by Effie Calvin
“Damn it!” cursed Adale. “And their children, too, I take it?”
“I am afraid so, Crown Princess,” said the maid.
“The Duke and Duchess of Valenleht?” asked Esofi. The titles sounded familiar, and she searched her memories. “That is…King Dietrich’s brother and his wife, is it not?”
“And the twins,” grumbled Adale. “My cousins. I know why they’re here. I just didn’t think they’d be so quick about it.” Her hands clenched into fists.
“Oh,” said Esofi. “Forgive me, but are these the same cousins that you wished me to consider marrying in your place?”
“By the gods.” Adale slapped both hands over her eyes and held them there. “I was hoping you wouldn’t pick up on that. Yes.”
Esofi felt an awkward tightness in her chest. It seemed quite likely that the twins had come immediately after hearing that it seemed Adale might not be marrying Esofi after all, perhaps to submit themselves as substitute candidates.
And there is nothing wrong with that, Esofi reminded herself. In fact, it is precisely what Adale had been hoping for.
But Adale seemed to be in the process of changing her mind. And Esofi…well…she wasn’t certain what she wanted just yet.
“But now I must go and see to this.” Adale shook her head in disgust. “I apologize, Princess. I wish I could have accompanied you today.”
“It is not your fault,” said Esofi. She hesitated. “Entirely.”
Adale took Esofi’s hand and raised it to her lips. The kiss was brief, barely more than a brush, but Esofi felt an odd lurch in her stomach at the gesture. Adale might have also squeezed her hand for just a moment before releasing it, but perhaps that was just Esofi’s imagination.
“Does this mean we don’t have to go to the temple today after all?” asked Lexandrie hopefully.
Esofi continued to stare down at her glove, as though seeing the ghost of Adale’s lips upon it. It was certainly not the first time someone had kissed her hand, but it was the first time she thought that someone might actually care for her in a romantic way.
“Yes,” said Esofi at last. For some reason, her own voice sounded odd to her ears. “I suppose it does.”
“Here, what’s the matter with you?” demanded Lexandrie. “You’d better not be getting stupid about her.”
Esofi snapped her head around to glare at her cousin. “What are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about!” Lexandrie glared at Esofi’s hand as though she could see the warm spots that Adale’s lips and fingertips had left upon it. “You’re becoming infatuated simply because you think she might care for you.”
“Do not be ridiculous,” said Esofi. “It is a great deal more complex than that.”
“Don’t try to lie to me!” cried Lexandrie. “If she’s suddenly decided to act as though she means to court you, it means that she’s finally wised up to how much political power—”
“Political power? I am sorry. Are we discussing the same woman?” retorted Esofi.
“And who says she’s only acting?” piped up Mireille. “Maybe she truly does care for Esofi.”
“You shut up!” Lexandrie snapped.
“I won’t!” Mireille seemed to try to raise herself up to Lexandrie’s height. She was entirely unsuccessful but seemed to be unaware of the fact. “Why shouldn’t the crown princess fall in love with Esofi?”
“Because that’s not how it works, you silly girl!”
“Yes,” cut in Esofi coldly. “No one could possibly want me simply by virtue of who I am. And she certainly could not want me for my face. The only explanation is that she sees me as a tool to further her own agenda.”
“And what’s the matter with that?” demanded Lexandrie. “You know that’s just the way it is for us.”
“No, not for us. Just for me!” cried Esofi. “You’ve never had any trouble believing that someone found you beautiful! It’s only when it comes to me that love is impossible.”
“You are in love with her,” Lexandrie announced. “Though I cannot imagine why. Surely you are not that desperate. At least meet her cousins first. They might even be proper suitors.”
“Of course I will meet them,” said Esofi. “You seem to have a rather low opinion of my intelligence right now, but I assure you that I am open to the possibility of either of them attempting to court me. Regardless of what you may think, my priority is still becoming the queen of Ieflaria.”
