Chapter Twelve #4
Sabre cleared his throat before Delauney could say something truly unforgivable. He spread his hands over the desk, his gentle voice filling the silence.
“In the reign of Queen Madeline de Guillory,” Sabre said, “seventeen silos of grain and the city of Worth burned to the ground after a noble beat a commoner to death and left her in a field. The city of Worth was never rebuilt. One hundred and eleven years ago, two noble families were killed in their beds by farmers when a textile mill became the center of a plague. In Queen Solange’s reign, strikes shut down Duciel twice, and one of our own harbors is still recovering from riots after a noble was found enslaving commoners.
Do you know how quickly it takes for a noble house to fall, Lord de Mazet? ”
Delauney’s father opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
“Less than a day,” Sabre said. “I’ve seen it happen myself. It can be as swift as the time it takes for a neck to snap on a hangman’s noose.”
Delauney caught King Adrien’s eye, and he knew that he, too, was thinking back to the day Sabre’s own house had fallen.
“The king no longer hangs criminals,” Sabre said, “but a group of enraged commoners are not burdened by the limitations of the law. You are here by their mercy, Lord de Mazet. Not mine. Not the king’s. How do you think they’ll respond to the news of a noble hiring thugs to beat a man?”
“How did you think I’d respond?” Delauney asked, unable to stay silent any longer. “You sent people after the man I love, and you expect me not to wash my hands of you?”
Delauney’s mother twisted around in her seat. “My love, you don’t understand. He’s trying to corrupt you, filling your head with notions, with... with the stars.”
“That doesn’t sound so terrible,” Adrien said, smiling briefly at Delauney.
“Mother, be silent,” Leo said. “You’re the last person to talk about what Delauney does or doesn’t understand. You barely know him.”
“We know what’s best for him,” Delauney’s father said. He turned to Sabre. “With respect, your grace, you don’t yet understand the duties of fatherhood. When you have a child of your own, you’ll learn. It’s our job to guide them. To protect them.”
“And my job is to protect the realm,” Sabre interrupted. “Right now, you are an obstacle in that task. Do you wish to continue to be an obstacle, Lord de Mazet?”
Delauney’s father sank into his seat, obviously disturbed at having to obey a submissive. Leo’s face was a worrying red. Leo was a man who prided himself on his comportment and dignity. It was just his luck, Delauney supposed, to be burdened with parents incapable of not making a spectacle.
Sabre turned to address Wes. “You’re the injured party in this. If there is something you require of the crown, you may ask.”
“Is this in return for my silence?” Wes asked.
“Consider it a sign of the crown’s faith in you,” Sabre said.
“So a bribe,” Wes insisted. Ferrin looked like he wanted to bash his head against the wall in frustration. “To prevent me from causing another one of those incidents.”
Sabre smiled. “Your discretion would be appreciated, yes.”
“Then keep your favor,” Wes said.
Sabre drummed his fingers on the table. “An inquiry into the de Mazet household will need to be made, regardless. I will require the use of your accountants, clerks, and a list of your servants.”
“Oh, we have no idea where we keep all of those,” Delauney’s mother said.
“I have all of them,” Leo said. “I’ll happily comply with the crown’s request.”
Sabre’s smile went thin. “Thank you. Depending on our findings, it may be advisable to pass the title of Marquis to the next in line. If you are willing of course.”
Leo bowed, blushing to his ears.
“I have a request,” Delauney said quickly. “Not in return for anyone’s silence, but... Wes’ contract with the navy. Could you relinquish it?”
“That should be easy enough,” Sabre said. “As a gift for your service to the realm.”
Wes didn’t look convinced, but he settled back in his chair.
“And a sizable pension,” Delauney added.
“Done,” Sabre said. “I’ll need another moment to speak to the de Mazets in private, if you please. Leonide, Delauney, Wesley... you may leave us.”
Delauney rose quickly, helping Wes to his feet. Wes turned to look at Ferrin.
“Wait for me,” Ferrin said softly. Wes nodded, which gave Delauney a slight stirring of hope. Perhaps one family would come out of this intact.
