The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride

The guards remained silent. They were already warned that Quinn might try to get inside their heads. The best way to guard Quinn was to ignore what he said most of the time.

"You are part of a great moment of this kingdom, yet you're all being a bore. This should be exciting for men like you. After all, the most fun you have is guarding balls. You can thank me for having something to share with your children one day," said Quinn.

"Well, that is if I let you live. I am not fond of uninvited guests in my home. I don't mind that he has placed guards in my home, but at the very least, they should be handsome. Should I tell you of the times I worked in brothels?" Quinn asked, a brilliant idea coming to mind.

Quinn led the men out of the room so he could return to his chamber.

"Believe it or not, I was poor at one point in my life. My mother had to sell her body to get by, and when that wasn't enough, I had to join her. I know you think it would be well to sleep with many ladies, but there are men with secrets," Quinn revealed.

Quinn unbuttoned his shirt as he walked.

"I hated them at first, but they opened my eyes to a new world. Some claimed to have fallen in love with me. The women, too," Quinn said, trying to make it less awkward for the guards. "They paid to have him and tried to call it love, so I stole and then killed them."

Quinn looked over his shoulder to see the expression of a guard. "I thought of it as love, too, because I loved money and to see them in pain when I inflicted pain on them. Pain for pain."

"I thought it started from watching my father, but it must have been from the brothels. So many wealthy people go there and become smitten with the workers. I was fortunate to stumble upon a fool and now look at me," said Quinn.

Quinn owed his wealth to the fools who thought they were in love and had him be their servant for the rest of his life.

They were foolish to flash their wealth and not think Quinn would want any part of it.

"Aside from my siblings, those people who came to buy me were among the first I killed. It was my siblings, the customers, my mother's admirers, and now the people of this town. Would you like to know where I placed them?" Quinn asked, dropping his shirt to the floor.

"You should-"

"I don't want to speak anymore," Quinn said, losing interest in the conversation. "I should treat you as you treat me."

"Why must the king be so cruel? Not a woman or a man at my side during this time. Not a single priest prayed for my brother. You know, my brother was far more innocent than I was," Quinn said, laughing at how Cassius was treated in death.

Cassius was only a follower, yet he was going to be remembered as being just as evil as Quinn.

"Tell the king that I want to speak with him. I will give him a clue," Quinn decided.

"The king is not a mere man you may call upon. The commander or captain of the town guards will speak to you."

"Oh!" Quinn gasped, offended. "He doesn't want to speak to me? Then it means he doesn't want to save his people. The town will not like this."

"You may speak to the town guards, the commander, or a member of the court if you have a confession to make. The king is gracious to offer a priest for you to confess your sins to."

"A priest? Do you take me for a fool? Do you think I would believe that the priest would not repeat my words? The king will know what I wish for him to know. I will only give clues to the king- No, the duke," Quinn changed his mind. "I would prefer the duchess and duke to stand before me."

Quinn was still curious about what Alessandra thought of the revelation. Was she too afraid to leave the estate? Was she being haunted by memories of his father?

No one told Quinn anything worth hearing.

"You're all a bore. I survived longer than my mother and others thought I would. I made her proud so that I can finish this to the death now. I've succeeded in being known as William's heir. I only wanted to reclaim my title," Quinn revealed.

Quinn had nothing else to do than to toy with the king and duke. He had already riled up the town and made it unsafe.

"Tell the king that I am willing to give him a clue if he or the duke comes to me. I don't want anyone else. Just those two," said Quinn.

Quinn didn't like the silence. He didn't like not knowing what was being said about him or how others were reacting.

One of the guards was left to relay the message to the court.

Quinn sighed. "I should have told them to bring someone who could be my company. Pass on this message as well and tell the king not to worry. The person he sends will not leave my home. Tell him to send a whore. I'm certain this town could do with one less."

The guards looked at each other, all certain that the king would not allow such a request, but they would need to report it as well as all that Quinn revealed today.

The guards were puzzled by why Quinn was so talkative. The more he spoke and revealed, the closer he would inch to death.

What was he counting on to save him?

Surely, Quinn didn't think he would get out of this.

"If the king doesn't send anyone, one of you will have to do," Quinn said, his favourite guard already chosen.