Page 74 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

Apparently, the advisors are convinced that Jules was an innocent bystander in all of this, and that just confirms that the council is involved somehow. They even argued for his family to be taken care of and his funeral to be a big event. Jules’s act was not convincing in the least, and the advisors are fully denying his involvement, which is suspicious, especially given what I know.

“Your advisors are liars,” I counter, not bothering to hide my scorn as I address Joha directly. Even reclining back on the bed like this, I know he looks to me for advice and judgement. “Or at least some of them are. I found proof that Jules was involved in the plan to kill you.” We already suspected this, but now we know for sure, so it gives us a direction to look in.

Joha looks troubled, and honestly, I don’t blame him. This was someone he knew who was directly involved in trying to kill him, someone he trusted. When the attackers are unknown, it’s easier to think of them as evil, yet when your assassin wears the face of someone you know, it is so much harder to accept. The betrayal stings much more. Orion, on the other hand, looks as though he’s ready to start tearing heads from bodies.

“Jules was just a pawn. He was never pulling any of the strings,” I continue before either of them can question me. “He just had to get the king into place and take the fall if it backfired. I doubt he even knew much about who ordered it anyway.”

Any face-to-face contact was most likely done through a third party to stop any links from being made, leading back to the mastermind at the head of it all.

“What was the proof?” Orion asks, pushing away from the wall and taking a few steps towards the bed. Anger seems to hover around him like a cloud, and for once, it is not aimed at me. I don’t let it faze me as I meet his troubled eyes.

“Parchment with a family crest. Someone from the Oakenstram line wants the king dead.”

There is a heavy pause as both males process what I just said and who I just accused. They are clearly surprised, and while Joha looks concerned, Orion’s expression is full of scepticism.

“Are you sure it was them and you didn’t confuse them with another house?” he asks.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I arch a single brow. He really thinks I don’t know the noble houses? I’m an assassin. No place in the city is off-limits to me, and it’s my job to know who the power players are.

“Their crest is an oak tree with two swords crossed over the trunk. It’s fairly unique, so there was no mistaking it.” Clucking my tongue, I wait for his reply. Joha wisely stays out of the argument.

“The Oakenstram family has been loyal to the Crown for centuries. They practically run the Oaken Province in the city,” Orion argues as though it changes everything, as though none of the noble families have ever rebelled against the royals.

It’s true. Oakenstram is one of the most powerful families in the land, despite not living close to the palace.

While the city is split into the Uppers and Lowers, the Lanide River splits them like a great giant cleaved the land in two, and there is still a hierarchy within the upper-class part of the city. The provinces closer to the palace are where the upper nobles live. The farther away they get from there, the lower they are in status and power.

As the province bordering the palace, Stormhallow has the most influence. Oaken Province is almost at the same status level, even though they are farther from the palace, but the Grand Market is situated there, making it one of the busiest provinces in the land for fine clothing and foods. This brings money to the district, and wealth brings power.

Joha is pale as he contemplates what this means for him going forward. “If it truly is them, then we are in big trouble.” Concern and confusion flickers across his face, an expression I’m not used to seeing on him. “They are one of our biggest supporters.”

“I don’t think it is them, Your Majesty,” Orion reassures him, needing to comfort his friend, but I can see the caution in his eyes. He would never risk the king around them unless he was sure. “However, until we get proof to prove otherwise, we need to be careful around them.”

Honestly, I thought that Orion was going to put up more of a fight, yet I misjudged how strong his protective instincts are around Joha. That’s good. It means we at least agree on something, and that involves getting more information about the Oakenstram family.

Joha shifts his position on the end of the bed, looking distinctly uncomfortable but needing a plan. “How are we going to get proof?”

Yes, this is what we need to focus on, and between the three of us, we should be able to come up with a plan. Nodding, I glance between the two men. “Let’s discuss what we already know.”

“The Oakenstram family has lived in the city for centuries. When the city was divided into sections after it was destroyed in the great war, Oaken Province was named after them to reward them for their help in rebuilding,” Joha says, sitting taller. This is textbook information, impersonal and factual, so it doesn’t give us any direction to go in.

Humming in thought, Orion rubs his bearded chin as he thinks. “They own most of the market and are probably one of the wealthiest families in the city. They deal in exotic fabrics by trade, but also have a strong presence within the palace.”

Why would a family that has so much wealth and power want to kill the king? They are not related in any way as far as I’m aware, so it isn’t as though they would inherit the throne should the king die. I will have to check the records to be sure.

Blowing out a long breath, I lean back against the cushions and go through the mental checklist I use when I have a new target. They have a strong presence in the palace, but what are they like socially? Who are their friends? Their allies?

Clicking my tongue once more, I glance towards Joha. If anyone will know, it will be him. “We need to know who the power players are in the family so we know whom to focus on.”

“They have a good relationship with most of the other noble families, but no particularly strong alliances with any of them. They mostly stick to themselves,” Joha muses, shrugging his shoulders and writing off the information.

“After that scandal with Jessamine Oakenstram and the miner from the Flame Strand Province, I don’t blame them. They need to rebuild their name and reputation.” Snorting, I shake my head as I recount the incident. The affair between a lady and a miner had been all over the city. The rumours spread like wildfire, and Lady Jessamine had been sent away to a family in a distant town.

“Jessamine was always trouble, even as a young girl.” Rolling my eyes, I pick at my nails, remembering the spoilt child she had been. “She caused mayhem at one of the harvest festivals one year when she insisted that no one but her was able to wear pink ribbons. All of the other noble girls refused to have anything to do with her after that. It’s only over the last few years, as her father has become more powerful, that she has been seen socialising with the other ladies.”

As I speak, the confusion on their faces morphs to suspicion, and then a slow realisation has me going cold all over. I’ve revealed too much information.

“How do you know all of that?” Orion asks quietly, scanning me as though he’s seeing me for the first time.

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