The Princess, page 19
“I’m surprised that Aurelia would even be able to stand the sight of him.” Luca said. The words slipped from his mouth before he could stop them, leaving him wincing and his stomach hardening. Damn it all, he should have held his tongue. Silvanus was the son of a duke, and Dimitri, despite how often Luca caught himself forgetting it, was a prince.
“Forgive me,” Luca said, swallowing hard. “That was inappropriate. I—”
“Forgive you for saying exactly what I was thinking?” Dimitri said with a light laugh before his expression grew sober once more, his gaze returning to the letter. “It certainly isn’t the marriage match I would have wished for her. Silvanus is hardly worthy of her. Although…”
“Although?”
“I can see how such an alliance could benefit Father. And he very much needs to keep the House of Lapis under control. Lycaon has been nothing but trouble of late,” Dimitri said, fidgeting with the letter in his lap as he rubbed his chin. “Still, I worry for Lia, and the future she’ll have as Silvanus’ wife. Not to mention that, as recalcitrant and power hungry as Lycaon has been of late, the gods only know if allowing him to add his blood to the Imperial House will truly be enough to appease him.”
“It is serious, then? The unrest that Lycaon has been stirring up?” Luca had heard bits and pieces from Remus that the Duke of Lapis was trying to sow dissention among the nobility and the commoners, but Remus had not shared the full extent of the matter. That was only given to Remus’ heir, Cato.
“Father is certainly not turning a blind eye to it,” Dimitri said. “But he has not kept control of the empire for decades for nothing. Lycaon will soon be put back in his place and the gods willing, Aurelia’s marriage will not be one of complete misery.”
A shout from outside startled them both and Dimitri grumbled under his breath as he got to his feet. He stepped outside the tent, coming back in a few moments later with a frown still marring his features.
“Captain Iaachus has arrived from Viribus,” Dimitri said. “I’ll return shortly.”
Dimitri took his leave while Luca remained in front of the fire, some of the tightness in his shoulders easing. The reinforcements from Viribus would help Piscatio be better defended from raiders in future attacks. For if there was one thing they had all learned over the last year, it was that the raiders always, inevitably, came back.
As he readjusted in his chair, Luca’s thoughts wandered back to Aurelia. She was a princess. She would wed for power, as every princess had done before her, and still, a stubborn, slight ache remained in Luca’s chest. Dimitri wasn’t wrong about his concerns for her future. Necessary or not, Luca did not see Silvanus being anything but cruel to her. But there is no changing it, he thought, staring hard into the fire as it continued to crackle and hiss. Not in Kelnore. Just as his mother had wed to ensure the survival of others and usher in stability to her war-torn homeland, so would Aurelia be forced to do the same.
Outside the tent, he could hear the wind beginning to whistle as it picked back up. The gods spare them from another damned storm, especially if it was one of the many that always seemed to herald an attack from the raiders. At least Iaachus’ men are here now, he reminded himself. The gods willing, if the raiders did attack yet again, they would be better prepared and able to more easily outnumber their attackers. Though clearly, the raiders are not our only problem, he thought, shifting in his chair and causing it to creak. There had been no plague like the previous winter, but Lycaon, it seemed, was bent on sowing his own manner of chaos. And Luca had lived long enough to know that the squabbling of noblemen could be felt in every corner of the empire, far outside of the gilded halls of the Imperial Court. Whatever Lycaon’s game was, all in Kelnore should wish for Emperor Alekos to be able to outsmart him.
Chapter 30
Aurelia poured a small portion of Brynn’s salt and willow bark remedy into a goblet of water. She was running extremely low on all of the remedies that Brynn had concocted, and Dimitri’s latest letter left her afraid that she wouldn’t be able to replace them. While her twin had sworn to help find her a physician who would be willing to continue Brynn’s work, the news that Erik of Darnic had been put to death by Duke Remus left her fearing that in the end, she would be left with no healer or physician to help her cope with her condition. A part of her had been able to understand Remus’ reasoning as to why Erik could not have been allowed to live, but another part of her felt anger over Remus’ decision to take away the one man who might have been able to help her—and, more than likely, so many others. She was not the only one who had lost her health due to the plague. Surely the good that Erik had done should have outweighed any potential harm he had wrought by practicing Darnic’s old ways.
