Pigsty Princess

by Nancy S. Brandt

  “Orlando.” Andreas’s voice cracked, and Honoria bit her lip, waiting. She didn’t want the secrets to be revealed all at once, but her husband had no reason to mention what Orlando’s ability was, or that he was a Sensitive. Let the King figure that out for himself, away from her ballroom.

  Thibault caught her eye from his place slightly behind the King, but his expression was blank. Even though they hadn’t spoken tonight, she knew he was ready for the plans of the Brotherhood to be set into action.

  Bringing Orlando to his father in the presence of the King was a calculated risk that had not been cleared with Kylan or the rest of the Brotherhood, but the opportunity was too perfect to miss. Once the King knew who and what Orlando was, he would be frightened.

  Frightened enemies were careless enemies.

  At least, that was Honoria’s hope.

  Once the King started to act recklessly in his attempts to keep power, it would be easier for the people to see he wasn’t as strong as he claimed to be. If they began to question Jonathan’s abilities, the First Law could be invoked and a valid challenger brought forward.

  According to Kylan, the valid challenger stood next to her right now.

  “Sir,” Orlando said in response, bowing slightly.

  “My boy.” Andreas stepped down from the raised platform that held his seat. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see you. It has been too many years.” Wrapping his arms around his son, Andreas held him tight.

  Orlando appeared uncomfortable, and this display was drawing a little attention. Not as much as Honoria had envisioned, but the night wasn’t over.

  Mariana tilted her head and squinted as though she were trying to figure out what was happening.

  “Andreas,” Honoria said, touching her husband’s shoulder. “I want you to meet Orlando’s bride, the Progenna Mariana.”

  Orlando clearly tried to extract himself from his father’s arms, and after a moment, Andreas released him and wiped a tear from his own cheek.

  “Oh, Orlando, she’s beautiful.” Andreas had to know who Mariana was, but Honoria knew he must not be thinking clearly at the moment, so she shook her head.

  “No, my dear,” she said, “I don’t think you realize who this is. This is King Jonathan and Queen Alexandria’s youngest child.”

  Andreas’s eyes grew wide and the color drained from his face. He looked over his shoulder toward the royal family’s corner of the ballroom. Jonathan appeared to not be watching, but Honoria knew few things in regard to the King were exactly as they appeared.

  “You married the King’s Insensitive daughter?” Andreas had dropped his voice to almost a whisper, leaning close to Orlando. “Do you think that’s wise? You stayed away from us so long I assumed you didn’t want anyone to know—”

  Orlando interrupted. “I did marry Mariana, Sahdeer Geindara. I know you didn’t get an invitation to the wedding, but it was very quick and, well, we didn’t get to invite anyone from the village. Oh, I see my sister across the ballroom. I should go see if she needs anything. It was good to see you, sir.”

  He grabbed Mariana’s hand and nearly pulled her away from the Geindaras. Honoria watched but decided at this time it was probably better if she didn’t follow him. There would be time later to bring Orlando and his father together again.

  “What did you do?” Andreas asked her, grabbing her arm hard as he put his face close to hers. “Orlando is in danger if the King were to know what he is.”

  “I did nothing to precipitate their marriage.” Honoria carefully pried his fingers off her body. “I merely thought the addition of the Progenna in the family was a good excuse to arrange a reconciliation between father and son.” She kept her voice low and watched the party to make sure they were not overheard.

  Andreas narrowed his eyes, and when he spoke next, his voice was more of a soft growl than a whisper. “I know you sent him away. I know you kept us apart all these years. If you are up to something, I will know what it is.”

  Before Honoria could say anything in response, or even attempt to form an answer that would satisfy him, they were approached by George Evan.

  “Pir Andreas, it is so good to see you out and about. I heard you had an accident with one of your horses some time back.” The Margrave put one foot on the step up toward the platform but remained where he was. “I hope everything has returned to normal.”

