“Thank you, Councilor Klein, we—” Leo started.
“Please, call me Ophelia.”
Leo nodded. “Ophelia, my wife and I are grateful to meet you and the rest of the council today.”
“I’m sure that isn’t true,” she said honestly but not unkindly.
“You’re right,” Evelyn confirmed. “We’re here because people in our kingdom are dying and we don’t know why. I like this isle, but I wouldn’t have come here two days after my wedding if it weren’t an emergency.”
Evelyn’s boldness paid off because Ophelia smiled at her. “You would make an excellent member of this council, Lady Connolly.”
The use of Evelyn’s original name and title felt deliberate but not like an insult. A few hushed whispers passed between the other women.
Did Ophelia meet my father when he was here during the war?
Evelyn continued, “Councilor Moeller said that you have better things to do than help us solve the murders of our guards, soldiers, and former king.”
Victoria rose from her chair. “He isn’t wrong. It should be enough that the men of the High Council are willing to help you. The role of the Legislative Council is not to investigate foreign crimes. Should you go to war, we may choose to allocate resources to assist you. Short of that, the affairs of Gryon are not our concern.”
Ophelia sent a sharp look to Victoria, who sat down again.
“We dedicate ourselves to doing what is best for the people of Lochmatten,” Ophelia explained calmly. “Councilors Wendell, Moeller, Heinrich, and Ritter all swore fealty to magic itself. We are not heartless toward your kingdom. It is simply that the High Council is equipped to help you, and we are not.”
“We understand,” Leo said quickly, “and we apologize for overstepping. Your offer of future assistance is generous. Thank you for agreeing to see us today.”
Leo bowed and began to leave, but Evelyn didn’t move.
“Why are the councils separate?” she asked. “Why not work together?”
Ophelia gestured around the room. “Someone has to make sure the people here are safe and healthy while the men bury their noses in books and play with magic all day.”
Anger burned in Victoria’s eyes, but she didn’t respond to the insult against her husband.
Is anyone paying attention to what the High Councilors are doing? If the Legislative Council worked with them, would Heinrich still have blown up a ship?
“Thank you for your time, Ophelia.” Evelyn curtsied again and joined Leo to leave.
Damien backed out of the room, unwilling to turn his back on the council, or perhaps just Ophelia.
“What was that all about?” Evelyn asked him in the hallway.
“I’ll tell you later,” Damien whispered.
64
Mother
Moeller intercepted Evelyn, Leo, and Damien in the hall after their meeting with the Legislative Council.
“Alexander,” he said. “Would you like to learn how to use your Elemental magic?”
“Shouldn’t Evelyn come, too?” Leo asked.
“I’ll get to Evelyn later. She will have an easier time learning elements since that’s her primary magic. You will have far more difficulty transitioning from conjuring images to wieldingactualpower.”
The insult didn’t go over Leo’s head, but he didn’t acknowledge it. “Yes, Councilor.”
Dammit, Leo. Tell Moeller when he’s being an ass!
