Chapter Six
Valeris
My head ached from the endless boom of the fireworks.
Spectators gazed in awe at the bursts of color, but I couldn’t figure out why they acted so mesmerized.
If you had seen them once, you had seen them a million times.
We set off fireworks for literally every special occasion.
The king was in a good mood? Fireworks show.
The prized broodmare delivered a healthy colt?
Fireworks. A noble’s cousin’s husband’s sister’s dog had a birthday? Also fireworks.
While those occasions might not be on the same level as this, the cost did not equal enjoyment for me.
The sewage system in the lower east side of the city was atrocious and needed replacing, but my father couldn’t spare any of the taxes or royal reserve.
He claimed they needed all of it for the Paravellian Balls, that keeping up appearances of being the richest in the twelve kingdoms would help secure our alliances and then we could afford to fix it.
What I couldn’t drive through his thick skull was that if the situation wasn’t corrected soon, we would have an epidemic on our hands from all of the regurgitated sewage that couldn’t drain—and the sewers were only one of many issues that needed addressing.
Not to mention the near bankruptcy of the treasury last year when Zandyr almost caused a famine by interfering with the harvesting schedules to better line his own pockets.
It had taken months to sort out, yet my father had dealt him no consequences.
“You’re counting how much each of those fireworks costs, aren’t you?”
I frowned at my uncle, unappreciative of the fact he always seemed to know what I was thinking.
“You know the money could be put to better use,” I said. “I think it’s time for another kingdom to host the seven balls.”
“Another kingdom host the Paravellian Balls?”
“They can change it to their own kingdom’s name.”
“Good luck convincing your father with that argument.”
I shook my head. Not everything at the ball was a waste. The extravagant food was incomparable, and the work provided extra income to struggling families and the lower classes. They needed it after the last year of uncertainty we’d had.
“I keep trying to get him to have a ball where even the lower classes are allowed to attend inside the palace walls.”
My uncle shrugged, sipping on his drink. “They throw their own imitation of the Paravellian Balls in the streets.”
I pursed my lips. “It’s not the same. They deserve something ... something more.”
“Given the opportunity, do you think they would want to enter the palace? Most are more than happy with the lives they live.”
I side-eyed him, calculating. “Something you’d like to share, Uncle? I know you sneak into the village taverns at night to listen for prattle like a meddling governess.”
He scoffed. “I do nothing of the sort.”
Lies.
“All I’m saying,” he said, “is what the people need from their king more than anything else is a monarch who loves them and cares about their well-being. A king loyal enough to take care of them.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “So basically what they need is the exact opposite of what my father is?”
“Your words, not mine.”
I swiped a fluffy pastry from a passing servant’s tray, stuffing the chocolate goodness into my mouth and washing it down with a swig of punch.
Pastries were a necessary expense.
“Are you going to dance tonight?” my uncle asked. “I’m sure there’s more than one eligible young lady you could strike an alliance with.”
Perhaps a marriage alliance?
I heard the hint in his voice and ignored it. Would I dance? Possibly. But it was less likely now that he had suggested it. I caught sight of the Haskelle diplomat loitering near the edge of the dance floor. Perfect.
“I need to secure a river passage first,” I said.
My uncle’s voice drifted after me as I walked away. “You better dance.”
I for sure wouldn’t now.
My long strides led me to the diplomat, and I extended my arms, bowing respectfully in greeting. “Lord Eyreling. It is an honor to have you here this evening.”
He turned with a chip on his shoulder and stared down his nose at me, doing a once-over as if determining whether I was worth his time. He carried himself as if the whole world should bow to him and wait upon his every desire.
A haughty smile graced his lips. “Prince Valeris. What a pleasure to see you here tonight.”
I held back my scoff. What an idiot. Where else would I be? The man acted as if it was a surprise to see me. As if I didn’t live in the palace.
“Would you like to sit for a while?” I waved over a servant passing by with another tray of desserts. “I’d love to hear how Haskelle fairs, and the pastries, I can assure you, are quite good enough to die for.”