Page 144 of My Five Daddies

Maybe Julian got to him. Maybe all those years of resentment came boiling to the surface when I returned, and now he’s stabbing me in the back. I don’t understand any of this, but maybe I’m a fool for trustinghim.

My gut is a mess when we finally reach his office. The steward opens the door and we file into the cramped space. Andrew is sitting at his desk, his face a mask of seriousneutrality.

“Prince Nolan, Wife Consort Hazel, thank you for attending me,” he says, standing. “Steward Michaelson, Steward Paulaner you are bothdismissed.”

The two stewards bow to Andrew and file out, but the guards remain. Andrew glances at the guards but doesn’t sayanything.

“Please, sit,” he says, gesturing. I take a seat and Hazel sits down next to me a moment later. Andrew sits in his chair andsighs.

“We’re here to determine the guilt of Wife Consort HazelJoyce.”

I stare at Andrew, completely shocked. “Guilt?” I ask him. “What the fuck is this,Andrew?”

“Prince Nolan,” Andrew says. “The Wife Consort is accused of high treason. These are seriouscharges.”

“Bullshit,” I say. “You know that media shit is total garbage. It’s just a story put outby—“

“Prince Nolan,” Andrew says loudly, cutting me off before I can say Julian’s name. “I’ll remind you that this is an official hearing, witnessed by the guards of the castle. Do youunderstand?”

I hesitate before nodding. “I understand,” I say, and I think Ido.

Andrew’s warning me. He just stopped me form accusing Julian of anything, and now he’s telling me that the guards are Julian’smen.

Maybe he’s not a traitor after all, but a steward caught in themiddle.

“Good,” he says. “Now, we’ll review the evidence against the Wife Consort.” Andrew produces a piece of paper and slides it across his desk. “Can you tell me what thisis?”

I pick up the paper and show it to Hazel. She glances through it and shakes her head. “I’ve never seen this before,” she sayssoftly.

“Can you confirm what it says?” Andrewasks.

“It says that Hazel was hired by the American Defense Department,” Isay.

“I couldn’t even drive back when this says I was hired,” Hazel says. “This isabsurd.”

Andrew glances at the guards. “Maybe,” he says. “But we must continue. There are rumors of treason and spying here, youunderstand.”

“She’s not a traitor,” Isay.

“I have not and never will work for the American government,” Hazel saysclearly.

“Is that your official statement?” Andrewasks.

“Yes,” sheconfirms.

He nods and writes it down. “Very well. Is there anything else you wish to add in yourdefense?”

“I was a child back then,” she says. “The idea that I was hired to be a spy at that age is absurd. That’s not how things work inAmerica.”

Andrew nods slowly. “Very well.” He jots it down quickly. “Anythingelse?”

“No,” shesays.

“Thank you for cooperating, Wife Consort Hazel,” he says. “And thank you, PrinceNolan.”

I blink, surprised. “Is thatit?”

“For now,” Andrew says. “The investigation will continue.” He gestures at the door. “You two are free toleave.”

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