Getting the whole gang there was worth it if only to see Innis’s face as she looked at Alethar stretching before her.
“Alex...it’s gorgeous!”
“This is the heart of Radenor.”
“When you look at such a city, it never even occurs to you that there are probably thieves and murderers inside... It’s like white foam at the top of a wave crest, like lace made of stone!”
“And you haven’t seen it at dawn when it’s colored pink and shines like human flesh. When that happens, it seems alive and breathing. As for filth...it’s everywhere, after all. But we’ll try to remove it, won’t we?”
“Of course!”
If only she knew how overjoyed I was to hear that we. That said it all.
Yet I didn’t stop being a half-demon. Once, it hadn’t bothered me at all, but now...if anything happened, I knew I could take care of myself. What about Innis?
The chancellor, against all odds, had managed to arrange a welcoming party. Have they been preparing that every day? Flags were hoisted, and music was playing.
As we rode through the city, I heard somebody shouting “All hail the king!” Have they gotten used to me already? It’s not like I ever threw coins into the crowd; I hadn’t even stocked up on them, as I disapproved of that practice.
Martha was the first to greet us at the palace gate; no court swine dared to encroach on her privilege. They knew that I would send them to a slaughter house just for saying one wrong word to my nanny. They did whisper behind her back, of course, but necromancers had more pride than a score of other people, so it wasn’t hard for Martha to disregard them. And then, what did it matter for her whether the buffoons were Riolonian or Radenorian?
I dismounted and gave her a strong hug.
“Martha...”
“Sonny boy...” She was quiet, her words intended only for me. “Your Majesty, welcome home,” she said aloud.
I let my nanny go and smiled, embarrassed, as I looked at Innis. Martha narrowed her eyes. Innis easily jumped down from the horse, without any of the courtiers’ help, and also smiled, looking a bit sheepish.
Martha’s gaze remained as focused as before. She was in no hurry to celebrate; she remembered Carlie all too well. Innis straightened her back. Their dark eyes met, crossing like swords.
We’ll see what kind of bird you are, I read in Martha’s gaze.
I accept your right, but I’m not going to acquiesce, said Innis’ face.
In that situation, the only thing I could do was summon the chancellor, give him a strong handshake, thank him for taking care of Radenor, order him to accommodate the newcomers...and accompany me to my wife’s body.
***
Dariola looked amazingly good. Embalming worked wonders. It was impossible to see anything under her gilded gown. Death gave her dignity that she had sorely lacked in life.
Pity? Nope, that wasn’t for me. I wasn’t tortured by guilt, either. Mostly, I felt relief. Had she remained alive, what would Innis and I do? But if not for her betrayal, I would have never even met Innis. You never know what’s inside the shell, a dead scallop or a pearl? It was a dirty thing, a betrayal, a murder, but it had led me to Innis.
I knelt and pretended to pray. Shimaris slipped inside the temple.
“Your Majesty, no need to feign grief when nobody can see you.”
“Are you looking for trouble, holy one?”
Shimaris smirked.
“Don’t do that, Your Majesty. I see what’s happening between you and Countess Andago. If you truly loved your wife, these feelings wouldn’t have inflamed so quickly.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Who dares judge the king?”
“The gossip is my court,* you know it yourself.”
*The gossip is my court, the path of kings, my way,
Each step condemned by all, each step my last hurray.
“I do, Your Majesty. I’ll pray here. I think the queen would have liked that.”
I shrugged.
“Dariola was a worshipper.”
“A worshipper or a believer?”
“The former,” I chuckled. Shimaris knew the difference between those two groups well. The worshippers were the ones who blindly followed the words of the servitors without ever thinking about the point of the rules or the rituals. The believers, however, were the people who let the Bright Saint into their hearts—and they were much less numerous.
“In any case, I’ll pray for her soul, so she’d find the way to the Bright Saint’s Throne.”
“I’ll go, then...I have other business to attend to.”
I really had some important business. I was sure that Martha and Innis had already arranged a meeting one-on-one, and I had to make sure that the palace survived that.
***
Innis didn’t even spare a glance to look over her chambers; she just collapsed on the bed, limp. It was that sweet moment of idle bliss when the body was completely relaxed, the head was empty of any thoughts, and there was no need to defend yourself from anybody or anything.
Soon, she would have to collect herself and turn back into an Andago, but until then...
For a few minutes, she simply lay on her back, motionless. The journey was hard on her as well. The side-eyes, the whispers, the gossip, the slander...
Still, her familial pride allowed her to stay cool and calm. And if I’m to be with Alex, this will be just the beginning. Upon becoming a queen, the vipers will attack me even more furiously, with all the rumors and the gossip that entailed.
Light coughing interrupted her reverie.
Innis jumped up, ready to repel an attack. Her hand reached for her dagger, but all she saw several steps away was the woman who had embraced Alex.
“Martha?”
“Yes.
“Take a seat, please.”
Innis knew that she was the king’s nanny, almost Alex’s mother, as he had told her. Therefore, she probably wouldn’t try to kill her—only take a look.
She probably would have done the same—and would do that when her son brought home a bride.
