The Price of Happiness: A Strong Woman in the Middle Ages (A Medieval Tale Book 5)

by Lina J. Potter

  “—Avesterra, escape…no. Do it.”

  Hans nodded.

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  Hans thought about his Tremain squad. The Ivelen children were no different than his boys and girls, who were freezing and wet, who risked their lives, starved and robbed. Some were born in the sewer; others were born to a duke’s family. If the first kind died, why does the second kind have to be more fortunate? Is it a sin to kill them? Aldonai would forgive; Maldonaya wouldn't judge. It is a terrible sin.

  “Your Majesty.” Hans drew back his shoulders. “I must tell you some terrible news. Having received the note from Lilian, the Ivelen family decided to pay her a visit to give their condolences and show their ill daughter to the Khangan doctor. Unfortunately, on the way there, the horses got frightened by something and charged off. The carriage fell off the cliff, and no one could be saved apart from the twins who miraculously survived.”

  “And whom the Countess of Earton will take with her.”

  “But Your Majesty—”

  “Do you expect me to take care of them?”

  Strangely enough, Edward felt better.

  “Next, I propose to announce that the news made Your Majesty ill and forced you into bed. After that, I will catch the remaining plotters without making a fuss.”

  “Do you suspect they will make an attempt on my life?”

  “It’s possible, I suppose.”

  “Should I just lie in bed and wait for the killers?”

  “Oh no, Your Majesty. You have light hair, gray eyes, and a good physique, and I have an idea. Fortunately, the royal chamber has a secret pathway out.”

  Edward listened to the idea and approved it. All the same, it was necessary to catch all the conspirators—the sooner, the better. Not a word would get beyond the walls of Stonebug. The Virmans and the royal representatives realized what they were risking. Still, the secret’s existence was inversely proportionate to the number of people who held the knowledge of it. For this reason, they had to either strike as early as possible or let the plotters strike first to catch them red-handed—a piece of cake.

  Had they asked Lily’s opinion, she would have told them that the plan wasn’t too original. Back in her own world, a long time ago, a certain tsar by the name Ivan the Terrible had practiced this tactic. He successfully caught all the plotters and died a natural death. But the men discussed the matter alone.

  ***

  Edward regarded the door that closed behind Hans. He was sickened. He had a vision of Jessamine’s blue eyes glaring in the darkness of the room.

  “How can you be so cruel, my golden prince?”

  I can be cruel, my queen, my bright sunshine. Yes, I sentenced my daughter and my grandchildren to death, but I wasn’t the first one to start this feud. I am not guilty of Edmund’s death, for Aldonai oversees my ways. Amalia resolved to seek revenge. Fair enough if it concerned me alone!

  Alas! Any king, above all, is a king before he is a man. Dirty, bloody, and cruel decisions were the king’s license.

  The main thing is to make sure that my descendants and I will exist and to ensure the future of Ativerna.

  ***

  Lily waited for Hans by the entrance to the royal chamber, and they immediately bombarded each other with questions.

  “What happened to the Ivelens?”

  “Will the king live?”

  “How are my people doing?”

  “How soon should we expect the king to recover?”

  The man and the woman exchanged glances and simultaneously snorted. Lily ruffled her hair and gave him feedback.

  “He will live. Although his illness causes him much pain, it is not particularly life threatening. The main thing is to not let it progress further. In that case, he will be back on his feet in ten to fifteen days.”

  “Is he able to move?”

  “Of course. However, it would be better for him to always take an anesthetic and have someone who can help him. It is best to stay in bed for the first few days.”

  “Hmm!”

  “What about the Ivelens?”

  “No mercy, everyone will die. You will be trusted with bringing up Roman and Jacob.”

  “Me? How? All executed?”

  Hans looked at the countess with surprise.

  “My Lady, would you prefer a revolt?”

  Lily covered her face with both hands.

  “But the children—”

  “You know everything yourself.”

  Lily sighed and turned away. Hans caught her dropped hand.

  “My Lady.”

