Lose A Princess, Lose Your Head (Merchant Blades Book 2)

by Alex Avrio

  “Your Majesty–” Gunther interceded.

  “You need to be punished for what you have done, Emilia. And I will punish you.”

  71 WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE

  A footman entered the small drawing room where Regina, Jaeger, Morgenstern, Schaefer, and the Barons Orsy and Schaefer waited. The Baroness, due to her condition, had been excused and allowed to retire to a room to rest. The footman led them to the library where Baroness Orsy joined them. Morgenstern took a parchment from his inside coat pocket and handed it to Jaeger, who put it in his own coat pocket with an acknowledging nod. The footman entered the library. Shouting could be heard through the closed door.

  “It has come to this then? To have such scum in my presence: mercenaries, whores for hire! Not even their shadows should stain the corridors of my palace!”

  Jaeger’s ears turned red. Regina's jaw clenched. This was his Emperor, the man he’d fought for, spilt his and other men’s blood for. Two footmen appeared and led them into the library.

  Despite everything he’d told her about his bitterness and disillusion with the army and the Emperor, Regina could sense Jaeger's heart racing. He walked into the presence of his Emperor with all the grace he'd been taught since he was five. They all bowed. Baroness Orsy curtsied. Regina’s eyes fell on the ink stains on the carpet. Small fragments of glass glittered like diamonds. The desk there was scuffed at the edges.

  “Baroness Orsy, enchanting as always,” the Emperor said.

  She smiled. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “I believe your condition adds to your beauty. A woman in such a delicate condition should not be present for stressful and boring meetings. I would suggest you retire to your rooms to rest.”

  With a curtsy Baroness Adel Orsy, sister of Lieutenant Schaefer, was gone.

  The Emperor’s gaze fell on Baron Orsy. “I hope you are good at explanations,” he said. “It is terrible for a child not to know its father.”

  The Baron was. Without explicitly saying so, he laid full blame on the column of Hussars that had accompanied the princesses, and on Colonel Meyer’s incompetence. Jaeger’s face was set. Morgenstern’s expressions were hard to read at the best of times, yet when Regina chanced a glance she could tell he was profoundly unhappy about the Baron sullying the reputation of the Hussars and the Colonel.

  Regina had a gut-wrenching feeling that this was not the first time that Baron Orsy had put on this performance. Morgenstern was not mentioned other than in a vague insinuation regarding his competence in speedily retrieving the princesses. The Merchant Blades were not spoken of. The Emperor had not even glanced in their direction. Maybe it was a good thing.

  “Sadly, some of our Hussars were not up to the task,” Orsy said. “Thankfully there were those who stepped up and were diligent in their duties.”

  “I would hardly call it diligence. I would call it shame,” the Emperor spat. “A gang of ragtag petty thieves overpowering a whole company of Hussars.”

  “With all respect, Your Majesty,” Baron Orsy said, “the gangs of outlaws have grown large and powerful, a real problem for our roads and transports. We have discussed the matter before in the Council.”

  “We have been discussing measures,” Baron Schaefer said.

  The Emperor’s brow creased. “They should have died to a man defending the princess.”

  “With respect, Majesty, who would have gotten her back? The officers showed bravery in the face of an unexpected cowardly enemy who ambushed them, and greater bravery against all odds in retrieving the princesses.”

  Regina saw clearly how Orsy was steering the Emperor away from thoughts of conspiracy. Something in the Emperor’s eyes indicated he wasn’t fully believing it. Behind the Emperor, the Prime Minister stood as still as a rock. It suddenly occurred to Regina that they were part of a greater performance: these were the goats set out to catch the mountain lion. There was no way they would all walk out of the room. Whose back would Orsy twist the knife into?

  “Lieutenant Schaefer.” The Emperor acknowledged her for the first time. “Apart from being a soldier, you are also a gentlewoman. Baron Schaefer’s eldest daughter.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “Baroness Orsy is your sister.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “How– convenient.”

  “It is for this connection that I was accompanying the ladies. Princess Rosamynd is also our cousin. I was acting as protector and chaperone.”

