Questionable Queen

by Nancy S. Brandt

  The Queen smiled. "Of course." She spoke to the servants. "Please excuse us." To Merec, the butler, she said, "We would like to not be disturbed."

  "Of course, Your Majesty." He bowed and herded all the maids and footmen out of the room, closing the doors after him.

  "Please, Ursula. Sit." Mariana poured her sister a cup of tea.

  Ursula took the cup and sat to Mariana's left, across the table from Orlando. "George Evan asked me to marry him."

  Orlando looked between the sisters. "I thought that was settled. Didn't your father agree to the match a year ago?"

  "Things changed." Mariana patted her husband's hand. "The Challenge and all that."

  Ursula sighed. "It has to do with protocol and rituals and fealty. And I was angry at him for a long time. Any other noble would have officially broken with me and moved on to some other woman."

  "He loves you," Mariana said, smiling at her sister. "He didn't even come to the Queen for permission, which I'm sure he knows he has to do." She took a sip of her tea, meeting her sister's eyes over the rim of her cup.

  Ursula blushed. "He was in a rush. He's leaving for Gredia next week."

  "Why is he going there?" Mariana frowned. "It is a long way from here." Then the Queen paled. "Are you going with him? You are Heir Presumptive. Arrangements would have to be made to set aside your rank, probably transfer it to Ramone."

  "Mariana, I'm not going anywhere yet. He's taking an apprenticeship with a Fauna Master and can't have a wife."

  "Oh, Ursula." Mariana shook her head and sighed. "I'm so sorry you had to tell him no."

  "But I didn't." The Princess bit her lip. Heat enveloped her face, and she couldn't meet her sister's eyes. "I told him I'd wait for him."

  She took the ring out of the pouch and set it on the table where it glittered her guilt at her.

  Mariana glanced at the tiny stone and gathered the sheets of parchment that covered the table in front of her. For several seconds, she stayed silent.

  Finally, the Queen spoke. "We will have to tell Prince Gideon about this at once. He will have to explain the situation to his uncle."

  Ursula's head jerked up. "You're agreeing to my engagement to George Evan?"

  "The Margrave of Selwyn is a good man," Mariana said. "We're thrilled you have agreed to marry him. His offer is the older one, so it should take precedence. It is right." Her words were happy, but worry creased her brow.

  The expression on her sister's face hurt Ursula's heart. "Does this ruin the negotiations? Will the prisoners still be returned?"

  "This is not your concern any longer. We will do what needs to be done."

  "What will you tell Prince Gideon?"

  "The truth. You are promised to someone else, a man with whom an arrangement was made many months ago. The next two years will be long ones for you, but we will be happy to have you near us for as long as possible. Go spend as much time as you can with the Margrave before he leaves."

  "Why didn't you tell me she was already engaged?" Uncle Killian's image wavered, indicating the water on his end was disturbed, either from his yelling or bumping the table.

  No matter how many times Gideon had explained that connection through water was fragile, his uncle took little care with his bowl.

  "I didn't know, Your Majesty," Gideon said, keeping his voice calm. "Nothing was said at the time I presented your offer."

  "They're lying."

  Gideon could see his uncle storm away from the water, ranting about how defeated foes should be more humble and grateful for his consideration.

  There would be more trouble down the road, but Gideon couldn't resist feeling a bit relieved Ursula would be able to marry for feeling rather than for political advantage. One less royal who had to live as a piece in someone else's political game.

  "Uncle," he called after allowing the King to curse and stomp for a few moments.

  Killian returned to the bowl of water. "What now?"

  "There is still the matter of the treaty. If you want me to succeed, you have to allow me to make some compromises to the demands you sent with me."

  "For the love of sand, boy, we shouldn't be compromising with those people. They attacked us unprovoked six years ago."

  Here we go again, Gideon thought, sighing. "And we attacked them two years before, and on and on. I thought this mission was an attempt to finally put this cycle of war after war behind us."

