Chapter 46 #2
Mentally repeating everything I learned from Odgar, I step into the council chamber, prepared to make my case.
Only Iywan and Jac are present, but moments after I take my seat, the other councilors arrive.
“Welcome,” Iywan says. “Most of our guests have departed. So, without further ado, we must discuss the matter of Princess Carys’s marriage.
” He turns to everyone except for me as he continues.
“Because of the rising unrest of the rebels in Erleya, Councilor Tomen has advised that it would be in our best interest to keep our ties within our kingdom rather than form a foreign alliance.”
I lurch forward in my chair, my palms flat against the table. “What?”
All heads turn to me except for the master of foreign affairs. I want to yank out what’s left of Tomen’s white hair and shove it down his throat. He steeples his hands on the table and keeps his cloudy eyes on Iywan, who continues.
“The attack was unfortunately timed with our foreign diplomats present. No one wants to ally with a nation that cannot even control their own citizens. It makes us look as though we’re on the brink of total anarchy.”
My mouth falls open, but I immediately press my lips firmly together until they start to go numb.
I move my hands to my lap, clenching them to hopefully stop them from trembling.
I want to protest, but I don’t want to lose my temper.
“What are you proposing, Lord Iywan?” I ask as calmly as possible.
“Your betrothal to Lord Commander of the Royal Brigade—Rheon of Bayenbar.”
Fucking hells. My mouth opens and closes again. I swallow, praying to keep my composure. “Lord Iywan, I have a different proposal.”
Jac leans back in his seat, amusement playing across his dark face. Gods, he is infuriating. Iywan draws himself up in his chair, cold challenge on his face while Tomen and Belhan simply blink at me.
“Odgar Erlingson, prince of Uldarvik.”
Iywan’s exhales slowly and the annoyance on his face melts into contempt. Meanwhile, Sessaley looks intrigued and, as always, Taliesin is indifferent.
“Prince Odgar has informed me that he would gladly accept my proposal should he be chosen. His brother, the king of Uldarvik, already gives his blessing. Uldarvik will be a strong ally. They are excellent in the export of fish and timber, and they are a robust agricultural kingdom. Given the state of the growing blight in Erleya, it would be beneficial for us to be united with a land abundant in thriving crops, particularly oats, barley, and rye. They are also rich in iron ore, silver, and copper.”
I glance at Taliesin, but her dark eyes are half-lidded, her fingers drumming silently on the table. I want to shake her; she’s useless.
I sigh and continue. “Should our armed forces require more weaponry, Uldarvik’s cannon production is notable.
You speak of your concern about the unrest from the rebels, Lord Iywan, Councilor Tomen, but Uldarans aren’t intimidated by that.
A large fraction of their population is born and raised to be fighters.
They have shieldmaidens and fearless warriors.
They are brave and fiercely loyal. My marriage to Prince Odgar would be exactly what is needed for the kingdom.
A strong union. In manpower, in trade goods.
Prince Odgar is kind and intelligent. Our people will adore him. ”
The silent tension is so thick that the air is suffocating. My hands shake even more where they’re hidden beneath the table, and I wait with apprehension for anyone to say something.
“It’s too risky,” Iywan says at last. “These are trying times for Erleya. A foreign union is out of the question. Lord Commander Rheon Odhran has been the superior officer for decades. He has been a part of the Royal Brigade as a soldier for even longer. He charges all divisions and is revered not just by soldiers, but civilians. His long-standing, renowned presence in Erleya is just what the people need. With your impending transition to reigning monarch, Prince Odgar would offer no such familiar comfort to the masses, I’m afraid. ”
“Long-standing, renowned presence? Revered? I think the word you’re looking for is feared. Lord Commander Rheon orchestrated a public flogging five years ago!”
“Careful, Princess,” he says, his voice tight. “That public display was justified and sanctioned by Queen Morwenna.”
I sink back in my chair, my entire body trembling as I fight not to scream at Iywan. Tomen’s hazy stare is on me as well this time, his gaunt face giving away nothing.
“Given the circumstances,” Iywan continues. “The commander is your best option in the interest of Erleya.”
Heat crawls over my skin and floods my chest. My chair scrapes unpleasantly against the floor as I shove my seat back and rise, slamming my hands on the table. “Meeting adjourned. Everybody out!”