  The Emperor brought the tips of his fingers together. “The relation surely is from Rosamynd’s mother’s side,” he observed. Color rose in Schaefer’s cheeks. “As a gentlewoman and a chaperone, can you give me your word of honor that you were by Emilia’s side every moment of these past three months?”

  “No, Your Majesty, but I was with her–”

  The Emperor raised his hand and cut her off. “Enough, Lieutenant. Emilia was left gallivanting alone in Korthi, a notorious moral sewer. Alone with Francesco Di Angelo, and at times alone with Major Morgenstern.”

  The Emperor’s full attention fell on Morgenstern. He inspected him, taking his measure. “Not to mention Kapitan Jaeger, here.”

  “Your Majesty, if I may–” Morgenstern began.

  “You may not,” the Emperor cut him short. “I haven’t finished with Baron Orsy and Lieutenant Schaefer.”

  The Emperor took a step towards Orsy and opened his mouth to ask another question.

  “With respect, Your Majesty,” Morgenstern said. “A commanding officer takes responsibility for everything that happens during his command. I was the commanding officer during the rescue of the two princesses and I take full responsibility for everything. I am at your disposal to do the honorable thing.”

  The Emperor’s look could have boiled him alive. He crossed the distance between them and slapped Morgenstern hard across the face with the back of his hand. Blood dripped from his nose. Morgenstern continued standing to attention, letting the blood run down his lip.

  “Never speak out of turn, Major. If you had brains you would have blown them out before coming in here.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Morgenstern replied, “but Lieutenant Schaefer has conducted herself admirably and in full accordance with everything expected of an Eressian officer. The Merchant Blades have acted as contracted, have given value for our money, nothing more, nothing less. Honor does not allow me to let anyone else take responsibility for my failings.”

  The Emperor backhanded him even harder. Blood ran freely now.

  “Interesting. Colonel Meyer said exactly the same thing,” the Emperor said. He struck Morgenstern again, a hard crack against the nose, and wiped his bloody hand on Morgenstern’s jacket. “Wipe that blood off your face,” he told him. “I’ll deal with you shortly.” The Emperor turned his attention back to Lieutenant Schaefer. Regina could only guess how Morgenstern was feeling but she knew how Jaeger was. His face showed no emotion, but she knew.

  “Did Major Morgenstern speak the truth?” the Emperor asked. This was the moment where Schaefer had to decide where she stood. She faltered. Orsy gave her an encouraging look. Still Schaefer did not speak. Her father glared at her.

  “Is it true, Lieutenant?” the Emperor asked again.

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” her answer came, soft-spoken. The Emperor appeared to interpret it as an officer’s modesty and shame for her commander.

  “You may go, Lieutenant. You have done your duty. Barons, you may also leave.”

  Her father had walked a few steps towards the door when he noticed Schaefer hadn’t moved.

  Orsy was closer to her. “Come now, Lieutenant,” he said. Still she didn’t move. Orsy hastily went and grabbed her. “You are a lieutenant of Eressia. You embarrass yourself,” he whispered. She gave him a withering look.

  “He is doing this for you,” Orsy hissed in her ear. “Let the man die with dignity.”

  Schaefer and Orsy bowed, and left the room without looking back.

  “
Now it’s just us,” the Emperor said, a savage edge in his voice. “Major Valerian Kherr Morgenstern. A brave man, mentioned in dispatches of every battle you fought in the war. I fear you have cast your eyes too high. Maximillian Kherr Jaeger, former Kapitan of the Imperial Heavy Cavalry. Another brave man, mentioned in every dispatch until Hildenburg.”

  Jaeger did not move a muscle, staying at rigid attention.

  “After which, I fear, your career took a turn.” The Emperor looked to Regina. “Last but not least, Regina Fitzwaters, former Captain of the Merrovigian Royal Light Cavalry. Currently, a captain in the Merchant Blades.” Whatever else, the Emperor was well-informed. “Captain Fitzwaters. I would like to ask you the same question I did Lieutenant Schaefer. Can you account for every moment of Emilia’s time?”

  “Whenever I wasn’t with her Royal Highness myself, one of my female soldiers was.”

  The Emperor inspected her face. “You were with her in Korthi?”