  Honoria bit back a smile. The only thing her husband loved more than rebuking her for some fault, imagined or otherwise, was talking about his animals. George Evan might prove to be an asset to the Brotherhood if he continued to show this kind of initiative.

  He barely acknowledged her as the two men launched into a discussion of the horses they were planning to enter in the races and the merits of the other animals and their owners. However, as she started to leave them, George Evan brushed her skirt with his hand.

  A small piece of paper was hidden between his fingers. Without looking at him, she reached down to lift her skirt away from his boots and slid the note into the folds of her fabric.

  Slowly, as though her only interest was in the pleasure of her guests, she moved through the crowd, speaking to this Pir or that Lady, until she reached a row of high-backed, upholstered settees that had been arranged to make group conversation possible. A few of the dowager Sahdesses, Margresses, and Rieravesses sat together on one side of the semicircle of seats, heads bent together, most likely gossiping about the clothes or what couple had danced together three times.

  Honoria greeted the older women as respect dictated, with a curtsy. Then she seated herself as far from them as she could.

  Most of these women, all of them over sixty years old, had been raised in a time when the hostess of an event that included the royal family was considered second only to the King or Queen in authority, and no one below the rank of Princess was allowed to speak to the hostess unless she initiated the conversation.

  This served Honoria well and was the exact reason she’d come over here to sit. She shifted her body so she was mostly facing away from them and opened the note. It was from Thibault, which didn’t surprise her.

  “I need to see you. Meet me out in the orchard before the next waltz. The King plans to dance with the Queen and use that opportunity to show everyone his abilities are as strong as ever.”

  ****

  Orlando paced the hallway just outside the entrance to the ballroom. Elnys leaned again the wall and watched him.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know. The smart thing would be to get my wife and leave, but what excuse would I give?” Orlando waved his hand toward the door, which was slightly open, allowing the music, a fast circle dance now, to drift into the hall. “You saw how excited she was when Ursula took her to see the Cognate Prince’s new daughter and the Royal Princess’s son.”

  “Technically, Liliana isn’t the Royal Princess anymore. That title belongs to Ramone’s daughter now.”

  Orlando stared at his brother-in-law. “That’s not relevant now.”

  Elnys shrugged. “Sorry. Adindira drilled me on the protocol of titles last night. I can probably recite Mariana’s lineage back to Good King Leonardo if I had to. I had no idea she knew all that stuff.”

  “Please don’t.” Orlando shook his head. “The point is, what excuse can I give her to leave? Nothing threatening has happened, and I was able to keep Andreas from revealing my Blood Sensitivity to her.”

  “I have to ask again. Why don’t you want her to know? Surely she has a right to know what she is, and if a Chaos Sensitive is, by definition, stronger than any other Sensitive, then all our problems are solved. She challenges the King by the Law, and he’s off the throne.”

  Orlando took a deep breath. He had explained this to Elnys, and he was sure Dira had told him the same thing, but as time went on, it was getting harder and harder for Orlando to come up with reasons not to be completely honest with his wife.

  “She’s not ready. We don’t know wh
at the challenge will consist of, and she won’t know how to answer it.” It was a lame excuse because everyone knew if a Chaos Sensitive should appear, that person would become the Virtuous Ruler nearly instantaneously.

  “But Kylan will, won’t he? I mean, he is the Abilities Tester. Couldn’t you ask him? He can’t hurt you.”

  “He has to be in on it. He found out what she is, told the King, and agreed to keep it secret. I wouldn’t trust Mariana’s fate to him.”

  Now Elnys smirked as though he knew something Orlando didn’t, and Orlando scowled.

  His sister’s husband was a good man and an even better friend, but he enjoyed proving himself the smartest man in the room, even if that didn’t happen as often as he liked.

  “What is it?” Orlando tilted his head and stared at his friend.

  “You care about her.” Elnys nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. “You don’t want her to get hurt.”

  “Of course, I don’t. I’m not a monster.” Orlando turned his back.