Leo groaned as the door shut behind them, leaving their parents inside with the king and his makeshift council. “Why must they do this to us?” He approached Wes, his blush spreading to his neck and chest. “I am dreadfully sorry.”
“You didn’t send those guards after me,” Wes said.
“Yes, but I pay their salaries.” Leo ran a hand through his hair. “What a disaster. If you need anything from us, write to me directly. Speaking of letters, though... Delauney. I spoke to our parents during our journey here. Something Mother said at the ball was bothering me.”
“Which part?” Delauney asked.
“What she said about you attending university,” Leo said.
He blushed again, angry red blotches blooming on his cheeks.
“Delauney. When you applied to the Aviary as a lad... They accepted you into one of their sister schools. Mother forged a rejection letter before you could see the real one. She thought she was doing you a favor, if you can believe it.”
Delauney barely moved in time, intercepting Wes as he marched toward the study door. He grabbed him in a rough embrace, holding Wes back with the weight of his body.
“I’ll fucking throttle them,” Wes hissed in Delauney’s ear.
“Please don’t kill my parents in front of the king,” Delauney begged.
“They stole from you,” Wes said, but he stopped trying to make for the door. It was almost gratifying to hear the heat in his voice. Delauney could barely register his own emotions through the shock that had suffused him.
“I wept for days when I received that letter,” Delauney said, still holding Wes. Wes slowly held him back, hands grasping his jacket. “It was as though a piece of my life died with it.”
“It was unacceptable,” Leo said. “They never understood it. They never saw you make telescopes out of paper or chart the stars in the garden at night.”
“I did that?” Delauney asked. He couldn’t remember it, even though he did have dim memories of lying under the stars at night, trying to count them all.
“You were young,” Leo said. “I used to carry you in when you fell asleep out there during Mother and Father’s parties.” He scowled down at his feet. “I won’t blame you if you want nothing to do with us after this.”
Delauney gently withdrew from Wes’ embrace.
He knew that he should have been furious, but all he felt was grief.
Grief for the young man who’d been so certain that he hadn’t deserved an education, for the lost years he’d spent at sea, and for the endless balls and events he’d borne for parents who’d almost ruined his chances at a life in Gerakia.
“I don’t think I can speak to Mother and Father after this. But you’re as unlike them as it’s possible to be, Leo.”
“Thank you,” Leo said, with more feeling than was proper under normal circumstances. “But I do want to hear more about this university you’re attending. You’ll allow me to write?”
“So long as you keep my address a secret,” Delauney said. Leo held a hand over his heart. “I’m sorry that your engagement party was ruined.”
“If Ana and I had it our way, there wouldn’t be a party at all,” Leo said. “We plan on living in separate houses when this is done.”
“And you’re... fine with that?” Delauney asked, unsure.
“Absolutely,” Leo said. “A marriage without having to actually see each other, let alone arrange balls and festival appearances? It will be like sinking into a hot bath after a long day of settling accounts.”
“So long as you’re happy,” Delauney said. Leo gave him a curious look, as though the concept of marital happiness hadn’t even crossed his mind.
Delauney’s parents emerged from the study in a rush, barely looking at Delauney and Wes as they passed.
Leo sighed and followed them, casting yearning looks back at Delauney over his shoulder.
Delauney hoped that he would take the title from them at the end of this. He deserved to build his own life.
Ferrin opened the study doors a moment later, sighing heavily.
“You’re both welcome to stay in my house tonight,” he said. Delauney didn’t mention that it was already past sunrise. “The king wants to add a bonus to your pensions for your silence in regards to what you may or may not have seen before our meeting with the de Mazets.”
Wes opened his mouth, but Delauney stepped on his foot before he could protest. “Tell him that we graciously accept,” he said.
“Good,” Ferrin said. “I can’t have my brother wasting away in Gerakia, after all.” He cracked a smile, looking far more human than the forbidding, authoritative dominant he appeared to be. “I give you leave to spoil him, if you can.”
Delauney smiled back, swinging an arm around Wes’ shoulders. “If he’ll let me.”
“Good luck with that,” Wes murmured, but Delauney caught a twinkle of amusement behind his stubborn scowl as they left the opulent halls of the palace behind them.