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“Surely no one would be so foolish. They’d be immediately suspect.”

“I’d like to cover all scenarios which includes a possible panic by the perpetrator that we did find something. If they suspect you know their identity, they will be desperate to kill you.”

“You too, since you’re with me,” she pointed out.

“Let them try.” His lips tugged into a smile, the same one he’d given her the few times he’d tested her training with a blade and she managed to slip past his guard.

They exited the dungeon to see activity had resumed in the castle, albeit with less loud chatter and laughter. Servants bustled around, and those who spoke did so in hushed whispers that came with many looks in her direction.

“They keep staring at me,” Avera mumbled as they strode for her mother’s office. Might as well get started on the reading of those ledgers. It would keep her occupied and out of sight. The curtseying as she passed people discomfited as did the dipped heads and, “Condolences, Your Majesty.” How should one act when a horrible murder elevated them to the loftiest position?

“You should expect the scrutiny for the next little bit as they take your measure.”

“Shouldn’t they already know my character? I’ve lived here my whole life.”

“As the invisible daughter. You weren’t expected to ever play an important role, especially once you went past the usual age daughters are married off for an alliance.”

“That’s apparently going to change. My mother told me I had to find a consort.” Avera couldn’t help a sour note.

“She was right. Birthing an heir will do much to cement your position.”

“Even if I married tomorrow, any child I had would be almost two decades away from being old enough to rule.”

“Then you’d better not die.”

She glanced at him. “Mother said in the event there is no heir, the lords and ladies would most likely squabble for the position.”

“They would.”

“Is there not some kind of guidance on what to do if that happened?”

“There might be, but I’ve never heard of it since it’s never been an issue before.”

“Guess I’ll have to visit the library and find out.”

“Why would you waste your time doing that? It’s not like it matters since you’re in charge now.”

“Curiosity,” she said with a tight smile in his direction. “After all, someone went through some trouble and expense to eradicate my line. Either they knew something about how the next king or queen would be chosen, or planned to lead a coup in the chaos that would have resulted.”

“Any kind of coup would have needed the cooperation of the military.”

“Who’s to say they don’t have it?”

“I’d know,” was his flat reply.

“Would you? It could be only those who would be receptive to the idea were approached.”

“Meaning I should listen for any discontent about your sudden ascension,” he murmured with a nod. “I told your mother you had a bright mind.”

“Wait, did she actually want to know?” Though her mother had claimed so, Avera still found it hard to believe.

“Yes. She supposedly had her reasons for being distant—and before you ask, she never revealed them to me—but she was always very much interested in your welfare. Why do you think I came around so often during your lessons?”

“To show me how much I still needed to learn.” The memory of the bruises remained, but at the same time, each instance Gustav had slipped past her guard to mete them, she’d studied where she went wrong and improved for the next time.

“You were an apt pupil. She took great pride in your skill even if she never showed it.”

“It’s odd to me to find out now that she cared,” Avera admitted as they entered the royal office, a room that held the lingering scent of her mother’s perfume.