  “It’s more than that. If she were just another woman, you’d have no problem telling her who she is and using her to get to the King. As it is, you’re worried that finding out what she can do will make her realize how she has been lied to and used by everyone else, and you don’t want to be another man who has lied to and used her.”

  “Just because I am acting like a decent human being doesn’t mean I have feelings for her.”

  Elnys shrugged and shook his head. “Whatever you say. In the meantime, we need to get back in there, or some young nobleman is going to run off with my wife.” He winked at Orlando and went into the ballroom.

  Orlando sighed and followed, hoping he could avoid Andreas until Mariana was ready to leave.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Mariana was exhausted but overjoyed. She’d gotten to hold her new niece and nephew, her mother had hugged her, and she and Orlando had danced more times than she had expected. As she sat near the door, waiting for Orlando to find her coat, she yawned, but then giggled as she realized she’d never thought she’d get to do this kind of thing after she got married.

  “Progenna?”

  Mariana saw the King’s friend Thibault standing with Honoria Geindara. “Oh, Honoria, what a lovely party. Thank you so much for inviting us.”

  “My pleasure, Progenna.

  “I wondered if you and Orlando would be interested in spending the night here. It’s quite late, and the Sahdeer and I would worry about you walking home.”

  “Thank you. No.” Orlando had come up behind the Sahdess while she’d been speaking. “Here’s your coat, Mariana. Let’s go.”

  “There’s no need to be rude,” she said, taking the coat from her husband. “I am quite tired and my feet hurt. To be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to that long walk home.”

  He sighed and inexplicably glared at their hostess. “I could have found a wagon to bring us here. Adindira and Elnys have already left.”

  “They have children to get home to,” Honoria said. “I’m sure your pigs won’t mind if you don’t get home until tomorrow morning.” She was smiling but Mariana saw a glint in her eyes like she knew a secret, but the Progenna had no idea what she could know.

  “I am not comfortable staying here tonight, Mariana.” Orlando reached for her hand. “I am a simple man who prefers to sleep in his own bed. You can understand that, can’t you?”

  “I’m sure the beds in the guest quarters are more comfortable than what you have at home.” Thibault met Orlando’s eyes. “Why not accept the Sahdeer’s hospitality for one night? Surely, you don’t have anything against Andreas Geindara, do you?”

  Mariana scowled. What was going on here? Why did she feel as though everyone was speaking a language she could almost, but not quite, understand?

  Orlando made something that sounded like a groan in the back of his throat. “Do you want to spend the night here?”

  She bit her lip. He clearly didn’t want to stay, even if she couldn’t understand why. However, the more she thought about it, the less appealing that walk home sounded. Her feet hurt, and the sooner she could take her shoes off, the happier she would be.

  Still, though, she didn’t want to upset Orlando. He’d come to this party for her, and while he danced with her and talked to a few people other than Elnys and Dira, she didn’t think he’d enjoyed himself as much as she had.

  As she opened her mouth to tell him she was willing to walk home after all, he sighed.

  “We’d be happy to take advantage of your hospitality. I can’t ask my wife to walk home to a lumpy bed when such a gracious offer is available.” He took Mariana’s hand. “Show us where we will be staying.”

  ****

  Mariana woke to see sunlight shining through the window across the room from the large dark-wooden four-poster bed she’d slept in. She giggled and stretched like a cat, enjoying the feel of the soft pink-and-white sheets and fluffy blankets.

  The fire had been stoked at some point this morning because it blazed in welcome, and the room was toastier than she would have expected. Even her bedchamber in the palace had been chilly on high summer mornings.

  She was so comfortable, she didn’t want to get out of bed, but she remembered Orlando sleeping in the dressing room next door on a sofa that had to be too small for his body.

  Quickly, she threw on the robe Honoria had left for her use and went through the closet to where her husband slept.

  Or at least, she’d thought he slept there. When she got there, she found the room empty, although blankets and sheets were rumpled on the sofa and floor.

