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“Even if we couldn’t do the thing quite properly, I’m still so pleased with how it went,” Duchess Elena said.
Veronica nodded vigorously over her sewing. “And such a pretty dress Lady Melanie wore. I wish someone could get married every week. I think it really raised everyone’s spirits.”
Elena gestured with her embroidery at Margaret. “Does Kyle have his eye on anyone? A real Dryhten wedding here at the Bocburg would be particularly magnificent.”
Margaret finished her glass of wine. “Not that he has mentioned to me. And, of course, he’s a Llamu, so I’m not sure you could call it a ‘real Dryhten wedding.’”
Elena shrugged. “His grandfather was Brandon Dryhten, who even in death is the most beloved man in Leornian. It would be delightful for everyone.”
“Delightful for everyone but Kyle,” Margaret replied, pouring herself another glass. “Can I get more for anyone else?”
Rohesia declined. Knowing that rationing might soon be a necessity in the city, she wanted to start setting a good example now. Also, it was only the middle of the afternoon. But she did not wish to dampen anyone else’s spirits by suggesting Margaret put the bottle away. Although supplies continued coming into Leornian, no one in the city had any illusions that the siege had ended.
And that was why even a week later, the most popular topic of conversation remained the wedding of Sir Nathan Peel and Lady Melanie Searle. It had, indeed, been a lovely ceremony, and even in these modest days, a respectable wedding feast had followed. The event seemed to have everyone thinking about love and romance and the future, including Rohesia. But she was certain none of the ladies she currently sat sewing with could guess her precise thoughts.
What would happen if she agreed to Aldrick’s terms? To begin with, she did not know that he was correct in thinking a bishop would grant him a divorce. And if one did? Then Rohesia would spend the rest of her days in a loveless marriage with a man she not only could not respect, but whom she found repugnant. Yet, what personal sacrifices wouldn’t she make for Edwin? What was a miserable marriage for her as compared to seeing Edwin returned to his throne?
The real question was whether an alliance with Aldrick would bring certain victory. At the opening battles around Formacaster, Newshire troops had fought on the royal side, and yet they had lost to Broderick anyway. But if Rohesia aligned herself with Aldrick, the whole of Newshire and not merely a few regiments would be engaged on Edwin’s behalf. Even with Broderick’s Annenstrukers, Edwin would have the numbers.
Of course, even with tens of thousands of troops, the army would still be led by Lawrence and Aldrick.
If there were one thing Rohesia could not say aloud, but had to admit to herself, it was that under their current leadership, they would always remain out-generaled by Broderick. But brilliant tacticians did not pop up from the ground like spring daffodils. So, her question had not changed. Would marrying Aldrick assure victory (or at least come close enough to assurance) to make it her best strategic choice?
“I need to go write a letter,” Rohesia announced, tucking her mending back into her handwork bag. The others looked so cozy here in the sitting room of the royal suite next to the fire, she assured them they need not leave. “I will require nothing until it is time for the council meeting. Please, all of you stay. I will be in my study.”
Moments later, Rohesia was alone with another sheaf of her magysk paper.
Nov. 11, 354
Bocburg, Leornian
Dear Aldrick,
After sincere contemplation and prayer, I have at last come to a determination in regards to your proposition. I perfectly understand why you made your offer, and while I see why, I cannot accept. Even if a bishop agreed to your divorce request, I would not feel right about being the cause of the end of a union blessed by Earstien. I hope as I have taken the time to understand your feelings in this matter, you will show my desires the same courtesy.
It remains my most fervent hope, however, that you will see the rightness of Edwin’s claim to the throne and support him.
Rohesia put her quill down and walked to the window. Alice and Jennifer, her best friend, were outside in the courtyard, running around wildly under the watchful eye of their nanny. Both appeared so happy and without a care in the world, as girls not even 10 should be. Sweet, little Alice. But this was what princesses were born for, much as Rohesia hated to think in such terms. She returned to her desk.
Edwin, of course, is your family and deserves your loyalty. And yet, I can appreciate your desire to strengthen our ties. To that end, what would you say to a betrothal between my daughter, Alice, and your eldest son, Bertram? I believe this would be a most welcome alliance.
If possible, please respond as soon as you can. We are doing well here, all things considered, but nothing would bring me more joy than to see the white eagle of Newshire marching up to join its twin that belongs to the King of Myrcia.
Once more, with sincere hope,
Rohesia, Queen Regent
It was done. She hated herself a bit for promising Alice to a 4-year-old boy who could turn out to be dangerously like his father, but she had to offer Aldrick something. Her only consolation was that a great deal could occur in the years before the actual wedding, and perhaps it would never take place.
