The Grand Duke Gave the Hostage Prince the Only Key novel · Chapter 21 of 24

Chapter 21: The Forged Hand

The throne room of Aurelle was white marble and blue glass, and the throne itself stood empty on its dais.

Lord Dreyne waited in front of it.

He wore grey velvet and a ring on every finger, and the copy of the lion on his thumb.

Behind him stood a tall young man in blue silk, his nephew, and beside the great doors stood the captain of the household guard.

Two rows of Savennian lords lined the walls.

A narrow desk had been set to one side for the chancery, and a stooped clerk sat at it with ink to his wrists.

Elior walked down the center of the hall with his captain at his right hand.

Teodric came in behind him, between two lancers, and stopped at the back by the doors.

"Elior," Dreyne said.

His voice was as soft as ever, and he smiled with great sorrow.

"How I have prayed for your return.

"You have been misled, child.

"The Grand Duke has filled your head with a fairy tale."

"Where is my father?"

"In his bed, as I wrote you."

"He is in the crypt of Saint Maren," said Elior.

He held up the ring.

"Here is the true lion.

"Your lion has a whole tail."

A stir ran along the walls.

Elior pulled the abbey's record from his coat, and gave it to the lord nearest him, an old white-haired man who had sat on his father's council.

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