Everness wasn’t the largest kingdom — in fact, in comparison to many kingdoms on the main continent, it was quite small. Across the ocean that separated Norrandale and Everness from the continent lay vast and mighty kingdoms, some almost as old as time itself. Had it not been for the wars they had among themselves, Everness might have been a much bigger target. When it came to our little kingdom, the land was divided among the aristocracy, the most powerful of whom formed part of the royal council. I’d always thought a king had sole authority, but the council was involved with many of the important factors in ruling the kingdom. On the one hand, this could provide assistance with a lot of the decision-making, and with the right people on your side, you could be a very powerful monarch. But I was beginning to learn that this was a double-edged sword. If the council did not approve of you, for whateverreason, the very aristocrats who claimed loyalty could be your downfall.
“Some people still see you as unfit to rule. This is not uncommon for kings and queens, however. We must simply deal with it in the correct manner.” Rhen’s tone was frank. I never grasped how he approached everything so practically and logically while my emotions went on a rampage with every minor inconvenience.
“Well, it’s not like they can just kill me,” I grunted, and then remembered Lance was lucky to still be alive.
“Not outright.” He shifted his weight, considering his next words. “But these men have influence and there has been unrest in the far east. Country folk in the smaller towns have been rebelling, refusing to pay taxes and spreading words of treason. The people do not know you and therefore they do not trust you to have their best interests at heart. The kingdom is still in turmoil and many of the people live in poverty. Everness is reliant on good crops this year and new trading alliances, the second of which you are responsible for.”
“It’s not that simple,” I retorted. “It’s a very isolated kingdom and these things take time.”
“You might not have that much time.”
I glanced at some of the large paintings and tapestries, depicting scenes of nature, that decorated the corridor walls. Anything to distract me from the anxiety growing inside. “I don’t have the strength in me for another rebellion, Rhen.”
“Well, it’s not entirely out of the question yet, unfortunately.” He shrugged. “I’m afraid you don’t have many choices.”
I clenched my fists, still somewhat in disbelief that I’d got myself into this situation. Two guards opened the glass doors that led out into the gardens. I kept myself from thanking them. They weren’t going out of their way. They were merely doingtheir duty, a duty which was an honour in most eyes. Their uniforms reminded me of Damon and how his eyes would follow me like a hawk when I was still pretending to be Eloisa. I’d never taken any sort of liking towards the guard with the scarred face, but Rhen had told me Damon was one of the many who did not survive the day of the rebellion.
“So, what are my choices, then?” I enquired hesitantly.
“You could marry an Evernean lord who would become king at your side. If it’s a suitor the people approve of, it could strengthen your claim to the throne, especially if you have an heir.”
This solution appeared to solve only half my problems.
Rhen picked a leaf from one of the hedges we passed.
“And my other choice?”
“You could marry Cai,” he said, and my step faltered.
I almost choked out a laugh. “You’re kidding, right?”
“On the contrary, I’m being perfectly serious. There was a reason the alliance between Everness and Norrandale was arranged in the first place, even if Lance managed to make an absolute disaster out of it. If you were to align the two kingdoms, the economic and military advantages couldn’t be overlooked. It would increase trade and the strength of both kingdoms. Though some conservative Everneans might be opposed because of the kingdoms’ past. Of course, Everness isn’t an exceptionally powerful kingdom at this stage, being so divided, but we do have a large army that has finally returned from the continent.”
“EvenifI agreed to this . . .” I entertained the idea for a moment, imagining Cai ruling by my side as king of Everness. The thought only reminded me of his absence. “. . . we have no guarantee that Cai would do the same. He departed Levernia very abruptly and I haven’t heard from him since.” I didn’t mention that I was the one who’d told him to leave. “I think that sends a pretty clear message.”
The hems of my velvet green dress with lace trimming scraped over the cobbled pathway between the hedges. I could hardly remember the last time I’d worn anything but heavy skirts and tight bodices. They were beautiful, of course, but I often forgot how easily the dresses could get damaged or dirty, especially when outside.
The red roses drew my attention, and I picked one from the hedge. It reminded me of the night Cai and I had walked through the gardens of Woodsbrook Manor. I’d lured him from his rooms in the hope that Cordelia would steal his sword so that I could free myself from the deal Lance had blackmailed me into. Instead, I fell victim to his flirtations and charms.
“His mother was dying. He had to leave,” Rhen reminded me.
“I heard news that she’s recovered. I don’t believe it would kill him to reach out.”
“And his father has just passed. He was unexpectedly thrust on the throne. My guess is that he has a lot to deal with right now.”
As if I didn’t know what that felt like.
When I didn’t respond, Rhen said, “Why don’t you just send a message to him?”
“He’s the one who left, why should I write?” I tossed the rose away, watching it tumble into the nearby flower beds, not willing to admit that perhaps my pride was getting in the way of me reaching out to him.
Rhen’s expression at my immature comment hinted at mild agitation, though generally his patience with me was applaudable. “I don’t understand you sometimes.”
“Only sometimes?” I cocked an eyebrow. “Then I suppose you can’t complain about the fact that you must obey my every command, as your queen.”
“Oh, believe me, I complain. Just not out loud.”
We emerged from the rows of hedges, and I looked over the rest of the gardens. There were weeds growing in the flower beds and trees that needed to be trimmed. I realised I had yet to learn who oversaw the maintenance of the palace gardens. It had suffered some damage during the rebellion and there was much work left to be done.