My son...I’m not even married yet!
Martha lowered herself into a chair, her dark eyes cold and collected.
“Alex told me about ye.”
Innis kept quiet. Still, her patience wasn’t endless.
“Ye love him?”
“Yes.”
“What about him?”
“He says that he does.”
“Ye ain’t sure of his feelings?” Martha raised her eyebrows. “Why marry, then? Leave him. Better now than later, to avoid more pain.”
“I tried, once.”
“You did it wrong, then.”
“No. I felt sick without him,” Innis said, shrugging. “I know that Alex will always put Radenor first, but I can’t live without him. Maybe I’ll hate him later, but I can’t leave...I’d rather jump off a cliff. It would hurt less.”
“Then ye understand.”
Was it just my impression, or was it approval that flashed in Martha’s eyes?
“I’m trying to. He’s an...unusual man.”
Martha seemed surprised.
“How unusual?”
“You’re his nanny. Haven’t you seen how exactly?”
Innis specifically avoided words like “half-demon” or “half-blood,” but Martha saw that.
“Ye’ve seen him, too. Were ye scared?”
“I was looking for someone like him.”
Martha was clearly astonished. A noble girl, looking for a demon? How quaint...
No, she hadn’t been prejudiced toward the nobles for more than twenty years, ever since Michelle. But all people had their own reasons to act; if you discovered them, you would know the person.
“Will ye tell me?”
“Of course. I think that it all started when my mother died and my father remarried...”
Innis withheld nothing and gave herself no quarter. Yes, I wanted a demon. I summoned one and would have sold
my soul to it. So what?
And she didn’t notice the light of understanding appearing in Martha’s eyes. The woman liked Innis.
More than twenty years ago, she had heard a familiar story—from Michelle.
My bloodline. My family. My country. I must do it because that is my right and my duty!
At last, she realized why Alex took such a shine to that girl. She was as burdened by her duty as him. Unlike him, however, she had made her choice by herself.
When Alex swooped into the room, he found the two women engaged in a peaceful conversation. Martha and Innis turned toward him, burning him with their dark-eyed gazes, and asked the same question in unison.
“What’s wrong?”
Then they exchanged looks and snorted. The meeting was a success.
***
I had really wanted to spy on the talk between Martha and Innis. I was stopped by a simple thought: they would sense me straight away. Both necromancers and air mages had their own methods, but I could only hide from one of them. The second would detect me and take offense. Therefore... How about I go to my chambers, wash the dirt off, and change clothes? A good idea!
Or it would have been because I couldn’t reach my rooms. A familiar red-headed shadow rushed to meet me.
Carlie!
“Alex! Give me a minute!”
Too bad there wasn’t a window nearby, or I would have jumped out.
“Viscountess?”
The fire in Carlie’s eyes faded.
“I wanted to express my condolences on the death of your wife. It’s such a loss...”
“I’ll survive it.”
“You already did.” Sparks appeared in Carlie’s eyes. I knew them well. Once, I would have given the entire kingdom for them, but now, I didn’t care. Innis’ face had replaced them in my heart. I didn’t need any other women.
“So, what next?”
“I’m glad that at least, your child has survived. He’s in Torrin now, is he?”
I shook my head, wary.
“What do you care about that child?”
“It’s your child! I could love him as much as I love you!”
What a twist!
“Viscountess, don’t you think that you should love your own husband?”
Carlie pursed her lips.
“It was a mistake. A cruel, terrible mistake...”
“You have my sympathy, Viscountess.”
It was my turn to err. Carlie moved forward and grabbed my hand.
“Alex, you must realize that one child isn’t enough to secure the throne. You must remarry!”
“I will, if I must,” I snapped, and then, my patience finally ran out. “Only this time, I’ll choose a girl from a decent family who will really love me.”
“I loved you, Alex.”
“If you come near me again, I’ll remove you from court. Maybe I’ll send you to a convent; I bet your husband will be grateful.”
“What about Rene?”
“He’ll understand.”
“Alex!”
It was almost a groan, but I didn’t give a damn. I walked past her and, without even sparing her a look, dropped curtly, “Just one more time...”
How insolent!
The worst thing was that I was so angry that I promptly forgot about washing and changing and went right to Innis. The desire to see her was too strong. I was glad to discover my two favorite people in the palace engaged in a peaceful talk. At least the palace would be spared.
***
“Nothing’s wrong, well, the courtiers...”
“High time ye kick all of them out,” Martha grumbled mostly by force of habit, rather than out of real anger.
“Nanny, such things can’t be done quickly. It’s not enough to kick them out, I’d have to replace them with those who will actually work. And where would I find them?”
“That’s true...” Well, at least ye’ve found yerself a good bride.”
Innis slightly blushed. I kissed her hand.
“My miracle...”
“That’s all well and good, but when’s the wedding?”
“What about tomorrow?”
“The pigs’ll dance on yer bones then. Yer wife’s not even buried...”
“I’ll rip off their feet.”
“Ye can’t do that to everyone. Wait a year, at least...”
Innis and I exchanged looks. We wouldn’t hold out for a year; that was clear. Martha realized that as well.
