Chapter 14
Beatryce had not slept well. Her hand continued to ache, maybe more than it had previously. And her dreams had been chaotic to the point that she’d awoken tired and in a poor mood.
She’d dreamed of searching for Leda’s vault, only to find it and discover the key was missing. Or the key wouldn’t work. Once, the key had turned into Galwyn and flown away.
To make her morning worse, Dren had requested her presence at breakfast. She’d come home to find a note from him. She couldn’t very well turn him down. She needed the trolls on her side more than ever and the best way to do that was to keep him happy.
He was a lovely person, troll or otherwise. Maybe sharing a meal with him would put her in a better mood. Something had to.
With a groan, she reached for the bell sash next to her bed and pulled it.
Lysette hurried in a moment later. “Good morning, my lady. What can I do for you?”
“Butterscotch tea. And is there any news?”
Lysette hesitated. “Any news about what, my lady?”
“About anything. About my mother. Or any news from Summerton?”
Lysette quickly shook her head. “No, my lady, nothing I’ve been made aware of.”
“Go, then. Get my tea. And open the windows. I need fresh air.” Bea slumped back against the padded headboard and closed her eyes as Lysette did as she was bid.
The light in this apartment was better than in her old rooms. Being on the garden side meant the air was fresher, too. At least it felt that way.
She inhaled. Today, the air carried a hint of rose and something sweeter.
She really ought to get out into the garden today and take Galwyn with her.
That would elevate her mood for sure. Maybe Dren would want to walk with her.
He’d yet to present her with a ring. The garden would be the perfect setting, if that’s what he was waiting for.
Lysette returned shortly, carrying a tray with the requested tea. She set it on the nightstand and poured from the teapot. She handed Bea a cup and saucer. “There you are, my lady. What else can I do for you?”
“I need a gown that makes me irresistible. I’m having breakfast with Dren this morning.”
“Since the proclamation about you becoming regent was made, several new gowns have arrived. Shops in the village trying to earn your favor, I’m sure. Would you like to see them?”
Bea sipped her tea. It was rich and sweet and had already improved her mood somewhat. “Yes.”
Lysette nodded. “I’ll fetch them.”
When Lysette returned, she had Sylvia with her. Together, they maneuvered a large rolling trunk. Lysette opened it and took out the first dress.
Pale blue polished cotton with lace trim accented with pearls.
Bea frowned and shook her head. “That’s a dress for a princess. I am now queen. My wardrobe needs to reflect that.”
“Absolutely, your highness.” Lysette handed the dress off to Sylvia and took out the next one.
Butter yellow with white piping and embroidered flowers around the hem and sleeves.
“Pretty, but still very much a princess dress.” Bea drank the last of her tea. “No.”
Lysette deposited it into Sylvia’s waiting arms and retrieved the next. It took her a moment longer to get it out of the trunk, unwrapping the bleached muslin protecting it.
White silk patterned with vibrant flowers. Purple piping accented the bodice, neckline, and hem. The centers of some of the flowers sparkled.
“What’s in the center of those flowers?” Bea asked.
Lysette read from the tag. “Faceted gemstone beads bring the flowers to life, featuring amethyst, rubellite, sapphires, tourmaline, and topaz.”
“Now that,” Bea said. “Is a dress fit for a queen.”
“Would you like to wear this for breakfast?”
“No, that’s best saved for a ball, I think. What else is there?”
“There’s one more gown.” Lysette took the muslin off it and held it up.
Right away, Bea nodded. Green silk trimmed in darker green and gold embroidery. “That will do for breakfast. Get it pressed and find jewelry to go with it. I’ll wear my mother’s emerald and gold circlet.”
Lysette and Sylvia exchanged glances.
“Yes,” Bea said. “One of you will have to go next door and speak to my mother’s maid, Jenny, about borrowing it. My mother is in a coma; she is not contagious. Act like that again and you will both be looking for new jobs. Am I understood?”
They both curtseyed. “Yes, my lady.” Then they hustled off to do as she’d asked.
With a frown, she got out of bed and went to the window. The day was bright and sunny. She still wasn’t used to that in Malveaux.
Her thoughts turned back to the problem of finding Leda’s vault. If it had been in this apartment, it would have been discovered by the workers who’d redecorated and moved things in, or by Lysette and Sylvia when they’d put things away.
The vault had to be somewhere Leda had spent time. A place she frequented so that no one became suspicious. Obviously, she’d done a masterful job at keeping it hidden.
How was Bea ever going to find it?
She considered asking Lysette and Sylvia, but would they really have any idea? She supposed it was worth the question. They knew the castle well enough.
But Wyett knew it better.
Once again, she realized how much she needed him. After breakfast, then.
