Behind them stood the duke's son and heir, Pavel, his face pale and stricken. He had been there when the message from the palace arrived. He knew full well what was going on.
"Father…" he murmured.
Duke Rochester faced his son with grim resolve.
"Take your mother and siblings through the hidden passage. The elders of our house are already waiting. Go now."
This was the only way. To preserve the bloodline and the family name, the rest would have to be sacrificed.
After all, wasn't this the nature of every failed rebellion? Succeed, and you become king. Fail… and death awaits.
Pavel bit his lip in frustration. What a wretched end. None of this would've happened if his father hadn't trusted that bastard. Now, their once-glorious house was on the brink of ruin.
But with his father resigned to death, there was no point in saying any of that.
"…I understand. I'll go."
"I've already said my goodbyes to your mother and siblings. Now go, quickly."
There was nothing more to be said.
