Chapter 86

Dropping the calm mask he'd kept up, Karman let out a sigh and dragged a dry hand across his face.

"I suppose word's gotten around, even though I tried to keep it quiet."

"Let's call it reasonable deduction rather than rumor, Your Majesty. I happen to be one of the kingship curriculum's own professors, after all. I haven't seen much of him, but I do know Professor Umbrelle well enough. That man isn't the type to drive a prince into mortal danger."

"You're right. That's exactly right."

In the days Gadrian had shut himself away, insisting on treating Cassion, Karman had learned a great deal.

Karman didn't hide what he knew from Gadrian.

That Umbrelle's assignment envelope had been swapped, and that it was Anderson who'd swapped it.

That the moment Karman learned this and issued an order for Anderson's arrest, the man had fled, and the king's own soldiers…