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It seemed not even a family scandal had dimmed the woman’s haughtiness entirely.

“You stand before Princess Etessa of Centoi,” Ber snapped. “In hiding here for her own safety while she bore my child. Perhaps you should not be so quick to judge, hmm?”

Gartren’s eyes widened as though each word she’d said about Tes currently passed in front of them. Then she fell into a flawless curtsy and bowed her head. “You are correct. I am sorry, Your Highness. Even now, after all that has befallen me, I still… Please, forgive me.”

Tes blinked down at the woman. Good Gods, but she actually appeared contrite. “I suppose I will, though I hope you’ll remember the experience.”

Lady Gartren nodded, and at Tes’s wave, she rose. “I will, Your Highness.”

“Now,” Ber said. “I’ll take those papers and have your explanation for them.”

Then the duchess opened her mouth—and denied the order once more.

Ber felt fairlycertain that he knew what was in that bundle, though it was difficult to fathom that such letters still existed. Yet that was the same parchment he’d watched Ryenil send off to his minions, and the duchess’s father had been one of that number. Could the man have been foolish enough to keep such incriminating letters?

Or had Ryenil attempted to contact the new duchess?

“You would deny an order from your prince?” Ber asked smoothly.

Lady Gartren flinched, but still she nodded. “Yes, Your Highness. I am resolved that these papers go to High King Toren directly. I might consider King Mehl or Queen Ria, but that is all. Besides, I have only your word that you’ve been released from your exile.”

The few times he’d ever thought of Lady Gartren, Ber had considered her little more than another vain, high-ranking noble who cared only for herself. Never would he have guessed at the resolve hidden beneath the haughtiness, but he could respect it now. As much as it galled him, she was right. She shouldn’t release evidence to him with so little proof of his words.

Especially if those letters contained orders for helping Ber take over the throne.

“I shall summon my brother,” Ber said, earning a surprised glance from Tes. She wasn’t accustomed to him backing down so easily, he supposed.

But in this case, it would bring the fastest results.

Suddenly, the door swung open. Had the lady set a trap? Out of instinct, Ber twisted around to stand in front of Tes, his back to any possible danger. He wrapped his arms protectively around Speran, who startled at the rapid motion and let out a cry. Wincing at the sound, Ber did his best to bounce soothingly while bracing for a blow.

“Gods, Ber, I don’t dislike you that much.”

Mehl.

Expelling a sharp breath, Ber braced himself for annoyance rather than danger before he turned around again. The king stood with crossed arms, one brow lifted in Ber’s direction. Lady Gartren had dropped to her knees, as was standard during this type of encounter with a reigning monarch. Ber could only be grateful he wasn’t subjected to such nonsense. It would be a bother to deal with every time he walked into a room.

“Stand,” Mehl said, no hint of discomfort in his demeanor. Ber had to concede that the man truly had adapted to the role. “Although you shouldn’t be here, Lady Gartren. You’re not to return to the palace for another year at the earliest.”

The lady rose smoothly, but she didn’t lift her gaze. “His Highness Prince Ber directed me to follow him inside.”

Mehl’s lips pursed. “Didn’t Toren explain the situation with House Hesslefyn, Ber?”

“Oh, he did.” Ber gave a negligent shrug. “However, I am less concerned with petty punishments than I am with the bundle she holds. I thought we might want to know why the Duchess Hesslefyn is carrying letters from King Ryenil.”

The curse that slipped from Mehl’s lips was more like a warrior’s than a king’s.

For once, Ber approved.

Chapter 36

Dressing for Dinner

When the king held out his hand, Lady Gartren handed over the bundle with surprisingly little comment. Tes couldn’t help but note how the lady relaxed, too, as soon as the parchment lifted from her skin. Gartren even wiped her hands subtly against her skirt in a surprisingly unladylike motion.

Mehl stared down at the papers for a moment before setting the stack on a nearby side table. The hiss of his sigh echoed around the room as he untied the bundle and unfolded the top one to read. But Tes couldn’t tell by his expression whether the content was good or bad. He was too contained for that.

Then she saw the muscle in his jaw twitch.