He wandered through the halls, his mind racing. In his hand he clutched the message that had just been delivered to him. His cousin, his cousin's entire family - even the infant daughter - dead, in an accident. He was the last of his clan, and the heir to the throne. The events of the past several months raced through his thoughts. The "accidental" drowning of his sister; the disappearance of his uncle; the poisoning attempt on his own life; and now this... the fatal crash of his cousin’s carriage.