Page 43 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2
"And if he doesn't heed my advice?" I'm mostly curious about the answer, especially as I don't know what Linc will choose to do. It isn't as if he has a lot of contacts at court, which is something we are going to have to change. I'm just not entirely certain how to do that yet. I've been trying to do what I can to learn, but it isn't always possible, especially when everyone seems to have their own agenda.
"Then you shall try again when something happens to the advisor of his choice."
"You mean when you have the advisor killed?"
Lord Fallmartin chuckles. "Do you truly want my honesty, Beatrice?"
I meet his gaze. "Yes." It might be hard to hear, but I think it's better to have the truth out in the open as opposed to me guessing at his motivations. I'm sure there will still be plenty he doesn't tell me, but it'll be a good start to know some of it.
"Then the answer is maybe. It would depend on who the advisor is and what you think of them. Are they a potential ally of House Rothorne, or are they an enemy?"
"I see."
"I suppose you do." He leaned back in his chair. "It is a shame that Prince Lincoln is not his father's heir, I believe you have what it takes to be queen."
I raise an eyebrow. "Surely it's treason to suggest that?"
"Are you going to report me, daughter?" He knows he's got me there. As much as I don't understand the way court works, I'm not foolish enough to think that I'll survive without some measure of his protection. At least, not yet.
"Exactly what are you expecting me to do once I'm married?" I ask.
"Nothing much, at first. Your main role will be to make sure Prince Lincoln is willing to listen to you."
"Even if you are appointed as our advisor?"
"Even then," he agrees.
"What if my advice to him is something contrary to what you wish for?"
Lord Fallmartin chuckles. "You are much more astute at these things than your brother."
Warmth flows through me at his praise, but I try to ignore it. It shouldn't matter to me what this man thinks, but there's a part of me that craves his approval all the same.
"I don't expect us to agree on everything, Beatrice. There are already things I have conceded to you."
"Like the feasts," I respond.
"Yes. The feasts are a tradition even older than I am. But I'm a practical man, and I know that forcing you to do something you hate is not going to make me your ally."
I consider what he's not saying, and the implication that I could choose to be his enemy and he doesn't want that. I have no way of knowing for sure, but that almost seems as if he thinks I could be a particularly dangerous enemy if I choose to be, which only makes me wonder about just how much power he thinks I'll amass once I'm married to Linc.
"This is a partnership," Lord Fallmartin says.
"Not a particularly even one," I point out. "You are several hundred years old with centuries of experience and are the head of a powerful House, while I'm twenty-two and have been at court for a handful of months, and my status is entirely dependent on my father and my future husband." My heart races as I say the words. They feel risky, especially towards Lord Fallmartin. Though since we've been talking more freely about my wedding to Linc, he has seemed more open with hearing my opinion.
He lets out a deep sigh and leans forward, resting his hands on his knees. "There's no denying that what you're saying is true, but that doesn't mean I don't want to work with you, Beatrice. If you make your moves correctly, you could be very powerful in a few hundred years."
I blink a couple of times as the words sink in. A few hundred years. In theory, I know that can be my lifespan, but it isn't something I've given much thought to. "You believe I can do that?"
"Everything I have seen of you so far suggests as much," Lord Fallmartin responds.
"And let me guess, it will only be possible if I listen to you?"
"There is a lot I can teach you, and Prince Lincoln, but it would be foolish if I told you never to heed what anyone else says. Being astute at playing the political game requires observation and listening to what people are telling you. And what they aren't."
"Mmm." I stroke Pip's fur and think about the things he isn't telling me.
"It is best that you learn early, but you'll still have time before you'll truly be required to take your place at court," he assures me. "Most families give new dhampirs five to ten years to acclimatise."