  Where had he gone? Why hadn’t he woken her up?

  Sahdess Geindara had graciously left a new set of everyday clothing, and Mariana took care of her morning ablutions and got dressed rapidly so she could find her husband. He was probably eager to get home.

  Finding the breakfast room of the Geindaras’ home wasn’t difficult, partly because of the handful of servants who guided her even though she hadn’t asked. Before she opened the door, Mariana heard Orlando’s voice. As she reached for the door handle, she hesitated because it sounded like he was angry at someone or something.

  An instinct honed by years of growing up in the palace kicked in. Mariana stood still and listened, imagining the voices coming through the door were louder than they actually were.

  “You did this on purpose, Honoria,” she heard Orlando say. “I know you’ve never liked me, although I don’t understand why. Are you so hateful you’d actually try to get me killed?”

  “Orlando.” That was the Sahdeer. He sounded hurt. “Son, that wasn’t her intention. She only wanted…”

  Orlando cut him off. “Father, wake up. You know as well as I—”

  Mariana stumbled back from the door, letting go of the voices as her husband’s words penetrated her brain.

  Sahdeer Geindara was Orlando’s father? Why didn’t he tell her? What did that mean?

  Not even sure how she did it, she found a nearby bench and dropped onto it.

  Of course, she knew what that meant. Orlando wasn’t an Insensitive commoner at all. He had an Ability. What was he, and why had he kept it a secret?

  She realized he hadn’t told her father, either, who, for some reason, hadn’t recognized Orlando’s parentage. That didn’t make any sense, especially given it would have been the perfect way to get her out of the wedding. The King was so concerned about keeping the Sensitivities among the nobility, he would never have agreed to let someone risk not passing his Abilities on to the next generation.

  She wasn’t naïve enough to let herself believe Orlando had fallen so much in love with her he was willing to forgo whatever increase in power he could get from bonding with another Sensitive. There had to be something more she didn’t know.

  It was time she found out what it was.

  ****

  Mariana stared at the sight that greeted her when she threw open the breakfast room door. Orlando stood at one end of the recta
ngular table her training told her immediately would only seat six people at most.

  Sahdeer Geindara stood about halfway down the table, but no place setting next to him told Mariana he had gotten up from his seat and moved to be closer to Orlando.

  Because Orlando was his son, and he wanted to reconcile their relationship?

  “Mariana?” Orlando started toward her.

  “Wait,” she said, holding up her hand. “I want to know what’s going on. Is he your father?” She pointed to Andreas.

  Orlando’s mouth moved as though he was trying to think of something to say. Honoria, who sat, seemingly unconcerned, at the other end of the table, poured a cup of tea.

  “Why don’t you sit down, Progenna, and we can explain everything.” The Sahdess sounded so calm, Mariana was almost able to believe she’d misunderstood something, but the look in both the Sahdeer’s and Orlando’s eyes sent ice crystals through her blood.

  Taking a deep, calming breath, she did as Honoria suggested. She sat in a chair to the Sahdess’s right, possibly the one Andreas had vacated, as evidenced by the untouched biscuits and congealing gravy.

  She took the offered cup of tea and concentrated on putting sugar and cream into it. Then she took a sip. The hot liquid warmed and relaxed her, but she refused to give in to the feeling. Something was wrong here, and she had to find out what it was.

  “Start explaining,” she said, looking from Orlando to Andreas. “Are you two related?”

  “I am his father,” the Sahdeer said without preamble.

  Orlando sighed and shook his head.

  “Did you want him to tell me something else?” Mariana asked. “Isn’t it the truth?”

  “It is, but there is more to it.”

  “More to it? What else could it be? Maybe why you lied to me?” She stared at her husband, willing him to come up with an explanation she hadn’t thought of.

  “I didn’t lie to you.” From the tone in his voice, she knew the words sounded as flat to him as they did to her.