Page 81 of Under the Lion Star

The prince was doing better. He didn’t speak much, but Sanna had assured me that was the way he had always been. Leor had continued to involve him in his reign, and often made Orin and Liras accompany Sanna into the city. I was cautiously optimistic.

“That little house on the left,” I instructed, pointing my escorts toward our destination.

Marcy was playing in the front yard, and I worried that she might be fearful of my new entourage. The smile that lit up her face placated any apprehension.

“Alda!” She shouted, pushing through the hulking men without a second thought and wrapping her arms around me.

Orin and Liras both squatted down, introducing themselves and referring to my cousin as Lady Marcy. She raised her nose haughtily, eating up every moment of their attention. They played along, even as she ordered them to join her at the back of the house and color pictures with her.

The three of us shared amused grins, but I let them know that I would be fine inside the cottage with my aunt while they entertained Marcy. Even so, Orin took the time to verify no dangers were lurking within the small home.

“Is that not the most adorable thing you’ve ever seen?” My aunt asked, wiping her hands as she watched the three of them together from the kitchen window.

I peered over her shoulder, finding Orin and Liras sitting cross-legged, leaning forward and scribbling intently onto some parchment as Marcy inundated them with questions.

“Looks like her Elldaran husband has some competition,” I smirked.

“Gods guide him,” Aunt Stella chuckled. “So, it’s not our usual prep day. I imagine you’re here for another reason.”

“Yeah,” I let out a deep breath. “First, I wanted to see if you’d be willing to train Princess Sanna.”

“Of course,” she said. “I’ll never turn away a set of helping hands. What piqued her interest in herbology?”

“That’s the other reason I’m here,” I winced. “But I need to ensure your secrecy, even from Gran.”

“Is everything alright?”

“Someone is trying to kill Leor,” I frowned, running my finger along the table's edge as we sat. “Mostly poisons, from what I gather, although there was also an incident with a snake.”

“That castle is full of snakes if you ask me,” she scoffed. “Just not the venomous type.”

“He and Atlas had been testing all of the king’s meals with mice.”

“Clever.”

“Right, but the culprit must have figured that out because not too long before we went to Krannar, someone laced his food with saccharil.”

“Gods be good,” Aunt Stella pressed her hand over her chest. “Now, that’s a rather horrid way to go.”

“He’s fine now, obviously,” I continued. “But in my reading on the poison, it seems rather complicated to brew.”

“It is,” she confirmed with a nod. “A temperamental solution, that one. And it requires special equipment to titrate properly.”

“Do you know of anyone in Galvord who would be able to create it?”

“Yeah,” her lip curled with disgust. “An old colleague named Barlow. He’s the only commercial front with the proper setup. Not exactly the most upstanding citizen and is rather financially motivated.”

“I could use that to my advantage if I had to,” I twisted my lips.

“He’s also a slimy little shit,” she continued. “More than money, those two out there would be a good way to ensure he opens his mouth.”

“I’d prefer not to make my brother-in-law torture anyone,” I raised a brow.

“Desperate measures,” Aunt Stella smirked.

My aunt stood from the table, moving us toward the backdoor. Liras had since stripped out of a good portion of his armor and was helping Marcy don a few pieces despite them being comically large.

“Those two will make solid uncles,” she winked at me. “When you’re ready.”

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