“Good,” said Lexandrie. “Because she is not in love with you. She finds you tedious and stifling. And on top of everything, she thinks you’re a religious fanatic, or had you forgotten that part already?”
“I find it suspicious and strange that you know the crown princess’s mind so well,” retorted Esofi. “Have you been meeting with her in secret?”
“I’m only telling you these things because nobody else will,” said Lexandrie. “There is no need for you to become so defensive.”
“That’s not true!” objected Mireille. “Nothing you’ve said is true! Anyone could love Esofi if they talked to her. You’re just, you can’t be happy for her, because you’re so jealous!”
“Jealous!?” Lexandrie practically screamed. “Why would I be jealous of—?”
“Enough!” cried Esofi. “All of you! Especially you, Lexandrie! You may occupy yourself elsewhere if you’ve nothing civil to say!”
“Fine!” Lexandrie turned around with a flourish. “What should you care for what I have to say when you could spend your days listening to the mindless praise of two girls who only pretend to be ladies?”
“You are dismissed, Lexandrie,” said Esofi. Fortunately, Lexandrie seemed to have no more to say and stormed away in the direction of the castle.
“What madness came over her?” wondered Mireille once she had gone. “I’ve never heard her speak in such a way before.”
“It is a strange habit she shares with my mother and sisters,” said Esofi bitterly. “She has been so pleasant these past months, I hoped that she left it behind in Rhodia.”
“Well, she is wrong,” proclaimed Mireille. “I think the crown princess does truly care for you. Why else would she apologize and speak so honestly with you?”
“I would like to believe that as well.” Esofi kept her voice quiet, just in case someone was listening. “But I am not without my doubts.”
“Even now?” Mireille looked up at her, wide-eyed. “Even after all she said to you?”
“She might have been lying,” Esofi reminded Mireille. “Just because I dislike the way Lexandrie spoke to me does not mean I think her suspicions are baseless.”
“I do not believe the crown princess is lying to you,” murmured Mireille, but she looked down at her hands. Then she gave Lisette a nudge. “What do you think?”
Lisette made a noncommittal noise. When Mireille nudged her again, she offered, “Lexandrie is jealous. Nobody is sitting through three-quarters of a service for her.”
Mireille giggled. “Quite right! She may have had plenty of suitors back home, but now everyone’s attention is on you, Princess. I don’t think she likes it.”
“Maybe so,” said Esofi, looking down at her skirts. “Lisette, I would like you to find out more of Adale’s history with Theodoar of Leikr. She claims they are not in a romantic relationship, but I know we must be realistic. If they…” Esofi’s voice trailed off as she found herself unable to complete the sentence. “Well. I trust your skills. Report back to me when you have discovered anything of interest. And if you find out anything about the twins, perhaps that will aid us as well.”
Lisette gave a sharp nod and hurried off, clearly glad to be excused. That left only Mireille with Esofi, which seemed to suit the baron’s daughter just fine.
“Then what shall we do today, if we are not visiting the hospital?” asked Mireille.
“We are going to walk,” said Esofi. “And perhaps, if we are fortunate, we shall encounter the crown princess’s cousins somewhere along the way.”
Chapter Four
ADALE
The twins, Brandt and Svana, had been born in the year between Albion and Adale. One might have assumed that the four would be close companions, but this was untrue. Adale and Albion had never liked spending time with the twins, and the twins seemed equally unhappy whenever circumstances forced the four together.
Brandt and Svana seemed to immediately dislike almost everyone they’d ever encountered, though they made an exception for one another. They were similar in many ways: both of medium height and oval-faced, with oddly light chestnut hair and blue eyes, quick to shout at servants and sneer at courtiers. Their one virtue was that they seemed to dislike life at court and spent most of their time at home.
Adale was in a terrible mood by the time she arrived in the throne room. She hadn’t wanted to leave Esofi to begin with, and now it seemed that the twins intended to call their engagement into question. And yes, perhaps Adale was still not entirely clear on what she actually wanted, but she knew she did not want her cousins anywhere near Esofi.
