“The amazing thing was that she had blossoms scattered on the train and they gave off the most amazing scent! Roses, is what they were. Pink and white roses. I think that it would have become quite the fashion if —” she stopped.
Ceridwen must have been listening to their conversation, because she turned around and gave a fierce stare to Lady McIvers. Lady Tottenham darted a frightened glance at Ceridwen.
“My lady, would you be so kind as to excuse us?” Lady Tottenham asked Thea hurriedly.
“Of course. My thanks on your good wishes,” Thea said automatically. What had Lady McIvers been about to say? Why had Ceridwen cut her off? She gave her mother a questioning look.
As both the ladies stood and quickly left the tent, giving deep curtsies to Ceridwen and the princesses, Thea looked intently at her mother. Ceridwen had a bland look on her face that gave nothing away, and certainly didn’t answer Thea’s unspoken question. Ceridwen turned back to Casimir as though nothing had happened.
“What was that all about?” Lisette asked in a whisper.
“I don’t know,” Thea said, also talking through the smile plastered on her face. She didn’t want to attract Ceridwen’s attention again. Not like that. While Aland could roar in a way that made most courtiers uncomfortable, Ceridwen could make them quake in their boots without ever raising her voice.
“I may have to seat myself near the old biddies at the next meal,” said Lisette. “You know they won’t be able to keep still about this, foolish things.”
Thea watched the two ladies moving away quickly. She could tell they were arguing, with Lady Tottenham doing most of the talking and scolding.
“I’ve never heard any gossip about my parents’ wedding. Have you?” Thea kept her voice low.
“No, nothing, and you know I’d come to you if I had. Not that people are completely open near me,” said Lisette. “I am too well known as your confidant.”
“I am so glad that you are,” Thea responded. “I’ve missed you terribly these past few days.”
“Use your wardrobe as an excuse, Thea. It will be understood if you tell your father you need some time to do this. Particularly since the engagement was a surprise, you won’t have had any time to prepare yourself. Go to him today, and ask him. We’ll be able to talk.”
“I shall.”
“Mayhap we’ll be able to get some time to work on this in the next day,” said Lisette. “It will give me a chance to see what Lady McIvers was talking about.”
“Would you? But please be careful. I think it’s pretty obvious why we’ve not heard anything.” She raised her eyes in the direction of where Ceridwen sat, with Casimir making her and Isobel laugh. In that moment, the mystery was forgotten as she wished Casimir mute.
“It will be well, Thea.”
“I am unsure, Lisette. I am told such by others, but I do not have the same faith,” Thea replied, not taking her eyes off Casimir.
“Thea. Stop.”
Lisette’s stern tone broke off her stare. “You’re right. I am being obvious.”
“You have to keep yourself together, Thea. He’s seen you. Be calm. He’s taking his leave of your mother. Look at me like we’re chatting.”
“I feel foolish,” Thea said, leaning in closer to Lisette.
“Prince Casimir, how are you?” Lisette jumped up and curtsied.
“Lady DeKasen, as lovely as ever. Princess Thea, you are indeed wise.”
“Oh, Prince Casimir? How so?” Thea composed her face.
“To have managed to escape to the shade. I forget how much warmer it is here.”
“Your kingdom is far more temperate, isn’t it?” Lisette interjected.
“It is. While we get sun, it’s not quite the same. I must confess, I was most pleased that your sister expressed a wish to sit.” He smiled, and Thea wanted to smack him.
“You are a kind escort to the Princess Isobel,” Lisette said.
Thea cut her eyes towards Lisette. Her arch comment could not be missed by anyone awake.
“I hope that I am a kind escort to anyone who is gracious enough to allow me to lead them. I am not the most graceful of princes, so it is an undertaking with some risk attached.”
“Oh, go on, Casimir. You are quite graceful. Stop fishing,” Thea waved a hand at him.
Casimir laughed. “May I join you ladies?”
“Of course you may,” Thea indicated the chair nearest Lisette. She wanted him to sit near her, but dared not.
