(Darian's POV)
I took a quick breath when the soldiers opened the door for me and started walking steadily into the hall. Wearing my usual gray clothes, I tried to present myself in the best possible way since I hadn't visited this place in several months. I wanted to restore my previous image.
I held my head high, meeting the gazes of everyone seated along the sides of the room. It was clear that their previous respect for me had significantly diminished. Was it because I was no longer king, or due to the rumors about my mother?
I wanted to sigh, but I restrained myself and continued walking until I stopped in front of the wooden table where my mother used to sit.
I was still worried about her; she had never refused to talk with me before, and there was no one in the entire family capable of making her disappear overnight.
Even the council and Alexander wouldn't be able to kill her...