Assistant to the Villain, #3
Accomplice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 15
Overview
Kingsley retreats to Trystan’s office after his alarming lapse in the meeting. Trystan presses for answers, but Kingsley deflects, offering only the reassurance of friendship. After Trystan leaves, Kingsley admits to himself the episode has happened before, choosing secrecy over disclosure, deepening the mystery and stakes around his condition.
Summary
Kingsley, unsettled by Trystan’s unspoken concern, retreats to the sunlight in Trystan’s office and reflects on his transformation, the repurposed princely ring now worn as a crown, and the altered sensations of his body.
Trystan rushes in, anxious about Kingsley’s recent lapse during the meeting. When Trystan urges honesty, Kingsley responds with written signs—first dismissing the concern as “Boring,” then affirming their bond with “Friend.” Trystan accepts this limited reassurance, promises availability, and departs.
Alone, Kingsley acknowledges he has kept many nonessential truths from Trystan and lets him believe the incident was a fluke. He privately admits these episodes have happened before, choosing to conceal the pattern and leaving the cause of his condition unresolved.
Who Appears
- Alexander KingsleyReflects on his transformation and ring-turned-crown; deflects concern about his lapse; secretly admits recurring episodes.
- TrystanExhausted leader who confronts Kingsley about the meeting incident; accepts minimal reassurance but remains concerned.