“They have not taken any actions to captivate me.” They recounted their narrative.
“Do you truly believe it?” Do you accept this narrative and anticipate that all their statements are factual?Jayce elevated his posture. “Have you ever contemplated that they may be deceiving you?”
“Indeed, I possess it.” However, I trust them. Molly stated, “I believe they desire peace and freedom here. They reject the kingdom’s regulations, aware that the kingdom is indifferent to their plight.” They were compelled to arrive here to initiate anew.
“I presume that is your desire as well.” “Freedom,” he remarked, his tone laced with bitterness. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. How dare he mock her regarding that?
“Certainly, I do.” Who would not desire freedom?Molly spoke softly. He observed her intently while reclining against the headboard.
“Have you overlooked that numerous men have abducted you here and attempted to exploit you?”Jayce exclaimed sharply.
“Certainly, I have not overlooked that!” I experience anxiety each night I am present, concerned about who may attempt to eliminate me next. However, I am aware that not all of them are similar.
“They would refrain from engaging with you if they understood what was advantageous for them,” Jayce remarked immediately. Molly momentarily closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Upon reopening her eyes, she observed that his expression had softened compared to the previous moment.
“What is your true purpose for being here, Jayce?” What do you seek from the rogues?Molly fidgeted with her nails while observing him intently. They were both aware of the individual responsible for poisoning Vera. Why else would Jayce refrain from probing the spice stand at the market? They understood they were dispatched on this mission by Luna Queen. He had been cognisant of this long before the decision was made. The identity of the person who procured the poison was irrelevant. It was her; it had to be.
Jayce tightened his jaw and gazed at his hands. She traced the contour and imagined that she might injure her mouth on such a jaw if she ever attempted to taste it. She averted her gaze swiftly, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment.
“I have a plan,” he stated. Molly refrained from rolling her eyes. Why couldn’t he simply articulate his meaning for once?
What type of plan?Molly enquired with slight hesitation in her voice. She yearned for knowledge more than anything, yet simultaneously… did she truly wish to uncover his recent activities?
“I shall be the next king,” he declared abruptly. Molly blinked several times, as though she had not comprehended his statement.
What?
“I stated that I shall be the next king,” Jayce reiterated, his voice tinged with irritation at her failure to comprehend. She grasped his words; she simply found them unbelievable.
I… I do not comprehend your statement. Prince Ashton holds the title of crown prince. He is the heir apparent to the throne.” Molly experienced a sense of discomfort in her abdomen upon observing his expression, as if her statement were merely provisional and it was time for her to comprehend that reality.
Jayce exhaled in exasperation and rose from the bed. His shirt was torn open, and she restrained herself from gazing at the muscles on his chest—this was certainly not the appropriate moment for such distractions. “Prince Ashton is utterly ignorant of the principles of effective governance.” He has been conditioned to be an exact replica of my father and nothing more.
“Do you intend to assume his position?” In what manner?”Molly enquired, utterly perplexed. Was this the reason he travelled to the north?”
“I believe he will be compelled to relinquish the crown,” Jayce stated succinctly as he proceeded to retrieve a new shirt. “I intend to unify the kingdom with the rogues.” Even Prince Ashton is not imprudent enough to obstruct my path. If he is, I cannot claim to feel remorse for his fate.
Molly swallowed. “What do you imply by that?” He is your brother.
Jayce removed his tattered shirt and nonchalantly donned a new one. He glanced at her with a crooked smirk that suggested malevolent intentions. “It’s politics, Molly.” My brother and I have never regarded each other as family. There has consistently been a rivalry for the crown, even during my time in obscurity when he remained unaware of my intentions.
“Are you implying that you would…” Injure your own brother for the sake of the crown?
“Do not appear so astonished.” You have been employed at the palace sufficiently long to understand the procedures. The Luna Queen attempted to implicate you in a poisoning incident solely to attribute the blame to me. “It is merely a game.” Jayce fastened his shirt and tousled his dishevelled hair as he faced her. “We shall create history, Molly.”
Are we? “I believe you are mistaken.” Molly stepped back slightly. Jayce furrowed his brows, seemingly perplexed by her statement. Did he anticipate her to express exuberance? “I do not wish to assist in the overthrow of Prince Ashton.”
His eyes darkened, and the atmosphere seemed to diminish with his mood as he advanced towards her. She reciprocated by stepping back. “You are in love with him, are you not?”
What? Certainly not! I wish for his survival and oppose any coercive removal from power.” Molly tightened her fists. “Pardon my candour, but I have no inclination towards politics.” Particularly when it inflicts pain on others.
