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“She is leaving, Raphael, I cannot convince her to stay a second time.”

Raphael rolled his eyes at his dramatics. “I watched you convince kingdoms to forge an alliance with barely any benefits for their own, so I don’t think you will struggle.”

Nikolai hesitated. He was used to create contracts with countries he saw an advantage in, he planned wars, and held correspondences with lords and other kings but how was he supposed to convince a girl?

As if on instinct, his thumb swept over the jade ring on his pinky. He sighed. “And how do I start?”

“With an apology.”

His head snapped up to look at his guard. “No way. I am a king. I have done nothing wrong, so therefore I have nothing to apologise for.”

“Kai,” Raphael pressed, “a king who does not own up to his failures is no true king.”

Nikolai’s father had never apologised, he would not let anyone question him and his choices. If he saw the way Nikolai allowed Raphael, a mere palace guard, talk to him that way, he would make him regret his choice.

Without a word, he turned towards the stairs leading into the palace halls. With a sign of his hands, he ordered Spike to stay where he was. The wolf let out an unsatisfied growl but remained where he was. If Nikolai was to do this, he needed to avoid any factor that could lead to further disaster.

“Your Majesty,” Raphael called after him and Nikolai could hear the smirk in his voice. “Maybe try to smile once in a while, Noora would appreciate that.”

“Make sure Spike does not disturb anyone,“ he called back, ignoring his former advice.

“I saw her in the training room, she was amazing, Kai.”

His gaze shot down,a scolding look on his face. “Did you spy on the participants? I thought I placed guards in the room at all times?”

Josephine blushed under his authoritative gaze and tried to hide in her collar but he knew better. As her brother, he was excellent at detecting all her lies. “How?”

“I climbed through mother’s chimney, it led me through hideaway passages that ended up in the dungeons and I saw Noora fight against the witch hunter, it was so amazing!”

Nikolai shook his head, not surprised but he was still amazed by his younger sister and her skill to get in trouble.

“If Mother finds out about this, she will be raging.”

“That is why she won’t find out.” Josephine flashed an innocent smile at him and if he’d be stern he would probably scold her for being reckless. But if he was being honest he would still let her do it and advise her not to get caught. His sister was one of the few people in his life he let get away with far too much.

Metal sconces, filled with flickering candles, lit their way across the hall and when the familiar door on the left side came into view he was reminded of his initial task.

“Do you know what you have to do?” he asked his sister, who raised a pale blonde brow. “I am eleven, Kai, not stupid.”

He glared at her and she sighed. “Yes, I know what I’m supposed to do. Now get it over with you coward.” She motioned toward the closed door.

He was being mocked by an eleven-year-old. Lately, everyone seemed to treat him like a child,rather than a ruler of a kingdom.

With a quick inhale, he raised his gloved hand and gave a short rap against the door. Straining his ears, he heard some shuffling inside the chamber but no one bothered to open the door.

He knocked again. This time a bit more forceful.

“Piss off!” Came the answer from inside. Josephine chuckled beside him but he found nothing amusing about the situation.

“Would you mind opening the door and repeating that sentiment?” he called back. Quicker than he thought, the door swung open, Noora glared at him, her cheeks flushed and Nikolai blinked at her for a moment.

“Piss. off,” she repeated before moving to slam the door at him.

Nikolai though was quicker and wedged his boot between the door. Partially blocking his sister from her view, she was to come into play a little later.

“What are you doing? Remove your foot, now,” she growled as she tried desperately to close the door on him.