“Here is the detailed proposal for the trade school like you asked.”
I looked up at Filib and then back down at the stack of parchments he had just placed on my desk. At a glance through, I could see every detail of anything that might be needed in starting this school. There was the written proposal of how it should operate, a projection of what profits could be expected, and even a floor plan of how the building might be set up. Filib had seemed enthusiastic about the possibilities up until now, but this was beyond anything I had ever expected when I asked for a proposal.
“Where did all of this come from?”
He looked a little unsure of himself as he gave his answer. “I did it all myself. The proposed income may be a little off. I based it on the questionnaire that was given to each participant of the contest on what they expected their invention’s profit to be after a year of production. I figured the current tax rate against their projections. Since the profit was purely speculation on the part of the inventors, this cannot be an exact calculation. Perhaps someone better with numbers could take a look at it.”
I was seeing my messenger in a whole other light. “You drew up these floor plans?”
“Yes. I’m no artist, nor architect. I just wanted to give you a general idea of how it could be. Did you find a mistake?” He leaned over the desk for a better look.
“Filib, do have a seat.” I gestured to the chair across from me.
“Yes, Your Highness, I mean Sir.” I did not take the time to put him at ease even though making him feel nervous had never been my objective.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-three, sir.”
“Twenty-three?”
I looked across at the scrawny man with the look of an adolescent sitting before me. I had always assumed he was much younger. He looked as if he were barely old enough to shave. A thought had been brewing in my mind for some time and now that all of my assumptions about my messenger had been blown away, it was time to act.
“Yes sir. I turned twenty-three in June. Is that a problem, sir?”
I waved my hand in front of me. “Forget about that. Filib, how do you feel about being promoted to advisor? You would be a connection between me and the people of Gilvary. Before you answer, I need to warn you that your position could change once my mother is able to rule again. What do you say?”
“You want me to be your advisor? But I’m nobody. Surely you do not mean . . . I don’t mean to question you, but . . .”
“Filib, you do not have to answer right now. It is okay to say that you would like to think about it. I do want you to know that I have given this thought before today. You have proven yourself to be trustworthy. You have also shown how important this kingdom is to you by planning the competition and then crafting such a detailed proposal. You had nothing to gain by this that I can see. Just know that the choice is yours. You can take the job as my advisor, or you may remain in your current position.”
He leaned back in the seat staring at me for a moment. It was not long before he broke into a grin big enough to show off his slightly protruding teeth.
“If you believe me capable of the job, who am I to argue? I would be honored to serve as your advisor, sir.”
“Great, then I will make the announcement tomorrow morning. Now, let us go over your plans for the school.”
It had been a week since I had seen Gwen and that was only at a distance as she sat in the back of the chapel last Sunday. She was not present during this Sunday’s gathering, so I decided to seek her out after I had dinner with my brothers. I was also determined to advance my plans of wooing her. Going for days without seeing her beautiful face was not working for me.
It was a pleasant surprise to find her sitting at my family’s dining table when I entered. Even more astonishing was seeing my mother sitting beside her. To my knowledge, she had not left her bedchamber since my father’s death. Aside from the fact that Mother was still in her gown and robe, there was a remarkable difference in her apparent health. I knew I had Gwen to thank for it.
Gwen sat directly to the right of my usual spot at the table. At a closer look, I could see the tired lines around her blue eyes. She had taken to wearing her hair in a simple braid instead of the usual bun. Some of the hair had come loose, framing her pale face. As happy as I was that Mother’s health had improved, I never wanted it to be at Gwen’s expense. I would have to talk to her about it later and away from my family’s hearing.
Other than the initial greeting given by both women, no explanation had been offered as to Gwen’s presence at our family dinner table, or to what had prompted Mother to join us. No matter the reason, I could not be more pleased.
Terence was his same jovial self, but judging by the scowl on Rian’s face as he looked across the table at Gwen, he did not feel the same. It was a relief to know that whatever was on his mind would not be shared in front of our mother. I knew Rian blamed her for our father’s death, but he still loved and respected her.
We all joined hands as I said a prayer to bless the food, and I wondered if anyone noticed that I was slow in letting go of Gwen’s hand. The prayer at meal time was something new with our family. This was the first time we had done it with Mother at the table, but she did not hesitate to join in on the ritual as if it were the usual thing.
“How was church this morning?”
Mother looked to me for the answer. I hesitated in my surprise. Garrett and I had attended church even before Father’s death, and I do not believe she had ever asked either of us this question.
“It was great. We still do not have anyone to preside over the services, so for now we just gather for singing.”
“Oh, I used to love the singing part of church services when I was a girl. What about you two boys? Did you enjoy the singing?”
