Reign of the eagle, p.184
Reign of the Eagle, page 184
“I am! And I’m going to make your life miserable, because that’s all I’ve ever done to anyone stupid enough to care about me.”
“You haven’t made me miserable, and I don’t think you will. If you can’t say ‘yes’ right now, then take some time to think about it, will you?”
After a few minutes, when she had calmed down a little, she promised to give his proposal the consideration it deserved. But she didn’t know how she could possibly accept him. Not even when he assured her that he had an estate of his own outside Albus Magnus, and money from his mother’s side of the family, so they didn’t need to worry about his father’s wrath. She hadn’t been talking about the threat of poverty when she had warned him she would ruin his life.
But he kept asking every morning at breakfast. And every day, she felt more and more inclined to give him the answer he wanted.
More than anything, she wanted to tell Edwin about this and to ask his advice. But she wanted the old Edwin, her sweet little brother, not the angry prick he had become. She wanted her best friend back, but he refused to even let her in the house to talk to him.
All at once, it became clear. In the morning light at her apartment, she knew what she had to do. There was no point in staying in Teperum anymore. There was no point in waiting for Edwin to take her back. He was going in a different direction from her. He had been for a long time, actually. They just hadn’t reached the fork in the road where their paths diverged, yet. But now, here they were.
This was her one chance to be happy, to have a family, and to break away from the stifling court life that she had always, always detested.
“If I don’t marry him,” she thought, “I will regret it for the rest of my life, and I will die bitter and angry at everyone around me.”
Elwyn was about to tell Paulinius what she had decided, when out of nowhere, Callista stopped by the apartment. It had been six weeks since Elwyn had been to the Villa Cedra and spoken to the Emissaria.
“I wanted you to know that Lily Serrana has gotten your message,” Callista said. “And we’re taking steps to ensure the safety of...the person you wanted kept safe. At this very moment, your brother is having a little meeting with his father-in-law, at which Proconsul Glaucus is going to reiterate the terms under which your family is being provided asylum here.”
“Good, I’m glad,” said Elwyn. It was a real relief to know that Broderick the younger would live.
“I’m worried about your brother, though. One small part of our plan has gone a bit wrong, I regret to say.” Blushing, Callista explained that a new Emissaria named Rossana had seduced Edwin in an attempt to learn more about the assassination plot.
“Oh, Earstien,” cried Elwyn. “Why would you do that?”
“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” said Callista. “It was supposed to be flirting, but Rossana was overeager. Then your brother figured out what we were doing. He’s trying to feed us misinformation, except he’s really bad at it. It’s pretty obviously fake. Anyway, all of us—including Rossana—would just as soon end this, but your brother wants to keep the affair going. He’s quite insistent, in fact. I think he’s doing it to get back at his wife for driving you away.”
Elwyn gave it some thought, and she knew what she had to do. She loved Edwin, and clearly he still loved her. But they couldn’t keep doing this for the rest of their lives.
“I have something I want you to give to him,” said Elwyn. “And then I need your help.”
She went to her bedroom, dug down in her trunk, and pulled out a battered mahogany box. Inside lay a white gold crown set with diamonds—the last bit of jewelry that Elwyn had from her real mother, Princess Leofled. She handed the box to Callista and then wrote a note for Edwin.
My dearest brother,
Where I am going, I won’t need this anymore. This is for Irena. She is your queen and your wife, and she ought to be your best friend. Your lives will be miserable if you don’t learn how to be kind to each other. I hope you can do that, and I hope that sometime soon, she will make you as happy as Paulinius makes me.
It is unlikely I will ever go back to Myrcia now, so we may never see each other again. But I will always pray for you and your family. I will always be,
Your loving sister,
Elwyn
Callista agreed to deliver the crown and the letter. Then she asked, “What was the other thing you needed me to do?”
Elwyn smiled. “Help me plan a wedding in two hours. I’ve decided I’m getting married today.”
EDWIN
The meeting with the proconsul was an infuriating and humiliating surprise. Glaucus made it clear that if Edwin was plotting to assassinate the Gramirens, then he could find a different country to do it in. Damn and blast the man! All that time and effort wasted. Of course, Sir Robert wasn’t giving up quite yet. On the ride back to the villa, he gave Edwin a nod and said, “Perhaps we will need to be more discreet.” Whatever that meant.
Edwin didn’t care. He was looking forward to an appointment with Rossana. Not that he was very happy with her at the moment. Clearly, she and the Emissariae had told the proconsul about the assassination plot. And that wasn’t all. For the past couple weeks, she had been saying the oddest things—chiding him for not spending more time with his wife, asking about his daughter. It was like she was hinting that she wanted to end the affair. But Edwin wasn’t ready for that yet. He wasn’t ready to go back to Irena.
Then Rossana arrived, carrying an old wooden box and a letter. A moment later, she was joined by Callista.
“These are from your sister, your majesty,” Rossana said, handing the message and the box to Edwin. “I think you’d better read it immediately.”
He looked in the box first, and his heart sank when he recognized Princess Leofled’s crown. He knew what it meant that Elwyn was giving it up, and the letter confirmed it.
