Chapter Four
Valeris
Ifrowned at the stiffcollar imprisoning my neck like a noose, irritated at the discomfort it waged on me.
“Once I’m king,” I said, “dress standards will be the first thing I change.”
I watched my uncle roll his eyes in the mirror’s reflection.
“May I remind you that you are not king yet and may never become king?Even if you do win this competition, it will be years until you are crowned.”
There seemed to be a few new streaks of gray in his short salt-and-pepper hair since I’d last seen him.
A smile twitched at the corner of my lips as I examined myself in the mirror.The suit and tailcoats were dyed the deepest shade of blue, pressed to perfection.Light glinted off the gold seams and buttons, a perfect contrast to the rest of the uniform.Uncomfortable as it was, I decided the finery complemented me well and gave me a striking appearance.A good impression was essential for the opening ball.
My manservant approached with a golden crown, but I waved him away.I disliked the unnecessary formality and only endured the slippery circlet for as long as I had to.If I tried to wear it now it would only end up on the floor.
“I’m so appreciative of your faith in me, Uncle.”I fastened my tan leather belt.“It really boosts my confidence for this evening.”
He let out an exasperated sigh.“Valeris—”
“Did you get the list?”I interrupted.
He pulled a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket, extending it out to me.The ink had barely dried on the crisp parchment.I nodded my head toward the table, and he set it down.I glanced at the list as I fastened my cuff links.
I snorted.“Is this a joke?”
My uncle rubbed his tired eyes.“Isn’t everything a joke with you?”
“The way he talked in the study, I expected him to suggest something impossible like convince Adellaia to attend the Paravellian Balls and trade for one of their steeds.”I smirked.“My father only listed ten alliances.Half of those will be easier to secure than the latch on my cloak.”
“And the other half?”
I leaned over to examine the list closely, the names and kingdoms swirling together among the specific trades my father desired from each.I cocked my head.“Tricky, but attainable.”
A sour expression filled his face, and he crossed his arms.“What is your plan, then?”
“Haskelle.”
His attention whipped back to the list.“Haskelle?The river rights?Why secure the river rights first?”
“Because the Teyre River is on Haskelle land, and they charge an absurd fee to sail down their waters.I need something valuable enough to trade that they’ll allow us use of the river to carry our exports and wave the fee.The Teyre River deal is crucial before attempting any other.There’s no use bargaining for extra docks at the southern borders or increasing the quarry deals with the northern kingdoms if we can’t afford to ferry the supplies down the river.”
I took great pleasure in the disgruntled look on his face.
“And you plan to accomplish all that tonight?”my uncle drawled.
I checked the time on my pocket watch, frowning.“The opening ball is about first impressions and introductions—scoping out the competition—but yes, I can secure the river alliance tonight.I’ll secure Pranger’s steel supply at the second ball, and being centered on dancing, the third ball is the perfect opportunity to sway the queen of Ravonia in our favor.”
Uncle tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair.“You only looked at that list for two seconds to devise those plans.Don’t you think it would be a good idea to lay them out more strategically?”
I shrugged and straightened my coat.“What a waste of time that would be.”
A knock came at the door, and I nodded at the servant to open it.Ezrielle sauntered into the room with a smug aura and wearing only enough clothes be considered decent in public.The rest of her body was draped in a transparent tulle that left little to the imagination.I turned back to the mirror, catching my uncle slipping the list of names and alliances back into his pocket from the corner of my eye.
