Meryn blanches. “Goddess,no. I just meant—get them out of here. Send them back to whatever fiefdom they came from. I know how Cyril handled things, Matron Alienor, but I am different.”
A small smile graces the Matron’s face. “Understood.”
“Speaking of which,” Meryn continues, this conversation bringing her back to life finally, “the servants. Let them know that anybody who wants to leave is welcome to go. They’re not required to work for someone they don’t support or might be afraid of. Anyone who chooses to quit can have one month’s pay and a strong reference. There are too many people in Sturmfrost who would be willing to take their jobs; it doesn’t make sense to force those who are unwilling.”
The declaration loosens something in my chest. After that display in the arena, a part of me worried we unleashed another tyrant in the making.
But it seems Meryn truly does want to be a different type of regent.
If I’m going to stand by someone’s side and offer to be their weapon, I need to know I won’t be aimed in the wrong direction.
My thoughts trail to the way that Meryn let Jonah and the others leavewhen another ruler—Cyril, surely, or even the Sovereign Alpha—would have demanded their immediate executions. At her own horror over the deaths she’d caused; horror so vast that it manifested in injuring herself.
A regent who truly grieves when her people are harmed…
My heart thuds painfully in my chest as I look at her now, hazel eyes lit up with a righteous fervor, pink high on her cheekbones.
If she has people by her side who can encourage that empathy, if she’s not corrupted by the power she’s wielding… what could that mean for Nocturna?
“I’ll let them know immediately,” Matron Alienor responds, jotting down a note to herself. “From the willing servants, we’ll select one to be your primary attendant. She and the others will prepare the regent’s rooms for you.”
Meryn’s face pales. “King Cyril’s rooms?”
Matron Alienor raises a single gray brow. “Of course. They’re traditional royal chambers.”
“No,” Meryn says firmly. “I’ll stay on the royal side of the castle if that sends a necessary message, but not there. Not now. It’s too soon.”
“How about the Sovereign Alpha’s rooms?” I interject, and Alienor nods. Turning to Meryn, I explain, “The Sovereign Alpha has designated chambers on that side of the castle to keep her close to the royal family.”
“Why don’t you take her there now?” Matron Alienor suggests. “I’ll send someone to prepare a bath and clothes immediately.”
We all stand, and Matron Alienor’s lips purse in thought. She opens her mouth as if to say something and then stops herself, shaking her head.
“What?” I ask. “This is no time to stand on ceremony, Matron.”
She gives me a tight nod and turns to Meryn. “Your Highness, I hope this is taken as a kindness, as it’s meant as one. It seems there may be some… gaps in your knowledge about royal responsibilities and procedure.”
Meryn starts to laugh and can’t stop. She doubles over, tears streaming down her face as giggles continue to pour out of her.
Matron Alienor shoots me an alarmed look, and I grab Meryn’s arm, my fingertips tingling where our bodies make contact.
“Pull it together,” I mutter.“Your Highness.”
Meryn stands, wiping the tears from her face. “Forgive me, Matron Alienor. That was the politest way anyone’s ever told me I’m a know-nothing moron, and I’ve been told that alotover the past few months.”
Alienor’s face reddens. “I meant no offense, truly—”
This poor woman. I didn’t know she could get flustered like this. But Meryn Sturmfrost brings out the unexpected in everyone, it seems.
Meryn waves a hand, cutting her off. “No offense taken. It’s true, the gaps in my knowledge are so large they could be called canyons. I’ll gratefully accept any instruction you might offer me, and if you have any books I should read in the meantime, please hand them over.”
A small smile now on her face, Matron Alienor walks quickly to the bookshelf that covers one entire wall and pulls a few leather-bound volumes from it. Then she hands the pile of books over to Meryn and sees us out the door, shutting it firmly behind us.
No doubt very happy to have survived that meeting with her head intact.
Back in the hall, I lead Meryn silently to the Sovereign Alpha’s rooms, then bow and turn to depart.
She blurts out a strangled “Stop.”
