Chapter 17
T hat evening, it was Frederick’s turn to dine with me and Ethan.
Rather than my dining room, which felt a little awkward to use today, I chose a dinner outside on the balcony.
Dining with him felt rather dull most evenings, and I hoped that the change of scenery might improve the company.
I could tell his small talk training was for large audiences, but one-on-one, I found him impossible to get to know.
He avoided sharing any opinions until he knew mine, and he seemed to be with no personality, trying to just mold himself to the date he thought I wanted.
Tonight, I hoped for much of the same, and for a while it did reflect that. Around the halfway point, I gave him a question that he couldn’t hide from.
“As I’ve gotten to know you, I realize that you are a very different person from Lord Luther.
He is an experienced politician, and I’ve never known him to make a move that didn’t have some level of benefit for himself.
With how different you are from him in actions and beliefs, I am curious, why did he choose you? ”
It’s an interesting question. One that doesn’t relay my distaste for the councilor that sponsored his entry into the race and also needs Frederick to tell me something about himself without knowing how I’d stand on it .
I studied him, as he thoughtfully chewed his food, waiting patiently for his answer. Finally, he says, “I’m afraid the answer isn’t as intriguing as you may have hoped. He’s my mother’s cousin, and I’m certain he just wanted to elevate the family’s connection to the crown.”
I nod, that makes sense, why Frederick is so kind and genuine, even a bit of a pushover, compared to Lord Luther’s brash way of operating. “Did you grow up knowing him, or is this really the first time you’ve been around him?”
Frederick glanced towards Ethan, then me. “I hadn’t met him before coming here for the ball. And, if I may confess, I find him to be an utter jerk. I’m so sorry, and I hope you don’t hold his manners and beliefs against me.”
Ethan and I laughed. “He never won any favor with my mother, and we certainly haven’t been on the best terms either. Perhaps you’d be able to help me tame him.”
We switched back to our small talk, and it finally felt easy to talk with Frederick. I suspected that he was worried that I respected his distant cousin, and that was why he was so careful with sharing with me.
Once our plates were cleared, we sat back with an after-dinner drink and settled in for some more chatting.
Or at least, I thought we had. Frederick cleared his throat and asked me if I would take some advice from him.
I placed my fork down, sensing that this would be both interesting and serious.
I nodded as I dab my face with my napkin.
“I appreciate you listening to me. I’ve been sitting on this since last night, unsure of what to make of it. Ultimately, I think the risk of sounding ridiculous outweighs the risk if my fear should come true.” He paused, as if to consider how to share the next bit of information.
This was about Egan. My choice of that man was starting to seem like a mistake. I really needed to figure out why Lord Denenbaum brought this person to my home. I glanced at Ethan, and his face wore a look of irritated weariness.
Frederick started again. “When I tackled Egan to the ground, he made that weird sound, do you remember? ”
I nodded.
“He also did something weird. Very strange. I don’t know how else to explain it other than it felt like he struck me with lightning. I know that sounds impossible, and trust me, I wish it were. I have a char mark on my arm from where he was touching me, and I felt… whatever it was, enter my body.”
He rolls up his sleeve to show the bright pink burn mark, zigzagging across his forearm.
“I don’t know what to make of this, but I would be dismayed if he hurt you in the same way. I need to make sure you take all the precautions that are necessary, so sharing this seems like the best way for you to be prepared.”
I looked at Ethan, and he looked as sick as I felt. Immediately, I knew we both were considering the mark on Mother. “Frederick, thank you.”
I reached my hand out to his. “I certainly understand your confusion and concern. Thank you for sharing that with me. Have you seen the physician for this?”
Frederick shook his head no. “I’m afraid I haven’t. I’m not sure what they could do. It only hurt in the moment; it’s merely a mark now.”
“Ok. I am afraid that these dinners may change, though I’m not sure in what way. I don’t want you to think that it’s punishment for you for sharing this. It will be purely to maintain a sense of fairness while I figure out how to maintain my security, considering this behavior.”
Frederick nodded. “I understand. I will miss your company in the evenings, but I will always want your safety ahead of my pleasure.”
“I certainly appreciate that, and the courage it took to share something that would sound outlandish if one wasn’t there to witness the scuffle. Thank you.”
He stood, tucked his chair into the table, and then moved behind my chair to help me stand. I took his hand, and he leaned in to kiss it. “If I may be so bold as to request a kiss goodnight?”
Ethan cleared his throat. “I don’t think that’s a wise idea. ”
I bit back a smile, appreciative of Ethan speaking up before I had to reject him.
“Oh–oh yes, yes, of course. My deepest apologies. I did not mean to be disrespectful.”
