Amelia tried her best to discourage me, crying and holding onto me, but I couldn't stop now. Not when the anger and hatred simmering in my heart were giving me the courage to fight back.
The four guards outside my bedroom stood on alert immediately when I opened the door. One of them stepped in front of me to block the doorway, while the other three fell into a formation behind him in case I decided to run away again.
"Have you seen the Queen Mother?" I asked patiently.
The guard bowed to me and glanced at his peers uneasily. "Her Majesty, the Queen Mother, is with the Prince of Allore at the garden pavilion, Your Highness. But her orders are for you to remain in your room."
I sighed heavily. "How about my father? Where is he?"
"His Majesty, the King, is currently holding court—"