Besides, I still have the upper hand, Adale reminded herself. I am still the crown princess. Even if Esofi were to pick one of them over me, I am the only one who can make her a queen.
That, of course, was working under the optimistic assumption that Esofi would not simply assign her waiting lady to murder Adale in order to clear the way to the throne. But Adale was…fairly certain that Esofi would never do such a thing.
What Adale really had to worry about was the waiting lady deciding to murder her of her own initiative.
“Adale,” said her father as she entered the throne room. “There you are. You missed the arrival.” He glanced at the four figures standing before him: Adale’s aunt and uncle and their son and daughter. Adale plastered a bright smile across her face. Though she had no love for her cousins, her aunt and uncle were far more tolerable.
“Uncle Radulfr,” she said. “I had no idea you were coming to visit. If only I’d been told to expect you.”
“This was an unexpected excursion, I assure you,” said Radulfr, glancing down at his children with a hint of disapproval. Neither of them even bothered to pretend to smile at Adale.
Aunt Theu was the first one to move, wrapping Adale in one of her large, stifling hugs. “You are looking so well, Adale!” she gushed. “It seems every time I come to court, you are off with your companions. I feel as though I’ve not seen you in years.”
That was a bit of an exaggeration, for they had all seen each other at Albion’s funeral three months ago, but Adale did not contradict her.
“Well, I suppose we should come directly to the heart of the matter,” said Radulfr. “We have received word that Princess Esofi of Rhodia has refused to sign a marriage contract.”
“She has refused nothing,” said Adale quickly. Too quickly, she realized. “We’ve merely had some scheduling conflicts.”
“The point remains,” said Brandt. “She is without a fiancée.”
“Only until the contract is signed,” Adale insisted.
“And when will that be?” asked Svana, her tone mocking.
“Do you mean to court her then? Both of you?” demanded Adale, looking from one twin to the other. “If you’ve come all the way here for that, you’re wasting your time. She intends to become the queen of Ieflaria, and neither of you can give her that.”
“Perhaps,” said Svana, snapping open a fan and fluttering it. “Perhaps not.”
“There is no perhaps about it.” Adale could feel her face heating. “I am the crown princess.”
“And everyone knows how seriously you take your post,” retorted Svana.
“I must admit, I am surprised by your hostility,” added Brandt before Adale could respond. “We thought you’d be pleased to hand your responsibilities over to one of us. Or perhaps you are only being contrary to spite us.”
“Brandt,” said Radulfr sharply. “Mind your words.”
“We do not intend to steal anything or anyone away from the crown princess.” Svana addressed Adale’s parents. “We only wish to offer ourselves as alternatives. Either of us would be a more suitable spouse and regent.”
Adale’s parents exchanged looks, and she wondered if they would tell the twins to return home. But instead, Saski said, “We understand your concerns. But Princess Esofi has already agreed to an engagement with Adale. We do not intend to stray from this plan unless we have no alternatives.”
“But what if we do not?” Radulfr’s voice was soft, his eyes concerned. “Intentionally or not, Adale has dealt Princess Esofi a grave insult. We cannot be certain that Esofi means to sign a marriage contract, regardless of what she promises. I do not wish to seem as though I am seeking to seize power through my children—”
“I would not believe that you are,” said Dietrich.
Radulfr’s eyes shone with relief. “We cannot go on like this. We all know it. The dragons are growing more aggressive. Valenleht is filled with refugees from the surrounding coastline. If Princess Esofi can bring Talcia’s magic back to Ieflaria…” He looked at Adale. “Under normal circumstances, I would never recommend passing over a rightful heir. But if Esofi will agree to marry one of the twins, at least Ieflaria will not be forced to go without her magic.”
“But, wait,” protested Adale. “She hasn’t refused to marry me—that’s just speculation. She was ill that night. It wasn’t—”
“Then you’ve nothing to worry about, now do you?” interrupted Svana.
