Her Majestic Battle Cry

Chapter 1186

Malcolm stood frozen in place, his face burning with a sharp sting, though no slap had been delivered. It was only then that he realized his recklessness his impulsive actions had brought the matter of the students at Gracewood Women’s Academy all the way to the royal

court.

With Salvador telling him to stay behind, he stood there, unmoving, until the court session. ended.

Left alone in the king’s private study, Malcolm was instructed to wait outside. The biting cold of the winter wind cut through him like a blade as he stood there for four full hours, not once being summoned in.

A swirl of emotions churned inside him, but the most prominent was anger. He was the king’s father–in–law. Surely, even if his actions were misguided, Salvador should not have left him to suffer in the cold.

By the end of the four hours, his body was nearly frozen, stiff from the cold. Derek, noticing his distress, brought him a small warming stove. The faint warmth provided a small relief from the icy grip of winter.

Ian quickly entered the study, and after a brief exchange with the king, returned to stand. before Malcolm.

“Lord Quinton, what are you doing here?” Ian asked, surprised.

Shivering, Malcolm forced out through clenched teeth, “Waiting to be summoned by His Majesty.”

Ian’s eyes widened. “His Majesty just ordered me to find you. He was wondering where you’d gone–he’s been waiting for you! Please go in at once. His Majesty is growing impatient.”

Malcolm barely managed a stiff nod of thanks before forcing his frozen limbs into motion and entering the study.

of waiting had been nothing more than a

to his limbs, but before he could fully. recover, Derek entered with a steaming

up the documents. After reading them, his eyes widened in disbelief and

and Jocelyn had lied to

Thomas had asked to marry her.

17

rumor had

seems like they’ve set their sights on General Farrell. It seemed that I was right to entrust him

was calm, but there was a flicker of amusement as the king

cold sweat break out across his back, his limbs

have never meddled in the marriages

be involved in the marriages of your own kin? Hasn’t this always been the case? I

suspicious the king could be. How had the Quinton family

being careful, keeping his family’s actions tightly controlled, fearful of even the smallest slip that might give his enemies a

the Quinton family had ambitions to help Connor take

family, in alliance with the queen, was forcing him to

she waited for news from her servants. Knowing Malcolm had been punished and left standing outside Salvador’s study for four hours,

as he reported, “Your Majesty, the rumors say that Lord Quinton’s student submitted a formal complaint

all?” Kylie asked, her voice tightening with

fond of the women’s academy. But then, she remembered that he had once

in Salvador’s eyes, the