Page 95 of The Mad King and the False Queen

“You don’t know what you’re looking for,” Claude countered.

“And you do?” Reon countered.

“Watch your tone, Reon.”

“Apologies, Your Majesty.”

A new voice startled Dagmara. “Princess.” It was Martine, a few paces behind her. “I’m not comfortable eavesdropping on the king.”

“Then go,” Dagmara replied. “I didn’t ask you to follow me.”

“Princess—”

“Shhh!” Dagmara scolded, waving her hand at Martine. Then she pressed her ear against the door once more.

“Ilusauri is taken care of, we’re almost through Celestaire, and Azurem?” Reon asked. “How is your progress there?”

“No territory under our control yet.” That voice was Sabien’s. He remained calm, as though he were required to be at this meeting. Was he a part of whatever scheme Claude and Reon were a part of? Or was he obligated to be there as Captain of the Ilusaurian guard?

“Wasn’t that the point of this marriage?” Reon asked.

“I’m working on it,” Claude countered.

“Have you at least gotten anything out of her?”

“Not yet,” Claude replied.

“Why not?”

There was a lull in the conversation. Dagmara pressed her cheek against the wood, desperate to hear their words.

“Don’t tell me you’re actually falling for her,” Reon said.

“Of course not. She’s done nothing but create problems since her arrival.”

“What about Flaustra?”

Dagmara felt a pit in her stomach. That’s where Magdalena was. What was Claude’s plan with Flaustra?

There was more silence. Had she missed something? Then she heard footsteps. They were coming toward her.

She quickly straightened her posture, reaching her hand up to feign knocking moments before the door flung open. Sabien stood in the threshold, eyeing Dagmara suspiciously.

“Oh, hello,” she said, flashing a smile. She lowered her hand. “I was just coming to find the king. Is he in there?” She rose on her tiptoes, looking over Sabien’s shoulder. She saw Claude, leaning over a desk, his head hanging.

“Now is not a good time,” Sabien said.

She shoved past Sabien, ignoring him, and welcomed herself into the room. If they were going to talk about Azurem, she had every right to be there.

“You left me all alone out there,” she began, trying to remain inconspicuous. She didn’t want them to know she had been eavesdropping.

“I know you can handle yourself fine,” Claude replied. He didn’t meet her gaze, and she couldn’t determine if he was annoyed by her presence or not.

“Reon,” Dagmara noticed him, backlit by a moonlit window, wide open to let a cool draft in. “Lovely to see you. I must admit I didn’t realize Ilusauri and Celestaire had such a strong alliance.”

Reon dipped his head. “Celestaire is slow to accept relations with Ilusauri, but at least Claude and my relationship is strong,” he replied. “I look forward to getting to know you and the rest of Azurem.”

Something flashed behind Reon. The outline was barely visible in the dark sky, but a figure manifested, flying in and landing on the windowsill.

---