The next morning, Delaney and Vincent sat quietly at the dining room table with Ian, Violet, Cora, and Miles. The food was growing cold in front of them but they didn\'t care. The story that the Duke and Duchess had just told them about their interaction with William had stolen their appetites away. Now they all sat considering what they should do.

After assuring William he would be safe and telling him goodnight, Delaney and Vincent had slipped quietly out of his room and back down to their own. Opal\'s medicine was already starting to wear off by then and Vincent had to ease himself down into their bed. Delaney took up her place beside him but could only sit in silence, staring ahead at nothing.

Vincent didn\'t seem to know what to say either. At last, the two of them agreed that they would go to bed for now and discuss the situation in the morning. Delaney had curled up in her husband\'s arms, enjoying his warmth, but had terrible dreams come to her in the night, leaving her exhausted when she woke up.

Now, everyone sat together trying to think through all that had happened and it had left them in shock.

"So," Ian spoke up first, "Your Queen has poisoned your wife to ensure she doesn\'t have any children and she\'s also tried to poison you in order to kill you."

Vincent nodded as he sat with his elbows on the table and his hands clasped together.

"I just don\'t understand," Violet shook her head, "Why would Sophia do such a thing? Why would she hate you so much so suddenly?"

"I always thought she loved us as Daniel did," Miles replied, "But I suppose we\'ve learned that even Daniel\'s love has limits. He\'s still the King in the end."

Delaney knew he was referring to the story she had told them about what Daniel had done to Vincent. She looked at her husband and when he didn\'t react she knew Miles must have already mentioned that she had told them.

"Do you think Daniel knew?" Cora asked, bringing up something they had all been thinking.

No one was quick to reply. If the King was involved things were hopeless. He could use all his power and influence to try to get Vincent killed and there would be nothing they could do to stop him in the end. If the King wanted someone dead they would end up dead.

"I don\'t think he\'s involved," Vincent answered at last, "Daniel may be King but he still has a conscience. We\'ve been close our entire lives. Besides... I support him in everything and fight in his wars for him. What reason would he have to want me dead?"

"What reason would the Queen have?" Ian shook his head.

"I wish Mace was here," Delaney sighed, "He would get to the bottom of this and we wouldn\'t have to be so afraid. He wouldn\'t let anything happen to any of us."

"Yes well Mason has run off again," Miles frowned, sitting back in his seat, "Once again, when he\'s needed he\'s conveniently vanished."

"He wouldn\'t have left if he had had any idea something like this was going on," Delaney defended him, "We\'re his family and his best friends."

Miles opened his mouth to argue but Cora took his hand and frowned at him, quietly agreeing with Delaney that Mason loved them and wouldn\'t have let this happen.

They were all quiet again and Delaney felt her tiredness wearing on her. Her eyelids felt heavy and she longed to return to her bed with her husband and pretend as if none of this had ever happened. She wanted to curl up in his warm embrace and sleep and have good dreams of better days.

"We\'ll have to travel to the city," Vincent spoke up then, announcing his plan, "Things will have settled down since we were there last I hope. We will take all the evidence we have and William too. We will go to Daniel and present it and see what he says. Hopefully, he will be just as shocked to hear it as the rest of us."

"What if he\'s not surprised?" Delaney asked with worry, "Or what if he is but he\'s unwilling to do anything because it was his wife who was targeting us? He could try to punish us or accuse you of lying again to protect her."

Vincent sighed, running his hands over his face and up through his dark hair. "I don\'t know," he answered quietly, "I don\'t know what we can do if that happens. I think it would be safer if we don\'t all go just in case."

"And who would you expect to stay behind?" Delaney asked him seriously, folding her arms over her chest, "Because I won\'t be. You are my husband and I will go with you. I will face whatever happens by your side."

"Delaney...."

"No," she shook her head, "Sophia pretended to like me and be my friend then poisoned me to ensure we wouldn\'t have children. I want to know why. I\'m going, Vincent. I am your wife."

He sighed and nodded, giving in. "Alright love."

"I\'m going too," Miles spoke up, looking to his brother, "You\'re the Duke but I\'m an Earl. I may not have as much power but it\'s still something. Surely Daniel wouldn\'t threaten two of his most wealthy nobles who support his rule."

"You can\'t both go," Violet argued, "What if something happened to one of you? What would happen to Delaney and Cora? Not to mention the baby. Miles, you have to stay. If something happened to Vincent we would all need your protection. You would inherit Edgewood and all of Vincent\'s money and titles. That power plus what you already have would be the only thing that could save us from a King\'s wrath."

"But I can\'t send Vince alone," he argued, "What if..."

"She\'s right Miles," Vincent cut in, "If something happens to me you will be all that\'s left to keep everyone safe, including all our people. We can\'t put them all at risk. Besides, you should stay with Cora. It will be safer with you both here."

"Then that\'s decided," Violet agreed, "Vincent, Delaney, Ian, and I will travel to the King\'s city and present this evidence to Daniel."

"You?" Vincent frowned, "Mother you\'re not going."

"I most certainly am," Violet dismissed his words with a wave of her hand, "I was the Duchess for most of Daniel\'s life. I cared for him after his mother had passed away. She may be gone but I believe sometimes he still sees me as something of a mother. He calls me his Aunt even though we are cousins. My presence can only help your fight."

"Mother I won\'t put you at risk," Vincent frowned, "If anything happened to you..."

"If anything happened to me I would survive," Violet shook her head, "And if not, I\'ve had a long and happy life. The rest of you are only just at the beginning of your lives. You are my son Vincent. I will go with you and do what I have done since the moment you were born... Fight to protect you."

The room fell silent. No one could argue this. Violet Adair had always been a fierce mother and protector of those she loved. Plus no one could argue as she could. She was right. Having her there with them would only help their argument. People did not usually stand up to Violet Adair... not even a King.

"So it\'s decided then," Vincent sighed, rubbing his temples, "Delaney and I will leave for the King\'s City with Mother and Ian. Miles and Cora will stay behind. We can take half the guards and leave the others here for you. You can mind the estate while we\'re away."

"Alright," Miles nodded but was still frowning, "I\'m not pleased to not be going with you though Vince no matter the reasoning."

"I know brother... but this is the only way to ensure everyone will be safe if something happens to me."

Delaney felt fear leap to her heart every time someone mentioned something happening to Vincent. He was the Duke. He would be the one to take the fall if Daniel decided to punish someone. Remembering what had happened to him the last time they were at the King\'s court left her feeling even more on edge. There was nothing that could guarantee his safety. She felt sick with worry.

Looking around the table, she knew this was the best way. She was relieved Miles and Cora wouldn\'t be going. She would take comfort in knowing they were safe at Edgewood. Violet would be a fierce ally though and Ian was ever their loyal protector. Together, they would all fight very hard to get to the bottom of the poisonings and keep Vincent from harm. She had to have faith in them.

Vincent cleared his throat at last and nodded to them.

"Alright then... We will leave at dawn."