She bathed, dressed, and had her hair and makeup done. As requested, one of the maids fetched Anyka’s emerald circlet from Jenny.
She stopped at her mother’s to see about Galwyn, only to find Wyett had already taken him to the garden. That man took care of everything. It was no wonder Anyka had made him her councilor.
When Bea walked into the royal dining room, only a few minutes late, she felt more like a queen than she had since the crown had first been placed on her head.
Dren’s smile was bright when he saw her. He bowed, then straightened to take her hands and kiss her cheek. “You look beautiful this morning. I feel unworthy of your presence, my lady.”
She almost laughed at his sweet comments, her joy nearly overflowing. Dren was indeed good for her mood.
But he was not alone. A larger troll stood farther back. Dren gestured at the man. “This is Krohl, your new bodyguard. If he meets with your approval.”
Much like her mother’s guard, Trog, Krohl was tall, broad, and ginger-haired. She raised her brows at Dren. “For you to present him to me means he must already have obtained your approval.”
Dren nodded. “He is exceptionally strong and will be as loyal to you as Trog is to your dear lady mother.”
“Then he meets with my approval.” She walked closer to him and looked up. “You are willing to serve me? To protect me in whatever way that requires?”
Krohl grunted.
Bea turned around. “He will do.” She smiled at Dren. “Thank you for taking care of that for me.”
He pulled her chair out for her, then sat next to her. “You’re the queen. You must be protected.”
She nodded to one of the footmen. “Breakfast may be served.”
Plates were brought in, with hers being placed in front of her first. Then the cover was removed. Poached eggs on potato cakes with an herb sauce. Alongside, two strips of crispy bacon.
Dren’s serving was twice as large. It pleased her that the kitchen knew his needs that well.
Tea and juice were poured and a silver stand of toast added to the table along with pots of jam and pear butter.
They ate and discussed the wedding mostly. Bea still had no desire to put on such a show while her mother was so unwell, but planning the event was fine. When the time was right, they would be ready.
“Your father and mother will attend?”
Dren nodded as he took another bite, quickly swallowing the food down. “Yes and they are looking forward to it. My older brother will most likely not attend. Someone must remain behind to run things.”
“I understand.” She didn’t really. What harm could it do to leave things in the hands of the appointed officials for a week or so? But maybe she’d feel differently about that after she’d been on the throne a while.
“My mother has offered to help you in any way you need. Seeing as how your mother is unwell. She is willing to come here and stay, if you’d like.”
Bea hesitated. Having her future mother-in-law here could turn disastrous quickly. Or it might be a huge help. She knew nothing of the woman. One more thing to speak to Wyett about. “That is a generous proposal. I will give it some thought.”
She quickly changed the subject. “After breakfast, I was thinking we could take a walk in the gardens. Now that we have so much sun, it’s my understanding that there are new things blooming every day. Plants that have barely survived for years are now coming to life. What do you say?”
“I say I am happy to be at your side wherever the location. I would be pleased to accompany you.”
She smiled and helped herself to a slice of toasted seed bread. “Wonderful.” She drizzled honey over it before taking a bite.
They were nearing the end of the meal when a footman came in carrying a tray. He bowed. “Your highness, a letter has arrived for you.”
He held out the tray. She took the letter, immediately noticing the royal Summerton seal.
This had to be an answer to the letter Wyett had sent on her behalf.
Hope came alive within her. If Sparrow really was as soft and weak as Anyka loved to say, then the Radiant queen would most certainly send Nazyr back to them.
Help for Anyka might even now be on its way.
Beatryce broke the seal and read.
Queen Beatryce Blackbryar, Regent of Malveaux,
Thank you for reaching out concerning this matter of such personal urgency. I take no pleasure in Queen Anyka’s continued suffering.
However, I must speak plainly about your expectations. The long history of animosity between our kingdoms, followed by the events at Willow Hall and then at Tenebrae, have left me with a deep and understandable mistrust of the Malveaux crown.
Because of this, I cannot in good conscience send Minister Nazyr—or any wizard from Summerton—into Malveaux at this time. My first and highest duty is the protection and safety of my own people. I will not place any of them in a position where they could be harmed or used against us.
I wish there were a safer way to offer assistance, but the lack of trust between Radiant and Grym is undeniable. Each time I have reached out in peace, I have been brutally denied. Will that ever change? I live in hope and remain open to the possibility.
Until then, I pray your healers find another solution, and that one day our two kingdoms might speak of peace rather than conflict.
With sincerity,
Queen Sparrow Meadowcroft
Beatryce stared in disbelief. “She’s not going to help.”
Anger rose within her, darkness edging her vision as the wound on her hand began to throb anew.
With a shriek, she picked up her goblet and threw it against the wall.