Lisette jumped up. “Please take my seat, Prince Casimir. I’ll find a footman to bring us some refreshment.”
“That would be marvelous, Lady DeKasen,” Casimir said with a smile.
Lisette curtsied and moved away quickly, leaving them alone.
Chapter Four
Casimir leaned back in his chair, not looking at Thea. “How are you?” He asked.
Thea fanned herself, attempting to mirror his casual manner. “I am well, well enough. No, that’s not true,” she said, forcing herself to remain calm. “I am most unwell. I do not see a way out of this. You are to be sent away. Although that’s probably for the best. Isobel has formed an attachment to you.”
“Has she?” Casimir actually looked surprised.
“Yes, simpleton, she has. Are you truly so unaware?” Thea dropped her casual air. “She deserves better from you, Casimir. Do not toy with her.”
“I had not thought I was!” He sat up, and then abruptly, sat back in his chair. “Let us not argue, Thea,” he said. “There are too many watching. Your betrothed among them.” He nodded in a direction off to left of where they sat.
“I think it’s at his direction that my father asked you to travel for him.”
Casimir laughed, and Thea could hear unhappiness in it. “Of course it was. He thinks to negate me by sending me scuttling at your father’s beck and call. Be prepared, Thea. He will be pushing you to name a date shortly.”
“So soon? His father may not even know yet. And what did he want to speak with you about?”
“Oh, some farce regarding our nations’ interests with the Empress. To let me know he spoke not only for his kingdom, but yours as well. Essentially letting me know he has claimed you.”
“Claimed Gallivas, you mean.” Thea said flatly. “He does not care for me as he does my kingdom.”
“While I think in order of priorities, you are correct, do not negate yourself, Thea. I do think he has a regard for you. As I have told you. See for yourself.” He nodded at Sebastian, who was approaching.
Thea sat up straighter. She didn’t want to give Sebastian any reason to pick a quarrel with her over Casimir, or one with Casimir directly.
“There you are, Thea!” Sebastian came under the canopy with a wide smile. “Are you recovered?”
Why did it seem Sebastian painted her as some sort of delicate flower? She tempered her anger at him. Who did he think he was? Yes, his kingdom was a prosperous kingdom, but in this match, he would be gaining the honor. She decided it was time he remembered that. Politely of course. Her mother could hear everything she said.
“I had nothing to recover from, Sebastian. I enjoy sitting and talking with those of my court, as well as our visitors,” she turned and smiled at Casimir. “It’s most enlightening.”
Sebastian pulled a chair close to her and sat. “Indeed? Pray tell, what were you speaking of?”
“We were discussing the potential visit to the Empress, and how our respective kingdoms might respond. As you are, of course, aware,” Thea gave him a wide smile, “It was not that long ago that her ships attacked trading vessels of both Gallivas and Ethion. Mayhap they have in the past targeted ships belonging to Laurycia as well?”
Sebastian didn’t respond directly. Again, Thea could feel his surprise at her speech. She knew, even if she received a reprimand, she needed to do this. The hand pat last night told her that.
“They have not. I am unsure if it is deliberate oversight or merely a happy accident,” he said slowly.
“I think it more of a happy accident. The question becomes, why have they stopped when, for a time, they were most determined in their efforts?” Thea had no intention of letting him change the subject.
“My father and I wondered the same thing,” said Casimir. “We had a number of our traders at the castle for several months, demanding restitution, and then suddenly, the taking of ships stopped. We assigned soldiers to each ship at the Crown’s expense for some time after, but no ships were taken.”
“It’s odd,” said Thea. “I know my father was considering similar action, and then our merchants reported that while they saw ships of the Empress, none of them approached, and they have been able to travel unmolested since.”
“I know my father has had conversations with both your fathers,” said Sebastian. “He was unsure of the motives of the Empress and how far we should involve our kingdom in your situation.”
“But if we are a federation of nations, then your father must choose where he wishes to stand,” Thea said. Both Casimir and Sebastian started at her frank speech.
