Evelyn nodded.
“Yes,” Moeller confirmed. “I knew her well. She and my wife were friends.”
Questions came pouring out. “What was she like? What happened with my father? Where did Katrina go? How did I end up in Carrowmore?”
“Slow down and listen,” Moeller told her firmly. “Your mother was a lot like you—incredibly stubborn and always willing to pick a fight.”
“That’s—”
“Butthat made her an effective member of the Legislative Council. Katrina would do anything to protect the people of Lochmatten. No one else was brave or stupid enough to scream at Ophelia Klein when the council wasn’t acting fast enough against an injustice. She earned Ophelia’s respect for that.
“Katrina and your father were inseparable from the first night. For reasons that should be obvious, their relationship was problematic. Also, women of the council are discouraged from marrying outside of Lochmatten for fear that their loyalties may be split. To fall in love with amarriedlord from another kingdom was… disreputable.”
“Why are the rules different for the women?” Evelyn asked. “Men of the High Council can marry whoever they want, right?”
“They can,” Moeller said. “But our first priority is magic. Marrying someone from another land is arguably better for the High Council because it increases our magical knowledge and abilities.”
“You didn’t.”
“Just because I don’t enjoyyourcompany doesn’t mean my heart is made of stone. I love my wife. My marriage wasn’t a ploy for power.”
I absolutely cannot picture this man being romantic with anyone.
“Your mother became pregnant,” Moeller continued. “It was the isle’s worst-kept secret. The best was how your fathermanaged to smuggle you back to the continent without anyone noticing, andwhy.”
Hesmuggledme to Carrowmore? What the hell? How did he get away with it?
“What happened to her after my father went home?”
Moeller shrugged. “I don’t know. None of the women on the council at the time, including Victoria, ever spoke of it. Katrina was simply not here anymore, and a new member was elected to replace her. I wondered if she showed up in your kingdom, but apparently not. Your father came back here once looking for her.”
Evelyn blinked. “He did?”
“About two years after you were born. The Legislative Council refused to meet with him. So I told him what I told you, that Katrina was gone. He stayed a day or two, hoping I was wrong. He searched for her, then he left. Life went on. A century passed. None of us expected Katrina’s bastard child to show up again as a princess.”
Evelyn flinched at his bluntness. “What would’ve happened to me if my father hadn’t taken me away?”
Moeller frowned. “No one would have hurt you, if that’s what you’re thinking. It would depend on what happened to your mother. If Katrina had remained here, I imagine she would have raised you like any other mother and daughter in Lochmatten. Maybe you would be married to Ritter by now, though I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Why not?”
Moeller scrutinized her again before answering. “Because it’s not clear what Ritter’s intentions are. You and your husband may be an odd match, but at least Alexander isn’t the type for schemes.”
“We’re not an odd match,” Evelyn argued.
“The past twenty-four hours have shown otherwise. All the king has time to do is apologize after you and Captain Fontaine piss everyone off.Youare the product of a wartime scandal, and yet you married a man who is terrified of upsetting anyone.”
Evelyn’s bracelet warmed against her wrist.
That doesn’t even sound like me… but that’s what I’ve done.
“Is this what you do all fucking day?” she yelled. “Gossip about other people instead of, I don’t know, looking into themurdersthat we’ve asked for help solving?”
Moeller stared her down. “You wanted gossip, child. Or is begging for rumors about your parents’ affair somehow better than noticing newlyweds who barely make eye contact?”
“I’m allowed to wonder where I came from!”
“Sure, but now you’ve made it my problem.”
