Kael’s POV
Lord Vance seizes the opening.
“My daughter is far better suited for the role. She has breeding, class, and political connections. If the Prince is determined to keep this woman,” Vance says disdainfully, gesturing toward Elara, “perhaps she could serve as a concubine. Someone he can… visit when the mood strikes him. My daughter would be understanding of such arrangements.”
Elara flinches beside me, and something inside me snaps.
“A concubine?!”
The throne room falls silent at my tone.
“You want to know what this woman has accomplished?” I step forward, my voice echoing throughout the vast space. “Elara is a genius herbalist. She has developed a way to neutralize wolfsbane poisoning—something no healer in this kingdom has ever managed.”
Lord Vance scoffs.
“The Prince is