  Regina lowered her eyes. “She was with Princess Rosamynd. Never alone.”

  “Rosamynd is not my problem. Her father will deal with her. Frankly, she’s lucky Eugene has agreed to marry her. He had little choice, I’ll give you that. Were you with Emilia during her time in Korthi?”

  “No, Your Majesty, but–”

  “Thank you.” He walked over to Morgenstern and Jaeger, both standing to attention.

  “Why did it take you so long to return? Korthi is not that far.” Morgenstern fixed his gaze steadily ahead. The Emperor punched him in the gut. Morgenstern bent double, gasping for breath. He struggled upright as soon as he was able and stood to attention. The Emperor struck him again, hard. Regina heard a soft sob from somewhere. She looked at Morgenstern trying to catch his breath while standing straight, arms at his sides. “I would have thought the Major was the culprit, but then I learnt about you, Kapitan. My sister has of late developed an unfortunate fascination with the Merchant Blades. While even she would not debase herself with servants, you are a Kherr.” The Emperor stood in front of Jaeger. “Did you perchance dally at a comfortable inn to deflower her?”

  A fist landed on Jaeger's stomach. A second followed, so hard it took Jaeger longer to straighten himself back up. Regina doubled up as well but managed not to cry out. She straightened up as quickly as possible, hoping no one had noticed. She found a chair and sat down, not caring about the breach of protocol.

  “Did you seduce her with the stupid words women like to hear? Climb on top of her and make her squeal?”

  “Your Majesty,” Jaeger protested, short of breath. “I have not laid a hand on the Royal Princess. She is of the highest moral standard.”

  The Emperor backhanded him so hard that Jaeger took a step to regain his balance. His nose opened, blood running down his face. The Emperor’s ring had caught his lip; more blood flowed down his chin. Regina clenched her teeth and wiped tears of pain off her face.

  “Come out, Emilia,” the Emperor said, voice dripping poison. Emilia rose slowly from the armchair with the high back that hid her from view.

  “Have a look at your lover. What do you think of him now?”

  Silent tears ran down Emilia’s cheeks. Her eyes widened as she saw the state of Jaeger and Morgenstern.

  “Please, Lothaer, I beg you,” she cried, “I swear by the Mother and Child that nothing has happened. Not with him, not with anyone.”

  “Don’t add perjury to your sins,” the Emperor said, and punched Jaeger again. He doubled over and the Emperor brought his elbow down hard on the back of his head. Jaeger fell to his knees, gasping. “Don’t bother getting up,” the Emperor told him, and turned to Emilia. “I would send you to become a Mother’s sister, and have him shot, but the motherland has use for you, still.”

  He landed another kick to Jaeger’s side, and Regina felt a sharp pain in her own side as if a couple of his ribs had cracked. The Emperor smiled. Emilia looked from her brother to Jaeger in horror, her eyes pleading that he defend himself. Jaeger’s eyes went to Regina’s, seated, suffering silently. The Emperor’s gaze followed.

  “I do apologize. This is not a sight for ladies - even those who have risen to the rank of Captain.” Regina could only nod, trying not to whimper. Through the pain, she wracked her brains trying to think of some way to stop this, this senseless beating. “My enemies think me stupid, that they have thwarted my plans. But there is a chance to mend this. Badly, but mended. You see, Emilia,” he turned and kicked Jaeger who was still down, “you have eloped with the Kapitan here and become a fallen woman. They thought I wouldn’t know how to deal with it, that I would lose my temper and never consider the obvious solution. The gap in social standing is great, but a Kherr– could marry you. Acceptable in society again, in a few years your disgrace will be forgotten.”

  “The princess has behaved irreproachably,” Jaeger said, coughing up blood. Lothaer landed another strong kick, forcing another mouthful of blood to spray.

  “Your Majesty, I must protest most strongly,” Morgenstern said. “Neither the Royal Princess, nor Kapitan Jaeger, have exhibited anything other than exemplary behavior.” The Emperor tilted his head slightly, then punched Morgenstern in the kidneys. Morgenstern found himself on his knees next to Jaeger. He managed to move his head. The next kick, intended for his face, landed on the shoulder. Another landed on his side. It came with such force that Regina heard bones break.

