No matter what I preferred to believe, I knew the answer.
My mind spiraled, remembering our last conversation at the Royal lodge. She’d told me to stay away from Francis then, told me his family could not be trusted.
They will bring no more than disaster into your life,she’d said and I couldn’t agree more...
“Mother said she knew you.” I let the words out before I thought better of it.
Francis faced me: his eyes glowing amber under the moonlight, the snow veiled his long, black lashes. “Pardon me?” His brows furrowed.
“My mother—” I swallowed, regretting the question. “When Mother and I spoke last she told me she knew you. She also told me to stay away...”
Francis chuckled, shaking his head. “Of course she did.”
“Did she?” I cleared my throat which suddenly felt stuffed. “Did she know you?”
“It’s not an easy conversation to have.” Francis’ face soured. I nodded, ready to leave the discussion when Francis spoke once more. “The Queen was present when my parents were executed.”
“What?” A gasp escaped me. “What are you saying?” I swallowed, ready to hear the worst.Mother couldn’t... She couldn’t be the reason Francis and Issac were orphaned.
“We were poor,” Francis began and my heart froze in place. “After my father fell ill, my mother’s small apothecary shop wasn’t enough to feed us all. She began to steal.” A sad smile stretched his lips. “My father wasn’t aware, but when the royal guards barged into our cabin—” Francis took out the canteen from the inside pocket of his cloak. “He took the blame.” His voice dropped a few octaves. “My father thought he was saving us: facing possible execution, and ridding us of the burden he believed he was...
“The guards dragged them both to the royal grounds.” Francis’ throat bubbled as he took a sip. “Issac and I ran after them barefoot—all the way to the palace’s citadel.”
The back of my eyes burned as Francis continued.
“They beheaded them both by order of the King. They forced me and Issac to watch.” Francis sighed. “The Queen was the one to take us to the orphanage. She gave us a dozen coins each and a pocket full of caramel fudge.
“I remember trying it for the first time, yet it only left a sandy taste in my mouth.”
“I am so sorry,” I whispered. How could the father I loved so much be capable of such horror? “I am so sorry, Francis.”
“It is not your fault.” Francis sighed. “I used to blame my mother for disobeying the law,” he snorted. “I believed she doomed us to such an end.” A sad smile stretched his lips. “It wasn’t until I was on my own, responsible for my siblings, that I realized the burdens she had to carry all by herself. I wish I was older when my father fell ill, perhaps I would’ve been able to work, or...”
“I’m sorry,” was all I was able to say.
“It’s in the past.” Francis shook his head. “Cordelia?” Francis said after taking a sip of his drink. “What did Roxanne mean by Caleb being the rightful heir to the throne?”
My brows rose as my heart sped up. “I assumed Roxanne told you.”
“We weren't on speaking terms until last night—though I’m sure that was only a temporary truce.” He chuckled. “Will you tell me?”
“There’s not much to tell.” The lump in my throat grew bigger.
“As a birthday present?” Francis’ eyes filled with hope.
“I thought my presence was enough,” I teased.
Francis smirked. “Why, Princess, I am getting jealous,” he purred. “How come Roxanne gets to know and I don’t?”
“There is not much to know.” I shrugged.
“And yet?” Francis wouldn’t give up.
I sighed. “Mother had Caleb before she married my father.” My eyes planted on the point ahead. “She later had an affair with Kane and they had Brian and me. Kane is my blood father.”
“Caleb is of royal blood.” Francis said under his breath. “Did he know that?”
I nodded. “Since Caleb was born before she was married, they couldn't leave him as one of the Royal children. They got rid of Kane and Caleb to save face in front of the Court. Kane managed to return to the castle a while after... that’s when Brian and I were born.”
