Asher's POV
I sat in my room, staring out the window, lost in thought. The walls of the palace always felt like they were closing in on me, but today it was worse. I had been avoiding Father all morning, knowing full well what was coming. His disapproval always hung in the air like a storm cloud, ready to rain down on us at the slightest mistake. And today, I made a big one.
A knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. My heart sank. I knew it was him before he even walked in. Father stepped into the room, his face twisted in anger. His eyes bore into me, filled with the kind of disappointment that had become all too familiar.
"Asher," he began, his voice low and dangerous, "why are you out to embarrass me?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I should have known he’d be f
