Page 37 of A Court So Dark
“Anything else you can think of?” I asked.
They both seemed slightly taken aback. I assumed it was because they weren’t used to being asked their opinion.
“Look,” I said, “I need all the help I can get. This court is a new beast to me. I don’t know its etiquette. I don’t know its rules, spoken or unspoken. For that, I’m going to need to rely on you two.”
I waited expectantly as they thought for a moment.
“You…” Shadow began hesitantly, “should make sure that Cardian invites you to his nightly gatherings. He loves nothing more than to lounge with good wine and food while others parade in front of him, making fools of themselves as they try to impress him. Deep down, he knows no one respects him, so he constantly needs validation.”
I listened intently, a picture of the exact type of person I would need to be around him quickly taking shape inside my head.
“Sometimes, when he gets drunk,” Shadow went on, “he talks too much. Mind you, he knows this about himself, so he has learned to make an exit when things get out of hand. That thunderlord of his makes sure to intercede if Cardian fails to realize he’s beyond his cups. Varamede Elis is the only person he fully trusts.”
“That is great information, Shadow,” I said. “I will take it to heart and do my best to get invited to his gatherings.”
I glanced around the garden, feeling slightly better about our prospects. We had a plan or the outline of one, at least. Now, I just had to let Dark Dani keep the reins.
Before this was over, her ruthlessness might be needed.
CHAPTER 13
DANIELLA
ShadowinformedmethatCardian’s revelries started shortly after dinner most nights. Dinner was normally served at 7 PM, so a few minutes before that, I made my way to the dining room in the west wing, the one he seemed to prefer because it was closer to his quarters.
But not only that, apparently, he wanted to change everything about the way his father, mother, and brother used to do things. The dining room in the east wing, the one I was familiar with, was considered the main one for a long time, so he was planning to convert it into a waiting room for petitioners. Larina heard the gossip in the kitchen and shared it with me after she helped me with my makeup.
“I’m glad to see he has his priorities straight,” I said to the pixie as she pointed to the veil lying on Cylea’s vanity. We came here to avoid Cardian’s mole.
“That one matches your dress perfectly,” Larina said.
I wrinkled my nose at the thing. I hated wearing a veil, but it was supposed to be a custom that single Jovinian females upheld proudly.
“He already saw me without it,” I protested. “Won’t he think it’s weird that I’m suddenly wearing it again? Besides, how am I supposed to eat?”
“You’re not. That’s why I got dinner for you.” She pointed toward a small table in the middle of the room, and a light dinner of soup and bread appeared there.
“Are you serious?”
“Jovinian females eat in private.”
“For God’s sake, why? Is eating considered unladylike in Jovinia or something?”
“It’s just a matter of keeping their faces covered. That is all.”
“Does it matter that he saw my face? That he knows the Sub Rosa did too?” I hadn’t stopped to consider this
“It does. If he says anything, you could casually tell him you’re against the custom, but you’re trying to keep appearances for your family’s sake. A growing number of Jovinian females feel that way.”
“I could also not wear it, and tell Cardian that no one has to know who I am. That it would be best if no one realizes I’m the same female that Kalyll was involved with. That should spare his ego, wouldn’t you say?”
“From what I know about him, he will want everyone to know that King Kalyll’s lady is now with him. He wants everything of his brother, not only his throne.”
“I see.”
I took the veil with me as I walked to the table and made myself eat a few spoonfuls of soup. In the end, as I made my way to Cardian’s gathering, I was grateful I wouldn’t be expected to eat anything else. My stomach was in knots. I had no idea what awaited me, and if I would be able to hold my own.
When I took the last turn into the corridor Larina had indicated, I encountered a couple of Cardian’s guards standing in front of the double door. They wore orange padded tunics to indicate they were loyal to him. As they noticed my approach, they wasted no time letting me know with their harsh glares that I wasn’t welcomed.