  Hans saw the countess’ face, and it seemed very worn out and old.

  “Don’t, Hans. I won’t do anything. It just hurts to think about. Let go—”

  ***

  An hour later, the king’s valet, a personal trustee of the king and a keeper of royal secrets, found the Countess of Earton crouched on the windowsill behind the curtain.

  The woman looked worse than a corpse. Her face dropped. The tiny wrinkle between her eyebrows and the trails of tears on her cheeks were strikingly noticeable.

  “My Lady, the king wants to see you.”

  Lily moved lifelessly from her spot and attempted to fix her dress. She couldn’t help but ask the valet a question.

  “Do you think that cruelty is the privilege of kings?”

  The old servant wasn't surprised. He had heard a lot of things during his long life at court.

  “I think it is the main trouble of all kings, My Lady.”

  ***

  When Lily entered the room, Edward gave her a piercing look. Well, well, has she been crying? Her hair is messy; her eyes look sick and red.

  “What's the matter, Countess?”

  “It's all right, Your Majesty.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Lilian knelt beside the bed.

  “Your Majesty, will you let me go home to Earton?”

  “Why?”

  Lily was silent.

  “Countess, I want to know what is—”

  He said it in such a harsh tone of voice that Lily gave in.

  “Amalia and her children, they are… I spoil everything! I bring trouble everywhere! I do not want so much power anymore! I wish I were dead!” yelled Lily as she burst into tears.

  Edward frowned.

  “No, Lilian, no.”

  “If it weren’t for me…”

  Lily cried and cried, drying her tears with the back of her hand and wiping her nose with a towel. Her tears were unfeigned. Her soul suffered at the thought of Sessie the youngest, Jess, and the sick girl. She thought herself an utter fool for worrying over her husband and their failed marriage. Twice a fool! As long as everyone was alive and well, everything could be fixed, glued together, sewn up. On the contrary, the fate of the Ivelens was unalterable. She was guilty of their death, it happened due to her foolishness.

  The king watched this dramatic show in silence. Edward was not only a good ruler, but he also knew that a woman should be left to cry. She would come to her senses herself, whereas comforting her could make her hysterical fit last for several hours. His Majesty’s wisdom had proven true. In around fifteen minutes, Lily blew her nose into a wet towel and nodded.

  “Forgive me, Your Majesty.”

  “Make me feel better, countess. We can talk about it later. Only remember that it wasn’t you who started it. You only defended your life and the life of Miranda.”

  Lily became seriously embarrassed for sobbing instead of helping her ill patient who was suffering in pain.

  So! Pillows, anesthetics, pulse… I could have determined his blood pressure using a needle and a ruler. But the trouble is there is no standard! It's good when there is a metric system at hand. What now? What is the length of the meridian here? Bugger! Why am I such a fool, why did I neglect physics and not attend astronomy lectures? Silly girl.

  ***

  Edward was slowly falling asleep. He could hardly feel the pain even though the countess warned
him this was temporary. But even so, it was better than nothing. To let her go to Earton… Well, well. Maybe it's better. It will be easier for her at Earton than at court, but if I want her to remain safe for the Crown, she must remain the Countess of Earton. Knowing Jerisson, Lilian’s mere presence has trampled on his reputation so many times already. Their first meeting must happen under my watchful eye. Otherwise, it might go terribly wrong. I also need her to look after my grandchildren. I trust her with taking good care of them. Miranda’s awe for Lilian is reassuring.

  There is so much to do! No time for dying.

  ***

  Hans, too, felt ugly, especially after visiting Amalia’s cell. He couldn’t let someone else do it.

  “Madam, I must inform you that you have been sentenced to death for an attempt on the lives of the king, the Earl of Earton, and the Countess of Earton, for preparing a coup, and so forth.”

  Amalia nodded and got up slowly.

  “What about my children? Will they live?”

  Hans remained silent. Amalia thrust her body forward.

  “I beg you! I will do everything! They are guilty of nothing!”

