Telling Her

Stefan

Everyone stands quietly, and I know they are not foolish to believe this was a misunderstanding. Still, they won’t argue the point anymore. I should have realised that doing anything like that wouldn’t end well. It will only end in Harlyn being humiliated and facing the backlash from her father.

“A misunderstanding?” The Earl looks at Wayne and then glares at Harlyn. “What sort of misunderstanding would cause the king to feel he had to attack someone?” He looks at us.

I don’t want them to know what Harlyn was doing, and I don’t want her shamed for what was about to happen outside, in the gardens, where anyone could see.

“It was a misunderstanding, just as Wayne said, so forget about it. There’s no need to ask anything else,” I say, trying to make him forget this.

“Your Majesty, if they have done something to warrant being attacked, please just say. You do not need to defend them. You do not need to defend either of them.” The Earl looks at me, and I can see he wants me to speak