Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
“What I know is the Dellish want their wealth back,” Carrington replied.
“I do not agree,” Aunt Mercy returned.
“Stop it,” my uncle demanded wearily. “The both of you. You’re giving me a blinding headache.”
“You need to think on this, my king,” Carrington urged. “With urgency.”
“I’ve done nothing but think for days,” Uncle Wilmer complained.
“We must move swiftly. I must send a bird as soon as—”
My uncle interrupted his advisor. “I will think on it, Carrington. Enough. We’ll speak later this afternoon.”
“Your Grace—”
“Later this afternoon.”
There was silence, then a heavy sigh, murmured farewells, and I drew in my belly for no purpose as the door to the bedchamber opened and I saw Carrington skulk out.
He closed the door behind him and stormed to the stairs.
I then listened for some time before Aunt Mercy spoke.
“Your son is no traitor, Wilmer.”
“True shouldn’t have promised my armies without speaking to me.”
“Your son is no traitor.”
I pressed my lips tightly together at the tone in which Aunt Mercy reiterated her assertion.
Though I had to agree with her. In all his frustrations, True had many opportunities to break from his father, his king.
He never did.
And now, when all the realms were aligning for positive change, it seemed foolhardy to me that Wodell would choose to do something that would only serve to upset perhaps all the realms.
But definitely the most wealthy and powerful one on the mainland.
“I urge you to speak to your son, my husband, and listen to him before you speak to Carrington again,” my aunt stated.
“I need a moment to close my eyes and clear my head,” Uncle Wilmer murmured.
“Promise me you’ll do as I ask first,” Aunt Mercy pressed.
“Just half an hour.”
“Wilmer.”
I jumped when Uncle Wilmer snapped, “Half an hour, woman!”
There was a moment of silence before Aunt Mercy said softly, “Of course, husband.”
It didn’t take long before I saw her sweep out.
And I pressed my lips together even harder at witnessing the cold fury on her face when she did.
I did not know my aunt very well.
I had been in her presence many times.
She was simply not a knowable person.
Hurriedly, I dashed back to my door, opened it, dropped the shadow and walked out, as if I’d been in there the whole time.
I smiled at the servant boy who was studying me quizzically, for he probably saw me starting down the corridor some minutes before and was surprised to see me back.
I could have no mind to this.
I needed to speak with someone.
I just didn’t know who.
Though I knew my father was not an option, nor my mother.
However, the thought occurred to me I knew someone who was wise and who also had the best interests of Wodell and Firenze at heart and who also had experience of the volatility of politics.
Therefore, I went directly to the door of Farah’s bedchamber, hoping she was still within, for I did not wish to speak to her in front of Queen Ha-Lah.
I knocked and was heartened when, in moments, the door opened.
But it was not Farah.
It was Sofia.
“I’m sorry to disturb you. I was looking for Farah. We’re going to bathe,” I said on a smile I could feel was trembling. “Is she in?”
Sofia, wise in many ways as well, did not miss my trembling smile, thus didn’t answer my question.
She asked her own.
“Is all well, young Silence?”
“Yes. I just thought we could walk together to the bath.”
“I’ve no idea if she’s gone yet, child. You should try her chamber,” she suggested.
I was confused. “Is this not Farah’s chamber?”
Something occurred to her and she nodded. “It was. I apologize. Your fitting this morning, you probably didn’t notice. When the queen moved, as my other chamber was…closer to hers, we decided this morning to…um…”
I didn’t make her finish.
“Of course, you switched. I didn’t know that. I apologize as well. I’ll go there to find your daughter.”
Sofia nodded again before she tipped her head to the side. “You seemed troubled, my future queen. Is there something I can help you with?”
I shook my head and somewhat fibbed, “No. All is well. Just, perhaps, a little anxious that the king will still be in meetings at dinner.”
Sofia’s face got soft and she reached out to touch my hand briefly.
“You will charm them, with or without our great king, Silence. This is because you are most charming, cara. So please, do not worry.”
She really was so lovely.
“Thank you, Sofia,” I whispered.
“Run along. Find Farah. Relax in the baths. And I’ll see you at dinner and while doing it, watch you charm all of Firenze.”
I gave her a smile that was a great deal brighter as she shut the door.
I then rushed down the hall to Sofia’s former bedchamber, which was indeed closer to Queen Elpis’s that was now at that end, rather than the other.
At my knock, when no one answered, I realized I had a conundrum and it was one I would have to work out on my own.