Rohesia went to her door, where a servant was now thoughtfully stationed for her. She sent him to fetch Robert Tynsdale and returned to her desk to seal the letter. Given the weather, she hated to think how long it would take to deliver, but that couldn’t be helped.
“You called for me, your majesty,” Robert said from the open door.
“Yes, I need to speak to you privately. I require your advice.”
He hurried into the room, closing the door behind him. “How may I help you, your majesty?”
She waved the letter at him. “I have finally composed my reply to the Earl of Wellenham.”
“I can leave within the hour.”
“No, Robert. I was quite serious when I said you needn’t go back. I have much more important things for you to do here than play messenger to the earl. What I need from you is a recommendation of who to entrust with this.”
Robert answered swiftly. “I would recommend Maxwell Pritchard. I’ve known him since the Loshadnarodski War. A reliable scout, and a native of the Wislicbeorgs. He knows the southern side of the mountains well and he skis. That last will be a good deal of help at this time of year.”
“Then Maxwell Pritchard it is.” She held the letter out. “I trust you can get this to him and see him off with all haste.”
Robert bowed. “Of course, your majesty. Is he to wait for a reply?”
“Yes,” she said. “Please warn him that the earl may not respond in a timely manner, so he is not surprised.”
“Of course,” he said, with a hint of a grimace. “Is there anything else, your majesty?”
“No.” She paused to give him a smile. “I really am very grateful to have some people I can rely on, Robert. Their number is far fewer than I could wish, but you are certainly one of them.”
He bowed even more deeply than was his wont. “You could give me no greater compliment, your majesty.”
“It is well earned.” She glanced at the clock on her mantle and saw that only half an hour remained before she would be needed in council. “And now I have more to do. Please tell the servant I am not to be disturbed until the council meeting.”
“Yes, your majesty.” And with another swift, deep bow, he left the room.
Rohesia began by opening a ledger detailing food stores, which had become her obsession. But not five minutes later, someone knocked on her door. She took a deep breath to steady herself, annoyed that the servant had apparently ignored her orders, but before she could answer, the door opened, admitting Lawrence.
“Ah, glad I found you,” he said, flopping in a chair. “I wanted to talk to you before the meeting.”
She had wanted to go over these ledgers first, but Sir Presley was now invited to all privy council meetings so he might recite from memory all the numbers she was still attempting to digest. She closed the ledger. “Of course. What is on your mind?”
“I, well,” he hesitated as he squirmed in his chair. “I’ve been meaning to tell you that, well, I know you were a supporter of Sir Alfred’s mission that got us our lifeline through the siege.”
“Put him in position to make it happen in the first place,” she thought to herself. Aloud, she said, “He’s
a talented young man who seemed to have some good ideas.”
“Well, that’s pretty much exactly right. And, well, I wanted to tell you that I think you did a good thing by supporting him.”
“Thank you, Lawrence,” she said, pleased at her brother’s uncharacteristically generous disposition. “I feel as though making good use of our human assets is one of the only ways we can hope to survive and eventually beat this siege.”
“That’s what I always say—use the people you have.”
Rohesia had never heard her brother say any such thing, but she smiled anyway. She had won the more important point. “Indeed. I very much intend to keep Sir Alfred busy. He’s a clever young man.”
“Quite right. Feel free to put him on whatever detail you think best here at the castle. Just so he’s ready to ride into the field when I need him.”
“Naturally.”
Lawrence slapped his knees and stood up. “So, shall we head to the meeting?”
***
THE PRIVY COUNCIL MEETING went well, and everyone agreed to Rohesia’s plans to further expand Sir Alfred’s role. She was in fact so excited to tell him about some ideas that she nearly arrived late for supper. But rather than covering everything, they ended up scheduling an appointment for the following morning, and Rohesia ran off with Veronica to get ready for the meal.
Her excitement at working with Alfred, Lawrence’s admission, and the weight lifted from her at finally answering Aldrick, all had her smiling through the entire meal. Her good mood seemed infectious to everyone around her. Well, everyone except Elwyn. She had been sullen and quiet ever since the wedding.
To Rohesia’s knowledge, whatever had been between Elwyn and Melanie Searle had finished some weeks before the marriage, if not months. And yet, this final loss of Melanie clearly affected Elwyn deeply. Rohesia had said nothing, wishing to give her stepdaughter her own space and privacy. But before the dessert had even been brought out—just some simple almond cookies, but something Rohesia knew Elwyn enjoyed—Elwyn excused herself.
Rohesia ate and spoke some more with everyone in the dining room, but she also slipped a few cookies into her handkerchief. Once conversation had become general and others were leaving, Rohesia also got up. Elwyn could be almost anywhere, but she had a few guesses. Her third try—the steps outside the chapel—proved correct.
