I was halfway back to my chambers when a harried page boy came skidding around the corner, nearly colliding with me. "Your Majesty!" He bowed so quickly he almost tipped over. "There is an emergency council meeting in the west wing! Lord Cassius has returned and demands your immediate presence!"

  "When did Lord Cassius return?" I asked.

  "Just now, Your Majesty. He rode straight from the hunting grounds when he heard about the - the incident."

  I quickened my pace. By the time I arrived at the meeting room, several council members were already gathered. Lady Marigold was absent, still confined to her bed by illness, but the others shifted nervously in their seats. Commander Tiberius stood by the door as usual.

  I had barely taken my seat at the head of the table when the doors crashed open. Lord Cassius stormed in, still dressed in his hunting clothes. Mud spattered his boots, and his usually immaculate hair was windblown. A dangerous energy radiated from him as he surveyed the room.

  "What incompetence is this?!" he demanded. "A security breach in the Queen's private chambers?" His cold blue eyes fixed on Commander Tiberius. "Explain yourself, Commander."

  Tiberius stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back. "We're investigating the matter thoroughly, my lord. Initial findings suggest-"

  "Initial findings?" Cassius barked a laugh. "You should be well past 'initial findings' by now! Someone walked straight into Her Majesty's chambers! She could have been killed! What explanation could there possibly be except your deliberate negligence?"

  I opened my mouth to interject, but Cassius continued, his voice rising.

  "In fact, I find the timing of this breach rather convenient! The Queen begins asking questions about matters beyond her concern, and suddenly evidence appears to grant her curiosity an insidious edge." He stalked toward Tiberius. "Such a dramatic flaw in security could only have been performed intentionally."

  Tiberius remained stone-faced. "Are you accusing me of something, Lord Winters?"

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  "I'm not merely accusing." Cassius turned to address the council. "I'm stating facts! This isn't the first time the Commander's security has failed the crown, is it? Twenty years ago, it was his men who allowed anarchists access to King Edward's procession."

  Gasps echoed around the table. My hands gripped the armrests of my chair.

  "That's absurd!" I said, but Cassius spoke over me.

  "How convenient that the same man was in charge of security then as now. Tell me, Commander, how long have you been consorting with anarchists against the Magnolia family?"

  Tiberius's jaw tightened, but his voice remained steady. "I have served the crown faithfully for thirty years. These accusations are unfounded and-"

  "Guards!" Cassius snapped his fingers, and royal guards entered the room. "Seize him."

  The guards moved to Tiberius' side and grabbed his arms. He offered no resistance, though his eyes burned with cold fury.

  I stood. "Stop this immediately! You cannot arrest the Commander of the Royal Guard without evidence!"

  "We have evidence!" Cassius said. "This breach itself is evidence! His history of failure is evidence!"

  "That is circumstantial at best!" I moved around the table, putting myself between Cassius and the door. "I demand a proper investigation! Commander Tiberius has faithfully served my family my entire life - he deserves due process!"

  "Your Majesty," Tiberius said quietly, "it's all right."

  "It is not all right! As your Queen, I order you to release him! I want a full evaluation of all evidence for both claims before any action is taken!"

  The guards didn't move. They didn't even look at me. Instead, they looked to Cassius for direction.

  "Take him to the dungeon." Cassius ordered, and they began to march Tiberius toward the door.

  I stepped in their path. "I said release him!"

  Cassius sighed. "Your Majesty, you're overwrought. This is precisely why we shield you from these matters. Guards, escort Her Majesty back to her chambers until she calms herself. We'll speak later."

  Two more guards appeared at my elbows, gently but firmly taking hold of my arms. I yanked away from them.

  "How dare you? I am your Queen!"

  "Yes." Cassius agreed. "And we all serve your best interests. Sometimes that means protecting you from your own inexperience. You weren't there twenty years ago; you must be protected. Such is the oath I gave to your father as he lay dying."

  The council members watched in silence as the guards shepherded me toward the door. Not one of them spoke in my defense. Not one of them met my eyes. In that moment, the truth hit me: despite my title, despite my crown, I held no real authority. I was still a child to them. A puppet.

  As I was led from the room, I caught Commander Tiberius's eye. He gave me an almost imperceptible nod - not one of defeat, but of warning.

  The guards escorted me back to my chambers. They stationed themselves outside my door as I entered, the click of the lock making it clear that I was now a prisoner in my own rooms.