Servants appeared and switched our soup bowls for plates of cheese and sliced meat garnished with squares of toast and oxtail butter.
“Are you not afraid, Child?” Lady Leffenmore asked as she slathered her cheese with butter and green jam. “This trial is serious business. Your life is at risk and for what? Because you want to be recognized as the lost princess? Because you want to be reinstated to palace life? I pray to the Light you know what you are doing.”
My voice rose. “I am well aware of the risk, Lady Leffenmore. The truth will indeed be found out. I have no reason to fear it.” The table livened with the rumbling of the lords and general. My uncle did not voice his opinion, but neither did he take his eyes from me. “And as for palace life, I was quite content at the monastery I came from. Their way of living is more natural to me than anything the palace can offer. So, you see, I am not here for luxury or notoriety.”
“One does wonder why youarehere then,” my uncle mused. “After all these years, what made you leave the shadows of your secret life? Why now?”
I looked around at the men serving Tyrn and felt disgust join my rage. “It was time, Uncle. I did not leave the palace with the intent to live my life in secrecy. My home is here. My life belongs to Elysia.”
“So why not stay in Elysia to begin with? Why let the kingdom and the realm believe you to be dead?” Tyrn’s eyes flashed with frustration.
“My life was in danger,” I insisted. Nerves shivered through me as I realized that returning still might mean death. I looked at my uncle, “Whoever killed my family, wanted all of us dead. Every last Allisand. You cannot deny this.”
His stare did not waver, “I cannot.”
The next course was served- roasted boar with summer yams and turnip puree. Conversation died while everyone tasted their dinner. I pushed food around my plate and tried not to be sick.
“Where is Prince Taelon?” I asked at last. “Is he still in residence?”
My uncle enjoyed another large bite of boar before he replied. “No, I do not believe he is. Something of a business nature took him away.”
My supper settled in my stomach like a pile of bricks. Taelon was gone. He’d left me alone with an uncle that would prefer me dead.
I thought of Oliver. “Did his staff leave as well?”
Tyrn sighed and it seemed to shake the entire table. “No, they did not. He left them behind to dwindle my resources and fill up my guest rooms.”
At least Oliver had not also abandoned me.
Wine was served during the third course. I declined, but everyone else partook. While the men managed to drink theirs in moderation, Lady Leffenmore filled her glass three times before dessert was served.
Flushed and glassy-eyed, she looked at me over her bread pudding and asked, “Even if you are who you say you are, what gives you the right to the throne? You’re a girl. An ugly, abandoned, cursed girl.”
My uncle’s low chuckle was followed by his mild reprimand. “Franca,” he scolded. “She is my guest.”
“She’s trying to take your throne,” Lady Leffenmore insisted. “And your crown.”
I could hold my tongue no longer. It would not help to be polite to these dreadful people. “The throne Tyrn sits upon does not belong to him. And when the council decides that I am who I say I am, Tyrn may keep his worthless crown. I have my own.”
The table fell silent. I felt the glares of my fellow diners burn against my skin, but I focused on Tyrn.
His voice scraped the air. “We shall see what the council decides, Tessana, about you and your crown.” Before I could make any retort, my uncle continued, “I think you’ve had enough excitement for the evening, Niece. You look tired.” He turned in his seat and ordered, “Crenshaw, take my guest back to her room.”
Crenshaw appeared in the doorway. With a short curtsy that took all my grit, I left the meal without looking back.
When we were near my room, I finally found the courage to speak. “Crenshaw, tonight at supper, I met my uncle’s general.”
He glanced at me over his shoulder. “Do you have a point?”
“I assumed you were his general.”
I caught his sneer before he faced forward once again. “I am the Master of the Guard.”
“Ah.”
He stopped at my door. “The King trusts me completely.”
“I have no doubt that is true.”
