Page 36 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

Xander twitched as he strode into the King's reception room. Leo was there, standing to the right of his father's chair, and Helpin stood off to the side.

The King wasn't on a throne but a normal chair, and he waved Xander to a couch beside him. “Come in, Xander. Have a seat.”

Xander. He had called him Xander without a title. But his expression was kind. Open. Xander bowed and sat down. “Thank you, Your Majesty. And thank you for hearing my side of this.”

“Of course. The proof is, well, hard to argue against. If I could just see the ring and compare it to this painting myself?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Xander pulled off his mother's ring and handed it to the King.

“Ah, yes.” The King looked from the ring to the painting. “This is undoubtedly the same ring. I accept this as proof of your lineage. Well, the last bit of proof. We also have Helpin's testimony, his report on—what was his name?”

“Hubben, Your Majesty,” Helpin supplied.

Nodding, the King continued, “Ah, yes, that inadvertent confession from Hubben, some missing birth records which are very suspicious in their absence, and I hear that the servants will testify on your behalf as well. ”

“They are good people who were loyal to my father. It's been difficult to see them treated poorly. My stepmother was unkind to virtually everyone but her sons. If you rule in my favor, I intend to change things immediately.”

The King lifted his brow. “Your first act as Duke will be to improve the work conditions of your servants?”

“What is power if it's not used to help those over whom we have power?”

The King leaned back and stared at Xander. Then he glanced at his son. Leovar grinned at his father. Finally, the King asked, “And where did you learn that?”

“From my father, Your Majesty. He believed that a man served those who served him.

It's an exchange. I remember him warning me when I was young that if I ever lost sight of that, I would lose myself.

He said power can destroy you. If you're not careful in how you wield it.” Xander blinked away the tears that threatened.

“That sounds like something he'd say.”

“You knew my father?”

“Not as well as I wish I had. But yes, we had a few interesting conversations over the years. Now that I'm sitting with you, I do remember him mentioning a son. I suppose that makes me a witness on your behalf as well.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“No, Duke Xander. Don't thank me. I feel that I must apologize to you.

I have done what your father warned against. I've forgotten who I serve, and you have suffered for it.

If your father were here, he'd doubtless wring my neck.” The King chuckled.

“He was a good man, and his son deserved better from me. I'm so sorry, my boy. ”

Xander bent his head. “That means a lot to me, Your Majesty.”

“There is just one last thing to be done before I sign the ducal documents.” The King waved toward a knight who stood near the door. “Bring her in.”

“Her?” Xander asked.

“You have to confront her,” Leovar said. “It's her right as an accused noblewoman. She gets to look her accuser in the eye as he accuses her.”

“I'm good with that.” Xander stood up.

The King chuckled. “I thought you might appreciate it.” He stood as well and patted Xander's shoulder.

“You know, you look like him as well. Not the coloring, but the face and the build. He was an imposing man, your father. I think I remember your mother as well. She was . . . oh, yes! Duchess Levania. She was incredibly beautiful.”

“Yes, she's where I get my coloring from.”

“Yes, that's right. All but your eyes. Those are your father's.”

“You do remember him.”

The King smiled. “More and more as I look upon you.”

“Your Majesty!” Patricia, ex-Duchess Vesmalden, came into the room crying out. “Please, help me. I've done nothing wrong. I am the victim of a terrible conspiracy!”

“I have seen proof to the contrary,” the King said. “You are only here to face your accuser, as is your right.” He looked at Xander. “Go on, Xander. Tell her what she's done.”

“You want me to list her crimes, Your Majesty?”

“Yes, in whatever manner you wish. ”

“I have done nothing wrong!” Patricia screeched and jerked in the hold of the prison guard who had her by the wrist.

“Nothing wrong?” Xander went to stand before her.

“Look at me. How can you stand here and say that to me?

I was just a boy when you came to live with us—a little boy who had lost his mother.

I remember how you pretended to care for me when my father was around, but as soon as he left, you'd ignore me.

It broke my heart. I couldn't understand why you were one way around him and then another when he was gone.

Little did I know that was the best you'd ever treat me.”

“I had my sons to think about! My real sons!” she hissed at him. “Their futures! I couldn't allow you to take that from them.”

“Take it from them?” Xander shook his head. “It was my future that you stole from me to give to them .”

“A mother does what she must for her children.”

“They were cared for! I would have treated them like brothers if you'd allowed us to grow up together and form those bonds.

But you kept us apart. You always knew that you were going to get rid of me.

One way or another, you were going to take what was mine, and you didn't want them getting attached.”

Patricia lifted her chin.

“Dear God,” the King whispered.

That's when she remembered there were royal witnesses.

“Your Majesty, you're a father. You know what parents do for their children,” she cried.

Jerking back, the King looked from her to his son. Something passed over his face, and Xander worried that he might suddenly side with Patricia.

But then the King looked back at Patricia and said, “Yes, parents sometimes do terrible things to help their children.

But that does not make those things any less terrible.

Would I hurt one child to promote mine? I don't know, and that fills me with horror. I will be more careful about my decisions in the future. Because I cannot stomach becoming anything like you.”

“Your Majesty! I'm just a mother who loves her children.”

“You have just admitted to the crimes of inheritance theft and child abuse, Madam. I find you guilty on both counts and hereby reinstate the title of Duke upon the rightful heir, Xander Vesmalden. You are stripped of your title and all possessions, as will your sons be.”

“No!” Patricia screamed, tore free from her guard, and pulled the dagger from the sheath on his belt.

Everyone froze in horror as she launched herself at the King, dagger raised. Even the knight posted at the door was too shocked to react. All except for Xander.

Xander knew his stepmother. He knew her cruelty and pride. He knew how she assumed everything would go her way, and he knew how she reacted when it didn't. It came as no surprise to him when she turned violent. The only surprise was that she attacked the King and not Xander.

There wasn't a lot of room for Xander to act, but he did his best, knocking into Patricia.

He fell with her at the King's feet. Only then did the guards jerk free of shock—one coming to Xander's aid while the other ran to protect the King and Prince.

Xander felt a pain in his shoulder, but kept wrestling with Patricia.

She was strong in her fury and desperate for revenge.

He couldn't let her up. But Xander wasn't alone for long.

Between the guard and him, they got Patricia restrained, and she was taken away, the dagger left discarded on the floor.

“Xander!” Leo cried out.

Xander stood up just as Leo fought free of the knight who'd been restraining him. Restraining him? Xander wondered why. Then he realized Leo must have been trying to help him. The knight stopped him from getting involved.

How sweet. Leo tried to protect me, Xander thought as he swayed on his feet.

“Xander!” Leo caught him and helped him onto the couch. “He's bleeding! Father!”

“Fetch the chiurgeon!” the King roared.

Xander saw the King and Leo hovering over him. Behind them, there was a flash of crimson hair. He tried to focus, but as he did, he passed out.