  The King glared at him. "Contact me tomorrow with their offers, although I can't-"

  Gideon spoke quickly, eager to have this conversation finished. "Great, Uncle Killian. I will contact you when I have news."

  After Ursula told Mariana about George Evan's proposal, the Princess was no longer invited to the negotiation table. She knew why Mariana had made that decision but she wished she knew what the Queen planned to do about the prisoners.

  Had King Killian been told about Ursula's refusal? How had he reacted? She'd seen Prince Gideon once in the hallways as she was going to the Queen's chambers with a stack of new clothing for the babies sent by some distant cousin from Dwardometh. The Prince had nodded to her but said nothing.

  For the last two days, she'd wandered around the palace doing little tasks to keep busy, but she'd find herself hovering outside the conference chamber, trying to hear what was happening until Merec stared at her without speaking. Then she'd hurry away.

  George Evan spent those two days at his parents' estate, presumably helping them with his grandfather and the grounds. When he returned on the third day, he joined Ursula on the balcony of the small dining room for hot chocolate and scones.

  "I've always loved this view," she said after the maids had taken the dishes away, leaving only a new pot of chocolate and a small plate of cookies. "It's especially nice today as the leaves are beginning to turn colors, but the air is still warm enough to sit out here."

  "It is beautiful," he said. "I will miss this when I'm in Gredia."

  Her heart began to pound. Maybe there was a way she could convince him not to go away.

  Swallowing the lump of tears that filled her throat, she said, "Tell me more about this apprenticeship. What will you be learning? You're a strong Fauna Sensitive already."

  Now his face brightened, which bruised her heart more than she expected. He was so looking forward to this trip.

  "The Master I'll be working under, First Adept Barnabus Galashiels, is acknowledged as the ultimate authority on not only Fauna Sensitivity but also the breeding and training of horses, canines, and wolves. I'm going to be learning how to understand the animals, developing my own mix of feed depending on what they need or what kind of work they are bred for, and starting my own stable of horses. When I return, I should be able to train other Sensitives myself."

  "And this is something you've wanted to do for a long time?" It wasn't something that interested her, and she found it surprising he was so excited.

  "Well, of course, I didn't think about this kind of thing when I was young." Now when he smiled at her, it was genuine, not the courtly mask of pleasure she was used to seeing at parties and balls. "I thought I would end up running my father's estate eventually. With a wife by my side, of course."

  To her surprise, he dropped his eyes and blushed.

  "What changed?" she asked gently.

  Now he met her eyes. "I will still have a wife by my side." He took her hand in his. "So that hasn't changed, but now my father's landholdings have been diminished, so there won't be enough income from the farms to support the household. My parents have run through almost all of their money, but they are reluctant to release any of their servants."

  "And you think when you come back you can earn a living training other Sensitives?"

  He nodded. "And breeding horses, dogs, and wolves. If things work out as I hope they will, I could, one day, have a substantial stable of my own with a pack of hunting wolves and dogs besides."

  As she listened, her heart hurt a bit more with every word. He wouldn't change his
mind about this. She could feel the excitement and joy he felt imagining a future he once wouldn't have been able to see.

  "I think you will be a great success at this," she said, surprising herself as she realized she meant it.

  "We will be a success." He squeezed her hand. "With you by my side, using your own Sensitivities, there is no limit to what we can achieve."

  Her mind went to the one thing she'd been trying to achieve for months. At this moment, the release of those men seemed farther away than ever before.

  "Oh, my Princess," George Evan said. "I nearly forgot the main reason I came to see you today. Not that just looking upon you face isn't reason enough, but my mother would like you to come to dinner at our home this evening.”

  Ursula smiled. "Tonight? I would love to." It would be a welcome distraction from the uncertainty of what was happening in the conference chamber.

  Seeing the delegation from Heyton, as small as it was, every day gave her heart a pang of guilt. Every time she saw Prince Gideon's face, she couldn't help but wonder if her refusal to marry the King would result in worse treatment of the men she'd been trying to help.

