After Transmigrating, My Husband Is an Octopus novel · Chapter 21 of 24

Chapter 21: The Crown

Lorcan's POV

I stood in the sand with blood running down three of my arms and listened to my stepmother take my victory apart.

"The decree said to yield," Ottoline said from the stand. Her voice carried over the stones. "My champion did not yield to force. He yielded to a show of pity."

"The old law asks that the heir prove himself fit."

"Pity is not proof," she said. "A king who spares his enemy is a king who will be eaten by them."

A few of the lords murmured.

Not many.

"I declare the Maw undecided," she said. "The Regency stands."

The champion was still on his knees beside me.

"Your Grace," he said, with his head down, "I yielded. I said it before everyone."

"You are a fisherman, and you will be quiet."

"Yes, Your Grace."

The guards along the wall straightened.

"And the pet," Ottoline said, "reverts to the Crown with the rest of his property. Take her."

Four men in grey came down the stairs toward the front row.

Bess stood up on her bench with a rolling pin.

I do not remember crossing the pit.

I remember my arms were already out, and that I was between the guards and Morwenna before the first man put a hand on her.

"No," I said.

"Your Highness, the Regent's order..."

"The Regent's order says property."

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