Kingdom of Ash and Soot

by C. S. Johnson

  “Is that so?” She gave me a thoughtful look, tapping her fan against her chin. “What is your plan?”

  Quickly, I told her my idea. I did not tell her I had thought of it hours ago, with Amir’s help. It sounded strange as it came out of my mouth, even though I had rehearsed my plan to myself so many times.

  For a long moment, I was worried I had overplayed my hand, but when Lady Penelope arched her brow at me, I could tell she was genuinely interested in my proposal. “Are you serious in your offer?”

  “What’s wrong with that? I’m supposed to be a fast learner.”

  “You are also a troublemaker.”

  The way she said it, I had to wonder if Amir had broken his promise and told her about my plan to leave early. Though I had not informed him of the specifics of my intended destination, I stressed that it was a mission to collect more information and Lady Penelope did not need to know about it. The more I talked to Amir, the more I felt like I was trying to convince myself I was not asking for anything unreasonably outlandish.

  Maybe I was. But I did really want to see Ferdy, and I wanted to prove to Lady POW that I was a good investigator. If I could manage to do both at the same time, it was only efficient.

  Amir and I could agree on efficiency.

  That was probably a large part of the reason he agreed to keep his silence. He also offered to help Ben smuggle me out of the Royal Summerhouse. They were waiting for me outside, near the carriages. Ben would escort me while Amir waited to inform Lady POW of my departure.

  Giving him that book was the right thing to do.

  Although I had to wonder if giving him a fair chance was also the right thing to do.

  I glanced up at the clock. If I was going to make my move, it would have to be soon. It was time to move forward with my plan.

  “If I am a troublemaker, it only goes to show that I am truly your family,” I said, watching Karl intently as I whispered in soft tones.

  He seemed to realize I wanted to dance with him, playing right along with my plan as he unlatched himself from Teresa Marie.

  “Just watch and get ready to abduct Count Potocki. I’ll take care of the rest. I’ll head out to the carriage when I’m done so you’ll have plenty of time.”

  “You have a good plan,” Lady Penelope said. “Let’s see if it works.”

  The approving smile on Lady Penelope’s face was gratifying, even if her comment was irritating. Both elements gave me the courage I needed as Karl came up beside us. I could sense his delight as he bowed over my hand.

  “Mr. Marcelin, we meet again,” I said coyly. “What did you say to Lady Teresa Marie that allowed you to slip away from her?”

  “I lied to her, naturally.” Karl confessed his sin with an ease that almost reminded me of Ferdy. “I wanted a dance with you.”

  “So you will get your penance for your sin after all,” I replied, and he laughed.

  “I would gladly pay it. I regret I was not able to locate you last night for another dance.”

  “Oh, you know how it is, running from one place to the next,” Lady Penelope said. “But we have missed you as well, Mr. Marcelin.”

  Karl seemed to have not heard her, as his eyes held mine. “Not as much as I have missed you.”

  I felt bad he seemed so sincere in his efforts. Other gentlemen had expressed their pleasure at my acquaintance, but Karl’s admiration seemed starkly genuine compared to theirs.

  “It is to your good fortune that I am free to dance then,” I said. We joined hands, and thanks to all the practice I had with Amir and at the previous ball, we easily slipped into a comfortable waltz. I gave Lady POW a quick nod, telling her to make her move, and then turned back to Karl, batting my eyelashes.

  “You were right, of course. It is indeed my good fortune that you were free to dance,” Karl replied.

  “I agree.” I almost giggled, seeing the boyish enthusiasm that lit up his face before he squashed it back under a mask of austerity and regality. “But there is no need to be so serious about the matter, sir.”

  “This is an honor and should be treated as such.”

  “But it is fun and one should treat it as such, too.”

  His gray eyes twinkled. “You are indeed very clever, my lady.”

  “I can’t imagine why you would think otherwise.” I whirled around in a spin, and then came up next to him again. “I am dancing with you, after all. I suspect many other young ladies have been clamoring after you for such an honor.”

