The Third Prince.
Not only that, but the Illegitimate son of the king. Born of an affair with the sister of the late duke. The prince who was erased from public favor.
The prince, who was pushed to the shadows of politics. People whispered about him, but never truly acknowledged his existence.
And lastly...The final villain of my novel. The man I never finished writing.
My fingers curled into fists, and my nails almost dug into my skin. The pain inflicted through this could not be compared to shock as my eyes again scrutinized him from head to toe.
His dark hair was slightly wavy, with some curls falling onto the side. His chocolate-like skin shone under the light of the sun coming from the large windows. He wore a normal shirt and pants, yet it couldn't hide his majesty.
Yesterday, he was like some sick beast, but today, a majestic one, a beast indeed. He really looked like a royal. How could I not guess it at first?
"You're claiming that Irene Solyne was with you… all night?" Marcus asked in a deliberate tone, as if he was testing the words.
"Yes, she was in my chambers," Xander replied coolly. Gasps erupted around us like a wave.
Marcus's jaw tightened, apparently not liking his boldness. This time, I too was on his side.
"And what reason would an unmarried woman have to remain alone with you until morning?" His eyes flicked briefly toward me, then back to Xander.
"Unless you are implying something improper." Hearing his words, my heart slammed violently against my ribs.
I blurted out, panic flooding me, "No, this is all a misunderstanding, Your Grace. I was only helping him because he was..."
Before I could finish, Xander moved the next second. Warm fingers closed around my wrist, firm and unmistakable. In one smooth motion, he pulled me to his side, his arm settling around my shoulders with ease, which didn't unsettle me for some reason.
"I am implying exactly that," he said evenly.
The world tilted. Gasps erupted once again. Someone coughed loudly. Another noble turned away in obvious discomfort.
I stared up at him in pure disbelief.
Has he lost his mind?
Xander didn't look at me. His attention remained solely on Marcus, voice unwavering.
"We are in love. Last night… passion overtook reason. We did not think beyond ourselves," he declared so shamelessly that even my face burned.
Love?!
My mouth opened, and then closed as if words were stuck. My brain completely short‑circuited. I could feel every eye on us, filled with curiosity, judgment, and thirst. Thirst for a sandal.
Josephine stood frozen, her earlier tears forgotten. Her gaze snapped between us as lips parted in shock.
Marcus stared at Xander, as if trying to find any sign or weakness from which he could catch his lie, but seeing Xander's chill expression, none of them could figure out what was going on in his mind.
Marcus finally said after taking a long, deep breath, "This is a serious claim. You understand the consequences of lying in a matter involving attempted murder."
"I do, which is why I am telling you this with utter sincerity and broad daylight," Xander replied calmly, scanning everyone in this room while tightening his hold on me just enough to give out the message.
Everyone's mouth hung open as some of them lowered their gaze. I glanced at him, impressed with his presence of mind. He clearly stated that by revealing this scandalous secret in front of everyone, he was proving his loyalty and innocence to Marcus.
And it was a pretty big deal. Scandals were something that everyone tried to avoid. A scandal alone was enough reason to destroy one peasant, let alone a noble.
Knowing all of it, Xander yet took the risk that none of them could deny was the ultimate checkmate in this situation.
Marcus closed his eyes briefly, then exhaled. When he opened them again, his fury had been tempered by reluctant logic.
"…Very well. Until proof suggests otherwise, Irene Solyne is cleared of direct involvement," he said at last.
Josephine's fingers curled tightly into her dress. "But brother..." she began, but Marcus cut her off with a raised hand.
"This gathering is over this instant. Return to your duties. All of you," he announced sharply. The guards hesitated, looking between us, and then stepped back.
Servants also started to scatter after bowing to the duke. One by one, the corridor emptied until only three figures remained. Marcus paused, giving Xander one last undefined look.
"This matter isn't finished," he said quietly.
Then he turned and left. Josephine also followed him back, but not before throwing one last look over her shoulder at me.
It wasn't fear. It was something colder that sent chills spreading goosebumps all over my body. Damn, she is a hell of a villainess.
When the final footsteps faded, the silence felt deafening.
I stood still, as shock still rooted me to the spot. Xander's arm was still around me as if that were the most natural thing in the world.
Slowly, I turned to look at him.
"What in the actual world was that?" I asked faintly, not having enough energy to shout at him.
He finally looked down at me.
Up close, his expression was calm, almost amused as he replied lightly, "A convincing lie."
My jaw dropped.
"You declared we were in freaking love, you damn it," I hissed. His smile faded into a straight line as he asked, "What did you say? damn it?"
I froze as reality struck me. I was in my novel, which was set in an old era, and words like damn it didn't even exist.
"I..." I cleared my throat quickly, scrambling. "I mean... what in the actual heavens was that?" I corrected myself stiffly, the words sounding awkward even to my own ears.
Xander stared at me for a long second, making me more nervous when I again said, trying to distract him, "Don't look at me like that. I wasn't the one who declared a scandal in front of half the ton."
But it did not seem that he was in the mood to leave the topic aside.