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“None,”the captain replied.

“Arrange the meeting with Feref. We’ll return to the throne room.”

Toren disconnected the link before he allowed himself a single sigh. “Time to greet the envoy. Princess Tes, are you sure you wish to accompany Ria for this?”

Though she startled slightly at the use of her real name, the princess nodded. “My disguise should hold, and we won’t be the center of attention since we aren’t on the dais. Provided you’re allowing in courtiers? The two of us standing beside the dais in an otherwise-empty room wouldn’t be particularly stealthy.”

He would rather the meeting be closed, but it wouldn’t be the best choice—and not only for how exposed it would leave Ria and Ryssa. Secrecy would only stir the rumors more. “Some will be allowed, yes.”

The princess stood, her mouth firming into a resolved line. “Let’s get this over with. Then we’ll only have to worry about Ber.”

Unfortunately, that was likely to be the worst part.

* * *

Mehl studiedthe Centoi contingent with a critical eye, but there was nothing overt he could criticize. This was a more typical group than the one that had brought Tes with her fake wedding invitation—no herald and no high-status noble in sight. In fact, if not for the spies Sir Macoe had sent, Mehl wouldn’t have guessed that Prince Ber had accompanied them. There wasn’t nearly enough flash for the prince’s usual style.

What was going on?

At Toren’s gesture, the head of the group approached the dais. Mehl examined the man as he knelt. He wore the well-made but simple clothes typical of a diplomat and had the posture of a low-ranking noble or possibly a second son of a higher house. There was no sign of mockery or derision in the lines of his body or the tilt of his head. No haughty scorn hidden in the twitch of his mouth. Essentially, he was the opposite of Lord Aony.

“Welcome,” Toren said in a tone that was not, in fact, welcoming. “I am curious to hear what has prompted another visit from the Centoi.”

The visitor kept his gaze on the base of the dais. “I, Sir Owein of Centoi, bring greetings from King Ryenil Breren the Mighty, Sovereign of the Kingdom of Centoi to High King Toren Eyamiri and King Mehl Eyamiri, Sovereigns of the Kingdom of Llyalia. In light of recent events, His Majesty the King wished to deliver an official response concerning the death of his daughter.”

Mehl tensed at those words. It wasn’t entirely unexpected that the king would do so, but he’d thought a missive more likely. Much business was conducted that way, for then it would be in writing. A verbal response quickly fell into rumor with no way to substantiate fact.

“We will hear his words,” Toren said.

Sir Owein nodded, but he didn’t look up. “King Ryenil the Mighty sends his thanks to the Sovereigns of Llyalia for their aid in returning the body of Princess Lora after her foolish plan went awry. Be assured that His Majesty was unaware of her intentions, otherwise he would not have sent messengers in search of her. It grieves the king to consider the worry caused by news of her supposed abduction, followed by her death on your land. He is certain that Your Majesties would have offered adequate guards to the Jewel of Centoi had he known of her presence.”

What? Mehl stared at the top of the man’s head as though it would bring his message clarity. For surely, King Ryenil wasn’t blithely dismissing the death of the daughter he’d guarded so closely. He’d named her their kingdom’s jewel, for gods’ sake. Yet he would offer no censure for her loss at the hands of bandits?

Maybe he had been part of the plan all along.

“The Kingdom of Centoi wishes to maintain our strong alliance with the Kingdom of Llyalia,” Sir Owein continued. “This may, of course, be strained by the fact that our only remaining heir is Princess Lora’s bereaved husband, Prince Ber Eyamari. Please know that the prince is committed to maintaining peace between our kingdoms. So it is declared by King Ryenil the Mighty.”

Did King Ryenil expect Toren to merely shrug at Ber becoming the Centoi king? Ah, but probably not. There was no doubt a deeper reason for this farce. Now, the courtiers who’d heard his message would be more likely to believe that the Centoi sought peace. It could give Ryenil some leverage if Toren decided to end the alliance.

“Thank you, Sir Owein,” Toren said, his voice cold and dispassionate. “My chamberlain, Feref, will see you and your attendants situated in a guest room while I compose a formal reply. If the hour grows too late, you are welcome to stay for the night.”

The envoy inclined his head. “Your kindness is greatly appreciated, Your Majesty.”

Mehl half-expected Ber to rush in while Sir Owein and the rest of the group took their leave, but even after the throne room was clear of the Centoi, there was no sign of the man. Why? What was he waiting for? Did the prince intend for someone in his party to cause trouble during their stay? Possibly search for information?

“I wanted them under close watch,”Toren sent.

Wise—but also a risk.

Mehl already hated their very presence.

* * *

Ria had suspectedthat something was wrong at the Centoi palace, but after hearing the king’s callous words, she was certain. The man had essentially said that his daughter had deserved her fate. He sounded more worried about the alliance than the unexpected death of his child. But worse? Unless he was lying, the king had actually believed the body of Ryssa’s guard had been the princess.

He couldn’t recognize his own daughter.

Would the princess be upset? As the envoys filed out, Ria cast a sidelong glance at Ryssa, but the princess’s expression was carefully blank. Bored, almost. Her hands were folded serenely at her waist, and when she caught Ria looking, Ryssa smiled.