Chapter 31 #2
“Theo, it’s been too long.” She flung out her arms and embraced him in a warm hug, taking care to refrain from spilling her drink.
“I only wish you were there till the end.”
“So do I. Believe me, I much prefer running across a battlefield, wielding my sword and shield, to sitting in meetings discussing trade.”
The extensive trade cities and towns littering the coast of Ebonmaw had direct access to the popular trade route within the Nebulous Sea, ferrying goods to the islands and Soyenia.
The city of Col was the most populated city second to Valencia, where the king’s palace resided, and it boasted the largest port in all of Godwin.
Helen grasped the arm Theo offered, but those silver stars widened as she gaped behind him. “Esaias, is that you?” She released her hold and charged up the steps, enveloping her arms around him. “By the gods, it’s only been a little over a year, but it feels a lifetime.”
Amaris raised a brow at Theo, her eyes flashing back and forth between Esaias and Helen.
Theo only shrugged, offering a brief smile before taking Helen’s hand and leading her through the manor.
Theo would spare Amaris the details of how deeply acquainted Helen and Esaias were.
He was lucky she hadn’t produced an heir sporting his fiery red hair.
The throne room was their destination, the main spectacle for the night. It served as a ballroom when his father bothered to arrange such affairs or when he removed himself from the throne.
Helen whistled as she took in the tulle continuing to swath the ceiling into the throne room. It shrouded the chamber in a mysterious and dark tone. Amaris balked at the doors. Theo followed her gaze, shooting to the dais.
How could he have been so careless? Only weeks ago, she’d been forced to her knees before his bastard of a father and made a spectacle of in front of his soldiers.
He turned to spare her from reliving that dreadful day, but her chest lifted with a large inhale.
Her back straightened, and she took a step forward, dragging Esaias along with her.
Theo hadn’t been able to set foot in Oystein Castle since the night he’d been rescued, and he wasn’t sure he ever would.
Amaris emanated confidence, with her chin held high as she walked through the chamber.
She even hummed, off tune and out of rhythm, but she still sung along to the music coming from a small quartet positioned in the corner.
They went through the ballroom, swiping goblets of wine off the refreshments table. The room already reeked of cramped bodies perspiring their weight in liquor.
Esaias took a sip from his goblet and grimaced. “Would anyone care for a real drink?”
Theo displayed his criticism with a stern set of narrowed eyes but then contemplated the idea that kusu would better suit Esaias’s condition than the sugary wine. He would also be playing the part of a drunken, lovestruck fool to keep others from asking his whereabouts after the Conjugation.
“Yes!” Amaris said all too eagerly as Esaias departed for the kitchen.
Theo leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Do you not care for wine? This is some of the finest in Godwin.”
She took a sip, smiling with those perfectly straight teeth as she pulled the goblet back. “I don’t mind it, but kusu should certainly be required for every party, meal, bath…really any occasion.”
Theo’s body shook with his laughter.
“I’m serious, that stuff is to die for!”
“I would have to agree with you, but Eastbury is known for their vineyards. Lord Godfrey will say it was brought as a wedding gift to bestow upon my brother, but it’s really because he’s a snob and finds any other drink repulsive.”
She batted his arm with the back of her hand. “Who is this great Lord Godfrey?” she mocked, eyeing the vast crowd around them.
Theo couldn’t explain why his stomach twisted as her attempt at his accent rolled off her tongue. He wished she could stay and pick it up entirely. Her voice was exquisite as she extended her vowels.
“Do you see the man beside the duke?” Helen interjected, pointing her finger to where Lord Godfrey engaged in a deep conversation with Theo’s father.
“The pasty bald one with the silk robes, appearing to act way more important than he actually is?”
Helen erupted into a thunderous laugh. “Yes,” she roared, wiping a tear from her eye, still unable to contain her fit of laughter. “You are an exuberant woman.”
“I really try.” Amaris wryly smiled. “Who’s that in front of him, seated at the head table?”
Theodoric squinted. Sitting with her shoulders pressed back and her hands laid gently on the table was Winifred Godfrey. Her deep complexion was complemented well by the gold and red gown she wore. Her curls were done up in a crown atop her head, accentuating her tight jawline and sharp cheeks.
“That is Lady Godfrey,” Theo replied.
“How did he land a beauty like that?” Amaris scoffed, but before Theo could explain the title and status that came with Lord Godfrey, she rolled her eyes. “I know, noble birth, titles, gold, power, all the shit.” She raised her hands in silent surrender.