“Is...is she already gone?” he asked the Emissariae.
“She is,” said Callista, in a gentle voice. “She left an hour ago, right after the wedding.”
Edwin might have been offended that she hadn’t invited him, but he knew he had forfeited any right to that when he’d kicked her out of the villa and kicked her out of the family.
Rossana came over and put a hand on his arm. “Your sister wants you to reconcile with your wife. Let me make this easy for you.” She went up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “It’s been lovely, your majesty, but it’s time for it to end.”
They left, and Edwin walked out into the garden in a daze. Losing Rossana was nothing. Losing Elwyn was everything.
It almost felt like Elwyn had died, and in a way, she had. The old Elwyn had been his best friend, but she had also been deeply miserable for years. This new Elwyn—Domina Elvina Severa—was someone new, someone Edwin would only ever know from letters. She was happy, she was in love, and she never had to worry about Myrcian politics again.
He mourned her loss, but he was happy for her, all the same. More than anything, he envied her. “Earstien, what I wouldn’t give to be able to trade places with her,” he thought.
But he and Irena could never run off like that. They had to stay here, plotting to overthrow the Gramirens. And if that worked out, it would just mean that he had to rule Myrcia, and all the problems in the world would become his personal responsibility.
He made it all the way around the garden, and he had nearly composed himself, when he looked up and saw Irena coming toward him through the rhododendrons. She looked nearly as stricken as he felt.
“Rossana told me about your sister,” she said. “I don’t know what to say.”
Edwin shrugged. “I guess you win.” He tried to be angry at her, but the anger was dissipating like fog in the morning. Elwyn was right—he had to make up with Irena, or he would have to bear all of this alone.
“You’re going to hate me forever,” said Irena, settling onto a bench among the lilacs. “You’re going to hate me for pushing you.”
“It’s not really your fault,” said Edwin. “You pushed both of us: me and Elwyn. But I think you were pushing us to do things that we were going to do anyway.”
She sighed, slumping down further. “Do you regret marrying me?”
“No.” He honestly meant that, though she didn’t look as if she believed him. “Maybe we should have waited a little longer. I don’t think either of us understood what we were getting into.” He sat and took her hand. “But we’re married now, and we have to make the best of it.”
“I’ve been such a terrible wife,” she said, blinking away tears.
“And I’ve been a terrible husband. So at least we’re even.”
She stroked his cheek. “Is it too trite if I say that I wish we could start over?”
“It’s not trite at all. I think it’s a brilliant idea, actually.”
“I’m going to try to be nicer to you. I really am. And if I forget, and I say things I don’t really mean, then you should remind me of today, and how I promised not to do that anymore.”
“And you have my permission to kick my ass if you see me getting too friendly with any other women—especially the Emissariae.”
They kissed, and then they hurried inside to their room, where they consummated this renewed commitment to their marriage. Edwin wondered if Irena would only want conventional, boring sex now, but he needn’t have worried. Outside the bedroom, she might be making an effort to be good, but inside, she was still as adventurous as ever.
She grinned at him and said, “Would it be completely inappropriate if I asked you to fuck me while I wear that crown your sister gave me?”
“Yes. Completely inappropriate,” he said, “but let’s do it anyway.”
Clearly, some things about her were never going to change, and he decided he could live with that.
Friends in Need
October 364-March 365 M.E.
ROHESIA
October 15, 364
Teperum, Villa Cedra
My dear Presley,
Your letter reached me today, and I must say that I could not be more pleased. In fact, to call it welcome would be a gross understatement. Life here, as I know you are wise enough to guess, has been challenging. As difficult as Elwyn could be, and even though we at Villa Cedra were frequently not on visiting terms with her, it is extremely hard on all of us that she is gone. By any chance, have you had word of her or perhaps even seen her? I thought your paths might cross as she left Teperum and you made your way here, but I suspect I hope for too much.
I truly believe your visit will be just the thing to raise our spirits, though. You and Grigory always have the most calming presence. Not to mention your excellent counsel, of which I am very much in need. As I am using some of Faustinus’s magysk paper, and I know you will be the only person able to read this, I will give you a partial preview. The time to think about our predicament before we speak will surely prove useful to you, and I do hope you will have sound advice for me as always when you arrive.
I have been presuming that Glaucus as proconsul speaks with Tullius’s authority, but I will be interested to hear if you believe Tullius’s true thoughts are so utterly turned from Edwin and accepting of the foul usurper as Glaucus says. He relates that any chance of military help from the Empire is less likely now than at any time since our exile began. Also, Edwin had been working with Robert Tynsdale on a plan to rid the world of Broderick. They were told in no uncertain terms that plotting an assassination while living in the Empire was unacceptable. I can’t believe Tullius is really so firm in that stricture as Glaucus implies. Tullius knows what that evil bastard has done to our family, and given how Tullius came to his own throne, I cannot envision him being such a hypocrite.