“This is ridiculous!” cried Adale. “Father. Mother. You cannot possibly—”
“Adale,” said King Dietrich heavily. “Your uncle is correct. We cannot afford to lose Princess Esofi. If she agrees to sign the marriage contract as it is now, then we will say nothing more about it. But if she refuses…”
“I do not believe she will,” Adale insisted. Both of the twins gave identical little laughs, and she turned on them. “Did you have something to contribute?”
“Nothing whatsoever,” said Svana in a light, airy voice.
If only they hadn’t been in the throne room, under the eyes of their parents and all the castle guards, Adale would have fought them both, simultaneously, if not simply for the joy of biting at flesh and tearing at hair. But Adale somehow managed to retain her composure.
“Very well,” she said. “If that is all?”
Her father gave a nod, and Adale did not wait to be formally dismissed. She was gone from the room in an instant. Minutes later, she found herself walking the familiar path back to her room.
She would need help, that much was certain. She knew her cousins would not wait to hear Esofi’s opinion on the marriage contract before they began courting her. And if the twins planned to formally court Esofi, that meant Adale would need to do the same. That meant gifts, flowers, and sweets and… Adale wasn’t certain what else. She wasn’t really one for formal courtship. Perhaps one of her mother’s ladies could tell her the specifics. She knew it required gifts, though. And there might have been something about handkerchiefs involved.
Her mother’s ladies would know. She would ask them immediately.
Adale raised a hand to her hair. Perhaps her appearance could do with some improvement too. Adale did not really think there was anything wrong with the way she looked, but compared to her cousins…
Adale forced herself to return to reality. She’d been acting as though she meant to marry Esofi and become the queen of Ieflaria. But she still wasn’t certain that was what she wanted.
She was running out of time. Sooner or later, she would have to choose.
Adale thought once again of giving up her place in the succession and running off to start a new life. But for some reason, instead of relief, all she felt was a heavy sense of shame.
Her train of thought was interrupted by the sight of a man and a woman who were pressed against the wall, lips locked together in a kiss. She immediately recognized the man as one of the castle footmen—Audo, his name was. But th
e woman was unfamiliar. From her dress, Adale would have guessed that she was one of the royal huntsman’s assistants, but Adale knew all of the huntsman’s staff by name.
At the sound of Adale’s incredulous half laugh, the woman pulled away from the man and ran off down the hall. Adale looked at Audo, who was still pressed against the wall, looking dazed.
“I don’t even know who she was!” he protested when Adale raised her eyebrows.
Adale gave a snort and continued on her way, her mind already back to Esofi. In Adale’s experience, people like Esofi were almost unattainable when one considered the amount of trouble one must go to in order to win them. Who would want to spend their energies at such a task when there were plenty of others, men and women alike, who did not need nearly as much effort in order to be persuaded?
And yet, Adale was looking forward to bringing her flowers. When had that happened? How had it happened?
Am I just being selfish? Selfish behavior was not unusual for her, but according to her parents’ philosophy, giving up her freedom to marry Esofi was the height of selflessness. But Adale was less convinced. What if she had merely traded one fixation for another?
No. It is not the same. I wanted to run away so I could be happy. I want to marry Esofi so she can be happy or at least happier than she’d be with the twins. It will make me happy too, but that’s not the reason I’m doing it…
…is it?
Adale glanced up and realized she was not standing in front of her own bedroom door, as she’d intended, but in front of Albion’s. Her breath caught in her throat at the realization.
Adale rested her hand against the familiar wooden door. If she pretended, she could make herself believe that he was in there, just waiting for her to knock, and then he’d let her in and she’d explain everything and he’d laugh at the funny parts and get serious about the parts that were serious, but then when she was done explaining, he’d smile warmly and say that there was no need to worry because he knew exactly what to do and what to say and…
She tried the door. It was locked, and for some reason, that made her want to cry. She crouched down and tried to peer into the keyhole.