Page 11 of The Queen's Crown
“Her stomach is rather large,” she replied, assuming that was the reason for Sarah’s tossing and turning and not the death of Alina. “How many weeks until she delivers?”
“The doctor thinks it’ll be within the next two to three weeks.”
She nodded. One of the things she loved about Rolf was that he didn’t pry. He didn’t ask her how she was doing, how she was feeling, or if she was well enough to be up and about the castle. “I want to discuss something with you.”
“I figured as much.”
Suddenly, the right words eluded her, and she didn’t know where to begin. “I want to help.”
Rolf steepled his fingers together. “I know our army is in desperate need of able-bodied fighters, but you can’t join us. You’re no match for a man when it comes to fighting.”
She snorted. “I know that.” She could barely lift a sword since the thing was so heavy. “I don’t want to fight.” At least not with a sword. “I want to help prevent a war from happening in the first place.”
He shrugged. “How?”
At least he didn’t laugh. Granted, he wouldn’t like what she was about to say, but he would at least consider it. If he managed to see value in it, he’d discuss the matter with their father. She just needed to choose her words carefully, so he’d understand her reasoning and agree with her. “Our sister decided to marry King Rainer for the betterment of our kingdom. Specifically, to garner Lynk’s soldiers to help protect our border.”
He uncrossed his ankles and scooted his chair forward, folding his hands together atop his desk. “What are you getting at?”
“We need Lynk’s soldiers because we can’t fight Carlon without them. And we need to find Alina’s killer.”
His focus shifted to the window as he gazed outside. “When did you become so well versed in politics? I thought you hated this sort of thing and that’s why you’re always running wild.”
“I do not run wild.” She folded her arms, irritated at the implication.
He chuckled and looked at her. “As a child, you were always outdoors riding or swimming in the pond. Nowadays, you’re usually to be found flirting with some unsuspecting man.”
“Rolf!” She’d come there hoping to be taken seriously, not be chided for her behavior.
He watched her for a minute. “How do you propose we find Alina’s killer? King Rainer said he was investigating.”
“To find the killer, we need someone on the inside.”
“And how do you propose we get a man in the Lynk palace? I don’t employ assassins. And even if I did, they’d never get into Lynk. The kingdom is walled off. No one gets in or out unless the king wills it.”
“I have an idea for that.”
“I’m dying to hear it.”
“And…I have an idea on how Bakley can still get Lynk’s soldiers.” The thought of anyone else she loved dying was too much to bear. “You have a baby on the way,” she continued, as if that explained everything. “If you died, you’d leave Sarah all alone. Your child wouldn’t even know his or her father.”
Rolf’s jawline tensed. “You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know.”
“I can help our family.”
“There’s nothing you can do.”
She wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt. “I can take Alina’s place.” She forced herself to maintain eye contact with Rolf so he’d know how serious she was.
He shook his head.
“I’ll marry the king of Lynk and fulfill Bakley’s end of the contract.”
“You can’t, Sabine.” He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his face. “You’re woefully unprepared for something like that.”
While she happened to agree with him, she wouldn’t let him know that. “You have to consider what I’m offering. I will take Alina’s place and marry King Rainer. Lynk will receive their promised food, so they’ll agree to it, and we’ll get their soldiers.”
“I know you,” Rolf said as he stood. “You’re not selfless like Alina.” He rounded the desk and sat on the edge of it before Sabine. “You have an ulterior motive.”
