Joanne’s POV
“You have a lot of confidence in your slave,” the King said, his eyes narrowed as he stared at Alexander. “Your judgment lacks.”
“You taught me to make my own choices regardless of the consequences, did you not?”
“There are rules,” the King bellowed.
“Since when do you follow rules, Father?” Alexander retorted. “I’m sure every person in this room has broken a rule or two. Am I to be so different?”
“You are the Crown Prince—”
“And as the Crown Prince, I have chosen to take Miss Joanne Thorne to the Moonlit Masque. It is a choice I have made and shall stand by. This mishap this evening wasn’t her fault, and I won’t stand by and allow you to blame her for something she had no control over.”
King Francis glared at Alexander for a long moment.
“Handle the situation,”
