"Believe me, I would really like to avoid this ritual as well, but we have to be there," Elijah said, cocking his head to the side while Jovana studied him. She knew him too well to realize he was hiding something from her, and then she fixed her eyes on him. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I was about to ask you why we all have to be at the least desirable event in the kingdom, but now I'm worried about the answer you might give me," she answered, sighing.
"You don't have anything to worry about because Clifford has a plan. You just need to be there, and everything will be fine. And you know that the King will consider everyone a traitor who isn't there."
"Really? The king drugs and manipulates people, and those who don't show up to be brainwashed are traitors?"
"I'm afraid so, Jovana. He's still the one calling the shots."