But, perhaps, I am wrong. Perhaps I no longer know my friend Tullius. I have delicately questioned the Emissariae about his position, but they are very discreet young women when it suits their purpose. I hate to potentially ruin your holiday, but I assume that since the court has been in Presidium, you will have a good feeling for the political situation, and you will finally be able to answer my questions. I deeply fear not being prepared for Tullius and Vita’s visit after Finstertide, and anything you might be able to share that will help us win him to our cause, therefore, will be much appreciated.
As I will be seeing you shortly, I have already taken up more of your time than necessary. I will detain you one moment longer, however, to beg you give my love to Grigory. It really is always such a joy to see you both, and I look forward to your visit with all my heart.
Wishing you the best, and a very safe journey,
Rohesia
ROBERT
“Yes, your majesty, I believe that might work,” Robert Tynsdale answered. His eyes flicked away from King Edwin, though, when he added, “But I could only guarantee to kill the usurper in that scheme.”
King Edwin was a handsome young man, if given to unfortunate fits of boyish temper. More often since his marriage than when he was an actual boy, if Robert’s memory did not fail him. Pacing behind the study desk, the king tore up the sheet of paper upon which he had sketched a crossbow attack designed to assassinate his cousin and Robert’s half-brother, Broderick Gramiren, false King of Myrcia. Robert hated to disappoint his king, but if he were ever to regain his throne, King Edwin must be realistic.
“None of my ideas are ever good enough,” the young king said petulantly.
“It might work,” Robert said, trying to find some truthful optimism, “if you were ready with an army to invade and challenge Broderick the younger immediately.”
“You think people would choose Broderick the younger over me?”
Robert took a deliberate drink from his wineglass. He and the king had been having a similar conversation now for the past few months, and he needed a moment to think how he might explain this yet again. “I think Broderick the younger is well liked and a proven commander. If he is permitted to gain a foothold, he could be difficult to dislodge.”
King Edwin threw the crumpled scraps of paper into the fire. He seemed about to continue venting his frustration, but a knock on the study door stopped him. “Come in,” he called with a defeated sigh.
Into the room swept his mother, Queen Rohesia. She wore an exquisitely designed gown of light blue silk trimmed in navy. It made her look simultaneously regal and younger than a woman with a grown son should look. He still thought her the most beautiful, to say nothing of intelligent, woman in the world. The Kingdom of Myrcia would always be lesser for her absence. Robert immediately rose from his chair and bowed. “Your majesty.”
She curtsied in return but directed her answer to her son. “Edwin, darling, I hope you have finished your business with Sir Robert. It is rather unfortunate to keep him in here working on this of all evenings.”
“I do not mind, your majesty,” Robert promptly jumped in.
And then she turned her smile on him. “Of course, you would say that. Which is why we value your help so much. But it is your birthday we are celebrating tonight, and I must insist you come join the party.”
As not even the king could argue with this, they left the room together, making their way to the parlor where the handful of other guests waited. The queen said Callista had agreed to favor them with some music, and some special wine had been brought out. It would all be quite jolly, she assured them.
Robert had not wanted any party. But his wife, Alicia, had been best friends with Princess Elwyn, the queen’s stepdaughter, for years. The princess’s sudden marriage and departure earlier in the month had left the royal family “a bit at loose ends,” according to Alicia. She said a party would cheer everyone up, and so he had accepted, more for the queen’s sake than his own.
They arrived to a pleasant enough scene in the tastefully decorated parlor. Callista tuned her lute, while Vittoria handed out fresh glasses of wine, and Rossana related some story to Queen Irena that actually elicited a smile from King Edwin’s temperamental wife.
The Emissariae were wonderful party guests, as well as messengers and spies, but unfortunately, he hadn’t been able to convince them or their superiors to aid him in an assassination attempt against Broderick Gramiren. As he had told the king, on his own, he could not plot with any certainty to kill both Broderick the elder and younger, and the false Queen Muriel in quick enough succession to leave the throne open for King Edwin. With the help of the Emissariae, it could be done, if only they would agree to it.
The longer the Sigors remained here in comfortable exile as guests of the Immani, the worse the odds of getting meaningful aid from them. If they couldn’t lend the help of one of these young lady spies, then the Immani could loan troops. And the more Robert thought about it, the more he believed it could be done with a fairly small number. The true king coming from the Empire with even a fraction of a legion at his back would quickly be joined by the nobles who had always wanted to support Edwin but feared the might of Broderick and Duke Lukas and their foreign mercenaries. If Duke Lukas really was refusing to help with his own troops or the money for mercenaries, now would be the time to strike.
If only they could convince the Immani of as much.
“And happy birthday to you,” Vittoria said with a smile, handing him a glass of the promised fine wine. “I won’t ask what you were discussing with his majesty, since I’m sure I officially don’t want to know, but I’m glad it’s finally wrapped up so you can do a little celebrating.”
He raised his glass to her and took a sip. Even though he had been given his share of fine wine in his lifetime and could tell good from bad, he’d never learned the refined language of those who spoke about it knowledgeably. But he could tell this was definitely some of the best he had ever had.
“This is excellent,” he said. “Where did it come from?”
“From Sir Presley and Professor Sobol. I’ve heard so much about them, I can’t believe I’m finally going to meet them in a few weeks. Somehow, I’ve always been out on the road when they’ve visited before.”