  “Maybe it is you, after all,” the Emperor commented. “I hope dear Emilia hasn’t had both of you. That would be awkward.”

  Emilia let out a muffled sob. She turned her eyes to Regina, but there was little Regina could do, other than keep quiet and try not to faint. If fainting worked as a diversion, paused the beating, she'd try it; yet she knew the Emperor would just have her removed from the room. While she was present, there could be things she could do.

  “I really don’t care which of you it is,” the Emperor said, a nasty leer on his face. “One of you will marry Emilia tonight. The other will be shot. You choose.” Emilia’s face was a mask of agony. Lothaer landed another kick in Morgenstern’s midriff. Morgenstern spewed blood everywhere. His next kick hit Jaeger so hard in the gut that Regina jumped up off the chair. “For this to happen, you must first admit to what you’ve done.” He fixed his eyes on Emilia. There was murderous intent in them. “Say it.”

  Emilia cast her eyes at the battered forms of Morgenstern and Jaeger, then stared at a spot on the carpet with no blood on it. She hesitated. She looked to them again, then to Regina.

  “I– I did what you said. I did go with him,” she said.

  “I want to hear it from him as well. Whichever one it is.”

  Emilia crossed the room and fell to her knees, grabbing her brother’s hand. It was scuffed at the knuckles. Her dress immediately began soaking up blood that had pooled on the carpet, staining it a deep red.

  “Please, brother, I beg your forgiveness,” she cried. “I was wrong, I see it now. I am so sorry I have disappointed you. I will do anything you ask to show my repentance.”

  Her words seemed to have an instant effect on the Emperor. He put his hand on her head and stroked her hair, then helped her up.

  “Come now, Emilia. Choose one. Let’s get this over with.” The softness in his voice made Regina want to throw up.

  “Please, Lothaer, as a wedding present could you not spare both?”

  The Emperor stroked his sister’s cheek, wiping away the tears. “Would you like that?”

  “Yes, very much. Please.”

  “But you have been very bad, my dear. Part of your punishment is you get a small closed wedding. No fancy dress. No presents.”

  Morgenstern managed to rise to his feet. “Your Majesty,” he said, coughing. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and continued. “I am willing to accept all the responsibility. If you pass me a pistol, I will settle this right now.”

  Jaeger was now upright. His look to Morgenstern said don’t you dare. Morgenstern ignored him. The Emperor opened a drawer in h
is desk, took out a pistol and handed it to Morgenstern, who tried to take a few breaths, and looked at Emilia. There was a purple handprint on her cheek. He glanced at Jaeger, then cocked the pistol and put it to his temple.

  “No!” Emilia shouted.

  “Do make up your mind, Emilia. We don’t have all day,” the Emperor said.

  “Your Majesty,” Regina said, bright stars dancing in front of her eyes. The pain was almost incapacitating, yet she had to speak. Lothaer stared at her as though a statue had come to life and sung.

  “Your Majesty,” she said again, her throat dry parchment. “Maybe I can help. My grandfather was an Earl. My family has connections at court. We are acquainted with Prince Michael.”

  “I was not aware that you had such status, Captain.” The Emperor didn’t hide the disdain in his voice.

  “I do not, Your Majesty, but my family is associated with important people. As a Merrovigian, I know how important trade is to my country. Before the war, Eressia was our main trading partner. I know that our government wish it to recommence. If you give me a little time I could speak with Prince Michael. I could vouch for Emilia’s virtue. Help start the talks again and sign a treaty that benefits us all. I can intercede with him to change his mind.”

  The Emperor shook his head. “That is not possible. Emilia must be married now to remove the stain on her character. Whoring may be acceptable in Merrovigia, but not here.”

  “That would be even better, Your Majesty. It would give us more time to do our work.”

  “You expect me to believe that you have such influence?”

  “I am a Merchant Blade. We work with people from all walks of life, some great and some less so. They all have secrets. I am familiar with many of them. I have escorted courtesans from one place to another. Ladies like to chat. There are people in the Merrovigian court who would prefer the things I know not to be repeated in public. By hook or by crook I will get this done for you.”