Page 82 of A Pact of Blood

“Can you imagine…”

“…can’t be good, Emperor Tarquin passing on the same night as…”

“…all the way from Accasy…”

“…giving the bounty to the people most in need, so generous of…”

“…when the gods send an omen like that…”

The last remark comes with a hurried warding gesture. I resist the urge to rub my arms self-consciously.

Word about my participation in the confirmation rites has obviously spread, but it hasn’t been enough to reassure every Darium citizen, especially those who weren’t there to see my efforts.

Losing their emperor the night of my wedding is an association that’s difficult to get over.

They’re watching me now, evaluating the way I’m standing here. Trying to judge whether to cheer me on or shun me?

At least a few people have decided on the former. “Hurrah for our new empress!” someone hollers from farther back in the growing crowd, punctuated by a couple of nearby whoops of approval.

I wander a little farther along the convoy, not wanting to look as if I’m hiding but not sure what I can do that would sway anyone in my favor right now. It isn’t as if I can help them mend the bridge. The soldiers don’t look inclined to let me even speak to the civilians face-to-face.

After past incidents, I can’t blame them for their vigilance. And Marclinus has already berated me for stepping beyond my supposed place. I can’t meddle much without risking his wrath again.

As I stroll along, more voices call out in my praise. I aim a few more waves at the spectators. I nod at the nobles I pass who’ve stepped out of their carriages, but their answering smiles look a little stiff.

I pause by one of the staff carriages to accept a goblet of juice to take the edge off the heat. Bianca sidles over next to me to claim a drink of her own.

“You’re causing quite a stir,” she says under her breath.

I glance toward the watching townspeople. “I didn’t intend to. It’s not surprising they’re curious.”

“Not just curious. And it isn’t only them getting riled up.” Bianca tips her head toward the rest of the convoy. “Some of the court has been grumbling this past week about the attention they feel you’ve been encouraging, as if you’re trying to set yourself up as better than those of us from Dariu.”

Gods smite me, is there anything I can do—or have done in my general vicinity—that the imperial court won’t use as an excuse to criticize the “wild princess” from the north?

I stop myself from rolling my eyes. “I simply want the people of what’s now my home country to warm up to me, since I’mnotoriginally Darium. It won’t help any of us if they think I’m an ominous presence.”

The vicerine’s lips curve at a wry angle. “I’m sure you’ve already noticed that most noble folk are mainly concerned with what benefits us directly and immediately—and looking as good as possible while we’re enjoying those benefits.”

For fuck’s sake. Am I now expected to polish the common people’s opinion of the entire court as well as myself?

I do need the lords and ladies on my side too. Giving them gifts clearly wasn’t enough to win them over. What could possibly mollify them when it comes to a complaint like?—

A flash of inspiration passes through my head. I pause, holding back a laugh at the idea that seems absurd.

Perhaps it isn’t. Perhaps it’s actually genius.

It could calm their complaints, give them all the more reason to appreciate me, and serve the townspeople at the same time.

Bianca arches an eyebrow at me. “You look as if you’ve had an interesting thought.”

“I have. I have indeed.”

I stride on toward the farthest of the imperial carriages. Bianca trails behind me out of apparent curiosity.

Two marchions and marchionissas who’ve been traveling together watch my approach with a vaguely apprehensive air. “What can we do for you, Your Imperial Highness?” one of the marchionissas asks.

I clasp my hands in front of me and put on a tone ofpure earnestness. “I was just thinking of these poor workers striving away and having to wait so many days for compensation. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we showed the people of Norbina just how generous all of the imperial court can be?”

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