CHASE POV:
The next day, I made the official announcement of the king's death to the kingdom. My voice rang out across the courtyard, steady and authoritative, masking the turmoil inside me. The crowd reacted as expected—shock, grief, and whispers of speculation rippled through the sea of people.
I declared a three-day mourning period for the late king, during which the entire kingdom would honor his memory. At the same time, I issued an official manhunt for Ace, naming him the murderer of my father. His capture or death was now the top priority of every guard and tracker in the kingdom.
But despite the grand gestures and public outpouring of sorrow, my heart wasn't in it. My coronation was scheduled for the day after the mourning period ended, and instead of excitement or pride, all I felt was a gnawing sense of dread.
The weight of the crown was already pressing down on me, and I hadn't even placed it on my head yet.
