Chapter 23 #2
The discussion wasn’t much different from any she’d experienced in a women’s salon.
They discussed banal things: their investments, their land, their horses, and their hunting dogs.
One man started to mention his mistress but was cut off by a strong glare from Duke Krantz, then teased by his compatriots.
Aristea mostly listened, and as the whiskey flowed, they became more relaxed in her presence, as if they’d forgotten she was there at all.
Nothing they could say was too shocking; she’d heard Heinrich say more and worse.
Then, when she felt the moment was right, she struck. “I’m glad we had a moment to talk. You were all my husband’s friends, once.”
But it was as if a hound had seen a rabbit. The room tensed as they all looked at her. Aristea suddenly felt as if she were sitting on a stage, lights burning into her eyes.
“A good man,” Lord Northangel said. He took a long swig of his drink, draining the glass of its amber liquid.
“You used to do a lot of business for my husband, I heard. Perhaps you could tell me more about it?” Aristea said, testing the waters.
There were furtive glances around the room. And Aristea felt as if she were walking along a blade’s edge once more.
“I don’t know if now’s the right time for such a discussion, your majesty.”
“Duke Spiess was just discussing the sale of his sheep. What’s wrong with discussing business?” Aristea said, playing coy.
Duke Krantz cleared his throat—a warning for her or Lord Northangel, she couldn’t be sure.
Aristea had two choices at that moment—Either she played dumb and lost any chance of their respect, or she grasped this chance while she had it.
She decided to barrel forward. “Is it because you’re still dealing in stardust?” It was a wild guess, but whether he was involved or not, she wanted it out in the open to break the seal and let them know she was willing to overlook it to join hands for a common goal.
The silence was deafening. The men shifted uneasily in their seats and refused to look at Aristea directly.
“You don’t need to pretend it doesn’t exist on my account. I knew what my husband was working on creating soldiers for his own personal army.”
Northangel leaned across the table. “We’re allowed men-at-arms, are we not? As leaders of the sovereign nations of the empire, it’s only fair we arm ourselves against the growing threats from the north and beyond...”
“Of course. And I am not opposed to your business ventures, as long as our goals are aligned.”
“What if our goals don’t align with the church?” Duke Krantz asked.
Aristea raised a brow, but a chill was running up her spine. The church was the backbone of the empire. It was the Avatheos’ support that had helped Mother claim her throne. They couldn’t be implying that the church was the problem.
“My sister is the avatar; you need not worry about the church.”
“But the Starwebers’ involvement in the church is the problem, isn’t it?”
They looked back and forth between one another.
Aristea’s mouth felt dry, and sweat was drenching her palms. She wanted to wipe it off on her gown, but she feared the slightest twitch from her would reveal her feelings about these blasphemous thoughts.
“The church and the empire are intertwined. They have been since our founding.”
“But is that what’s best for the empire?
” Duke Krantz set down his glass heavily.
“Heinrich was leading an investigation into stardust’s properties and its effect in awakening dormant magic.
The church has been keeping secrets about magic in the realm.
Careful administration of stardust on the right bloodlines has yielded impressive results.
It makes soldiers stronger, and we’re close to uncovering a way to bring magic back to the people.
So it’s not just under the thumb of the church. ”
“To what end?” Aristea asked, her chest constricting. Were they plotting sedition?
The men around the table shared a look as if they were silently deciding whether to speak with her or not.
“You must feel how the tide has turned. Your mother became empress thanks in part to the support of the Avatheos. But now he has your sister, the goddess’ chosen, he’s named her.
And he’s made your brother into a holy warrior when a faction is already rallying behind him.
None of us wants civil war, but we fear it is inevitable.
The church has gained too much power and influence over the governance of this country. It’s time we arm ourselves.”
It was sacrilege to speak thusly, but Aristea feared speaking out would silence them, so she waited as he continued, “If we regained control of magic, think of the implications. In defense against other countries or battles from within. We’d be able to expand our borders and grow the empire in ways that haven’t been possible in centuries. ”
“But the stardust is killing people.”
Lord Northangel waved his hand. “It’s a necessary cost of learning what it is capable of. Once the elves realized they could sell it to anyone, the distribution grew out of control. But a strong army...”
Aristea’s heart was hammering in her chest. Her head swam with the information relayed. Then it was as she’d suspected; they were building an army. And if she didn’t play her cards right, then they’d use that army against her.
“Then I’m glad to have you on my side, Duke Krantz,” Aristea said, trying to keep her tone light.
Jonathan, seated across from her, gave her an encouraging smile.
“All of us here wish to see the empire thrive. There is one concern, however. The continuation of the royal line,” Duke Krantz said and glanced over at Jonathan.
Aristea looked between the two of them. They couldn’t be implying…
“Meaning my heir?” Aristea prompted.
“Yes, and while we admire your dedication to your deceased husband, time isn’t on our side,” Duke Krantz continued.
She was used to these sorts of criticisms, but having Jonathan there, seemingly part of a discussion about her womb behind her back, stung. She’d thought he was different, but maybe all men were the same.
“We would not want you beholden to another man or kingdom. Heinrich was a tyrant, all of us knew it. But with the right consort, we could create a new era with you as an empress.”
Her mouth had gone dry, and she could not properly form a sentence.
“I take it you have someone in mind?” She looked around the room at the drunk, lecherous old men around her.
Half were married or widowed. None would be her choice of a partner.
But she’d known this sort of negotiation would be expected of her.
And she might pretend to consider their offer, at least until she could secure their loyalty some other way.
“I do. The father of my grandchild, in fact. Lord Sommerfeld.”
Jonathan smiled at her from across the table, but Aristea felt as if the world had stopped.
When she didn’t return his smile, his slowly faded while Duke Krantz continued on, “And should your union not bear fruit, you could name my granddaughter, Elisa, heir to the throne. I think it is a rather tidy solution to our problem.”
Aristea’s ears were ringing, and she felt as if her stomach might heave up her dinner.
She’d thought Jonathan had come to her out of true affection for her.
That he’d desired to rekindle the sparks of a love that’d never borne fruit.
But this entire time, he’d been plotting with Duke Krantz to position himself as her consort.
To give Duke Krantz access to the throne.
She stood up, and as she did, half a dozen chairs scraped to follow her. “You’ve given me much to consider. But the hour is late, and I should go.”
Aristea turned and stormed out of the room. She was halfway to the foyer when she heard Jonathan call out to her.
“Aristea, wait!”
She wanted to ignore him, but she seemed to be tethered to him by invisible strings. She turned to face him. “Did you know what they were planning?”
He twisted his cane in his hand, avoiding her gaze. “Yes. But I’m not like Heinrich. I did it for you…”
She shook her head. “You tricked me and used my feelings against me. Was Elisa part of your scheme as well? Show your precious daughter to a barren widow to convince her to make the girl her heir.”
Tears pricked the back of her eyes, but she dared not let them fall.
“Would you be happier marrying a man your mother chooses again? To rule as a puppet in a man’s shadow?”
“Better him than a liar. At least I know what I’m getting into with him.”
Aristea swallowed down the bitterness in her throat and turned to walk out. She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but she feared all her plans were in ruins.