"You claim to be descended from the Kromwel bloodline," Persius said through clenched teeth. "Then how can you speak of your own ancestors with such disrespect?"
Anton blinked in surprise.
He had expected disagreement—perhaps even annoyance—but not this level of outrage.
Persius took a step forward, his voice ringing with conviction.
"Emperor Alaric was unwaveringly devoted to his empress. Even the generations that followed honored his example. The Kromwel emperors took only one wife at a time and remained faithful to them until death."
Anton raised both hands in a placating gesture.
"Easy now," he said with a nervous chuckle. "I was only speculating. Throughout history, it wasn't unusual for royalty to have multiple wives. Even the King of Zalmeria has three."
"In Zalmeria, polygamy within the royal family is lawful," Crown Prince Yohannes replied evenly. "But I fail to see what my father's marriages have to do with you Mr. Trillo, much more the Kromwels."
