room fell into a careful, practiced silence.
At the center, the Crown Prince sat upon his throne, composed and unreadable. Beside him, Queen Maye maintained a dignified posture, while Prince Henry leaned forward slightly, already aware of the weight in the room and how to shape it.
A man in shabby, dirt-stained clothes staggered forward.
He collapsed to his knees at their feet, trembling violently. In his hands, clenched so tightly his knuckles had gone white, was a small child's dress.
Tears streamed down his face without restraint.
"Your Highnesses…" he choked out, voice breaking. "Pirates came into my town last night. They broke into several homes… they—" His breath hitched violently. "They took our children. They took my child… my girl. And they killed my wife… right in front of her."
His voice cracked completely.
"Please… do something. End them. I beg you!"