  “If they have, I have only noticed you.”

  I tapped his arm with my fan. “I do not think I am doing what can be described as ‘clamoring.’”

  “Then I shall make it my mission to convince you to do so in the future.” Karl offered a smile, one full of genuine appreciation and admiration. For a moment, the innocent eagerness in his expression almost reminded me of Ferdy. I nearly tripped at the thought, but Karl caught and steadied me.

  Too early! I yelled at myself.

  “Are you well, my lady?”

  “I’m fine,” I assured him, squeezing his arm more tightly. He seemed to brighten even more at my closeness.

  As we danced, I wondered if I would have been able to stay above the seas of Karl’s spell if Ferdy had not stolen my attentions. Karl was handsome and intelligent, and his passionate nature was dominated by a strong will. He was serious and grounded, but it was not hard to see that Karl would make an excellent husband.

  “I suppose I should not blame all of those ladies calling for your attentions, sir,” I said, giving him a flirtatious smile. “You are among the better dancers here, as your reputation stated.”

  “Thank you. I have always been a conscientious student. Since my father was less inclined to indulge her, my mother used me as her dancing partner quite frequently as a child.”

  “That’s sweet.” I imagined a small version of Karl prancing around with his mother. “Is your mother in town?”

  “She is, though she is busy. She is preparing for the Advent Ball this week.”

  “That is another reason for you to go, if your mother is excited for it.”

  “Yes. You and your grandmother will also attend, will you not? I fear it will not be fun at all without you there.”

  “I am certain my grandmother would be willing to go.”

  “I hope you will come. I do not want to be left alone with Lady Teresa Marie’s attentions.”

  “Lady Teresa Marie?” I asked.

  “She is here, and her father is, too.”

  “Do you suspect they are following you, sir?” I asked, curious, even though I kept my tone blasé.

  “Oh, I doubt that,” Karl said, “but Lord Maximillian has expressed interest in furthering my political career. He is a new friend of Alfred’s and he is eager to support me.”

  I wondered if that meant that Lord Maximillian also hated Emperor Franz Joseph’s neglect of Bohemia.

  Does this mean Karl knows who the king’s son is? Does His Grace see Karl’s leadership as a step in taking over Bohemia’s government?

  I needed more answers.

  “Lord Maximillian is a wealthy duke. His support would help you in your aspirations, surely.”

  Before I could remark on the Duke’s vision of the future, I realized Karl was blushing, ever so slightly. “What is it?”

  “I was rather hoping you would be more interested,” Karl admitted, and I realized his flirting was taking on a more serious tone.

  In all of my trappings of apparent wealth, and even Lady POW’s actual wealth, I knew that there were plenty of men interested in pursuing courtship. I was my mother’s daughter, after all, and I was a great beauty among the crowds.

  I wanted to scream in frustration. My charm was an act and my grace was the result of education, and my reasons for indulging the crowded ballrooms of Prague were part of my quest for answers in a murder.

  I did not really want to worry about relationships. Not like this, anyway, I thought, as Karl continued
talking, mentioning marriage in the most obscure ways.

  I wondered how my mother had faired when she came to Prague. Was this what she had experienced? Did my father fall in love with her at first sight? Did he fawn over her, dance with her, compliment her, treat her the way Karl treated me? Or was he more like Ferdy, hiding out in the shadows, waiting for the moment to come and rescue her from boredom, offering her real moments of laughter and truth, even if it was cloaked in secret?

  At the thought of Ferdy, I turned and glanced along the ballroom walls, wondering if he would come and rescue me from Karl again.

  “What is it?” Karl asked. “Is something wrong?”

  “Oh, uh, no,” I stammered. “I just ... was curious where my grandmother went. That’s all.” I glimpsed back to where I had left her, only to catch sight of her talking with Count Potocki.

  At least she got that far.

  “Oh, I see.” Karl nodded. “I would want to discuss matters with her as well, but I believe it is better that we are in agreement ourselves, first.”