“It’s rather cold tonight,” Rohesia said, going down a few steps so she might look directly at Elwyn and not loom over her. “Would you like a shawl?”
Elwyn hugged her knees to her chest. “No. I’m fine.”
Rohesia held out her handkerchief. “There were almond cookies for dessert. I brought you a few.”
Elwyn looked surprised, but took the offering nonetheless. “Thank you.”
They remained silent for several uncomfortable seconds, Rohesia wondering if Elwyn might, perhaps, start this conversation on her own. But Elwyn had never been wont to confess her troubles, at least not to Rohesia. She suspected not to anyone else, either.
“Is there anything you would like to talk about?” Rohesia finally asked.
Staring across the courtyard, Elwyn answered, “What would I want to talk about?”
“Perhaps your feelings. A lot has happened recently, and you may wish to discuss some of it with someone.”
“Nothing has happened. I’m fine.”
Rohesia took a deep breath and sat down beside Elwyn. The cold of the stone penetrated her skirt, and she didn’t like to think what the laundress would have to do to get it clean, but Elwyn needed her, and these were small sacrifices. “Would you like to begin with a discussion about Sir Alfred or Lady Melanie?”
Elwyn flashed an angry glance at Rohesia before quickly returning her gaze to the nothingness of the dark courtyard. “Neither. I have no feelings to share about either one of them.”
“Really? Because it seemed for a time you rather liked Sir Alfred. And you are well aware that I know about your liaison with Lady Melanie.”
“Alfred...oh, what’s the use? I fucked everything up with Alfred, like I always do. And Melanie can go to the Void.” She clutched up bunches of her skirt in her fists, and her hands trembled so much, Rohesia worried she would start tearing her clothes. “Melanie never really cared about me. I’m a disaster. Lily is lucky she got away from me. It’s probably for the best that I die alone for everyone else’s sake and safety.”
Rohesia thought that with other mothers and daughters, this would be the moment she should put a comforting arm around Elwyn. Had her own mother in such situations? Rohesia did not recall her doing such a thing, and now she was too far away to ask. The important fact was that Rohesia and Elwyn had never developed that sort of relationship. The gesture might set Elwyn on a tirade instead of calming her. Rohesia clasped her hands in her lap. “I’m very sorry that things did not end well between you and Lady Melanie, I truly am.”
“More convenient for everyone, though.”
“Not more convenient for you. I wish you would not have been hurt. But that does not mean that you might not find happiness with someone else.”
Elwyn hesitated, blinked, and in the soft moonlight, Rohesia could see a tear roll down her cheek. “I don’t want to get hurt again. And that’s all that will happen, whoever it is I try to love. I’ll make a mess of it, and they’ll find someone better.”
“But that’s no way to live, Elwyn.” Rohesia risked placing a hand atop one of Elwyn’s. She did not jerk away, thankfully. “You are as deserving and capable of love as anyone. What about Sir Alfred? Do you like him?”
Elwyn released a shuddering sigh. “Yes. But trust me when I say, I’ve completely fucked up everything with him.”
“He is a decent and honorable man. I feel certain that if you truly care about him, you can repair any damage that may have occurred.” Rohesia squeezed Elwyn’s hand. “I like him quite a bit. I’m not sure if that works in his favor with you or not, though.”
Elwyn chuckled and used her other hand to wipe her eyes. “But would a mere heir to a barony be good enough for a princess?”
“Your mother was the daughter of a baron, so I believe the precedent has been set.”
“But he’ll never forgive me, or want to be with me. I’ve ruined it all.”
“May I make a suggestion?”
Elwyn finally turned to look at Rohesia, and she did so with an eyebrow raised. “I suppose. You usually do so without asking.”
Rohesia allowed that to pass without comment, not wanting to ruin this moment of rapport. “Sir Alfred’s importance to the army and the running of Leornian is growing daily. He is an incredibly bright and committed man. I believe he would find those same traits in a young lady quite attractive.”
“So, make an effort, like you’re always telling me to do.” Elwyn was frowning, but she didn’t appear actively upset.
“Well, yes. Sir Alfred is working harder than almost anyone else in Leornian to make certain we don’t all starve this winter. If you made some gesture showing that you are also committed to helping us all weather the siege, I believe he would be more open to other things you might have to say.”
“Other things? Like what?”
Rohesia smiled, hoping that would help her words land a bit more gently. “Perhaps an apology about whatever it was that upset him before. But that is only a suggestion.”
“No. You’re right.” Elwyn sat up straight and now used both hands to wipe away the last of her tears. “Even if he has no interest in me ever again, I at least owe him a decent apology.”
“I think that would be a lovely thing.”