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“My Emperor, it would not be hard to arrange an accident on the journey to the Imperial City.” Varick stood uncomfortably in Hanoree’s presence. His assassin failed, and now Sayeri and the Order declared the child as the true heir.
“How could we arrange this with Lord Nebron and the First Minister in attendance? Your grasp of the situation is slipping.” Hanoree glared at him.
“There are undetectable poisons,” Varick offered.
“Okay, we will try your plan. I will arrange for you to be in the entourage. You will take care of this personally. In the meantime, I will prepare plan B in case you fail.”
“What is plan B?” He dared not balk at Hanoree’s plan. He would have to do this job himself.
“We have the Temple City surrounded, and I have hired mercenaries to reinforce our position. We will take the city and kill My Lady of Wisdom and her First Brother.”
This seemed like a futile mission to Varick, but he did not question Hanoree. He saw no benefit in starting a war with the Order. It would gain them nothing, but he would continue to follow Hanoree’s commands and reap the benefits.
~ * ~
Ninallia straightened in her chair. The dress and ornaments Sayeri insisted were necessary for her first meeting with the Empire’s escort draped on her, heavy and artificial. Anxiety and perspiration were hidden by layers of cosmetics, perfumes, and fabric. Her son lay in the basinet beside her, sleeping peacefully. She struggled to smile as the guests were introduced.
Sayeri had warned Ninallia that Lord Varick was among the escorts, but the sight of him filled her with a mixture of fear and rage. She smiled at the stricken look on his face when Arturon stood beside her and read the results of the paternity test. In his League uniform, Houston hovered on her other side.
“This is outrageous,” sputtered Varick, looking at the First Minister seemingly for support. “By what authority has this child been tested without Imperial edict? The Order is forbidden to insert itself in Imperial matters.”
Sayeri stepped forward. Ninallia waved her hand to signal her to stop. “By my authority as Dowager Empress and great-great-granddaughter of Emperor Hapirion, I have authorized this and transmitted these results along with those of my own bloodline to the Noble houses in the Empire and the twelve kingdoms.”
“As half-sister and the closest blood kin of the late empress, I approved the test,” Sayeri added.
The First Minister shook his head. “As head of the Council of Nobles, I was informed and agreed to the test. Perhaps you have forgotten who holds that position.”
All color drained from Varick’s face. Confusion and anger registered. “You betrayed the Emperor.”
“Hanoree is not the emperor. He expressed his desire that the paternity of this child be established, and I have done so. Do you doubt the veracity of the First Brother or the testing center?” The First Minister’s icy tone did not appear to be lost on Varick or the others present.
Bowing in deference, Varick stepped back behind the other guests. Ninallia inclined her head. Hanoree would be outraged over these developments. More importantly, her son’s paternity was established and could not be disputed.
The First Minister made a formal bow then took Ninallia’s hand and kissed it. She almost gasped in surprise as something was slipped into her palm. She lowered arm to her side and slipped the data chip into a fold of her dress.
The First Minister turned to his entourage and said, “Sayeri has graciously provided us accommodations in her guest quarters. Let’s take the opportunity to rest. We will leave for the Imperial City tomorrow.”
Ninallia did not rise as the visitors departed. Her legs felt too weak, and she didn’t want to draw attention to the small data chip. Her heart did not slow until the last member of her official escort had exited the room and the doors closed. Without a word she handed the chip to Houston.
He put it into a small viewer and projected it onto the table before him. It was in code. He frowned and looked from Tegani to Arturon.
Arturon was smiling and nodding as he read the message. “This is good news indeed.” He explained, “This is very old code taught only at the Temple City. The First Minister’s wife was an acolyte. This is a list of the Nobles and their loyalty. He thinks we have a chance if we can prove Hanoree’s involvement in the deaths of the emperor and empress.”
Ninallia scooped up her son from the bassinet and swung him in her arms.
