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She’d spent most of the dinner observing the chamberlain as he directed the entire meal without the slightest show of effort. He’d done the same thing at the morning court, too. Did the man sleep? She couldn’t recall a moment when one of the kings had called for Feref and he’d failed to appear.

That Toren had nearly set the man out on the street on her behalf turned her stomach.

As soon as the maid finished with her hair, Ria gave her a grateful smile and stood. Toren and Mehl would be waiting for her, but she couldn’t let her current musings go without speaking to the chamberlain. So she gathered her dressing robe securely over her sleeping gown and strode forth into the sitting room.

Feref inclined his head as she neared, but his gaze never lifted above her chin. “We’ve put the room back in order for you, Your Grace. Please notify me personally if there is anything you need.”

“There is something,” Ria said. At his frown, she had to brace herself for his inevitable displeasure. Surely, he hated her. “I need to apologize.”

He flinched, his eyes flicking up at that. “Pardon?”

“My arrival nearly cost you your place here,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

At a single glance from him, the servants cleared out of the room with a quickness. “Lady Ria, that is unnecessary. My own hasty actions nearly brought me to ruin.”

“Actions prompted by my foolish acceptance of that poisonbeforeI entered the palace instead of after I left,” Ria insisted.

Surprisingly, a smile lightened the chamberlain’s expression. “That is true. However, after learning more about your past, I understand why you did it. In truth, I owe you thanks for defending me before Tor—High King Toren could send me away. He is rarely inclined to shift course on a decision.”

He’d almost called Toren by name. Casually. Ria peered at Feref. “You were friends once, weren’t you?”

“In our youth, yes,” the chamberlain replied. “He is a good man, even if he struggles to believe it. As is King Mehl. If you bring them happiness, then I will be content, Your Grace.”

Ria sighed. “You needn’t call me that. You know better than most how I came to be here. After all, I am only a merchant.”

“Ah.” Feref grimaced at the echo of his own insult. “And I am sorry for that slight. I know perfectly well that nobility is not always found in noble families. Certainly not exclusively. My own behavior shames me. I hope you will forgive me for the insults dealt to you in my attempts to protect the kings.”

“Of course.” To her surprise, they shared a smile of understanding. Could they become something like friends? “Thank you.”

Awkwardness descended for a moment, but then Feref’s formal mask slid back into place. Bowing, he swept his arm toward the door. “If it pleases you, Your Grace, I will see you to your room. I’m certain the kings will be most gratified by your presence.”

Ria laughed lightly. “I imagine so.”

Together, they approached the door, but at the sight of the bolt of fabric propped neatly against a cabinet, her steps slowed. “Oh! I believe I do have another need, Feref. Could you arrange a room for me just outside the family wing for dress fittings? I have orders yet to fill.”

The chamberlain’s brows rose. “As royal consort, you needn’t—”

“I don’t care if I’m somehow named empress of the entire continent,” Ria interrupted. “I’m not neglecting my former commitments.”

“I see.” A new respect lit the chamberlain’s eyes. “Then I will see it arranged. But if I might make a suggestion?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t let Toren hear you joke about becoming an empress.” Though Feref grinned, his tone held an earnest note. “He doesn’t need any new ideas.”

Ria laughed all the way to the kings’ bedroom.

Chapter42

Trials

Toren had told Ria that she didn’t have to be there, but he’d known at once that the words were wasted. She’d marched out of their bedroom to go change clothes, tossing a warning over her shoulder not to start court without her. And so he hadn’t, though he’d much rather be picturing her asleep in their bed than keeping an eye on her where she stood near the dais.

She hadn’t accepted marriage, at least not yet, but Toren hadn’t been willing to yield on one bit of respect. She stood in the place of highest respect amongst the courtiers, so near the throne she could have leaned over to speak to him. She’d been displeased by the inevitable attention that move would receive, but if she wouldn’t sit on the dais at his side, he would grant her the next best courtesy.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t considered the timing until near the end of court, when the only thing left was delivering final judgments to prisoners. Tes’s crime had been formally announced this morning, so they had three days until her punishment was given. But today, Toren would sentence Belak, Ria’s father—and he’d situated her in the man’s direct sight.

What had he been thinking? Toren let out a low sigh. He hadn’t been thinking particularly well after a heated night abed with only scattered sleep, that was what. The last time he could recall being so distracted was around the time he’d married Mehl.