Flowers of Worship

It was in the middle of the night when the woman who would become the Duchess visited me. She told me that my father and mother had died, and that my kind uncle had become king. She also said it’s not worth it for me, the crown prince, to be living in hiding. “Some time ago, Your Highness was hiding from me. With all due respect, is that for the sake of survival? Just because your parents died doesn’t mean you have no reason to survive. Actually, that fact alone makes it all the more reason why you should live. If you die now…” If I died now? When I asked her while looking into her eyes, the woman finally revealed the harsh truth with empathetic eyes. “It’s like a dog’s death.” “That’s rude….” It had been a long time since I said that. Shortly after, I was treated as a madman and beaten to death merely for saying similar things. She loosened her arms from around me, and I stiffened suddenly, thinking she might strike me. But she didn’t. She knelt down on one knee in front of me, just like a knight. “Hastred’s Sarian raises her salutations. May you accept it gladly.” My first knight is both beautiful and kind. “Are you on my side?” “Yes, Your Highness.” It was all a lie. — Description from novelcodex.orgFull novel: Flowers of Worship — read the rest free on N​o⁠v​e⁠l​C⁠o​d⁠e​x⁠.​o⁠r​g⁠