“The singing is not so bad.” Rian gave one of his sad little smiles that never reached the rest of his face. It seemed all he was capable of lately.
“I love to sing, Mother. We get to sit right up at the front, closer to the music than anyone else.”
It was hard not to get caught up in Terence’s enthusiasm. All the sad happenings that had been going on seemed to have the least effect on him. I imagined it would always be this way no matter how old he got. I had to admit, I was a little envious of that fact.
“You used to go to church?”
“Do not sound so surprised, Reagan. Yes, I went as a child, but after you children started coming along, there never seemed to be enough time in the week. Does that make me a bad person?”
“No, of course not, Mother. No one would ever accuse you of that.”
Gwen placed her hand on Mother’s shoulder. Although I was happy they were getting along so well, the gesture was surprising. Rian noticed it as well. He stopped eating and studied the two women for a moment. No words had been exchanged, but Mother seemed to perk up once again at the healer’s touch.
She looked right at me then with her eyes glistening. “Just the other day I was thinking about the time, oh about ten years ago, when we had that big snow. Do you remember that? I swear it was the most snow I had ever seen at one time. Your father bundled up with you boys and played in it all day long.”
All I could do was nod. Her bringing up our father was the last thing I had expected, and I was not sure how this was going to turn out.
Terence was more enthusiastic in his response. He giggled and bobbed his head. “I remember, Mother. We made a snowman with a mean face and Father called it Arlana.”
Gwen coughed and covered her mouth with her napkin, but I suspected it was to hide a laugh.
Mother was unsuccessful at trying to control her own smile. “I would hate for Arlana to hear that. Let us remember to keep it a family secret.”
“Do not worry, Mother. I will not tell her.” The small reprimand had not dampened Terence’s spirit in the least.
However, the scowl never left Rian’s face. If anything it was worse as he now sat with his arms folded across his chest.
“He never played in the snow with me.”
The smile on Mother’s face relaxed into a straight line as she gazed at her youngest son. “Rian, I would say that your father spent more time with you than he did with any of his sons. He was older by the time you came along. Surely you have special memories of him that are all your own that you could share with us.”
I felt like we were walking a tight-rope that could collapse at any moment. I silently willed Rian to come up with something that would keep Mother from returning to her despair and that would also take away some of his own resentment. He seemed to think it over for a few moments.
“Well, he did teach me to play chess. I liked that he did not treat me like a child. He used to let me sit in on his meetings. He said he had great plans for me, but he never said what that meant. I wish he was still here so I could ask him.”
This was not the cheerful answer I had hoped for. The melancholy on Rian’s face was reflected once again on Mother’s.
“Your father was a good man. I am sure he could see your greatness. With that, you can accomplish your own plans.”
This did not exactly bring a smile to Rian’s face, but he did seem content with her reply.
“What about you, Reagan? What good memory can you share about your father?”
I had not expected Mother’s attention to turn so abruptly toward me. It took a minute for me to come up with a response.
“I remember him taking me and Dunbar for walks out in the garden, and he used to let me ride on his shoulders. Dunbar was so jealous, and that somehow made it all the better. He told Dunbar that something more was expected from him since he would one day be king. I remember being so happy that such things would never be expected of me.”
Why had I shared that memory? Not only had I mentioned Dunbar, a subject that was sure to cause Mother further pain, but I had also implied that I had been happy knowing that I would never be king and here I was, next in line for that very title. I quickly looked into Mother’s face to see what effect my words had inflicted on her. I was relieved to see the demure smile on her face.
“Your father had many good qualities. I believe remembering these types of things will do us all a world of good. Do you all not feel the same?”
All three of us nodded in unison.
“Gwen, I am ready to go back to bed now and then I wish to be left alone so I can sleep for a while. Reagan, you should show her our garden. It must be cool out at this time of year. Find her one of my capes on the hook beside the door.”
Gwen’s eyes were wide with astonishment, as my own surely must have been, but she did not say anything. She helped Mother from her chair and they both headed into her bedchamber. I put on a jacket and was waiting for her with Mother’s cape draped over my arm when she exited.
“I tried to get her to let me stay as usual while she slept, but she insisted she wanted to be alone.”
“Do you not think she will be all right by herself if all she is doing is sleeping?”
“Certainly. I would not have thought so a month ago, but she seems greatly improved today. Do you not think so?”
“I certainly do see her improving a little every day since you arrived. You have been a blessing to my whole family, and I am truly grateful.”
I reached for her hand, pulling it up to my lips and kissed the back of her fingers. She kept her gaze aimed at the floor, but judging by the upturned edges of her lips, my words must have had some effect. I held the cape open for her and then took her by the hand as we headed outside to the garden.