After the strange encounter in the garden, the two brothers went to a private study and discussed what made Arham sound so urgent. It was then that he told Azlan about the civil war that broke out between Cipreon and Delombre.
“I know this was the outcome of what we had planned, but from what was written to me by a cloak-and-dagger, Prince Niccolo was dead not long ago, even before all of this happened. Uncle’s scheme slipped through the cracks, and this could begin a problem—especially since King Joaquin knew of the prince’s death.” Arham carefully reported the details he knew from the recent goings on.
Azlan tried to digest every bit of the news, impassively staring beyond his brother as he formulated the right counteracts for the situation. He then recollected and asked, “If Joaquin
