“None who are loyal to the kingdom of Rothen would stand against me. It is you who have strayed, Your Majesty.” He spat the words as if they were an insult. “It’s nothing personal, Niece. It’s not my place to tell you whose prick to open up for, but as queen—” There was a sudden movement to the left of Elma, and Rune held a knife in one hand. He spun it casually, his head tilted slightly. “Speak like that again,” he said softly, “and you’ll lose an eye.”
