Grace’s sudden appearance changed the mood of the holding room, replacing it with a tense, unsettling silence. When Warren saw her, the arrogance he had drawn from his family’s influence vanished without a trace. In its place came a chill that spread quickly through him, followed by a deep, growing unease.
He knew all too well how much the princess mattered to the King and how vast her influence had become, both inside and outside the government. Someone of her standing would never appear at a small detention facility, so this wasn’t some spur -of-the-moment visit.
However, someone failed to read the room. Gilbert, still seething with nowhere to direct his rage, froze for a moment when a breathtakingly beautiful young woman walked in. The two men in black and Grace’s own presence clearly intimidated him, but his playboy instincts quickly overrode that flicker of caution.
Seeing that she seemed to be coming for them, his bruised ego flared back to life. Curling his lips into a smirk, he let his eyes roam over her. He believed his gaze was charming, but in reality, it came across as nothing more than lecherous.
He muttered crudely, “Oh? Another one? Pretty hot, I’ll give you that. What, you come here to get a look at the great me in all my misery too? Or maybe you and that boy toy Rhys have something going on-”
“Disgraceful brat! Shut your damn mouth.”
Before he could finish, Warren, his face white with terror, didn’t think twice before slapping Gilbert even harder than before across his already bruised face.
The slap landed crisp and loud.
Gilbert staggered and nearly fell again, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He stood there in a daze, clutching his stinging cheek and staring at his uncle in disbelief. Shock and anger churned inside him, mixed with a deep, helpless sense of being wronged.
“Uncle Warren! Why… Why did you hit me again? She’s just some hot chick. Are you seriously losing your shit over this?” he shouted.
He couldn’t understand why his usually doting uncle would hit him so hard over a stranger.
Warren trembled with fury, his eyes blazing with anger. Terrified Gilbert would say something even more outrageous, he kicked him in the stomach, sending him crashing to the floor.
He shouted, “I said shut up! You hear me? Say one more word, and I’ll break your legs.
Warren put disciplining his nephew on hold and quickly turned toward Grace. His face tightened into a nervous, forced smile. He quickly stepped forward, lowering his shoulders and nodding respectfully, his voice trembling as he spoke.
“Your Royal Highness, what brings you here? My nephew doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. If he offended you, please forgive him. I’ll discipline him properly when we get home.”
The royal title rang out through the holding room, freezing everyone in its wake.
Gilbert, still struggling on the floor, resentment heavy in his chest, went rigid. He snapped his head up and stared at the stunning young woman. His eyes were wide, and his pupils dilated with shock, terror, and confusion.
He couldn’t believe she was Dragonmarsh’s princess, Grace Linsor. Even a spoiled brat like him, with no sense of limits, understood the weight of that title. This was true nobility, someone standing at the very pinnacle of power in Dragonmarsh.
The memory of having just flirted with a princess sent a bone-chilling cold straight through him. His blood ran cold, his face drained of color, and his body shook uncontrollably. He forgot even the pain he had felt moments before.
Frederick, usually more composed and ruthless than his brother, went pale. His heart raced, and a cold sweat soaked his back.
He stared at Grace in disbelief, mind racing. Was she here because of Dustin and Natasha? Could they have some connection to her? The thought sent a chill straight through him.
Grace didn’t respond to Warren’s apology. She didn’t even glance at Gilbert, slumped on the floor. Her gaze was sharp and cold, like ice, slowly sweeping over Warren’s panic-stricken face before settling on his trembling fingers.
“Warren,” she began. Her voice wasn’t loud, but carried a natural authority and icy pressure. “Your family really has no regard for the law. Your arrogance knows no bounds.”
She paused, glancing at Cedric, who stood frozen beside her.
Grace went on, “Your nephew has committed a crime, and the evidence is clear. As his elder, you show no remorse or intention to punish him. Instead, you personally come to the police station to openly threaten the officers and demand his release.”
Her voice turned icy, sending a chill through everyone present. “What? Do you really think your family can act with impunity in Oakvale and ignore the law?”