“Would you not marry someone if it came with a title?” Helen asked. “The man you’re with tonight could very well hold one someday.”
Even though Esaias claimed to have renounced his status, there were no formal documents to prove it. If something were to happen to his siblings, he would assume one of their titles.
“I wouldn’t marry someone for the title. I would be saddled with someone like…” Amaris’s voice strained, but Theo knew she wished to say someone like the duke. “Well, if they happen to have one, I’d consider it.”
“Theodoric, there you are.” The voice came from none other than Genevieve.
“Mother.” Theo smiled.
It felt wrong to refer to her by anything else.
She’d raised Theo since the age of ten, but he felt he was wronging his real mother for using her name for another woman.
He’d once referred to Genevieve by her first name, and she burst into tears.
Ever since, with great reluctance, he’d called her Mother.
“Your Grace, it’s a delight to see you.” Genevieve beamed, grasping Helen’s hand. Her red hair fell over her shoulder, the top pinned back with a diamond-studded comb. “This must be the lovely Miss Lawson.”
“Ann,” Theo said, motioning to Amaris and clearing his throat as he forced the unfamiliar name from his lips. “This is my mother, the Duchess of Luana.”
“Your Grace, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Amaris dipped into a small curtsy, which Theo’s stepmother waved off before embracing her in a hug and planting a kiss upon both of Amaris’s cheeks.
“I do hope you will allow me to commandeer Theodoric and Helen for a few moments,” Genevieve pleaded to Amaris.
“Of course, he’s your son.” Amaris faked a smile and took a drink from her goblet.
“Allow me to leave Ann in Esaias’s company first—” Theo began.
“It’ll only be for a few short moments.” Genevieve captured Theo in her clutches and whisked him and Helen toward her throng of noble friends.
Amaris stood alone, but there wasn’t fear behind her gaze. Theo tried to pull from his stepmother’s talons, but she held firm to his arm. Anyone could recognize Amaris, but she gave him a smile and motioned for him to follow along.
“Theodoric, I’d like you to speak with our guests,” Genevieve said.
He reluctantly followed her to the dais, where he’d be forced to play the part of his bloodline.
As a captain, he was thankful to refrain from using the courtesy title of “lord.” He might have still been one, but his military rank was distinguishable enough to overtake it.
His conversations would likely be skewed toward security efforts or other topics relating to their forces.
He reminded himself to act the part for Amaris.
They approached the long table, decorated in a lacy tablecloth with red wildflowers planted in the center. Lord Godfrey was still busy in conversation with Theo’s father and had pulled him from prying ears.
“As you know, this is Lady Godfrey,” Genevieve said, gesturing to Winifred as she came around the table in greeting.
Theo bowed, and Lady Godfrey extended a curtsy before nudging the young woman beside her to follow suit. Petra was a near replica of her mother.
“How do you do, Lord Fastrada?” Petra said with a bold expression. Her golden-brown eyes drifted between the people scattered around the dais waiting to congratulate her. She breathed a sigh.
“Captain,” Theo corrected her.
“Oh?” Petra questioned, snapping her thin face and high cheekbones toward him. Her eyes weren’t warm like her mother’s, only cold silhouettes.
“Theo cannot stand to be associated amongst the upper class. He prefers his military title,” Luther crooned. “Your Grace.” He reached for Helen’s hand and planted a kiss on her knuckles.
She pulled away and sent Theo a cringe.
“Congratulations, brother.” Theo didn’t offer Luther a smile.
There was a time when they were younger when he would’ve called him one of his best friends.
That was before Luther had been called inside for his political training.
Theo’s days had then grown longer, and he’d developed a bond with Nate, after hours of sore muscles and fresh calluses.
Now, Luther was another noble to sit among the wealthy elites of Godwin and another member of high society for Theo to despise.
“Thank you.” Luther forced a smile before he took Petra’s hand and escorted her through the finely decorated throne room.
Theo took it as a means for an exit and linked Helen’s arm with his and began leading her off the dais.
He scanned the room to find Amaris, but before he could take another step, Genevieve’s eyes lit with excitement.
She pulled him toward the throng of her noble posse seated on the other side of the room.
“I would like to introduce you to someone,” she said, beaming.
Theo was wary of her expression and could only guess who she was excited to introduce him to.
“I want you to meet Adelaide’s betrothed.”