The square falls silent as Prince Pieter steps forward, the crowd parting for him. It's obvious that he is still in pain due to his previous injuries, but he probably rushes to Cairns as soon as he is able, the instant he hears about his older brother's state.
"I demand a voice in the proceedings as part of the King's Council," he declares as he turns to me, his gaze holding an indefinable emotion. "Lyrica deserves better than what you've proposed, Count Calais."
"Better?" Calais asks, his eyes flashing dangerously at the Prince, while the crowd murmurs excitedly.
"You should be resting," the former king admonishes his son.
"I am well enough for this."
"Then what are you proposing, Prince Pieter?" Eliana interjects, her gaze shifting between Pieter and me.
Pieter glances at me again. "There is no need to kill the child, but since having half-monsters within Cairns still needs special approval, the kid will be exiled together with the mother."
