Chapter 21
Sebastian: Questions Answered
Though his work was not particularly taxing, Sebastian couldn’t help but be grateful when the gong pealed overhead, signalling the end of their last work session.
He took a step back from the kamishimo he’d created, complete with Lucy’s paintings.
Was it his imagination, or did the little kitsune on the garment look startling like her?
“Well, I think it’s a good effort, if nothing else,” Lucy said, studying the outfit with careful attention. “I don’t think my paintings are as good as they could be, but you did an amazing job with the design.”
“I disagree,” Sebastian said. “Your paintings stand out against the white fabric. It’s what makes the ensemble utterly unique.”
“Unique isn’t gradable. The garment can’t be ‘utterly unique.’ It would just be unique,” Lucy teased. This had been a point of contention in their days at Farraday. “But I think we’ll let the judges decide. Come, let’s join the others in the hallway.”
Sebastian made a face at the thought of joining the poisonous Aiako, but followed her into the hall where the other designers were milling about.
To his surprise, it was not Aiako who latched onto him that evening, but Mai. She curled her body against his as she purred, “Oh, Mr. Doyle, I simply must know what your plans are this evening.”
Sebastian made a great show of yawning. “I think I good night’s rest is in order,” he said. “After all, we’ve been hard at work all day.”
Mai pouted. “Oh, come now. We must celebrate your win. After all, we didn’t have time to do so at the festival.”
“I’d rather not rest on my laurels. Such behavior would highly displease my father.” Sebastian tried to come up with another excuse, but he froze as the designer began rubbing herself against him.
“Oh, come now, Mr. Doyle. Surely he wouldn’t want you to be unfriendly,” Mai said, stroking his face.
Lucy had been watching the spectacle with a bemused expression, but seeing the other woman’s possessive touches, she came up behind her and fairly pulled her off of him.
“Ms. Ito, I am certain that you have never met Sir Xander, for if you had, you would know that he all but encouraged unfriendliness. Furthermore, your actions tonight are reprehensible. Even in the werewolf packs of Moyar, we know better than to fondle someone without their permission.”
Mai’s eyes lit up. “Werewolf packs, you say?” she said, turning her malicious gaze toward Lucy. “I’ve heard about what passes for intimacy in a pack. Surely you cannot expect to keep a designer of Mr. Doyle’s caliber satisfied with such…barbarism?”
Sebastian burned with anger. “Ms. Ito, that is enough.” Mai stared at him and took a startled step back.
Inwardly, he winced. Somehow, he’d taken on the tone he used when commanding wayward soldiers, rather than high-quality designers.
He took a deep breath and continued, “Lady Lucy is quite right. I did not ask for your attentions, nor do I welcome them.”
“Lady Lucy?” Mai scoffed. “Please. She’s nothing but a common werewolf whore who—”
"I'd be silent, if I were you.” Lucy’s voice rang out in the quiet halls as sternly as any soldier Sebastian had ever served under. “You are not in the drinking halls right now, Ms. Ito, and I would hate to have to show you the skills I learned growing up as a 'common werewolf whore.'”
“What’s going on here?” The three designers turned to see Prince Robert approaching, quiet questions in his eyes. He took in the scene and gave a forced smile. “I would think you’d all be out celebrating the end of the second challenge.”
“That’s where I’m headed right now,” Mai said, turning on her heel. She didn’t look back as she called, “Good night, Mr. Doyle. Savage.”
Lucy muttered something that was probably not very complementary before forcing a smile and curtsying to the prince. “I think I’ll go for a walk in the gardens before bed. Excuse me.”
Sebastian reached out for her. “Lucy—”
The prince put his own hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. “Let her cool down for a moment,” he said. “I’m sure dealing with women the likes of Ms. Ito and Ms. Tanaka is draining, even for someone as fierce as Red Riding Hood.”
“That’s not her name,” Sebastian said. “I don’t know what rumors have been going around the Sherwood Company, but—”
“Shh!” Prince Robert pushed him into his workroom and shut the door. “Our hosts do not know of that part of my life and I would prefer it to remain that way.” He studied Sebastian warily. “Did you figure it out for yourself, or did Red tell you?”
Sebastian shifted. “I figured it out on my own. She didn’t reveal your secret, so leave her family—”
“I have no intention of harming her family or anyone else’s. I assumed they knew, given that a member of her pack introduced her,” Prince Robin said, running his hand over his hair. He gave Sebastian a curious glance. “Why did you think I would? Hurt them, I mean.”
Sebastian glared at him. “Whenever I’ve asked about why she was stealing the day she came back into my life, she claimed telling me would put her and them in danger. I will not let her come to harm, so if I find out you are lying, I will—”
“I’m not lying,” Prince Robert insisted. “When I started the Sherwood Company, its design was to protect those who could not protect themselves and to provide support to those with no one else to turn to. We only steal from those who have stolen from others.”
Sebastian laughed bitterly. “I fail to see how you’re doing that, since Lucy’s first mark was a man who wishes only to keep out of sight from everyone else and gives generously to those around him.”
Now it was Robin’s turn to frown. “It was? I thought her first mark was the count of Urana, a veritable peacock of a man.”