“We must stand together. Otherwise, we are no federation. And with the impending union of our nations, do we stand otherwise?” Thea asked.
“I do not think this is something to discuss here,” Sebastian said stiffly.
“I do. If you mean to rule Gallivas with me, then you must consider that Laurycia and Gallivas are one, not two separate nations,” Thea said. “Gallivas owes a great deal of her success to her traders as well, you know. We, as rulers, must not only respect that, but protect and shelter that. I will not allow the kingdom my father has worked hard to build falter when I am responsible for it.”
Sebastian’s eyes tightened. She knew she’d been offensive, but so be it. Begin as you mean to go on was one of her father’s maxims. She’d not started off well with him, taken by surprise as she’d been by the engagement and subsequent argument with Casimir. But until she and Casimir were able to be together, she was betrothed. To Sebastian. He seemed disposed to take much for granted. He needed to learn that Gallivas—and by default Thea—were nothing to take for granted.
“I have no intention of allowing any of my responsibilities to falter,” he said. He stared into Thea’s eyes and then looked deliberately at Casimir.
Casimir stood. “That is good to hear. As one who has grown up in Gallivas—I fostered for four years here, did you not know that?” He gave Sebastian a wide grin, and Thea saw more of the wolfish aspect she’d seen at luncheon the previous day. “I am always interested in her well-being. Gallivas is quite a second home to me. Not only because she shares a border with Ethion, but because I have had the chance to get to know her, know her fine qualities. If my neighbor should suffer, it would harm us all. I’m glad to know you take your stewardship of her seriously!” He clapped Sebastian on the shoulder.
“I will take my leave of you both, with your permission,” he said, bowing to Thea.
“Of course. I thank you for your discourse.” Thea said.
Casimir bowed to Sebastian, with more of an air of mocking. He was either brave or foolish to taunt Sebastian so.
In spite of his earlier discomfiture, Sebastian nodded to Casimir. He waited until Casimir had left the tent to speak.
“I think it unwise for you to be carrying on discussions with him.”
“Why? He is the future king of Ethion and I am the future queen of Gallivas and Laurycia. In addition, he will potentially represent us while in Samir. It would be unwise to ignore him.”
Lisette returned, a footman in tow. “Some refreshment?”
Thea doubted that Sebastian knew how close she and Lisette were. She decided to keep that fact to herself.
“Thank you, Lady DeKasen.” She gave a cool smile to Lisette.
Lisette nodded as she handed a cup to them.
“May I get you anything else?” Lisette was very formal.
“No, thank you. Would you be so kind as to attend me?” Thea indicated a chair a few feet from where she and Sebastian sat. Not too close, but an appropriate distance for one’s attendant.
“Of course.” Lisette dropped a curtsy and moved away.
“Where were we, Sebastian? Oh, yes, discussing our kingdoms.”
“I do not think we have anything else to discuss. If I find I need to, I shall approach your father.” He gave her a wide smile, obviously considering the argument done.
“Approach me about what?” Aland asked from behind Sebastian.
Thea and Sebastian both jumped up, but Aland waved their courtesy away. “No, be seated, please. May I join you?” He didn’t wait for an answer, but sat in the chair where Casimir had been sitting, across from Thea.
Thea shot a glance at Lisette. What was this?
“Now, you were saying?” Aland directed his question at Sebastian. “What did you wish to consult with me about?”
Thea hid a grin. She wanted to hear what Sebastian would say. For all his confidence, charm, and skills, Sebastian was still a visitor to the court. For all Aland’s highhanded behavior towards Thea, which still stung, he expected her to be a true ruler and not just hand the reins to the man she married.
“I was telling Thea that you and I would be able to discuss the doings and management of Gallivas between us. That she need not worry about matters of state.”
He sounded pompous, Thea thought. She saw her father’s expression. Poor Sebastian.
“Indeed? Thea, my dear, what matters of state were you meddling in?” While the words sounded harsh, Thea knew better.
