The next morning, Markus called his father into his private office before the Council meeting. As they greeted each other, the tension in Markus was palpable.
“Father,” Markus began, his voice steady but laced with determination, “today I am forced to raise the topic of the Royal Courtship in the Council. I agreed to go ahead with a chosen mate, but I hate when others are meddling, including Mother.”
Anton looked surprised, “What happened, son? Your mother?”
Markus took a deep breath, then told him everything: about his imprinting on Kaia Storm, how Queen Tonya manipulated the situation, and the tea gathering fiasco. His father’s face registered disbelief.
“I never believed she would take it this far. I knew that she always disliked the Storm family, but I never believed that she would
