things didn't pan out

Alonso let out a choked snort. How convenient. His disbelief bled into his anger; he clenched his fists more tightly, refusing to hug his mother back, and mulling over her words. No, it didn't make sense. She was the queen and he the king--there had to be another way, even if she was telling the truth. Her mother didn't just give up, and neither should she have.

How could you! the boy repeated, much more loudly, more aggressively, and he raised his hands to push against her, wanting distance between them so that he could look at her--so that she could look at him. The tears fell more heavily now, but he tried to ignore them, blinking them away. There had to be another way! He's your husband! My father! We could have--

Whatever he was about to say had been swallowed up by a sob. Alonso fought against another one, shaking his head. We could have fought back! We have the means!