The House of Lapis will have physicians, Aurelia reminded herself as she took a sip of the salty, bitter drink, only just barely managing to get it down without making a face. With time, she was growing more accustomed to the taste, but it still wasn’t pleasant. She hoped that after she wed Silvanus, she would be able to find a physician who would be able to help her. She could continue to manage her diet on her own, ensure that she drank plenty of water over the course of the day and avoided things such as wine and spirits, and continue her exercises in the pool, as she knew the House of Lapis had their own pools for entertainment, but the remedies were not something that she could re-create on her own.
“Your Highness,” Sophia said as she stepped into Aurelia’s bedchamber. “Captain Silvanus has arrived. Is there anything else that you need?”
Aurelia took in a steadying breath, using her cane to help her get to her feet. Silvanus was to take her for an afternoon walk along the private docks on the palace complex, and Sophia had already helped her change into a gold-embroidered, cream-colored day gown, matching it perfectly with a necklace, bracelet, and gold hairpins before helping Aurelia paint her face. “No, that will be all, Sophia. If you have any trouble with Sapphirus, please do not hesitate to send for me.”
While Aurelia had wished to take her wildcat on her walk with Silvanus, Alekos had already explicitly forbidden it when he had arranged the outing. Aurelia already knew that she would refuse to leave Sapphirus behind after the wedding, but she still worried that Silvanus would not be as accepting of her beloved wildcat.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Sophia replied, dropping into a curtsey before heading back out onto the balcony where Sapphirus was napping in the sun.
Aurelia followed Sophia with her gaze until the other woman disappeared behind the dark-colored drapes that kept out the worst of the afternoon sun. Alekos had wished for Aurelia to pick a handmaiden to take with her after she was wed, his belief being that a handmaiden would hardly be suspected of passing secret messages to the Imperial House, and Aurelia was seriously considering Sophia. The handmaiden had seemed to be good at being discreet, and she had not only earned Aurelia’s trust in her few months of service, but she had come highly recommended by Rhiannon as well. Not to mention that Sophia was one of the very few servants who was even remotely comfortable around Sapphirus.
Leaving her bedchamber behind, Aurelia made her way to her common room to find Silvanus awaiting her there. Dressed in his silver and red naval uniform, with his long, thick auburn hair and green eyes, he was far from unattractive. Chloe had told Aurelia more than once to thank the gods that her husband-to-be was young and virile and not old and grey. Silvanus would soon be leaving the Imperial Navy as a decorated captain, his time of service coming to an end in less than a month, and both Alekos and Chloe had made it their business to regularly remind Aurelia of Silvanus’ victorious career.
“Your Highness,” he said as he dropped into a bow.
“Captain,” she replied with a curtsey.
When he rose, his gaze traveled to her cane and a brief scowl marred his features. “I assure you, you will have no need of that… contraption with me.”
“I find that I have grown rather accustomed to it,” she replied, fighting to keep her expression pleasant even as her heart pounded. “And I would prefer not to be without it for such an excursion.”
He let out a sigh, muttering something she didn’t catch under his breath before offering her his arm. “Shall we?”
She took it, fighting to quell the fluttering in her middle. So began her charade of performing the role of dutiful Kelnorian wife while also gathering what information she could for Alekos. And hoping that Silvanus, and his father, were none the wiser.
Silvanus led the way out of her chambers, two guards outside her door trailing behind them as they made their way through the palace hallways.
When they reached the palace’s front entrance, Aurelia was relieved to see a small carriage awaiting them. Making their way down the steep stairs had left her heart racing again and despite the winter’s cooler temperatures, the long walk down to the docks would have taxed her greatly, even with her cane. Silvanus helped her into the carriage before calling something to the driver and climbing inside. As he settled in the seat across from her, she adjusted her cane and a few moments later, the carriage began to roll forward. Silvanus stared broodingly out the window, his chin in his hand, not uttering a single word as the carriage began to roll by rows of cypress trees. Clearly, her husband-to-be was not the talkative sort.
