I was still reeling from what had just happened.
The Emperor annulled my engagement.
Just like that.
No warning. No discussion. Just... done.
It was almost scary.
The Emperor's green eyes landed on Lord Pemberton, the black-haired man I had noticed earlier, and the temperature in the room dropped about ten degrees.
"Lord Pemberton," the Emperor said coldly. "Perhaps you would like to explain to me how, exactly, diamond shipments worth hundreds of thousands of gold pieces have been disappearing under your watch for three months without a single report reaching my desk?"
Lord Pemberton went pale. "Your Majesty, I—the routes are extensive, and the bandits—"
"The bandits," the Emperor repeated, his tone flat. "Yes. Let's discuss these bandits. Tell me, Lord Pemberton, how is it that these bandits knew exactly which caravans carried the most valuable shipments? How did they know the precise schedules? The guard rotations?"