“A month?”
“Ten days?”
“Alex!”
“So what? It’s not like my wife died yesterday. I made peace with it, grieved, but life goes on.”
Martha shook her head in disapproval.
“Alex, if ye don’t want everyone to stare at her waist and count months...”
Innis shrugged casually.
“I care not about them.”
“What about yer children? Should something happen to Rick, they would rule Radenor.”
“If my children take after me, they won’t care anyway, and if they don’t, they won’t be good rulers.”
“Ye’re like two peas in a pod. Fine, I’ll talk to the chancellor. We’ll see how much time it takes to set up a wedding...”
“Please do it faster.”
“We won’t put it off on purpose. But until then, try not to give ‘em any reason to gossip. Today, they’ve already tried...”
“Tried to do what?” I grew concerned.
“To put Innis into Rose Quarters.”
My claws scratched the tabletop, leaving a trail.
“Those bastards!”
Rose Quarters were the chambers Rudolph had used to accommodate his mistresses. After living there, Innis’ reputation would be irreparably damaged. I wouldn’t care either way, but the arrogance of it...
“Who ordered this?”
“Guess. Who thinks herself intimate with the king?”
“Carlie?”
“Of course.
“Why didn’t you put her in her place, Mother?”
Martha sighed and suddenly looked older, her shoulders down, her back slumped, and wrinkles appearing on her face.
“Alex, I’m trying to bear a part of yer weight, but grilling yer courtly curs? I can poison them, but kick ‘em yerself. Or let Innis do it after the wedding.”
Innis winced a bit.
“Wouldn’t there be better things for me to do?”
“Trust me, a queen has lots of obligations,” I smirked. “If she wishes, of course. Hospitals, orphanages, children... And then, you’ll have to study and develop your gift. You’re an air mage, after all! You’ll be so busy that we could only see each other at night, if you want.”
Innis sighed.
“As your...mother...has said...”
“I’m his nanny. Princess Michelle was his mother.”
Martha seemed indignant, but she met her match.
“Both of you are his mothers, the one who gave birth to him, and the one who raised, taught, and loved him. Anyway, as your mother has said, I’ll bear a part of your burden as well. I am an Andago and we do not shy away from hardship.”
“That Andago seems like a nice place!” Martha said, grinning.
***
The chancellor visited me that evening. Together, we drew up a plan.
I started courting Innis in full view of the court. Coupled with the Riolonians’ gossip, that was enough for a romantic love story. The chancellor was to use his own channels to start rumors about me needing more heirs from a girl of good breeding. Riolonian origins were a bonus. Of course, some were bound to cry foul, but we would crush them.
And thus, Innis’ chambers were showered in roses, candies, and other such things. She had to send most of that stuff away through a secret passage because even if one-tenth of the flowers was left inside, she wouldn’t have any air to breathe. It wasn’t my fault that such behavior was considered romantic. I couldn’t give her jewels, however; there was no restriction on the flower
s or sweets, but nothing else.
Books weren’t really romantic, but I did write Innis a pass for the royal library. In Rudolph’s times, nobody had visited, but upon my ascension, I had closed it to everyone, only giving out permits to a select few. My mother had taken most of the books back in her day and I didn’t want the rest to be ransacked as well.
Innis, by the way, was especially grateful for that.
We planned to throw a ball—or, actually, an even grander event—in two days. The ceremony was to be majestic. It would consist of a ceremonial introduction of the heir to the people, a ball on the occasion of his birth, and then, the selection of mentors.
We had already devised a way to deal with that. Tommy and Rene would be named as Little Rick’s teachers. We would start a rumor that the heir would be raised at the Morinars’ estate and I would occasionally visit him there.
If people questioned the king’s will, we would say that it would be best for him to grow in the country, with its fresh air and healthy atmosphere. The farther away from the palace, the better for the children!
I didn’t want to tell everyone about Torrin. If somebody decided to settle accounts with me, killing the child—and my family there—would be their first choice. Rick could beat them off, but it wasn’t guaranteed. Nope, I really don’t need such a risk.
The Morinars, however, could handle most threats. Their estate was isolated, never visited by strangers, and fortified better than most castles, while the Morinars themselves could bite anybody to death. The chancellor even offered to turn the estate into a mousetrap: find a suitable child, present him as my son, and put him in their mansion with his mother as a nanny.
That also presented a risk, however—and not just for me, but for the girl, whom I found with Mistress Eliza’s help.
An age-old story: an undying love between a poor maid and a noble that turned out to be not so undying as soon as she discovered her pregnancy.
Sorry, but I only breed with ladies.
What about the child?
You can shove him back, how is that a noble’s business? Don’t you realize that I’m a gentleman? Ugh, what a country bumpkin!
Such girls usually had only one road ahead of them—and so, for Leena, my offer was like a gift from the Bright Saint. What’s wrong? It’s not like she would be a prostitute. She would live in a mansion under constant guard; her child would get a good education, and she, a good dowry if she decided to get married. When the child grew up, we would help him start his own business or enroll him in the army, if he wished.
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