  “Matters?”

  “Marriage.” For once, he hesitated. “I have not explained myself very well, have I?”

  “Why would you want to discuss marriage?” I asked, genuinely curious. “We have only danced a few times. We barely know each other.”

  “I know you better than you think,” Karl said. “Lady Teresa Marie told me some of the ... the more unpleasant aspects of your life.”

  I arched my brow. Of all things, I had not expected that. “Shouldn’t that disqualify me as a future Minister-President’s wife?” I asked bluntly. “I can’t imagine it would make good press for you.”

  “No,” Karl blustered. “Of course not. If anything, I was ... inspired, to be honest. Even before I found out about that, I have always known of your kindness to your brother, and to others, and of your bravery in facing your parents’ death.”

  I faltered, nearly falling on accident. How did he know about Ben? Lady Penelope had never said much about him to anyone.

  “I don’t know what to say. I still don’t know you very well.”

  “But you like me, don’t you?” Karl asked.

  “I think you are a very fine gentleman. And a good dancer. But ... ”

  As I stood there, I felt strange. I should have been thrilled or touched to have Karl’s affections, especially since he knew the truth about me and my years of serving my stepmother. But all I could think of was the Order, and Ferdy, and how this was all very strange.

  “You will not completely dismiss me, will you?” Karl asked, the hope fading from his eyes.

  I smiled, forcing myself to play along. “Of course not.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Karl pulled me close and held me tight. I shivered against him, surprised at his gentleness. I took a moment to look up at him, and I felt myself caught off guard.

  “Perhaps I am not used to how society arranges marriage. My parents had a marriage based on mutual feelings,” I said.

  Though now that I think of it ... I don’t really know that, do I?

  Karl nodded. “Thank you for your honesty, my lady.”

  At that point, the music began to swell into its ending crescendo. I was ready to leave Karl’s side. The whole dance had been lovely, but the dialogue had been awkward and unsettling.

  As I stepped back, I slipped my foot halfway from my one shoe and twisted it into my skirt.

  “Oh, my!” I shrieked as I fell over, finding every way I could to make a scene.

  Ben had taught me at a younger age how to duck and roll. Admittedly, it was harder to fall gracefully in a ballroom surrounded by other dancing couples, but when I landed on my backside with only a small bump, I knew I had achieved my goal.

  From the stunned look Karl’s face, I could tell his reaction would be the perfect way to garner sympathy and concern.

  I hurried to rearrange my skirts, but my stockings were still sticking out as other dancers stopped and hurried over to help—or just stare, which is what the majority of them did, as Karl and a few other gentlemen offered me their hands, and other ladies called out asking me about my condition.

  When asked if I was well, I answered, “I will be, once I manage to get back up on my feet.”

  The crowd laughed nervously. I took Karl’s hand, but reached for others’ support as I worked to find my balance.

  As I began to brush the wrinkles out of my gown, I glanced over the crowds to see Lady Penelope steering an astounded Count Potocki out of the ballroom.

  “Are you hurt, Eleanora?” Karl asked.

  For the moment, I ignored his use of my first name. Instead, I slowly pretended to put weight on my foot.

  “Ouch!” I whimpered. “I do believe I have twisted my ankle, sir.”

  “Allow me to escort you,” Karl said, as several other gentlemen reached out and offered me their hands as well.

  “Thank you.” I looped my arm around Karl’s neck as I pretended to limp. We walked through the hoard of people together. I felt simultaneously guilty and grateful, glad my intended trickery had not led to actual injury.

  “I apologize for this. I should not have startled you in such a manner.”

  “It’s not so bad. But I doubt I will be able to dance for the rest of the evening,” I said. “I believe I will head to my carriage, so I might return home and rest for the evening. If you would be so kind as to escort me?”

  “Of course.” Karl patted my hand. “If I cannot prove my affections to you on the dancefloor, I will be content to do so in other manners.”