The clock on the wall ticks loudly for a few seconds before barrel-chested Belhan slowly pushes his own chair back.
He’s followed by Tomen, then a progressive trickle of the other councilors taking their leave.
Each member bows quickly as they walk past me before retreating with mumbled farewells.
My amulet is uncomfortably warm against my chest—a sensation I’ve always blamed on my own emotions rather than … well, magic.
Iywan pushes himself slowly from his seat once the chamber plunges into silence behind the closed door. Callum is frozen at my side.
Resisting the urge to fiddle with my necklace, I clench my fists at my side. “I am the heir to the throne,” I say calmly. “I make the final decision in this. You said that from the beginning when we went into this whole suitor thing. Why in Lugda’s hells are you repealing my choice?”
He doesn’t so much as blink. “You said it yourself, Princess. You are the heir to the throne. You have not come into full power. I am your advisor and final decision-maker in your mother’s stead while she is still very much alive.”
“She is hardly alive!” My voice quivers and I cringe inwardly.
Something like pain briefly crosses Iywan’s face, but he blinks and it’s gone.
“You once cared about her. You once cared about me. I don’t understand what happened! I don’t understand why we’re always at odds now at the time where I most need you to actually be on my side.”
His eyes glisten with tears, but he takes a steadying breath and his face hardens. “I am trying to get her spoiled daughter to understand—”
“Spoiled?”
“You cannot be trusted to make decisions that affect this entire kingdom.” His voice is surprisingly brazen, his tone clipped.
“You are reckless, juvenile, and lacking decorum. You strut around here, cavorting with your servants like an entitled brat, bedding whomever you please, whenever and wherever you please.”
Color blooms on my face.
“You’re delusional to think that nobody can see how utterly flawed you are.”
My chest tightens at not just his words, but the coldness in his voice.
“I hate to shove the truth down your throat, child, but everyone knows you cannot control your emotions, nor what you do with your body. Even with your guard who is supposed to keep you in line.”
Callum bristles beside me.
I push my shoulders back rather than shrink away in shame.
“Don’t call me a child.” My voice trembles, but I maintain a cool tone.
“I am a woman of twenty-one and soon to be the queen, whether you like it or not. My behavior aside, I have a right to choose my future husband, and you have no right to speak to me the way you just did in front of the Council or the way you’re doing now, for that matter. ”
To my surprise, he doesn’t retaliate right away. He folds his arms across his scrawny chest and says, “Then don’t act like a child, Your Highness.”
The formal address is mocking, and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from giving him a piece of my mind.
“Tell me, Princess, if you weren’t attracted to Prince Odgar, would he still be your choice?” Disdain drips from his voice.
I blink at him.
“You say that you’re the future queen and a woman grown.
That you care about this kingdom. But rather than think with your head, you choose to go on a whim, based on an attraction.
Tell me honestly, is allying with Prince Odgar any better than allying with Prince Morand?
Caldeon has much to offer as well. Yet, you didn’t waltz in here and tell me all about its exports. ”
I try to imagine my life with the overly energetic, cologne-reeking Prince Morand who spits when he speaks.
To keep from facing Iywan directly, I stare down at the table.
Am I making foolish decisions just because I like Odgar?
I keep my head down even as Iywan speaks up again, my pulse thrumming in my temples and muddling my hearing.
“You chose the wrong suitor after I trusted you,” Iywan says. “So now, it’s in my hands. You will be marrying Lord Commander Rheon. End of discussion.”
There’s a heavy thud, and when I glance up again, Iywan is gone. I’m left in the empty council chamber with Callum. He spins to me. “I swear I’ve never told anyone.”
My chest is too tight, my breath growing thready. Anyone could’ve told Iywan about my bedding habits. Ellynne, Lowri, Eefa, Wynn … even Callum. My legs grow unsteady, forcing me back into the seat as I fight to get air into my reluctant lungs.
“Carys … What can I do?” Callum asks. He steps closer, but I shove my hand toward him.
“Don’t …” I fight down shallow breaths between gritted out words. My heart is sure to pound out of my chest. “Space. Give me space.”
I don’t know who I can trust at all anymore.