The drive to the docks passed in uncomfortable silence and Aurelia tried to think of suitable ways to elicit conversation from her betrothed. While it was not considered appropriate for a woman to constantly barrage the men around her with mindless prattle, she couldn’t be Alekos’ eyes and ears if she and Silvanus couldn’t talk with one another.
When the carriage came to a stop, a footman opened the door and Silvanus exited first. He strode around to the driver, engaging in some sort of discussion, while the footman helped Aurelia out of the carriage. A slight numbness had begun to settle in her feet and lower legs over the course of the drive, and she stumbled as she stepped out. She managed to mostly keep her balance, thanks to her cane, and she silently thanked the gods that she’d had enough sense to bring it with her despite Silvanus’ displeasure.
A few moments later, Silvanus finished his discussion with the driver and returned to Aurelia, offering his arm, which she took. They strolled down the crushed shell path and onto the wooden docks that jutted out into the sparkling waters of the bay. Gulls flew overhead, calling to one another, and the waves gently lapped the nearby shoreline and the docks themselves. Numerous warships were tied to the docks with all manner of rope and rigging, their tall masts reaching up to the clear blue sky. Aurelia let her gaze travel over each of them as they walked, her thoughts briefly flitting to Fabian. By the gods, she hoped he and Dimitri were safe. The raiders still plagued Kelnore’s shores and in recent weeks, the rumors of mythical sirens aiding the raiders with their powerful magic had grown, despite Alekos’ attempts to put an end to such talk.
“Is one of these yours?” Aurelia asked, inclining her head toward the towering vessels. Fabian had always loved to talk about his ship, the Invicta, since joining the Imperial Navy. Perhaps Silvanus would be the same.
He gave a stiff nod, pointing to one of the ships behind them. “The Victoris.”
She glanced over her shoulder at the massive vessel. “That is one of the newer warships, is it not?”
“Yes.”
An awkward silence passed between them, Silvanus’ gaze firmly on the far end of the docks. Unlike Fabian, he did not seem inclined to tell her any of the details about his ship.
“Are there many physicians employed by the House of Lapis?” she asked.
He cast her a sidelong glance. “I assure you, we have no shortage of physicians serving our family. Do you always ask so many questions?”
Her cheeks heated, even as some of the tension in her chest eased. Perhaps there was hope of finding a physician to treat her after all. “I have certain remedies and accommodations that I will need, and I was not certain if your family employed a great number of physicians like the Imperial House, or if you found it more suitable to only employ a few.”
“Ah, yes, your condition,” he said, a slight smirk playing at his lips. “Do not worry your pretty little head about that. Father and I will make certain that your troubles with your health are taken care of and put behind you.”
There was something about the subtle edge to his tone that left unease washing over her and a quiver fighting to settle in her middle. Silvanus and Lycaon’s feelings on the matter aside, it is possible there is a physician in Lapis who can be of help, she reminded herself. And if there wasn’t, there was always Dimitri. As much as he traversed the empire with his duties as captain, he was certain to find some physician, somewhere, who would be able to replicate Brynn’s treatments.
“I believe from my last discussion with His Majesty, he intends for the wedding to take place soon. Perhaps in only a matter of weeks,” she said, careful to keep her tone light. Alekos had wished for her to discern how Silvanus felt about their betrothal, and if he shared Lycaon’s resentment toward being outsmarted. Her father would expect her to inform him of the discussion that took place along the docks later that evening.
Silvanus nodded stiffly again, his jaw tight.
“I haven’t heard Duke Lycaon express any objections to such a quick match,” she continued. “At least the winters in Talekos aren’t overly harsh, and most of the nobility is already in the city for the rest of the season.”
“It is an honor to have one’s blood added to the Imperial House, is it not?” A sardonic edge colored Silvanus’ tone as his jaw tightened even further. “Who would want to delay it?”
Best not to antagonize him further, Aurelia thought. She had been around enough men to know how quickly they could lose their temper. “I’ve heard that your family’s estate in Lapis is close to the sea,” she said, hoping that the change in topic would soothe his mounting irritability.
“It is,” he answered with a frown.
