Page 55 of The Second Marriage
“No? Your husband doesn’t confide in you?”
“Oh, well.” Sejun faltered, sensing a trap. “Not about anything to do with politics. It would only confuse me, you see.”
Tarush looked as if he didn’t believe Sejun at all. Sejun glanced again toward Nirav, desperate to be rescued. But what if Nirav had arranged for this encounter? Had he invited Tarush here to scold and question Sejun? That made no sense. Nirav knew Sejun was ignorant of the negotiations beyond the broadest generalities. He wouldn’t have set Tarush on Sejun in this way. No, Tarush had invited himself along and decided to accost Sejun about the peace talks when it was his own king who had welcomed the mountain people here.
Tarush was one of the separatists, Sejun realized: too slow, too late, a fool as always. Tarush didn’t want any mountain interference to undo whatever his fellow conspirators had planned. He would berate Sejun, intimidate him, and then Sejun would run back to the palace and insist to Taral that they depart at once.
He clutched the book hard to keep his hand from trembling. “Didn’t you say you needed a gift for you sister? What do you think she might like?”
“I didn’t say that, actually. Nirav did.” Tarush fixed Sejun with a flat stare. “You’re good at pretending to be stupid. But I know you understand my meaning. The Mountain Kingdoms have a close neighbor in Chedi and a more distant one in Skopa. It would be wise to consider who you can least risk offending.”
“Are you threatening to invade us?” Sejun asked. “Having recently made that journey, I can assure you it’s a bad idea.”
“And yet the Sarnoy managed it.” Tarush raised his eyebrows at Sejun. “So who’s to say what might come to pass?”
Sejun could think of no reply, but was spared from having to stammer something when Nirav came over and said, “Tarush, are you arguing with Sejun? You both have such glowers on your faces. What’s the trouble here?”
“No trouble,” Tarush said.
Sejun wasn’t about to let him get away with that. “Actually, he’s been railing against the peace negotiations, even though I explained very plainly that I have nothing to do with them.”
Nirav chuckled, as though Tarush’s insulting behavior was merely impudence. “Poor Tarush. You’ll have to forgive him, Sejun. He’s an impassioned patriot and can’t bear that the Skopoy haven’t begged our forgiveness and tearfully surrendered any claim on the Kasauli. I keep explaining that’s not how politics works, but he won’t hear of it.”
Tarush’s gaze on Sejun’s face didn’t waver. There was no sign of remorse in his stare, only grim dislike. A patriot, but where did his loyalty lie? Was he true to his king, or did he see king and country as separate or separable? Well, this wasn’t Sejun’s problem to solve. He would tell Taral, and Taral would tell Feba, and Feba would presumably tell King Aditya, and whatever was done about it would be none of Sejun’s doing.
“Leave him be, Tarush,” Nirav went on. “Here, I’ve found something for your sister.”
“Fine,” Tarush said, and let Nirav draw him away.
Sejun went back to his browsing, still feeling somewhat rattled by the hostility of the confrontation. He wasn’t one for arguments or debates, and whenever anyone in Merek had tried to start up with him he made jocular remarks until they gave up on trying to quarrel. To be so unexpectedly accosted had given him a queasy shiver in his guts. He wanted to go back to the palace and have a cup of tea to settle his nerves. Maybe Taral would come back to their room for lunch and Sejun could tell him the whole story. He would feel better after that.
Tarush left the shop only a few minutes later without saying anything further to Sejun, and Sejun was glad to see the door close behind him. Good riddance.
Nirav came over again, a book tucked beneath one arm. “I’m sorry about Tarush. I didn’t know he was going to harass you in that way. I wouldn’t have invited him if I’d known he would treat you so rudely.”
“It’s hardly your fault.” Sejun smiled at him. “Don’t think of it again. Were you able to find what you wanted?”
“Yes. A new collection of plays by Kiran.” Nirav patted the end of the book he was carrying. “But I’m afraid I have to go back to the palace now. I’m late to meet Harini, and she’ll call off the wedding if I leave her waiting. Will you be able to find your way back?”
“I think so. And I can always ask someone to direct me if I get lost.”
“Wonderful. Oh!” Nirav reached into his tunic and took out a folded piece of paper sealed with wax—a letter. “Would you mind delivering this for me on your way? To Simra the fossil-seller’s shop. It’s only a quick detour.”
“I know where it is,” Sejun said, pleased by the thought of stopping by the shop for a few minutes. Lavi might even invite him in for tea, if she was there. “Yes, I’d be happy to.”
“Oh! You’re saving me from heartbreak,” Nirav said with a laugh. “Thank you, Sejun. I’ll see you tomorrow, I hope, for the dancing.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Sejun said, and they made their farewells.
Sejun paid for his books and left the shop, the letter secured inside his robe. Rain had fallen overnight, leaving the air clear and the sky a bright blue. Banuri bustled with midday traffic. The day was mild and pleasant, and Sejun didn’t hurry as he made his way back to the main road and turned downhill toward Simra’s shop.
The door to the shop was propped open with a potted plant. Sejun peered inside and smiled to see Lavi behind the counter. Simra had been perfectly courteous to him, even friendly, but even so he found her intimidating. She was so much older than him and so smart and accomplished, with a direct gaze that seemed to assess the entirety of his being in one glance. Lavi was closer to his own age and much less terrifying to talk to. And she reminded him of his sister Chimini, who had always been his favorite.
She was sorting through some papers but looked up as he came into the shop, then smiled as she recognized him. “Sejun! Welcome! I didn’t think I’d see you today.”
“I was out at a bookshop.” He went over to the counter and set down his stack of books. “As you see. And actually, I have a letter I’m supposed to deliver to you.” He took the letter from his robe and passed it over the counter.
Lavi frowned at the seal, then turned the letter over to look at the other side. “I see. Thank you.” She put the letter away somewhere out of Sejun’s sight. “Would you care to stay for some tea?”