"In my view, you're out of line questioning the king's decisions about his own family," Genevieve replied, her voice sharp with contempt.
Any sympathy she'd felt for the former royal beta evaporated instantly.
"You've crossed a boundary, Cedric. You claim the kingdom comes first, but you fail to grasp that the king and his realm are inseparable. They're one and the same."
"He abandoned his duties as ruler!" Cedric forced himself to bite back further words—arguing with a healer about palace politics was pointless. The man understood nothing of such complexities. "That woman corrupted him completely."
Genevieve let the silence stretch between them before responding, waiting until Cedric's fury cooled slightly.
"King Caelum earned the title 'Mad King' long ago. How much worse could Lady Lyra possibly make him? You've had years to restore his reputation, yet I see no progress in that regard."