“I’ve always enjoyed time near the water. Is that part of what made you choose the Imperial Navy over the Imperial Army? Growing up near the sea?”
Silvanus brought them to an abrupt stop, the quickness in his movement combined with the numbness in Aurelia’s feet causing her to trip, though she steadied herself with her cane.
“I will make one thing clear to you here and now,” he said, his nostrils flaring as he tightly gripped her arm, holding her in place. “I am going through with this marriage because my father has given me no choice in the matter. My affections already lie with someone else; someone my father is determined to steal from me. I will put on a good show for the rest of the nobility, and I will expect you to do the same, but do not expect anything more from me.”
Aurelia swallowed hard. Political matches were made for power, not love, but the harshness in his tone and the resentment in his eyes left her stomach hard. This is about survival, she reminded herself. The survival of the Imperial House and the empire itself. Besides, Silvanus’ lack of affection should help assuage any potential guilt she felt over spying on her new husband.
“Understood,” she said.
“I will keep you as lavishly as His Majesty expects, but this is duty, nothing more.”
“Of course.”
He turned his gaze to the far end of the docks and they began walking again. Silvanus seemed as resentful as Lycaon about their match, and it was clear that their marriage would be nothing more than an act. Is that not all it is to you? Spying on your own husband so you can go running to Father? She gave a slight shake of her head, shoving the niggling thoughts from her mind as they continued on. She was doing what she must for the empire. Surely, even the gods could forgive such an ill action if it was done in the name of the survival of the Imperial House.
Chapter 31
Alekos moved quickly. The wedding that would unite the Houses of Vepi and Lapis was to take place in less than a week. Nobles from every corner of the empire had come to see the first princess of the Imperial House be wed; because the last royal princess had been married over fifty years ago, the wedding was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Alekos was sparing no expense. There would be banquets aplenty and various forms of entertainment: dramatic theatre, hunting, blood sport, and more. The palace had been abuzz with excitement, but Aurelia still found that she could not fully shake her overwhelming sense of unease about the task that lay before her. Her limited time with Silvanus had made it even more apparent how deep the resentment of the House of Lapis toward the House of Vepi ran, and she could not help but worry about what rage might be unleashed if Silvanus or Lycaon were to discover that she was her father’s spy.
You will be discreet, she told herself, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly as Sophia artfully arranged her hair around her glittering amethyst and pearl tiara. They will not learn the truth; you will make certain of it. Sapphirus played with a soft toy at Aurelia’s feet, rolling around on her back, but even the wildcat’s antics couldn’t bring a smile to Aurelia’s face. Silvanus hated Sapphirus and believed she belonged in the menagerie, not in his household. He had insisted that Aurelia would not bring Sapphirus with her after they were wed, and perhaps if Sapphirus were still a cub and not a growing juvenile wildcat, she would have had no choice but to heed his demands. But Silvanus had quickly learned that Sapphirus was protective of Aurelia, and Aurelia would not leave the palace without her.
“Finished, Your Highness,” Sophia said as she backed away from Aurelia’s chair.
“Thank you, Sophia,” Aurelia replied. “Beautiful work, as always.”
Sophia would be coming with Aurelia to Lapis House after all, and while part of Aurelia felt guilty for pulling the other woman into the dangerous scheme she was embarking upon, she also was relieved that she would have one ally while being thrown to the House of Lapis. As Aurelia gazed at herself in the mirror, she took a few more deep breaths, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. She looked the part, at least, in her exquisitely crafted lavender gown that hung off her shoulders and its billowing, sheer sleeves, and the embroidered beadwork that created intricate vines wrapping around her waist. Every noble would be watching her closely during the night’s banquet, looking for any signs of imperfection, and the stress of the last few weeks had slowly been taking its toll. She could not afford to be plagued by her symptoms with the whole empire watching, but she was running dangerously low on Brynn’s remedies and still had no leads on a worthwhile physician. Silvanus continued to insist that the matter would be handled after they were wed, but that did nothing to help her in the more immediate future. Besides, she wasn’t altogether certain she trusted Silvanus or Lycaon as far as her health was concerned.
