Chapter 145

• The next couple of days dragged, and the castle got quieter. It felt like everyone was silently mourning or afraid to show any sort of emotion pertaining to happiness. It could have been to hold up appearances so that the public couldn't misread their thoughts of the fallen King. Because sadly, the only people who knew Ashton well were grateful he was dead.
• Lucien had distanced himself, and Simone felt responsible. He was the closest to his father of all the children. Ashton had showered him in adoring complements and love, leaving none for Darius. He would be the person to truly mourn for his father.
• The joyous laughter coming from one of the drawing rooms halted Simone from crossing the hall. She peeked inside to witness for herself the sight of a treacherous wife smiling victoriously at her beloved son.