“What? No.” He stopped trying to unbutton the shirt and sat on the bed next to his wife. Shadows danced on the wall created by the lit fireplace. “Look at me.” He gently lifted her chin so she would look right at him. “It was not your fault. It was only mine. I should have insisted on explaining the game rules to you. I should have taught you how to defend yourself.” Suddenly he realized he couldn’t blame her for anything. Just like that, all she did and all she will do in the future, everything was forgiven. He was still angry with her for not believing him about Leslie though. After all, anger and blame are different things. “Jesus, Pandora, really? I have been talking since the engagement, but you either don’t believe a single word I say or decide not to pay any attention at all. And now you want to talk?” Sebastien shook his head and turned away erasing the ironic grin off his face. It only took her about a year, a near death experience and a kidnapping of their daughter for her to want to really talk. Better late then never, or whatever cliché thing they usually say.

“I didn’t mean it to sound so harsh. You scared me to death, I am still angry, my brother is furious with me and I have to deal with too many urgent things, but I will talk.” He took a deep breath. Sebastien hated explaining himself to anyone. It was simply not in his nature. He touched the Monaco crest mark that was burned deep into the palm of his left hand. Another thing to deal with tomorrow. Not today. Today he will try and talk. Not the best timing, but it must be done. Leslie was right. Pandora must understand the cost of being a Royal. Sebastien himself has been raised to be one and he was used to every ugly detail of being one.

“You never listen. I keep trying to tell things and you always find a way to disregard everything I say. Look, I understand, nobody asked you if you even wanted to marry me. Maybe you never wanted any of this. However, it is too late. So please, just try to listen to me this one time, okay?” Sebastien usually finds a way to hide the fact he is exhausted or that something is wrong. Well, not this time. This time everything that happened in the past few hours can be seen in his eyes. The mask has cracked and everything that he kept locked in this past month just started bleeding through. “You don’t even understand, do you? This was bigger than just an attempt on you and Grace. That was a strike against the crown. I have almost sent my guards after the most obvious suspect. If I went through with it, humiliating one of the most powerful nobles like that, I could have started a civil war. Also, lost my head in the process.” He keeps his voice calm, at least he tries to. “Now, why that was possible for someone to attempt such a manipulative plot?  Well, it is so because certain individuals have reasons to believe we are weak. And why is that? First, Leon is young. Most accept him as their ruler, but some think they can use him, or get rid of him and us after that. Second reason is nobles, well, not just them, everyone here respects our culture and traditions. Plotting, manipulating here and there, playing politics. The Game is part of this culture. You don’t want to be a part of it, that’s okay. But you keep acting like you don’t want any of it. The title, the power, the responsibilities that come with it. When you offend all these people on a regular basis, I have no choice but to defend you which offends them even more, which reflects bad on the crown and makes people question our ability to lead. Our power is given to us by the people who serve this crown. So, I am asking you to try to understand that every action we take reflects on this family and this country and there are always consequences.” Today two families had to receive the news of their sons’ death. Those guards who were killed in the castle had parents and wives and children. Of course, they knew the danger that comes with this job, but it didn’t make it easier. Sebastien had to kill today for the first time. In his head he knew it was justified, and he would do it again if he had to, but surprisingly taking a life was not as easy as he thought. He stood up and made a few steps away trying his best to piece himself together.