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Tiberias chews on his lip and furrows his brow before making eye contact. “You’d never try to hurt me, would you?”

“No. Never.”

“Then I have no reason to hold what Drake did against you. You aren’t him.” He glances at the time. “I have a meeting I need to get to, but I’d like you to go back to the academy.”

My heart sinks. “Do I have to?”

“Getting back to your routine is what you need. Holing yourself up in your room isn’t doing you any good.”

I frown. “Going back to school isn’t going to change anything. My dad’s still dead, and my mom is banished.”

“You’re right about Drake, but her banishment is nullified.”

Hope teases me. “She can return?”

Uncle Tiberias nods. “It’s a matter of finding her and giving her the news that will be tricky.”

I throw the covers off me. “I’ll go!”

He smiles. “I’m glad to see your enthusiasm back. However, I want to see you finish your term at the academy. I hear you have some extracurricular activities, as well.”

I groan. “Finding my mom is more important than a stupid pageant or sparring competition.”

Tiberias pats my arm. “You’ll look back and realize your academy days were some of your best memories. Go and finish your term. End strong. I’ll make sure your mother gets the message.”

“But I’m familiar with the land. I’ll be able to find her quickly because I know where she worked and liked to hang out.” Not to mention the friends I never got to properly say goodbye to.

“I’ll tell you what. You finish your term, and if I haven’t been able to locate her by then, you can go. Is that a decent compromise?”

I frown. “I guess so. You’ll really let me go?”

“If you complete the term with good marks.”

“Now I have to get good marks?”

He chuckles. “I wouldn’t expect less from a princess.”

“What if people don’t treat me well there?”

“I’ll make sure that isn’t an issue.” He glances at the time again and rises. “I should get going. Let one of the servants know when you’re ready.”

“Okay. I have a question before you go.”

He nods for me to continue.

“Are we going to have a funeral for my dad?”

His expression storms over but then clears quickly. “You’d like to have one for him?”

“Yeah, I would.”

“We don’t normally honor traitors, but if it’s important to you, I can see about a small, private service. No cameras or media.”

“I’d appreciate that. I know he doesn’t deserve one, but he is my dad—or was.”

“Understood. Once I hear that you’re back into the swing of things at the academy, I’ll plan the service and let you know the details.”

“Thank you.”