122

A week later, Adelina took Mona and Jeff out for a walk. When they came across a crowd of people, they stopped in their tracks.

An endless line of criminals were tied with rope and were walking down the street. When they did not see an end in sight, Mona asked a woman who was standing nearby.

"Why are there so many criminals?"

"Are you telling me that you are living in Gideon without a clue?"

"I'm asking because I do not know. Did something happen?"

Mona pressed the woman for an answer. The woman narrowed her eyes at Mona and lowered her voice.

"It is said that the second prince and the duke were plotting treason, so His Highness the Crown Prince has captured them. The second prince's throat was slit the following day, and nine generations of each of the noble families involved were demoted in status. The ones who are being dragged away now are those who were accomplices."