“Thank you. I received no disrespect. However, I must unfortunately end our evening. I have an early meeting in the morning.” I tried to give Frederick a simple escape, which he took.
Frederick bowed and left. “I look forward to the next time we have this opportunity, and I truly hope it’s not too long.”
I offered him a smile as he left. As soon as the doors closed, I turned to Ethan.
“Ready for the next meeting?” I smiled wryly.
Ethan held his elbow out and replied, “When you are.”
With that, we walked to my chambers to meet with Spencer, Ivy, and Amyra.
We were the last to arrive at my chambers. It felt right to walk in and see Spencer, Amyra, and Ivy sitting around a table, talking in a relaxed way. I realized that if this ended up being the rest of my life, people I cherished would surround me. It would be a good life.
As Ethan and I sat down, Spencer wasted no time, asking as soon as the door closed, “Have you found anything useful to understand what I saw last night?”
I could see the anticipation in his eyes and the apprehension in his posture. Frederick said nothing happened today, but I wondered if something did. “Yes, and no.”
I prepared myself a cup of tea before sitting down, knowing this conversation would be heavy and I needed something to grasp in my hands.
“Lady Mallard was apprehensive at first. I had to disclose the hazes that you see. I tried to imply it was me seeing them, but she immediately knew I was covering for someone else. She said the Oracles of the Gelid would be the ones to help, but their temple is deep within the mountains of her region. At first, she said we would have to leave within the week to get their wisdom, or wait until the snow melts, because their temple becomes inaccessible during the winter. When I said that wouldn’t be possible, she offered to ask for one to come here to help if they can.
She also said they would help only on the condition that she meets with both of us to share what she can while waiting for their response. ”
Spencer nodded; his face relaxing. “I didn’t think we would find answers so easily.”
“Will you be able to join me in a meeting with her tomorrow after lunch?”
“Yes, I can, and I hope we find answers.”
Ethan cleared his throat. “We have more complications, Spencer, and I believe you all need to know this to be better prepared.”
Ivy groaned. “Why is everything getting so weird now? I just wanted to see desirable men tussle a bit before we had a wedding to plan.”
I smiled, knowing she was trying to break the tension. I broke the news to everyone.
“Unfortunately, Frederick shared more about, uh, the incident last night. He mentioned that apparently when Egan made the weird sound, he also, somehow, struck him with lightning. I saw the char mark; it matched exactly the pattern you’d see on a tree after lightning has struck it.”
Ivy and Amyra both gasped, bringing their hands to their mouths. Spencer’s face wasn’t as surprised, but I could almost see a ton of thoughts racing around while he blankly stared at a random spot on the ground.
Seemingly before he realized he was talking, Spencer shared.
“He was different today. Withdrawn, going through the motions but not actually engaged. He didn’t talk to us today either.
His haze was different too. It still has the glittering black void that his powerful emotions caused, like he is just barely in control right now. ”
Taking a moment, I carefully chose my words.
“I think we need help to answer all the questions this news carries. I don’t know the right way forward with the information we have.
What if he’s not in control of this? What if going forward with this first challenge in the tournament is far more dangerous for the other men, and maybe even the spectators, because of his determination to win my hand in marriage? ”
I looked around the room. Silent, worried stares peered back at me, reflecting my own. These weren’t questions to answer tonight. These weren’t questions any of us can answer, I don’t think.
“I think we need to talk to Lady Mallard about this. Hopefully, she can help us understand what we are facing.”
I looked around, waiting for one of them to come up with a better idea. When no one does, I pose my other worry, “When do we bring in Father?”
More quiet looks reflected to me from around the table. After a few minutes contemplating the dangerousness of this situation, I stood up, resolved to have some type of answer.
"OK then, here’s what we are going to do.
Spencer and I will meet with Lady Mallard.
We will put all our cards out for her. She’s been with the Council for a few years, so maybe she knows more about Lord Denenbaum and can help us figure out why he brought Egan here to begin with.
We’ll also discuss with her about talking to Father.
Since she’s trying to bring a member of a supposedly extinct religious order to the castle to help Spencer, she should have some say in what he knows.
Ethan, in the meantime, find out more about why Lord Denenbaum is connected to Egan. ”
Ethan nodded. “I can try, but it’ll mean spending more time with Katelle, so I’ll have less time for these dinners.”
“Good. My next suggestion was to cancel these dinners and time alone with Egan, and honestly, Frederick too. I don’t trust either one. I know Frederick hasn’t technically done anything, but until I understand what is happening, I don’t want to be around anyone I don’t need to be.”
I looked around the table once more, waiting for objections or anything, really. No one said anything.
“OK then. I suppose its time to call it a night. Let’s meet back tomorrow evening with updates.”