Prince of Lies

Chapter 18

"Haruto? You have a visitor."

Two weeks into Haruto's regency, and he was already bored senseless. And intimidated.

Jace and his father were gone. Would the advisors become emboldened and strike?

It was bad enough that he was disturbed even out of the throne room throughout the day.

Is this what my father deals with?

But the man that came through his door was not a man at all.

In fact, it was a woman, Haruto realized as they pulled back their hood.

And when he saw her face-

The goblet that was in his hand fell to the ground and shattered.

"Y-you-"

"Shh!" The woman pleaded, as Haruto backed up as much as he could.

"Guards!" Haruto yelled. "Help! Anyone!"

Jace!

Jace!

Jace, please! Help!

Chaol practically kicked open the door, his only meager weapon drawn.

Confused, he lowered the dagger. "What's happened, Haruto?"

"Sh-she-" Haruto's legs failed him, and he had to lean on the nearby chair. "She's the one who-"

Chaol heard enough. He marched forward, glaring, ready to remove this woman from Haruto's presence when she surprised them both, falling to her knees in front of Haruto.

"Please, your highness, listen to me! If you care about an innocent life, please hear me out."

The rare fire in Haruto's eyes burned bright. "You want to talk about innocence when you took mine? Waited for me to get drunk and then-"

"I'm sorry!"

"'Sorry' doesn't fix this!" Haruto jerked his chin for Chaol to drag the woman out if need be, turning his back and clenching his fists.

I'm going to have a serious talk with whoever admits visitors.

"You have a daughter!"

Silence.

Haruto went so, completely still, that Chaol could have sworn he didn't breathe.

Then he turned.

"Get. Out."

"You have a daughter and she's in danger! My father is going to kill her! Please! I know you understand what it is to have a king like this!" The woman struggled as Chaol tried to haul her away.

"She's only a baby, your highness, and my father is going to kill her! I had to steal her away and run before we were found out!" The woman's hands shot out and grabbed the doorway, nails digging in before she could disappear.

"If you'll just take care of her, I swear I'll never come here again! Please!"

Haruto's heavy door shut behind her.

The commotion drew the attention of a passerby.

The princess of Horin puzzled over the scene; the prince's cousin dragging away a woman yelling about a baby that was going to be killed if Haruto wouldn't listen to her..

A baby?

"Stop!"

Chaol and the mysterious woman froze, and then turned slowly to face Rae.