Sebastian scoffed. “Not unless the count has grown a good six inches and lost about a hundred pounds. Not to mention magically becoming thirty years younger and choosing to wear a disguise while in public. Oliver and the count don't bear any resemblance to each other.”
The prince’s eyes widened. “They chose the Grand Duke as her first mark?”
Sebastian nodded. “She was lucky she already knew Oliver and me, and we caught her, rather than involving the soldiers or castle guards. They wouldn’t have been as merciful.”
“That was never supposed to happen,” Prince Robert growled.
“The duke should never have been in her sights, and my men should never have required it of a new-comer. The count is as absent-minded as he is rich, and he is a friend of mine. We have an understanding about my little audition process, which is why I send my new arrivals to him to prove themselves.”
“So why was Lucy sent after Oliver?” Sebastian demanded.
“I don’t know. But it irks me,” Prince Robert said.
He sat down at one of the workbenches. “In the beginning, I could be there with the new recruits. I watched their techniques, determined whether they were capable of the tasks I asked of them, and paired them with people who could teach them the ropes if they did. If not, I have plenty of other places in my organization that they can fill in. But lately…” He sighed.
“My brother has been missing for almost a month now. My father has asked me to perform his duties until he can return to his duties, which means I cannot be there for my men as I was. And I fear people are starting to take advantage of my absence.”
“Take advantage in what way?” Sebastian wondered.
“Bending or overtly breaking the rules I set in place for their own protection. Stealing from the company’s coffers.
” His eyes flicked to Sebastian’s. “Possibly worse. There are rumors among the company that one of my top lieutenants accepted a contract killing for the emperor himself, which was why I agreed to take my brother’s place as judge, rather than sending a substitute.
” He studied Sebastian. “I expect that’s why you and Lady Quinn and Red Riding Hood are here. To put a stop to this assassination?”
“You see a lot, your highness,” Sebastian grumbled.
“Only because I know Lady Quinn quite well. She was an establishment in court when I was growing up. She and my father are quite close.” Prince Robert shook his head.
“Protocol dictates that I should hate the woman who took my mother’s place after she died, but I cannot bring myself to do so.
Lady Quinn practically raised me and my brother, Kit.
Even after someone revealed that your king had sent her there as a spy, I still cannot harbor any ill feeling toward her.
Father certainly didn’t care, though he had to distance himself from her, officially speaking.
Not that it ever seemed to make any difference.
I’ve seen her more than I see some of my friends.
Even more so since I came to Umber. I suppose, however, this shouldn’t surprise me.
As a kitsuné, she can slip between borders easily. ”
“I didn’t realize she was a kitsuné before today,” Sebastian murmured. “Until earlier this week, I believed I’d never met one. It turns out I’ve met two and know one of them well.”
“Ah, Red Riding Hood, right?” Robin shook her head. “Not surprising. I suspect that she’s related to Lady Quinn. They look quite similar. More than likely, she inherited her magical talent from her.”
“Related to Lady Quinn…” Sebastian reared away from him, his head spinning. “Lucy was raised in a werewolf pack. It’s not possible. She couldn’t—”
“Werewolf packs are good places to hide a child who is in danger merely because they exist,” Prince Robert whispered. “Especially if the woman cannot safely raise the child.”
“Like Lady Quinn,” Sebastian realized.
Prince Robert nodded. “I’m surprised Lady Lucy did not tell you. The two of you seem remarkably close.”
“We were…once,” Sebastian admitted. “But I don’t think she knows.
When we were courting, she kept trying to trigger her first werewolf transformation.
She truly believes…or believed that she was a werewolf.
Why would she think that if she knew she was…
” He let his voice trail off. “I have to go to her. I have to—”
“Talk to Lady Quinn first,” Prince Robert said.
“I don’t know if they are related, or, if they are, why she’d keep it from Lucy even after she’s reached adulthood, but she may still be in danger from her position even now.
Better to walk into the situation with eyes wide open than to barge in with only half the truth revealed. ”
“And if she orders me not to tell Lucy?” Sebastian asked, his voice so low he wasn’t sure the prince could hear it.
“I’ve followed orders my whole life, but this…
Lucy deserves to know the truth. I will not keep it from her, not when knowing could give her answers she doesn’t even know she’s looking for. ”
“Talk to Lady Quinn. Tell her what you just told me. If I know her as well as I think I do, I think she’ll agree.” Prince Robert got to his feet. “I should go assist with the judging. I hope you won’t think me biased if I say that I hope you and Lucy win.”
“I won’t, but I wouldn’t let the other designers hear you say that,” Sebastian said, offering a half smile. Suddenly, he remembered something. “About the assassination attempt: do you have a guess as to who is involved?”
The prince’s face darkened. “I do. Far too many. There are faces I’ve seen around here that should not be here, but I do not want to speak out of turn. I’ll see if I can find evidence, and if I can, I’ll turn it over to you. I swear it.”
Without another word, the young prince left the studio, leaving Sebastian alone with his thoughts and questions…and, for the first time since he’d met Thaddeus Wilde, hope.