"Suit yourself."
Without another word, Alfred swept out of the room. As the large doors slammed shut behind him, the air in the room suddenly seemed to clear. Freddy let out a long breath and finally allowed the smile to fall from his face.
"Congratulations, Malakai." Shea offered his hand with a wry smirk. "How does it feel to finally be a married man?"
"Considering the bride is still nowhere to be found, about the same as before. Thanks for asking."
Still, it's a step closer. And now when I finally find Lizzie, I won't have to return her to her father.
"Your mother is going to have a fit, you know."
"Only until she realizes that she can plan a reception just as easily as she can plan a wedding. And who knows? Perhaps the fact that she's already done it once will be enough to keep her from wanting to go through the hassle yet again."
A strangled squeak from the priest drew their attention. His eyes were wide with shock as he looked up from the marriage contract, which he had opened and smoothed out on top of his book. "Y-your Highness? What is the meaning of this?"
Freddy glanced over at Shea, who simply shrugged and lifted his eyebrows, as if to echo the priest’s question.
I would expect a little more help in strategizing from a military commander.
He straightened and cleared his throat. "The meaning is that I kept your king from breaking a previous marriage contract and causing an international incident. Or did you not realize that the agreement between Kysta and Nedra still stands?"
The priest paled. "He said that the betrothal was broken, that she returned home in shame."
"He might have shamed her, but Kysta certainly never did." He paused for a moment, considering. "I know it may seem contrary to your vows, but I would appreciate your silence on the matter, at least until Princess Eliza is found. His Majesty is a proud man, and there is no telling how he may react."
"Surely you can't think he would retaliate against you."
"No, but I am worried about how he would retaliate againsther." Freddy's fists tightened at the memory of Alfred's cruel andcallous words about his daughter replayed in his mind. "You've witnessed firsthand the effects of his temper. He was willing to give her away to the first man who showed up at his doorstep, all because he was angry with her for not choosing a husband on the spot."
The priest was quiet for a moment. "The king’s temper is well known, but I am beginning to suspect that we are only aware of its surface. Very well, Your Highness. For Eliza's sake, I will keep this matter between us. However, if His Majesty asks to see the contract, I cannot hide it from him."
"I wouldn't expect you to. Thank you...?"
"Bartholomew."
"Thank you, Bartholomew." Freddy gave his hand a firm shake.
"What now?" Shea asked, rejoining the conversation.
Freddy scratched his chin. The shaggy beard was itchy, but until he was able to find Lizzie and bring her home, it was better that he be able to travel incognito. He breathed deeply. "Now, I just have to find her."
"You meanwehave to find her," Shea corrected. "Don't look at me like that," he continued in response to Freddy's expression of shock. "You know Hadrian would have my head if he knew I allowed you to go off tramping across Eukarya on your own. You're many things, Fred, but an intrepid and savvy traveler is not one of them."
Freddy's heart warmed at the show of loyalty. He grinned knowingly. "You're just trying to find an excuse to put off your own wedding."
"I will neither confirm nor deny that statement."
He clapped a heavy hand on Shea's shoulder, putting a little more force than was necessary behind the gesture. Shea didn't even flinch. "Well, I, for one, highly recommend married life."
"You've been married for less than ten minutes, and your wife is likely fleeing the country at this very moment."
"But she still holds my heart just the same as before." Though he spoke the words as a joke, Freddy couldn't deny the truth that burned underneath.
Every day and always.
Shea seemed to sense it, for his attitude suddenly turned serious again. "We'll find her. The first thing would be to see if we can find out from any of the staff if there is anyone she has recently been corresponding with, or any friends who might have an insight into where she might have run."
"Ah, there's the strategist I was looking for earlier. If you question the friends, I'll see if there's anything I can learn from the staff. I don't think Alfred would take too kindly to me showing my face in any of the public places."
