I sat, hands clenched in my lap.
“Tell me about Sergeant Bonitus,” she said.
A cold sweat broke out on my skin as a tremor ran through me. I’d been prepared to lie to the marshal or a magistrate, but not to the queen. What should I do? Refuse to say anything? Try to paint myself in a better light?
No, she deserved the truth.
“He was taking advantage of Gallien,” I said in a low voice. “Forcing him to—” The words tasted like ash in my mouth, an acrid tang that made my stomach churn. “He was forcing him after fencing practice.”
I waited for disbelief and denial, but she merely said. “Go on.”
With a slow, deep breath, I centered myself. “Gallien was too scared to make a formal accusation. He’s training to be a guard. His parents are fishermen, and Bonitus is from a noble family. He didn’t think anyone would help him.”
“But you tried to?”
My knuckles went white as my hands clenched, rage filling me at the memory. “I went to the marshal. He called me an uppity brat and said I’d better have proof before accusing my betters.”
“I see.” The queen’s voice was bland, but her eyes grew fiery.
“I tried to get witnesses.” The words poured out of me more quickly now. “And a few people had heard rumors that Bonitus molested his students, but no one would go on record.”
The frustration still burned, a hot, angry ember in my chest. The Moonlit Court was supposed to hold the noblest fey in all the kingdoms, but no one would take the slightest risk to bring Bonitus to justice.
“So what did you do?” the queen asked as my silence drew out.
My anger and frustration drained away, and I slumped.
“I poisoned his afternoon tea. It was the only way to protect Gallien and the others.”
Silence filled the room, oppressive and vast. I wanted to turn away from her, to hide from her judgement, but I forced myself to remain still. Ever since Queen Verena had knighted me, I’d wanted to make her proud. Instead, I’d just confessed to murder.
Drudon had been right. The queen had made a mistake when she’d knighted me. All I did was get people killed.
“Tell me, Sir Valen, do you enjoy being a knight?”
The abrupt change in subject made me straighten and stare at her. She smiled softly at my confusion.
“It’s my greatest honor, Your Majesty.”
One that she would surely strip from me now.
“That’s not what I asked,” she said gently. “Do you enjoy it? Do you find the work fulfilling?”
Still confused, I strove to answer honestly. “I like learning how to fight. Being responsible for tenants is strange, but I swore I’d take better care of them than their last lord once I finish my management lessons. The etiquette training is...”
I hesitated, but she was going to throw me in the dungeons anyway, so why not?
“It’s pointless,” I said. “I’d rather spend more time practicing fencing drills or studying combat strategy so I can better defend the kingdom. I don’t care about a bunch of stupid parties.”
I winced, but the queen was still smiling.
“Those parties are opportunities to build connections in the Court and strengthen alliances. Had you gone to more of them, you could have met someone with the authority to investigate Bonitus when the marshal—pardon me,formermarshal—didn’t.”
I gaped at her. I’d never looked at it that way.
“You could have also come to me,” she said.
“B-But— Your Majesty— You—”