  I barely heard him, as others we passed began asking questions about my injury. Once we were out of the Royal Summerhouse, we made our way through the large pillars of the building to where I knew Ben and Amir were waiting.

  “As much as I am sorry for your injury,” Karl said slowly, “I am grateful for the chance to speak with you alone and without everyone watching.”

  “Oh, I’m sure we have plenty of people who are watching,” I said, looking back toward the entrance where more people had gathered.

  “They love you.”

  “They love a good story,” I scoffed.

  “No, it’s more than that. They really do admire you.”

  “I know you want to make a name for yourself in politics, but there is no need to presume the masses are so adamantly—”

  “It is true that I am versed in politics, my lady,” Karl said. “And that is how I know they truly adore you.”

  Between the way he said it and the way he looked at me, I almost believed him.

  I shrugged. “Well, it’s no matter now. Tell me, what was it that you wanted to say to me that you cannot say in public?”

  Karl sighed. “Lord Maximillian has offered to support my political ambitions. He and Count Potocki are supportive of my election as the next Minister-President.”

  You already told me that.

  I gave him a brilliant smile. “That’s wonderful. You are so young, too. This must be very exciting for you.”

  “It is,” he agreed. “But there is a condition to accepting Lord Maximillian’s endowment. He has requested that I marry his daughter.”

  “Lord Maximillian wants you to marry his daughter?” I repeated his words slowly, and it was at that moment that the pieces all began to fall into place. “How old are you, exactly?”

  “I am two and twenty.”

  “You were born in 1848?”

  “Yes.” Karl frowned. “Why do you ask?”

  My mother’s mission, Cecilia’s screechy outburst—everything seemed to run through my memory all at once.

  “Max found what he was looking for all those years ago. He would have broken the engagement himself, now that he’s found King Ferdinand’s son and heir.”

  The Empress had been pregnant when my mother arrived in early 1848.

  Karl was determined to fulfill his duty to Bohemia, and thanks to Ferdy, I knew Karl wanted to return the kingdom to its own sovereignty, free from the Emperor
.

  Karl is King Ferdinand’s son.

  I stared at him, studying his face in the moonlight, as if I was seeing him for the first time. I did not recall much about King Ferdinand’s face, or Empress Maria Anna, but nothing caused me to question the notion he was their son. With his dark hair and narrow chin, combined with the Hapsburg eyes and straight nose, I suddenly wondered at how others had missed this for so long.

  In any other reality, he would one day be my nation’s king.

  “Does it bother you that I am so young?” Karl asked, interrupting my mental spasm. “I was rather certain you enjoyed my company and the closeness of our ages.”

  He slowed to a stop, as we drew near to my carriage. I saw Ben disguised as a footman, and Amir settled comfortably on the perch.

  “I have enjoyed our dancing,” I replied, my voice struggling not to betray my astonishment, “and your company as well, sir.”

  “I am relieved to hear that. I was rather hoping I could convince you to marry me instead.”

  At that, I stopped moving completely.

  “I apologize if it is improper,” Karl swiftly amended. “But I could not marry Teresa Marie without the hope I could convince you to marry me instead.”

  “I ... don’t know what to say.”

  For a long moment, I was flattered. Karl was the rightful heir to the Bohemian throne, or he would have been, if it were not for the Revolution of 1848. And here he was, telling me that he wanted to marry me.

  Me—someone who had been a servant in her own home for the last ten years of her life, someone who longed for books and freedom, someone who spent her days dreaming dreams and commiserating miseries with her brother.

  But as I thought through it, I was suddenly curious. “Why do you even like me?”

  Why did he like me enough to have him turn his back on Teresa Marie and her father’s significant financial support? If he wanted the Minister-President position so badly, why was he willing to risk it all for me?

  Karl seemed as surprised by my question as I was. “Because I do. I do like you. And plenty of others do, too. You’re clever, and funny, and you’re beautiful. I ... think you would make an excellent wife and mother. You are a true lady, in every sense.”

  “Oh.” I nodded slowly. “I see.”