Assistant to the Villain, #3
Accomplice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 79
Overview
Guided by frog-Kingsley, the group navigates secluded palace halls and discovers a secret passage behind Alexander’s portrait. Expecting dungeons, they instead emerge in the throne room, where King Gavin, Queen Brina, and the Lily Pad Knights await. The detour ends their stealth, forcing a direct confrontation with royal power.
Summary
Trystan, distracted by desire and memories as Sage’s rose-like scent unmoors him, follows frog-Kingsley through the southern castle’s secluded halls. Evie probes Trystan about past visits with Alexander, and Arthur watches their path, uneasy about unfamiliar corridors. The portraits of gold-eyed royals line the way, underscoring Alexander’s lineage and the pressure he once carried.
Arthur urges turning back, but Trystan defers to Kingsley’s knowledge of his home. Sage presses Trystan for a real description of Alexander, prompting Trystan’s insecure comparison between himself and his former friend. The group reaches a dead-end corridor lit by cracks of light and faces a portrait of Alexander Kingsley; Winnie identifies him, and the others react to how unlike a frog he appears.
Before anyone can stop him, Kingsley hurls himself into the portrait, revealing a hidden passage. Clare follows despite Trystan’s warning. Expecting dungeon access, Sage wonders why Alexander’s image would mask the entrance.
Crossing through, the party discovers they have not reached the dungeons but the throne room itself. Waiting there are King Gavin, Queen Brina, and the Lily Pad Knights, instantly collapsing the team’s stealth and setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation.
Who Appears
- TrystanPOV; battles desire for Sage, recalls Alexander, insists on following Kingsley through the castle.
- Kingsley (Alexander)Cursed as a frog; leads the group to a secret portrait passage that opens into the throne room.
- SageProbes Trystan about Alexander; her rose-scented curls unsettle him; questions the portrait entrance.
- EvieAsks Trystan about his history with Alexander; reacts to the portrait and secret passage.
- ArthurProtective guide; warns against the unknown path but defers to Trystan about Alexander’s home.
- WinnieIdentifies the portrait as Alexander; appears detached, noting the hidden door.
- ClareAdjusts the portrait frame; rushes after Kingsley through the passage despite warnings.
- TatiannaJokes about Alexander’s appearance during the portrait banter.
- King GavinRuler of the southern kingdom; awaits the intruders in the throne room.
- Queen BrinaQueen of the southern kingdom; present in the throne room confrontation.
- Lily Pad KnightsRoyal guard present with the monarchs, escalating the stakes of the encounter.