Chapter Twenty-Eight - Blackthorn Salon #3
“I am aware,” said Rosamund, keeping her temper in check, “I know that like the execution that took place at my betrothal ceremony Prince Bastian will beg his father to invest him with his authority. Prince Bastian who has long drained his region and district of anything of value. Who looks at his brothers lands with envious eyes. Who will sway your husbands with false promises whilst he does the same to them, one after the other.”
They shared looks between each other, but Rosamund could see they were thinking the same thing.
They knew she was right. Who would be next?
Where would he stop? She saw it in the way Celeste shared a concerned look with Seraphine.
The way Isolde looked worriedly at her hands and Lavina’s full lips pressed together in a thin line.
Where would the third son’s ambitions end?
The Queen’s expression remained unreadable, though she regarded Rosamund intently.
“If Bastian can have one prince executed, then all princes are mortal,” said Rosamund quietly, “but it is not just Prince Dorian that I beg for your help. But for Princess Elswyth.”
Now there was surprise. Though, they looked away from her. They knew what their sister had endured. What they had all allowed to happen.
“Each of us, me included, have seen what the princess endures. She does so without complaint, without asking for help, but each of us has seen how she suffers and…I can stand by no longer.”
Now she allowed some of the anger that burned within her to escape, “I will do whatever it takes to free Elswyth of the hell she has lived in. The hell we have all seen her in. It cannot continue. It will not continue. Because if it does, we will lose a brilliant and kind woman. Please,” she said and when some still did not look at her she repeated louder, “please, help me with this. Help me ensure that Dorian receives a fair trial. Help me show that Bastian does this only for his own gain. And help me save a woman that would not hesitate to do the same for us.”
The silence that filled the room was laced with a guilt she had felt since Dorian was arrested.
Silent tears fell from Isolde’s eyes, rolling down her flushed cheeks.
Marianne pulled nervously at her fingers as her own eyes watered.
Lavinia pursed her lips, her arms folded in front of her, but her eyes looked away as Rosamund tried to hold her gaze.
Celeste and Seraphine once again shared a look before they turned back to Rosamund, with conflicted expressions.
The Queen sat silently, her gaze never wavering from her, though it told her nothing of what the woman was thinking.
“What would you have us do?” asked Isolde quietly, breaking the silence, “tell me, I’ll do what I can.”
The other princesses looked to her, surprised, but waited for Rosamund’s response.
“Speak to your husbands. We may not have a voice in the court, but they will listen to you. Tell them what I’ve told you here. Encourage them to listen to the evidence we provide objectively, to at least give Prince Dorian a fair trial.”
Isolde considered her words and nodded, “I can try.”
Lavinia scoffed, “not all of us share such an amicable relationship with our husbands. And besides, you’re asking us to risk our own necks for your foolish gambit.”
“But for Elswyth,” said Isolde angrily.
“But for Elswyth nothing,” said Lavinia, and at her fellow princesses glares she quickly added, “look I feel for her, I do. I’m not a complete monster, I’ve seen the bruises, it’s awful. But I’m not risking my life for hers. Sorry. Not going to happen. Not unless there was something in it for me.”
Rosamund could see the rest of them looking at the red head with distaste.
Even Isolde moved away from her on the chair, as if she could not bear the proximity.
Lavinia did not care, and as much as it made Rosamund despise her even more, her response had not been unexpected.
She had not expected her to be so honest about it, but she doubted that Lavinia was the only one amongst them that thought ‘but what’s in it for me? ’.
“It is a fair statement,” said Rosamund, managing not to do so through gritted teeth, “it’s a lot to ask.
But, if you do this, then I will have Dorian’s Seneschal draw up a generous agreement with each of your husbands for further trade.
Not just an increase in the previous resources that is mined here and in the Umbral, but for more of The Veil’s luxuries,” she gestured to the items before her, “If Bastian is successful in claiming Dorian’s lands, then your husbands won’t see a thing.
If you do this for me, Dorian will honour the agreement I make with you now. ”
He will have no choice. Forgive me Dorian…
That had caught the red heads attention, and for the first time she saw respect on her freckled angular face. Lavinia sat back in her chair, “does he know you’re doing this?”
“I have discussed it with his Seneschal,” said Rosamund, “he will honour it.”
She looked to Celeste and Seraphine, saw the doubt in their expressions. She was losing them. It was time to play her final card, and she prayed to the goddess that it would be enough.
“And…there is something else. Something I can do for you. For all of you, should you wish it,” she said and once again steeled herself, “I give you my word, as the betrothed of Prince Dorian, as your future sister, I will do everything in my power to break the curse my father placed on this family.”
Celeste’s teacup clattered against its saucer as her hand shook.
Seraphine’s hand gripped the arms of her chair.
Isolde gasped and for a moment she thought that the woman might faint.
Even Lavinia’s expression softened and for the first time since she arrived there was a crack in the Queen’s mask.
It was subtle, a slight crease in her forehead that passed just as quickly.
“There is no curse,” said Celeste, though it had sounded more like a question.
“Of course there isn’t, it’s just a ridiculous superstition, nothing but gossip,” spat Seraphine, though her eyes betrayed her, the first vestiges of doubt.
“I know little of the magic my father wielded,” lied Rosamund, “much of his research was destroyed or confiscated following his execution. But I know that he held powerful life magic and that such a curse would be well within his capabilities. And if that is the case, then, if there is anything within me, anything within the blood that runs in my veins that can remove this curse, then I will not rest until I find it. I will do anything to lift it. You have my word.”
The Queen suddenly rose to her feet, it took a moment for the Princesses to do the same, the shock running through them, “we have heard enough,” slowly she walked towards Rosamund, “you have given us much to think on Lady Rosamund, but we will take our leave now. Thank you for the tea, and the…insightful conversation.”