***
Denney stood by the window overlooking the field, watching his nephew and his little mistress engage in a swordfight.
He had received news from his spy at Mainecroft Hall that a note had come for Lady Wilmot, inviting her to the birthday dinner of the bastard son of his late brother. Immediately, he had rushed to the castle, only to be greeted by yet another horrific surprise: the king playing in the evening sun with his supposed lady-in-waiting.
Denney did not want to admit it, but it seemed his nephew was quite taken with this one. He had known Alexander since he was a boy, struggling to be seen by his father and acknowledged by his jealous mother. From the moment Alexander decided not to concern himself with his parents anymore, nothing had seemed to affect him. Nothing. His nephew had truly never really cared about anyone, except of course his bastard brother and that wealthy lord who never smiled.
