Chapter 46
Chapter
Forty-Six
“So you do not have any leads?” asked Prince Matteo.
Konrad stood near a table where an enormous cut-crystal bowl held punch. Servants ladled the pinky-orangey liquid into cups. He’d been about to collect two, when he noticed the grand monk and grand shield conversing nearby with Prince Matteo.
So Konrad had joined them.
“No one could have any personal reason to murder Grand Healer Eveline.” Grand Monk Ferdinand’s fluffy white brows pulled low. “She dedicated her life to assisting others. She was a kind woman. Those she taught found her inspirational, someone to truly admire.”
A sad smile spread across the grand monk’s face.
“During the war, she’d travel to the front lines, no concern for her own safety.
She just wanted to help those in need. She wanted peace and to put an end to all the bloodshed.
She simply could not stand the thought of anyone suffering, especially the innocent.
“In fact, I remember when we first met so many years ago.” Then the grand monk launched into the tale.
Konrad held in a sigh. The grand monk was getting lost in memories. Which, although understandable, was not what Konrad needed. He was trying to find out information. If he wasn’t doing anything useful here, he’d rather be with Wraith, dancing and drinking punch.
Still, Konrad was king of Draconia. He was attending this assembly to achieve peace for his kingdom. He had to remember his duty to his people. He couldn’t get swept off course because he was developing feelings for his husband.
Grand Shield Dahlia must have also been growing weary of the grand monk’s tale, because the next time he took a breath, she said, “Yes. The grand healer found bloodshed intolerable. We are under the assumption that whoever killed her did so because they are trying to thwart the completion of the peace treaty.”
“We must do everything we can for peace. No matter the cost. No matter the sacrifice,” the grand monk said.
Prince Matteo nodded.
“I agree,” Konrad said. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”
If something like this had occurred in the Castle of the Dragons, Konrad wanted to believe that they would handle it better and would have already found the culprit. Of course, he would hope they would not have allowed something like this to happen in the first place.
Konrad picked up two cups of punch and turned. He froze.
What the fuck is Leon doing back here?
His half-brother should have already left the peace assembly. But right now, he strode towards Konrad.
Konrad stalked forward to meet him. “What are you doing here, Leon? You should be back in Draconia by now.”
Leon pulled his shoulders back. “I know you sent me away for my own safety, and I flew all the way back to the Castle of the Dragons. But I couldn’t stay.”
Leon took a deep breath. “I am a prince of Draconia. And maybe I didn’t fight as long in the war as you did, but I am no coward. I am a skilled and competent warrior. I am loyal, and I know my duty. I will be most useful to my kingdom and my king here, so here I should remain.” He lifted his chin.
Konrad studied Leon. It was a nice little speech.
A little undermined by the slight tremor in his voice.
Konrad wondered if he’d been practising what to say the whole flight back to the White Monastery.
Still, Konrad respected the sentiment and the clear dedication Leon had to duty.
Even if Leon had disobeyed Konrad’s orders.
Despite having a traitorous mother, it seemed Leon had grown into a responsible young man.
“Very well,” Konrad said.
Leon’s face broke out in a smile. “Really? You’ll let me stay?”
Konrad huffed. “I will. But no more disobeying orders. Okay?”
Beaming, Leon nodded. “Thank you, Konrad. You won’t regret it! I promise.” Then he dashed off, as if worried Konrad would change his mind.
Konrad chuckled. He headed back towards the dance floor and where he’d left Wraith. Then he paused. Emperor Hugo stumbled down the steps into the ballroom. Konrad had not seen him since before his wife, along with Konrad’s stepmother, had launched their attack.
Since then, the emperor had remained in his quarters, wallowing in his cups. In fact, Konrad was surprised he’d not departed the peace assembly already. But perhaps he’d been too drunk and miserable to organise such a trip.
The emperor took a goblet of wine from a servant and gulped it down. He grabbed another. Many surrounding him openly gawped and whispered. Prince Matteo strode towards the emperor.
“Your Majesty,” Prince Matteo said. Then he leaned in close and spoke in the emperor’s ear.
The emperor waved his hand at his stepson and took a deep gulp from his goblet. Wine dribbled down his chin.
Glancing around, Konrad searched for Elias.
He found him on the upper floor of the ballroom, watching the kerfuffle.
Clearly, he had no intention of getting involved.
He sipped his wine, Gerard by his side. Gerard spoke to Elias, but Elias just stared at his drunk father, eyes cold and expression blank.
Konrad turned back towards Emperor Hugo and Prince Matteo.
“I am still the emperor! You don’t tell me what to do!” the emperor yelled.
Prince Matteo’s jaw ticked. He said something more, still keeping his voice low. But Konrad could see the tension in every line of his face. The emperor frowned and took another gulp of his wine.
Prince Matteo kept speaking. Then he gestured to the ballroom doors and placed a hand on the emperor’s shoulder. He began to walk towards the doors, leading the emperor. Zephyrian guards followed them.
They left the ballroom. Konrad wasn’t quite sure what Prince Matteo said to convince the emperor to leave, but luckily it seemed to have worked.
Talking slowly resumed. Konrad scanned the ballroom, once more looking for Wraith. He spotted him, standing by the dance floor, watching the couples. Konrad smiled as he approached his husband.
But as he neared, Konrad noticed Wraith’s frown and the tightness around his lips.
“What’s wrong?” Konrad asked.
Wraith kept his gaze straight ahead on the dance floor. “My mother just told me my father’s dead.”