  "I would enjoy seeing your family again" Ursula told George Evan. “How is your mother?"

  For the next few minutes, they talked of families and small inconsequential things. Neither of them mentioned the two years they would be apart and the many things that could happen in that time.

  Finally, when silence fell upon them and had begun to stretch into something uncomfortable, she stood, and he followed suit.

  "If I am to dine with your family, I will have to pack a small valise," she said. "It is too far for me to return tonight.”

  His face brightened but almost instantly, he sobered. "I wouldn’t want to do anything to sully your reputation, Your Highness. Would it be proper for you to spend the night at my parents' home without other family members with you? Our engagement hasn't been officially announced. I know society women can be cruel and I would never—"

  She cut him off with a wave of her hand. "I will bring my Lady of the Wardrobe, of course, as well as my maid and a guard. My reputation will be well protected."

  "Of course," he said. "I apologize for even thinking anything to the contrary." He bowed. "I will leave you to your packing. I wanted to talk to the Grand Prince about a few issues that will need his attention once I leave for Gredia."

  She nodded but said nothing, sure those issues were about her and her protection. George Evan always saw her as a precious treasure. She knew she should be grateful for that, but she was almost twenty-five years old and could take care of herself.

  Lady Rebecca sat in a nearby corner of the balcony, and after George Evan left, she approached the Princess. "He's a good man."

  "I know," Ursula said. "He will be the perfect husband, always solicitous and caring."

  "You sound sad."

  Ursula shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm being ridiculous. A woman in my station should be thanking the Elements every day to have a man like that want to marry her. I wish I could tell him how troubled I am about what King Killian will do to the prisoners, but perhaps it is better I don't. I have you to share my worries with."

  Rebecca slipped an arm through the princess's elbow. "You do. Let's go upstairs to pick out something beautiful for you to wear to see the Sahdeer and Sahdess. They are soon to be your parents, too."

  Not soon, Ursula thought, but said nothing. Two years sounded like an eternity, and yet the prisoners, some of them, had been gone for more than five. She had nothing to complain about.

  Chapter 11

  All that was left of Walter, the Sahdeer of Selwyn's landholdings, was the estate house on the edge of Durin Lake. At one time, he'd owned all the land surrounding the vast lake and the three villages on the other side. However, Ursula's father had used his power and the excuse of the war with Heyton to confiscate all the land and sell it off to his friends to raise gold for the troops.

  As Ursula's carriage rolled toward the small, three-story home, she wondered how much of that gold went to fund the war. She'd been too interested in clothes, balls, and being admired and pursued by all the young nobles that she hadn't even noticed there was a war going on.

  Lady Alice, George Evan's mother, stood on the stone entrance when the royal carriage arrived. The white-haired woman had George Evan's eyes and was thinner than was attractive. Her lime green dress was several seasons out of style, and her brown and green sash, indicating Earth and Floral Sensitivities, was fraying at the edges.

  "Princess," the Sahdess said as she curtsied. "We're honored to have you visit."

  Ursula stepped out of the coach, then turned to Rebecca.

  "Sahdess," the Lady of the Wardrobe said after giving the older woman a curtsy, "if you'll have your people show me where the Princess will be staying, I'll get her unpacked."

  "Of course," Lady Alice said and instructed the maids and footmen as to their tasks.

  "I'm sorry," she said to Ursula when they were inside the estate house and walking to the sitting room where tea and cakes were waiting. "We've had to let some of the minor servants go, unfortunately, but I assure you, the ones we have remaining are more than up to the task of taking care of a royal visitor."

  "I'm sure they are," Ursula said. "Please have no concerns on that score. I'm sure you know about my arrangement with George Evan, so please let us not be so formal with one another."

  At this, the Sahdess's shoulders relaxed and the lines of tension around her eyes softened. She motioned for the Princess to sit in what was clearly the best, most comfortable chair in the room.

