Helio’s POV
After a lovely dinner with Aspen and our families, one distasteful task remained. I went down to the dungeon with two guards, meeting another four there.
The prisoners who had been traitors were all in cells looking positively miserable. When they saw me, they all got to their feet so they could bow low.
“Your Royal Highness,” said one who had been particularly talkative when they were first captured. “Thank you for coming so soon.”
I looked him up and down, deciding he must be the elected spokesperson. “Have you made a decision?” I asked. “All of you?”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness,” everyone replied as one.
“And?” I asked.
“Please,” the spokesman said. “We will swear fealty. But we also want to beg your forgiveness. You are a good and kind king, and we never should have at
