“What of the girl?

I would not judge you too harshly if you admitted to some weakness of
the mind there. Perhaps you will tell me she was a disorienting beauty⠀”that you
interfered for some lesser, sordid reason. That you fancy yourself in love with her.”
“I did not.” Kamra's jaw tensed. “I do not. I most certainly would not.”
“Kamran.”
“Grandfather, I could not even see her face. You could not expect me to own such a lie.”
For the first time, the king grew visibly concerned. “My child, do you not understand how
precarious your position is? How many would celebrate any excuse to have your
faculties examined? Those who covet your position would
invite any reason to deem you unworthy of the throne. It disturbs me more to know that
your actions were born not of recklessness, but thoughtlessness. Stupidity is possibly
your worst offense.”
Kamran flinched.
True, he deeply respected his grandfather, but so, too, did the prince respect himself,
and his pride would no longer allow him to endure an onslaught of insults without
protest.
He lifted his head, looking the king directly in the eye when he said, with some
sharpness, “I believed the girl might be a spy.”
King Zaal visibly straightened, his countenance revealing nothing of the tension visible
in his hands, clenched now around the arms of his throne. He was silent for so long that
Kamran feared, in the interlude, he'd made a terrible mistake.
The king said only: “You thought the girl a spy.”
“Yes.”
“It is the single true thing you have spoken.”
Instantly, Kamran was disarmed. He stared at the king then, bewildered.
“I may now understand your motivations,” said his grandfather, “but I am yet to
comprehend your lack of discretion. You thought it wise to pursue such a suspicion in
the middle of the street? You thought the girl a spy, so you say⠀”and what of the boy?
Did you think him a saint? That you carried him through the square, allowing him to
bleed all over your body?”
For the second time, Kamran experienced an unnerving heat inflame his skin. Again, he
lowered his eyes. “No, Your Majesty. There, I had not been thinking clearly.”
“Kamran, you are to be king,” said his grandfather, who sounded suddenly close to
anger. “You have no choice but to think clearly. The people may discuss all manner of
gossip pertaining to their sovereign, but the soundness of his mind should never be a
topic of discussion.”
Kamran kept his head bowed, his eyes trained on the intricate, repeating patterns of the
rug underfoot. “Do we need worry what anyone thinks of my mind? Surely there's no
need to concern ourselves with such matters at this juncture. You are strong and
healthy, Grandfather. You will rule Ardunia for many years yet⠀””
Zaal laughed out loud, and Kamran looked up. “Oh, your sincerity does move me. Truly.
But my sojourn here is coming to an end,” he said, his eyes searching for the window. “I
have felt it for some time now.”
“Grandfather—”