Chapter 43 Keelan #3
“Until Jess went missing, I never attended Council meetings. I avoid the court as much as possible. Jess would know, though. She knew every tiny secret and enjoyed the games all those people play, even though she said she hated them.”
“What about your mother? Anyone want to hurt her?” I asked.
“Only half the Kingdom.” Justin laughed.
“Mother can be . . . well . . . something. She’s strong and stubborn, but what queen isn’t? If people knew half of what goes on, especially around the Council table, they’d see her differently. Father’s the King, and he makes the final decisions, but he leans on her a lot.
I’ve heard him tell Jess the most important decision she’ll ever make is who she chooses to sit on the throne beside her. It’s ironic how they tried to choose a husband for her after telling her that.”
I let that hang a second before asking, “So, tell me about that. Who did they try to set her up with?”
“I wasn’t there for any of it, but Jess told me about it. I’ve never seen her so angry. That’s why she and Danym ran away in the first place. I know Mother and Father had dinner with Jess and three suitors, but she left before she could tell me anything about that night.
I tried to find out what happened but couldn’t get Mother or Father to tell me anything, either. Mother was in one of her moods, so I stayed out of it.”
Justin stopped walking and stared across the lake as he elaborated.
He described the day Jess was introduced to her potential suitors in the Throne Room.
She had dressed for the audience, determined to show the Queen that she could rise above, be a monarch, even when she faced a terrible situation.
Then Lord Parna had waddled into the room, and her fa?ade had cracked.
The arrogant, garish little man was disgusting.
He might have commanded Fort Huntcliff and the eastern lands, but immense power couldn’t overcome his immense ego.
Then they ushered in Treasurer Dask and General Marks, two of the King’s Privy Councilors. When General Marks, whom the royal children called “Uncle Ethan,” was introduced as a potential suitor, Jess spiraled into a dark mood that remained until she ran away.
“I can understand why Duke Parna was on the list, but why the Treasurer or General? Any ideas?” I asked.
“You’d have to ask my mother, but I guess she wanted to offer Jess someone familiar. General Marks is a good man—one of the best. Jess might be a hundred years younger, but she wouldn’t have to worry about him mistreating her or trying to take her throne. He would make a good King-consort.
Treasurer Dask is beyond rich. Mother might have wanted to tie that wealth more closely to the Crown, but that’s just my guess.”
I switched tracks again. “Did Jess ever mention anything about running away? Where she might want to go if she did?”
Justin rolled his eyes. “She’s sixteen. She talked about running away once a week. Nobody took her seriously. I mean, really, she’s going to be Queen of the Spires. Who runs away from that?”
I smiled. “You sound like someone else I know who might run from the throne.”
“Oh, I’d sure want to, but our family has a duty. It’s hard for others to understand, but we believe in that duty. It’s sacred. That’s drilled into us before we can speak our first words. I still can’t believe Jess—”
“So, she never talked about somewhere else she might want to live? Just in a daydream?” I pressed.
Justin thought a moment. “She’s been on a few trips with Mother and Father, but I can’t remember her ever really mentioning anywhere special. She did talk about Melucia and the border states a few times, but we all talk about stuff like that. I never thought she meant anything by it.”
I turned and began walking back toward town, and Justin followed my lead. “We’d better get back before your father thinks I stole you away. Everybody’s a bit jumpy these days.”
“You can say that again.”
“Oh, one more question. Have you ever heard of the Children?”
“Sure. They’re the nuts who worship Empress Irina. Their town is just across the lake. They even named the place after her, like she wasn’t some evil witch.”
He pointed across the water toward Irina’s Seat.
“Tutors mention them when they teach about the Kingdom War, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. They’re really secretive.”
“Sounds about right,” I said.
As we reached the inn, we were passed from one group of Protectors to another. I hesitated at the door, but Justin didn’t break stride, used to being surrounded by the heavily armed guards. The King and Atikus were talking quietly when we entered.
“Come, sit. Was Justin helpful?” The King motioned to the chair beside Atikus, then looked to his son as if trying to read how our conversation went.
“You have a fine son, Your Majesty. He was most informative.”
“Excellent. So, will you help find my wife and daughter?”
I looked to Atikus, then met the King’s gaze and bowed. “Of course, Your Majesty. I am a Lieutenant of the Guard. My life is bound in service . . . to whomever may be in need.”
The King smiled, then nodded his approval.
All I could do was hope this didn’t backfire on us terribly.