  Hans was silent, and so was the executioner behind him. It was the king’s order—no poison. Death must be unquestionable, and poison was the least charitable and reliable of all known methods. Poison didn’t always work the way it should. It caused a slow, painful death that was worse than being quickly strangled by the skillful hand of a killer.

  “Leir Tremain!”

  Amalia dropped to her knees. Hans shook his head.

  “Not all your children will die. The thought of it should be consoling.”

  “Who? Jess?”

  “The three elder ones.”

  “NO!”

  Amalia’s blue eyes filled with pain.

  “Not them! I am begging you! I’ll do anything you want!”

  Hans shook his head.

  “This is the king's order.”

  “They’re his grandchildren!”

  “Twice grandchildren,” Hans looked sad. He did not want to do this at all.

  His words greatly surprised Amalia.

  “T-twice?"

  “You, too, are His Majesty’s daughter. Did you not know?”

  “N-no—” Amalia opened and closed her mouth. What could be said? She hadn’t known it until now.

  “You are his illegitimate daughter, whom Jyce Earton took for his own child. Prince Edmund was your half-brother.”

  Amalia turned pale as a wall.

  “No no no—”

  She had fully realized that Hans wasn’t lying. The whole picture came together at once. Her father would never have poisoned her husband without a reason. There had been one.

  Aldonai, wherefore lie your righteous ways?

  Hans nodded to the executioner. The large man quietly slipped behind Amalia’s back and threw a snap on her neck. Hans watched until the end. When there was no life left in the frame of the beautiful woman who lay before him, he took her hand and inspected her pulse.

  Dead. Vile? He prepared for something much worse.

  ***

  An hour later, Hans went out of Stonebug into the fresh air and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He felt morbid. The way they looked at him made the man hate himself. He knew that the feeling would never go away. He also knew that he would leave Ativerna, he couldn't stay there. Should I ask the countess if I could stay at Earton? Only to never experience this again!

  Now, he understood the state in which people lay hands on themselves. He was sick from his own heinousness. No, the children didn’t suffer. Poppy brew is a strong thing. They drank it and fell asleep. It was fiendish, heinous, ugly—all this for the future of the kingdom.

  Aldonai forgive me, for I will never be able to forgive myself.

  Chapter 3

  Black pawn, white pawn

  “They say that the Ivelens were crushed in a carriage…”

  “And the king fell ill with grief…”

  “And the younger Ivelens are constantly with him, in his chambers…”

  “The Countess of Earton and her Khangan medicus almost moved into the bedroom of the king, I heard it from a servant…”

  “You think…?” The lady made an intricate figure with her fingers.

  “No, it’s unlikely. The king is really bad.”

  “Even the baroness is not allowed to see him.”

  “Is she angry?”

  “Like a wild lioness.”

  The gossipers exchanged glances.

  “The Countess of Earton is becoming the king’s new favorite.”

  “It’s hard to tell. We will see. Our king prefers the blonde ones.”

  “But his previous ones are all silly, which isn’t true of the countess. Besides, Jerisson is the king’s nephew—”

  “So there will not be any scandals.”

  “But what if there will be?”

  The man who overheard the conversation spat through his teeth.

  The Ivelens are dead. Catastrophically dead! The Crown is safe.

  In any case, the chances for success were still there.

  ***

  Erik looked at the horizon through the telescope. Nothing had happened so far.

  The embassy ships had to pass through the strait between the continent and Virma, through Viriom, and reach Ativerna.

  Erik trusted Hans’ suspicions about the assassination, so he had taken the route through Viriom to the shores of Ivernea. If anyone wanted to attack the embassy ships, it would have to be there. They could blame the attack on the Virmans, meaning the end of diplomatic relationships between Virma and Ativerna and the success of the plotters. Not that Erik was that worried about Ativerna's fate. As for the kings of Ativerna, they used to be all the same to him until recently, when relations began to improve and showed promise for a potential alliance. He wouldn't let a bunch of amateur plotters destroy that. Let Hans provide peace and order on the land; he and his crew would manage to protect the seas.