  "George Evan's father and I are so glad you've agreed to marry him. There was so much unpleasantness when King Jonathan left the throne." Lady Alice poured a cup of tea and added one sugar cube and a splash of milk. Ursula smiled. The older woman remembered how she liked her tea.

  The Princess took the cup and said, "Thank you. Many things have changed since Queen Mariana took the throne. I'm hoping we can put the past behind us and start fresh."

  "Thank you, Your Highness. Your sister has proven, already, to be a good Queen."

  The two women sat back and sipped their tea for a moment in silence. Ursula hated the awkwardness she felt here. It had always been this way. Pir Walter and Lady Alice had been friends with her parents until the King took the land. From then on, conversation with the Selwyns was perfunctory and shallow, as though they feared speaking too freely in front of the royal family. Rumors were that other Pirs who had done so had lost more than just land and gold.

  Ursula wondered if there was a way to get past the invisible wall and to develop a friendship with the woman sitting in front of her. She searched her thoughts for something that would help open the way, but the Sahdess spoke first.

  "The Queen and Grand Prince must be excited for the birth of the babies. Think of it. Twins in the palace."

  This was something Ursula could talk about, so she relaxed a bit. "Yes, of course. The entire palace is preparing. It is exciting for a sitting Queen to give birth."

  The Sahdess took another sip of her tea. "And you must be glad you'll be there to see it. With George Evan planning to be gone for so long, at least that will be a consolation for you."

  And the stress returned, but the Princess set her cup down and clasped her hands in her lap, a trick she'd learned to keep her emotions from showing. "I will be happy to help Mariana and to spend time with the children, but I'm sorry he has to be away for two years."

  "His father and I feel the same way, but it is something he's eager to do."

  Ursula nodded. "I know, and I'm trying not to worry about him being so far away, but Gredia is on the other side of the ocean. So many things could happen."

  His mother paled a bit, but she was noblewoman, and Ursula felt the moment she clamped down on her own emotions. "Of course, he's our only child, so we worry as well, but..." And at this the Sahdess smiled brightly. "...it is wonderful to know you'll be nearby. I'm
sure he has told you you're always welcome here. Please consider our home your home. After all, you will be as our daughter in just a short time."

  "Two years is not a short time." The words were out of Ursula's mouth before she could stop them, and when she heard them, she froze, heat rushing into her face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken out loud. Please forgive me."

  "There is nothing to forgive, my child." Tears welled up in Lady Alice's eyes. "I feel as you do. I don't want him to go away, but I'm a mother and can't stand in the way of my son's dreams."

  "Of course." Ursula's hands were trembling as she reached for a small cake. "We'll just have to petition the Elements to keep him safe, and surely our love for George Evan is strong enough to surround him."

  A tear, like a tiny jewel, crept down the Sahdess's cheek. "You're a lovely girl, Princess. I know you'll make my son happy."

  "Tea is the devil's drink." A shout came from the doorway.

  The women turned to see Lady Alice's father, Stanilas, standing there, holding a sword. He was dressed in something like a military uniform except for the woman's hat on his head and fur slippers on his feet. The jacket was about three sizes too small, but he, or someone, had tied a rope around his waist to hold it closed.

  Lady Alice sighed and stood. "If you'll excuse me, Princess. My father needs his meal. I'm afraid with the arrival of guests, the servants forgot to feed him."

  "Of course." Ursula watched, dumbfounded, as Lady Alice, whispering to her father, led him out of the room. Rebecca stood to the side of the hall as they left.

  "It's sad," the Princess said. "I remember Pir Stansilas as a strong Metal and Air Sensitive who helped my father provide weapons for the troops."

  "He is like your mother now," Rebecca said, bowing slightly. "Your bags have been unpacked, and the cook has spoken to me about your meals. Her staff is quite anxious about pleasing you."

  Ursula tsked. "I wished they wouldn't take everything so seriously. I am the Selwyns' guest. I'm sure everything will be fine."

  Rebecca took the seat Lady Alice had vacated. "You're the Royal Princess, Your Highness, not just any guest. Special accommodations should be made."