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Well, it was too late for either of them to escape justice.

“Speaking of family,” I said, unable to hide my grin at Eliza, “may I make one more request, Your Majesty?”

Eliza smiled. “You know you may have whatever you wish, my lady.”

“About twelve years ago, before they passed, my parents were cheated out of a large sum of money.” I suppressed a laugh as I heard my aunt gasp loudly, though my uncle remained dead silent. “I feel the only right thing to do is for the person who stole that money to give it all back, in the form of a scholarship to the Knight Academy, where it originated.”

“That sounds like a kindhearted punishment for such treachery.” Eliza raised a brow. “Again, you are a far better person than I am. Your lack of pettiness astounds me, even.”

“I see no point in sinking to their level,” I said, finally looking at my so-called family. “After all, the guilty party is a relative—my mother’s brother, John Bailey.”

“Don’t listen to the girl,” my aunt protested, on the verge of a breakdown. “She makes up fairy tales. Always has, rotten girl.”

Meanwhile, my uncle glared at me mercilessly.

Anise, however, gaped in horror. This time, I was sure, my cousin’s confusion was genuine. She had only been a child when my uncle had betrayed my father. She would’ve never known where the extra money came from, and her father would have spun her lies, like he had with everyone else. Like he had with me.

“Half my uncle’s wealth belongs to my dear late father,” I went on. “With interest, of course, as I’m sure my uncle has made more investments since then.”

“Cruel lies,” screeched my aunt. “After all we’ve done for you.”

“The girl doesn’t know what she’s talking about, Your Majesty,” my uncle added, grabbing my aunt’s hand. “She was but four years old when her father died. We were already rich when we took her in.”

“Old money or new?” Eliza asked casually. “Never mind, I’m sure your books will reveal the truth. You have been paying taxes on all earnings, have you not? I would hate to find that you had ever underpaid.”

My uncle looked sick, silent now.

“But how will we survive?” my aunt whimpered. “Where will we live?”

“I’m sure half of your riches are sufficient for a decent lifestyle,” said Eliza.

“That’s not fair!” Anise cried, still determined to be audacious in the presence of a queen.

But Eliza simply laughed. “It’s not as if you’ll be benefiting from their income where you’re going.” She signaled to the guards, who took Anise away kicking and screaming, with her parents rushing after her yelling and crying and cursing their fate.

Anise hadn’t learned her lesson at all, had she? None of them had. But without me around to bully, they would learn the hard way, and soon.

“If only my father could see me now.” Eliza touched the arm of the throne thoughtfully and I almost wished the king was still alive just so he could see how great the new queen looked occupying his place. She stood up from her throne, making her way down the stairs, flanked by Faline and Albert. “Shall we eat something?”

Beric’s brows furrowed. “I feel like we have a few things to establish before we eat.”

“You are so serious, sweet boy, even when there’s no more need.” She gave him a sisterly pat on the cheek. “You’ve both done your part well, and I’ve already begun mine—I’ve sent out a decree that the king is dead, that the people should gather here this night. Everything will be taken care of, sweet boy. For once in your life, don’t worry about the details.”

Beric still looked a little unsure.

I took his hand and squeezed. “Everything’s going to be fine. Just think of how much good we can do under the rule of a benevolent queen.”

“If it makes you feel better, we can square away each of your roles under new management,” said Eliza. “Although none of you will have to perform nearly the number of duties you had to before.”

“I most certainly will,” Faline said, as if offended by the very suggestion.

“Nonsense. I was going to make you a lady-in-waiting.”

“Forgive me, Your Majesty,” she replied, with not so much as a smile for such an honor, “but you’re going to need my hair expertise more than ever if you’re to look like a queen.”

I laughed, but Eliza simply raised a brow. “I don’t quite know how to take that. What’s wrong with my hair?”

Faline raised her brows but said nothing.