Becket swallowed. ‘You see it. A monster capable of good deeds.’
‘I think that describes most people.’
The prince’s eyes sank shut. ‘I think you might be right.’
The response had Roul wondering if he knew more than he was supposed to. It would certainly explain the disdain. ‘Tell me what she did.’ His words were barely above a whisper.
Becket opened his eyes, and they were filled with pain. ‘I cannot speak of it. I will not be responsible for her downfall.’
Roul’s palms were sweating now. The prince knew things. That much was clear. Taking a huge risk, he said, ‘There have been rumours.’
Becket stiffened. ‘What rumours?’
‘Rumours surrounding your father’s death.’
And there it was. All the confirmation Roul needed in one averted glance. A few moments passed before Becket said, ‘What if I told you they were not rumours?’
Roul took a moment to prepare himself for what was coming. ‘Go on.’
Becket dropped his chin to his chest. After a long silence, he said, ‘She orchestrated my father’s death.’
Roul nodded slowly. He did not have it in him to act surprised. ‘Have you confronted her?’
‘No, because my brother needed her.’ He swallowed. ‘When he was alive.’
Roul stared at the ground between them, unsure what to say.
‘And what did she do?’ Becket continued. ‘She sat back and watched him self-destruct.’
‘She did not sit back. She fought hard on his behalf. His failure as a king, and his death, fall squarely upon him. I witnessed everything. Queen Fayre grieved the loss as any mother would.’
Becket shifted his feet. ‘And now she expects me to step willingly into the role and spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder.’
‘You won’t need to. She’ll protect you.’
‘Like she protected the rest of my family?’
The small amount of food Roul had eaten swirled in his stomach. ‘Listen. Your father was headed down a dead-end path, and she was the only person brave enough to stop him. She didn’t do it for power, or wealth, or any personal advantage but rather for the thousands of people suffering under his rule. Her actions are difficult to swallow, but they were well intentioned.’
Becket turned his pain-filled eyes away. ‘It is impossible to trust her.’
It took Roul a moment to respond. ‘Perhaps you can’t trust her. I don’t know. What I do know is she’s heldyourkingdom together for the past two years. You owe it to everybody to at least have the conversation before you make a decision that affects so many lives.’
Woottone clicked his fingers to get their attention, then signalled that someone was coming. They were out of time.
‘Leave with us in the morning,’ Roul whispered. ‘Tell them you want to escort your cousin home and have some time at Peytone House. Tell them whatever you want, just don’t dismiss an entire kingdom of people in order to avoid a difficult conversation with your mother.’
Lord Roger stepped into sight, peering around Woottone. ‘There you are, Your Highness. I was beginning to think you had retired early.’
Becket composed himself before walking over. ‘What an excellent idea. I am rather tired.’
‘But there is wine to finish.’
‘I am afraid you will have to finish it without me.’ Becket bowed his head. ‘Goodnight, Lord Roger.’ With that, he wandered away.
Woottone glanced once at Roul before following him.
Roul braced for questioning, but before Lord Roger had the chance, Eda and Queen Isabella exited the chapel. Roul felt himself relax.