  All that was left for the Virmans to do was to move on, scan the seas through the telescope, and wait.

  ***

  It was time to go home. Not that Jess was particularly excited, but at least he would be able to figure everything out and would finally have a long-overdue meeting with his wife. Richard watched his friend and sneered. He had already written from Ivernea to his father about the agreement with Gardwig. He was pleased. Of course, I will have to marry, but after all, not a crocodile! Anna seemed quite sweet and easy-going.

  The brothers left Ivernea peacefully. They were heading right along the shore to get home. Three ships from the embassy and six escort ships; Bernard didn’t give them more. No trouble, they would manage without.

  “Richard, we are approaching the first port—Altver. Shall we stop there?”

  Richard nodded. Why not? They had to stock up on provisions and repair the sails destroyed by a recent storm. Bernard’s ships were also not in their best state. It strongly offended the Ivernean Brat that the marriage with Lydia hadn’t taken place, and he took revenge in his own way. The Ivernean ships would escort the embassy to their border, no further. How much are you worth if you cannot guarantee your prince’s safety on your own territory? Bernard had said. His logic was impeccable; there was nothing to complain about. Why quarrel? Everyone understood everything; only no one could prove it.

  ***

  Torius Avermal didn’t fail. Thanks to the trade with the Countess of Earton, Altver had become a fairly visited port. The governor made good use of it. He enlarged the port, strengthened the walls, paved the streets with stone, as advised by Lilian, and imposed a cobbles tax. Anyone who wanted to enter the city must pay one cobble per man and one cobble per horse. The stones would be taken away in the evening and used to pave the streets. That way, they didn’t have to pay for bringing the stones in. Everything was done almost for free. The countess has a golden wit, pity she is a woman!

  Torius made an effort to give the p
rince the best welcome reception. He sent his eldest son away and organized a luxurious feast in the town hall. When he found out that the Earl of Earton would also be there, he began throwing out compliments about the countess. What surprised Jess the most was that Torius didn’t praise her beauty as was the custom, but instead complimented the subtlety of her wit, her comprehensive nature, and original ideas. In short, by the end of the feast, Jess was seriously wondering who had gone crazy —him, Torius or the countess. He concluded it was all of them together.

  Pastor Leider was also present at the reception. He didn’t harbor tender feelings for Lilian, but the word “profit” greatly softened his heart. Therefore, he held back his accusations of heresy but reproached Jess for neglecting his wife and giving her spare time to invent odd objects.

  “It would be best if she didn’t invent anything,” implied the pastor.

  Although Torius discouraged the conversation before it could develop further, the Earl of Earton figured that the pastor’s every word about Lilian was true.

  What a wife! She hangs around with the Virmans and the Khangans, involves herself in trade, invents peculiar objects! And now her uncle is praising her too! What do I do?

  Jess had no idea. The only thing that struck him was that everyone described Lilian as a very pleasant woman, not a pink haunch in ribbons.

  What is happening?

  ***

  “It’s time.”

  “Let’s strike when they depart from Altver. We would be asked to provide escort either way.”

  Torius knew nothing of the plot, but the commander of the second fleet of Ativerna, Count Schaltz, did know and was even involved in it. He was married to the sister of Loran Ivelen, and this made him naturally become part of the plot. It wasn’t difficult to choose loyal commanders and fire those sailors who were particularly honest. It was easy, provided he didn’t have to use his own ships. Furthermore, the operation was done in parts. Altver was one of the few ports close to the border. The Ivernean ships escorted the embassy up to that point and handed them over to the Altverian fleet. The next day or the day after, the embassy would depart for home, accompanied by ten ships of the port fleet. All those ships had loyal commanders, only their own commander was not the king. The embassy had two galleasses and a nave. He had four military galleys and one naval flagship—a clear advantage. In the absence of cellular communication, the commander didn’t yet know that the operation had already failed, so he hoped to advance rapidly for eliminating the prince.