Page 61 of Her Dark Reflection

‘Oh. I don’t know.’ She glanced at the cart ahead, her expression tight, as though she was trying to keep something in. ‘This day is the last I’ll have with father. I couldn’t let it be swallowed up with violence.’

A cloud passed overhead, gifting a few moments of blessed relief from the sun as we walked along in silence behind the opulent cart and its motionless occupant.

‘Life is happiest when you’re a child, isn’t it?’ Gwinellyn said, her voice so quiet I almost didn’t catch it. ‘I didn’t know it at the time. It didn’t feel happy. But there was this tiny window when no one was missing yet. I wish I’d known that every other problem was so little compared to that day when someone would be gone.’

‘I think you and I had different childhoods.’ I was suddenly furious with her. What made her think I hadanyidea what she was talking about, princess of the realm, protected by a father and money and a palace safe from the world’s rot.

She shot me a look, and… was that pity I saw?Shewas the one grieving. How dare she pityme. ‘I expect we did,’ she said, and without warning, she took my hand and gave it a squeeze. ‘I’m sorry. You were so recently married. I’m sure your whole future seems like it has just been ripped from you. I’m grateful for how happy you made him these past few months.’

There was that nausea again. Surely, this time I really would vomit. I slipped my hand from hers and dropped back in the procession, letting other members of the court overtake me, ignoring the confusion on Gwinellyn’s face when she flashed a glance back. I just needed to get this cursed day over with, and then I could focus on what I was here for. Before I’d merely been a consort. Now, if I played my cards right, I would reign alone.

The cart rolled slowly on ahead, each step of the horses bringing the dead king closer to his final resting place, his only daughter trailing along in his wake as she had done while he lived. He’d been distant and cold, perhaps, but was still the one person that girl could have trusted to want what was best for her, even if his interpretation of what was best was not one I would have agreed with. Now, she sailed on without that protection, so vulnerable, facing the vast world alone, her future leering at her from behind the hidden agendas of those around her.

I may never have known that window of happiness she spoke of, or the feeling of knowing that there was someone who would always fish you out of the drink in the worst of storms, but I had to wonder at who was better off. Me, for having always had to watch out for myself and knowing no different, or Gwinellyn, pining for a time long gone.

I supposed it hardly mattered. We would both be pieces in the power grab to follow. We were adrift on the same sea now.

Isuckedinadeep breath, squared my shoulders, and pushed through the door, strolling into the warm, stuffy air of the room beyond like I had every right to be there. The chatter quickly died away as the council members turned their eyes on me.

‘Your Royal Highness, I’m so pleased to see you out and about.’ Paptich Milton spoke first, offering me a thin smile that I would not have described as ‘pleased.’

I inclined my head. ‘My grief will keep while I attend to the kingdom. That is what Linus would have wanted of me.’

Glances were exchanged as the councillors shifted in their seats.

‘You are not expected to attend council meetings, my lady.’ Lord Sherman sniffed, then offered me a placating smile to go with his wheedling words. He was a grizzled old man, with entirely colourless hair and a long nose that seemed perpetually drippy. ‘Rest easy in the knowledge that we can handle necessary decisions. Your role as regent may be only a temporary encumbrance to you while we deliberate on a suitable alternative.’

I strode to the high-backed chair at the head of the table reserved for the monarch—and so still vacant—and dragged it across the floor until there was enough space to squeeze in. It was heavy and made a scraping sound so loud it seemed to echo through the chamber. There was a collective intake of breath as I sat down and curled my hands over the ends of the armrests.

‘Temporary?’ I leaned back and arched as eyebrow at Sherman, who looked like he was attempting to swallow a live fish. ‘I am Gwinellyn’s stepmother. Who could possibly be more suitable?’

From the corner of my eye, I saw Lord Boccius draw himself up.

‘Forgive me for being blunt, my lady—’ he began.

‘Your Royal Highness,’ I corrected him as I drew my gaze from Sherman.

He spluttered for a moment but managed to cough out ‘Your Royal Highness,’ before continuing on. ‘You have not long been a member of the royal family. I hardly think there has been enough time to know all you need to fill the role of regent, or to establish yourself as the stepmother of our princess.’

‘I’m a fast learner. And I don’t remember there being a clause in Celwyn’s Law that imposed such stipulations around the suitability of a regent. From what I gather, I gained the right to hold the regency the minute I married the king. Or am I wrong in my interpretation?’ I felt the other members of the council shifting in their seats, and a few whispers broke out. At least now they knew they weren’t playing cards with a fool. I had shown them I knew more of the game than they thought.

I tilted my head as I examined Boccius. ‘Who else could you possibly have in mind?’

‘As Gwinellyn’s cousin, and something of an uncle to her, I humbly submit myself as a possibility.’ He bowed his head in false humility.

I cast my eyes around the table, noting the expressions which ranged from relief to indignation. With some satisfaction, I saw Dovegni’s nostrils were flaring and there was a frown cutting between his brows. ‘Hmm, yes, well athirdcousin doesn’t outrank a stepmother in the eyes of the law,’ I said.

‘Celwyn’s Law is more of a guide than an absolute ruling, Your Royal Highness,’ Sherman said. ‘A regent cannot assume the position without the support of the council.’

‘And the support of the heir,’ I added. ‘Has anyone actually asked the princess who she would like to act in her stead?’

‘We would not wish to trouble the young woman.’ Dovegni oozed forward in his chair, interlocking his hands on the table. ‘Not with her… illness.’

There was a chorus of nods around the table.

I offered him a thin smile. ‘If you won’t trouble her for her vote on who should act as regent, I don’t see how you can trust her to rule.’

Dovegni held my icy stare. ‘Which is why I have been arguing to solidify an engagement to Prince Tallius of Oceatold. The late king always intended the union. The only reason it wasn’t contracted before now was because he was waiting to use it as an enticement in the treaty negotiations. Now, securing Brimordia’s rule is of greater importance.’

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