“This is not all good news. It means Hanoree will be more determined to prevent the royal heir from reaching the city,” Sayeri cautioned. “He is not stupid.”
Ninallia held her son. This started as a means to save her family financially, now she loved Hiroto beyond measure. She would do anything to protect him.
Sayeri slipped an arm around Ninallia and placed a kiss on Hiroto’s small head. “We won’t let anything happen to either of you.”
~ * ~
Hanoree dismissed his servants, except for the guards outside his chamber. Varick would be reporting soon. News the child had been tested and confirmed as the heir of the late emperor hit the Council of Nobles like a bomb. It had been strategically timed and widely distributed, which meant there was no way to contain it. This report would confirm who was behind the support for this child.
A soft pinging alerted him that Varick was reporting in. Hanoree turned on his monitor. Varick twitched with nervous energy. The man knew his life was forfeit if he failed.
“The First Minister is a traitor. He is behind this attempt or at least aiding the Order.” The words sounded as if Varick was pleading for his life.
Hanoree clenched his fist. He had not given the old man enough credit. “He will not live long. Who else was present?”
Varick relaxed. “I managed to have the whole meeting taped. You will see for yourself the Order is behind this. The First Brother himself confirmed the paternity. There was also a member of the League.”
Hanoree blinked, and he took in a deep breath. This was unexpected. His communications with the League were ongoing and seemed positive. The ambassador must have been lying. He pushed down his anger and signaled for Varick to play the footage from the meeting. The tape was made by one of the minors in the escort party. The angle was not good, but it was adequate for Hanoree to recognize Arturon and Sayeri.
His jaw twitched. He would pay back both with a vengeance. The view shifted to the young woman sitting beside a bassinet.
An idea began to bloom in Hanoree’s fertile imagination. If he married this girl, it would solidify his right as the regent. It was an absurd plan. His children were her age. There was also the matter of his wife. Lady Hanoree was his senior by a few years and had brought quite a large dowry and social clout to him when they married. Without her family connections, he would never have amassed his fortune. She was, however, showing her age. She could perhaps suffer a deadly illness or an unfortunate accident. A young wife and more children could be a good thing.
He shook his head. He was being foolish. There would be nothing wrong with appearing to welcome both the baby and his mother.
Hanoree strode to the long mirror in one corner of the room, which was also a secret viewing panel. It allowed him to watch anyone waiting for an audience and listen to their conversations. He studied his reflection. A man of average height, with a head full of hair and good teeth that could pass for a younger man. There was much a young, impressionable girl might admire in him. Taking a small amount of his calming drug, he rang for the Minister of Protocol.
When the small elegantly clad man entered, he bowed fractionally. Hanoree did not miss the insult but schooled his features into a gracious smile. He began almost apologetically, “I am afraid I must ask your favor and rely on you for guidance.”
The minster preened and relaxed. “I am at your service, Lord Hanoree.”
Hanoree smiled and continued, “The infant has been confirmed as the son of my late uncle, Emperor Rhealgar. An escort will be bringing the heir and his mother to the Imperial City soon. I feel some sort of celebration is in order, but we are in mourning. I need your wisdom. We must honor the heir without offending.”
The minster’s head bobbed. “Lord Hanoree, set your mind at ease. Even the strictest of society will not find fault with a celebration in such a circumstance, the people will demand it.”
“You will oversee this for me? Invite the Nobles. Make sure they know this will not be an official recognition of the heir. The Council of Nobles will of course decide if he will be declared emperor.”
“I will be honored, my lord.” The minister’s face was alight with anticipation.
“Good, check with the Minister of the Treasury for funding. Do not spare any expense. I will rely on you also to prepare the royal nursery and a suitable bedchamber for his mother.”
The minster bowed. He was eager to be off, and Hanoree dismissed him with a motion of his hand. He smiled as the door to the chamber closed. Soon the palace and the city would be aware of his gracious preparation for the new heir. Now for the unpleasant task of informing his wife that she would not be attending the festivities.