Page 55 of Grave Flowers
“We Acusans try to embrace whatever comes our way. It’s how we shine.” He spread his hands out in imitation of a sunburst. “And we would love to share that shine with you, Princess.”
“How kind,” I said, even though I’d had quite enough sunshine to last a lifetime. “Do you think Prince Aeric will make a fine king?”
“I do.” Duke Cheston picked up his teacup but didn’t take a drink. Thoughtfully, he cupped it. “King Claudius worried about sending him away so young, but I think he’s thrived.”
“Oh?” I thought about Aeric and the melancholy that always settled on him when talking about the monasterium. “Did King Claudius not wish to send him to the monasterium?”
“No, not at all.” Carefully, Duke Cheston used a tiny spoon to dollop more sugar into his tea. “In fact, he often spoke about how he missed him.”
“Then why not bring him back sooner?”
“It’s a good question,” Duke Cheston said, with the mystified voice of someone who had never asked a question in his life. “I remember he once said it wasn’t safe, but that doesn’t make sense. I think he simply missed him, as any father would.”
Not safe? I frowned. Perhaps there was more to why Aeric had been sent away than I first realized. I hesitated, trying to delicately probe.
“And what do you make of Queen Gertrude’s quick marriage to Prince Lambert?” I asked.
Duke Cheston took another sip of tea, but this one was long and slow. “I admit, it was shocking.”
“Perhaps Queen Gertrude never forgave her husband for executing her family?” I attempted to pry more information from Duke Cheston. “Forgive me if it’s insensitive to mention it, but I’m trying to understand the Acusan court. Did you think it was a bit brutal for King Claudius to punish the entire house for selling ecclesial positions?”
Duke Cheston frowned thoughtfully. It was, after all, old history. Old history that, unlike the Montario family, had never died and still shaped Acus today. “No,” he said finally. “You must understand. The Montarios didn’t simply sell religious offices. They controlled a neighborhood in Acus and terrorized the families by demanding so-called protection money. When one of the families couldn’t pay, they killed them—including the children—and dumped the bodies at the monasterium, where the monastictes who’d purchased their offices buried the corpses.”
“Ah,” I said. I supposed I shouldn’t have trusted Prince Lambert to share the entire truth about Queen Gertrude and her family.
“Sparing Queen Gertrude was a great mercy,” Duke Cheston said. He shuddered slightly. “I remember how she begged King Claudius to save her family. She lost her voice and refused to eat or drink while they were imprisoned. Finally, King Claudius had the physician drug her wine so she might rest, and while she was unconscious, the Montarios were executed. He thought it’d be easier that way and that the whole nasty business would be over. It troubled him greatly, though. He wondered if he should’ve let her say goodbye, but he was more than generous with her. He allowed her to give them a noble burial on religious grounds despite their crimes and supported her petition for her inheritance. They say she never drank wine again after that.” Duke Cheston reached for the tiny spoon again and scooped up more sugar for his tea, as though he might shovel the grim story away. “But thingsare much better now. It was a sad chapter, an abnormality to our kingdom’s brilliant and prosperous tradition.”
I sat back in my chair. Any house trying to assert dominance in such a blatant, grotesque manner had to be extinguished. But matters were complicated. It was hard to know who truly bore guilt and who simply bore the wrong last name.
“Your Highness?” Sindony peeked her head into the parlor. “We must begin preparing you for the court party tonight.”
“Thank you, I shall be there shortly,” I said. I smiled at Duke Cheston. “I appreciate your time and insights.”
He took another drink. It was more like a gulp. When he set the teacup down, his eyes were bright again, and he no longer seemed troubled. He grinned at me, his breath billowing with sweetness. I’d never met a more stereotypical Acusan. If sad things bothered him, he pushed them away with sugary tea.
“Certainly, Your Highness,” he said. “I’m happy you’re joining us during a better time. As I said, we shine, and so will you.”
It was hardly a better time for Acus, and it was certainly a horrible time for Radix. My steps were heavy as I climbed the stairs. Since the wedding was only four days away, Father would have already departed. The thought of him traveling across the rocky shoreline toward me made my heart race. He’d be evaluating me once he arrived. I’d learned more about Queen Gertrude, which was good, but had discovered no new suspects. Aeric was still the main culprit and my true foe.
I’d told myself Inessa didn’t know everything.
It seemed she might.
The quicker I accepted who Aeric was, the better. I should be grateful. My duty to Radix aligned with my duty to my sister. When I killed Aeric, I would ensure Radix’s freedom while setting her free. It was simple, elegant, easy.
I only had to make sure he didn’t kill or arrest me first.
At the party that night, Queen Gertrude and Prince Lambert appeared. I didn’t relish their presence though I wasn’t surprised. With the wedding so near, they would be speaking with their allies at court and trying to gain more—and keep an eye on me. Queen Gertrude, who laughed and chatted but didn’t drink, turned her head every now and then to find me. I resolved to give her nothing of interest and sat in the chair on the dais, just as I had at the first party. I thought about her begging King Claudius to spare her house. She was so cold and controlled that it was hard to imagine the scene. Yet perhaps I could sense a long-lost vulnerability in her. Her expression reminded me of a winter pond: perfectly frozen on the surface but with hidden depths underneath, if you could only crack the ice.
To my surprise, Aeric joined me on the dais. I stiffened in my chair as he settled next to me. It was strange to simply sit next to him while knowing he sought to destroy me. My hands tightened on the armrests, and my toes curled in my slippers, my body instinctively wishing to flee, even though there was nowhere to go.
“Not dancing?” I asked.
“Not tonight,” he said.
“No dancing and no wine? Whoever are you?” Queen Gertrude and Prince Lambert noticed us speaking, and I determined to appear calm, so they might think Aeric and I conversed about trivial things.
“Now, now, don’t think too highly of me.” He lifted a goblet. I hadn’t noticed it held low at his side. “I thought I’d join you in your aversion tonight.”
