Chapter 62
The corridor to the King’s chamber was lined with tall, ancient statues of past rulers, each one with stoic expressions and unforgiving eyes. Federico walked briskly, his cloak trailing behind him like a shadow. Two guards opened the heavy double doors as he approached, bowing low in respect.
Inside the grand hall, King sat upon his elevated throne, cloaked in deep crimson robes with his gold-plated crown glinting under the morning sun. On either side of him stood his two wives, Federico’s stepmothers. The Queen Regent, elegant in silver lace, and the younger wife, adorned in violet. Both women wore the same polite, unreadable expressions they always had when Federico was around.
“You’re late,” the King’s deep voice echoed through the hall, but there was no edge of anger jus
