“Me?” Elowen said, outraged. “How am I to blame for someone poisoning Theo?”
Patrick made an impatient noise, and the king frowned at the still-open door.
“Elowen, you must stop with these wild accusations.”
Responsive to his gesture, Elowen closed the door, and Patrick immediately took the opening.
“You’ve created enough trouble already,” he accused, his voice tight. “I’m astonished, Elowen, to have learned just now that the reason there’s been such confusion about wedding plans is that Father gave you license to delay the wedding according to whatever whim might take you. I don’t understand it at all.”
“Well, you wouldn’t,” Elowen said, pushing down her own regrets in favor of annoyance at her brother. “You don’t understand anything about it, but that doesn’t mean it was foolish.”
“The outcome proves that it was,” Patrick said. “The alliance is at serious risk. The Siqualian heir has lost faith in our intentions, and Prince Theodore has left Toledda not only without marrying you but without even any definite commitment to do so.”
“That’s not true,” Elowen protested. “The ceremony last night was a commitment. The betrothal is sealed.”
“You’re both right,” their father said, cutting off the rising argument. “The betrothal ceremony certainly helps make it more official, and according to the treaty we signed with Siqual, it binds us. However,” his voice was heavy, “according to Torrenese law, an actual marriage is necessary to bind our kingdom to the alliance.”
“Hopefully the Siqualians don’t realize that,” Patrick said grimly. “I don’t want them to use it to find a way to go back on our agreement.”
“The Siqualians?” Elowen protested, her face pale at this information. “They’re not the ones set against the alliance. Look in your own house, Father!”
“What does that mean?” Patrick asked sharply. “I don’t know if you’re accusing me or making a confession of your own, Elowen, but unlike you, I’m fully committed to this alliance.”
“I wasn’t doing either,” Elowen snapped. “And how dare you claim that you’remorecommitted than I am, Patrick? Last I checked, you weren’t being expected to tie yourself body and soul to a stranger and leave your home and family forever in support of this alliance. I am completely committed.”
“Elowen makes a fair point, Patrick,” the king said softly. “It’s she, not you, who has been expected to pay the cost of this alliance, and she didn’t try to fight it.”
Patrick didn’t look convinced, but Elowen didn’t care about his opinion.
“I didn’t mean our family when I said the trouble is within our own house. I meant Torrens. There’s been plenty of opposition to the alliance, and plenty of animosity toward Theo. It’s just been subtle. Until now.” She turned to her father. “It’s not a wild accusation, Father. You weren’t sitting beside him at dinner last night. After he drank from the ceremonial goblet, he began to deteriorate noticeably.”
“Elowen.” The king was trying to speak patiently. “The physician checked him carefully. There was no sign of poison.”
“No sign of any kind of poison we’ve seen before,” Elowen said stubbornly.
“Elowen, I’m not as oblivious as you think,” Patrick said, his tone calmer now. “I’m aware that not everyone is happy about the alliance. But it was my impression that much of the court was coming around to Prince Theodore. His performance in the tournament won him a lot of favor. And even if some don’t like Siqual, it’s an absurd leap to imagine they would try to kill foreign royalty without specific provocation.”
“Bertrand had provocation.” Elowen said the words quietly. She knew she would be censured for making her accusationmore specific, but she couldn’t help herself. “He hates Theo, and has been doing everything he can to drive a wedge between us since the moment Theo arrived. Sophia told me plainly that he has been expecting—and is expected—to elevate his family by marriage to me for years now.”
There was an uncomfortable silence then, to her surprise, Patrick inclined his head.
“I’m aware of his aspirations. There was even a time when…well, I won’t say anyone explicitly encouraged those expectations, but they weren’t unreasonable given Lord Bertrand’s standing. I’m not surprised he took a dislike to Prince Theodore. But the family has everything to gain from our kingdom’s prosperity, and they would not sabotage an advantageous alliance.”
“Listen to me!” Elowen said in frustration. “Hehasbeen sabotaging the alliance, since the moment Theo arrived. And it’s more personal than you know. Right before the final event of the tournament, they had a…dispute.” She flushed at the memory of Theo’s face as he’d declared his intention tohave a conversationwith Bertrand about what he’d done at the ball. “And then Theo humiliated Bertrand by besting him in front of everyone.”
“You forget that there’s no evidence of poison.” The king’s firm words cut across his children’s argument. “Lord Bertrand might dislike Prince Theodore. He might even wish the alliance wasn’t happening. I’m displeased to hear it, but I can certainly believe that he’s been causing discomfort for you regarding your upcoming marriage. But it’s absurd to think that he would take such a drastic step as attempting to kill the prince. The consequences—the risk to himself—is simply too great for a personal grudge.” His expression became wearier. “I think perhaps you’ve let the treachery of his servant color your perception. The duke’s family has always been loyal to Torrens and there’s no reason for that to change.”
“I’m not judging Bertrand more harshly because of his servant. If anything, it’s the other way around,” Elowen insisted. “I’m confident Simeon didn’t do what he’s accused of. If he confessed, he must be covering for someone else, and try as I might I can’t think of anyone it could be but Bertrand.”
She could tell immediately that it was the wrong thing to say. Both her listeners looked exasperated, her credibility visibly dropping in their eyes.
“And please tell me how Bertrand’s personal vendetta against Prince Theodore would lead him to cause disasters across our kingdom. One of which devastated his own lands!” Patrick said impatiently.
“I can’t,” Elowen said. “I can’t explain it. But Bertrand is better at putting on a front than you realize. I’ve seen a side of him that I’m sure neither of you have.”
A knock at the door made them all look up, and the next moment, the king’s steward entered, looking somber.
“Your Majesty,” he said, holding out a missive.
