-Laelia-
I shook my head as I watched Ashes walk away with Ladon tucked under his arm. He carried the boy as if he weighed nothing. I had been almost mesmerized by how Ashes interacted with the orphans. He had seemed like a completely different person. But then I remembered how Ashes had nearly harmed the man just for touching his brother.
I understood his anger—Ladon could have been hurt—but this incident might not be viewed favorably. It could make my people question our union. To them, their new soon-to-be king had threatened what they saw as an innocent seller merely trying to protect his shop from petty theft.
I turned to the seller, who had gone pale and was sweating slightly. He stared at the ground in a daze. I gently placed my hand on his broad arm, trying to bring him back t