“Initially, Father, Sebastian, Casimir and I were discussing the fact that the Empress’s ships had attacked our traders and absconded with our goods. Sebastian did not feel involving Casimir in our discussions to be a wise move. Nor involving myself.” She smiled as she finished.
“Why ever would you deny yourself the comfort of having a wife who understands how to rule?” Aland asked Sebastian.
“Understanding is fine, Sire. I do not require assistance in matters of state.”
“Do you not? I thought that you admired the fact that I took care to prepare my daughter to rule. Thea is as intelligent as any son I might have had, as are all my daughters.”
“May I ask, Sir, if you and Her Majesty consult before you make decisions?”
“Of course! Ceridwen understands the workings of our kingdom as well as I do, in some cases, more so. She brings a different perspective to my view. I would be a foolish man to spurn that. As would you.” He clapped Sebastian on the shoulder.
“I honor your enlightened view,” Sebastian replied. “It seems I have a great deal to learn still. If you all will permit me, I need to complete a letter to my father before we dine.” He stood and took his leave quickly.
Thea didn’t say anything. She waited for her father to speak.
“Well. I must say, I didn’t expect that.” Aland shifted in his chair to watch Sebastian walk towards the castle.
“Did you spend much time with him, Father, before you snapped up his offer of marriage for me?” She spoke quietly, but there was no mistaking the anger in her words.
“Are we on this still, Thea?” Aland didn’t look at her.
“Do you really think him suited for me? He forgets what we bring to this match. Gallivas is a greater kingdom than Laurycia.”
“That does not bode well for your marital bliss,” Aland said, turning to her and leaning back. “You cannot beat your partner about the head with fact, no matter how true the fact is.”
“I will not subjugate myself to him to assuage his pride. He has attempted to make me nothing more than a biddable woman since you announced the betrothal. I will be a partner in my marriage, or I shall not marry.” She glared at her father.
Aland didn’t answer right away. Thea saw her mother watching them discreetly. As the king had come to sit with her, most of the court had drifted towards where they sat. She sighed.
“I don’t wish to quarrel, Father. I truly do not. I just do not s
ee felicity for myself, and I am troubled by it.” She saw Sebastian reach the castle. His manservant followed him, parchment in hand. Sebastian hadn’t been happy when he left, but it seemed the need to take care of letters was the truth.
Whatever Aland had planned to say was cut off as Isobel bound up to them. “Father! May I join you? Thea, you don’t mind, do you?”
Thea laughed a little. “No, Isobel, please, sit. Father and I can argue at any time.”
“Oh, good. It’s too nice a day to argue anyway. Father, I have a request.”
“Yes, my dear?”
“Is it true, you asked Casimir to go to the Empress’s kingdom?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“I really wish you’d ask another, Father. We all find Casimir to be a fine addition to court.” Isobel cast her eyes down, where her fingers twisted back and forth.
“Indeed? I had not realized he’d become a favorite.” He met Thea’s gaze, and looked to her mother again. “I am sorry, child. I’ve made much of why he is a good choice. It would not do for me to rescind that. Had you spoken to me yesterday, things might have been different.”
“Oh, Father, no! Surely there’s some old man who would do better!” Isobel’s eyes turned pleading.
“Kindly keep your voice down, my dear. I thank you for your request, but I don’t think I can accommodate it. I shall try, certainly, but I promise nothing.” Aland stood, kissing Isobel on the head. Thea could hear the lack of full sincerity in his tone again. His quick exit to sit next to mother also gave him away. Casimir would be the emissary, if Aland had any say in it. She didn’t know how to tell her sister that, although she would love to squash any hopes Isobel might have. He’s mine, she thought.
“Thea, can you speak with him?”
“I can try,” Thea said, her heart shattering at the thought of advocating for anyone other than herself. “But you know how he is.”
“I know. He listens to you though!” Isobel stood and whirled away. She hurried to catch up with Esmay, Angharad, and Celestria, who were walking by.
Thea stood. No sense in sitting here looking lost and sad. It wouldn’t look good.
Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) Page 7