Assistant to the Villain, #3
Accomplice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Epilogue
Overview
In the morning after the climactic battle, Clare mourns her father’s death as Alexander disappears into Hickory Forest. At the forest’s edge, a speechless, naked man approaches and drops a golden crown. Clare recognizes him as Kingsley, signaling the lost ruler’s return and setting the course for the next quest.
Summary
At dawn, Clare wanders the manor grounds in shock after her father’s death, unable to feel anything but numbness. His body is being prepared for burial by the sea, and Clare internalizes blame for everything that has happened.
Tatianna informs Clare that Alexander leapt into Hickory Forest hours earlier, but Clare can barely process it, fixated on the belief that her involvement forced Alexander’s transformation and loss—ten years stolen, his voice gone, his identity fractured.
At the forest’s edge, grief overwhelms Clare and she collapses in tears, mistaking them at first for rain. As she sobs, a barefoot, naked man with dark curls and golden eyes approaches, struggling to speak. He offers a handkerchief and a slip of paper that reads, “It’s me.”
Noticing a distinctive handwriting detail, Clare hesitates—until the man drops a golden crown at her feet. The sight jolts her to clarity, and Clare identifies him as Kingsley. His wordless return confirms that the lost ruler still lives, reframing the aftermath and hinting at a new path forward.
Who Appears
- ClareGrieving her father’s death; blames herself; encounters a speechless man and recognizes him as Kingsley.
- KingsleyAppears naked and unable to speak, presents a note and a crown; revealed to Clare as Kingsley.
- AlexanderDisappears into Hickory Forest after the battle; his condition fuels Clare’s guilt.
- TatiannaInforms Clare that Alexander leapt into Hickory Forest.
- Clare’s fatherRecently deceased; his death devastates Clare and frames the epilogue’s grief.