Page 39 of Stars May Fall

Stirling gave her his own placating smile. “Don’t worry, Mother. All his orders and plans have to be approved by the king. You know this. He couldn’t turn our armies against us. His regiment is the only one that actually follows him. Well, I suppose he has two regiments to follow him now. But he has a good tactical brain. That’s why he oversees troop maneuverings as a whole.”

Her eyes narrowed at him. “Why are you both taking his side today?”

Stirling took a deep breath but didn’t let his smile fall. “We’re not, Mother. I’m just explaining why you have nothing to worry about.”

She straightened. “Nothing to worry about? I heard he used some horrible, illegal kryalcomy to threaten dear Lyrason.”

I rubbed my forehead. “He said it could only be used once. Even if that’s not true, he hasn’t used it again. If he’d wanted the crown, he could’ve taken it years ago, Mother.”

Stirling nodded quickly. “See? You have nothing to worry about.”

The queen sagged back in her seat, her face twisted in sudden misery. “You both must think me very stupid.”

Stirling and I each took her closest hand in a well-practiced motion. My brother spoke first. “Not at all, Mother. I worry about him sometimes too. But please, the physician said you should focus on resting.”

Mother sat up again. “Where is Clarence? I’ve not seen him all week.”

I shook my head. “He’s barely been at the palace the last fortnight. He spends his time with his friends playing games and hunting.”

Stirling's eyes flicked to mine as he muttered, “And you calledmelazy.”

Mother folded her arms. “Well, tell him to come and see me. I can barely keep up with all his activities. He must have time in his busy social life for me.”

I suspected Clarence was actively avoiding her, as he avoided many of his responsibilities, and would continue to do so for as long as possible. Talking to Mother could be draining.

Stirling stood up. “Well, I must get back to the war council, Mother. It is my first one after all.”

I stood too. “And I need to prepare for my negotiations with the envoy.”

Mother didn’t stand but squeezed both our hands, pursing her lips. “My two hardworking, beautiful children. I’m sure you’ll both do an amazing job.”

We both inclined our heads to her before leaving. One good thing about visiting Mother was that she never seemed to care if the visits were short.

I turned to Stirling, fatigue catching up with me. I was glad that my brother was one of the few people I didn’t have to wear a fake smile for. “I’m going to my rooms to prepare for the envoy. I assume you have to go back to that noisy lunch?”

He grimaced. “Yes. Though at least Kasten isn’t there anymore.”

I elbowed him. “Don’t look so gloomy. I know full well that Sir Dejong is there along with several other close friends of yours. Go back to the throne room and relax between meetings.”

He perked up a little, saluted me as if he were a common soldier, and strode back down the hallway. I trudged back to my room, wondering if I could fit in some crossbow practice today. I wanted to release my building frustration, though I should really be focused on the envoys.

As I opened the door to my room, my maid, Hetty, rushed to greet me. “A man is waiting for you, Your Highness. I thought you would want him to remain discreet, so I invited him inside.”

I looked over her shoulder and saw Noah by the fire, wringing his cap in his hands. Hetty took a step back to let me pass.

I closed the door with mounting excitement. Finally, we could be making a move forward.

“Have you found out anything, Noah?”

He bowed. “Forgive me for not coming at my usual time. I wanted to speak to you as quickly as possible.”

His expression was nervous, not excited. My heart sank. “What is it?”

“We were looking into Mister Tyler Gregane as you asked. Apart from his studies at Ilustran University, very little is known about him. He has no recorded place of birth. No family. He inherited his workshop from a Miss Eloise Moore. We started to look into her, thinking she might be his mother, and it’s as if she never existed. The old deeds to the workshop are the only mention of that name with no other record of her anywhere else. We assumed she was also a kryalchemist since she was the previous owner of the workshop, but there’s no mention of her in the university records. We’re wondering if somebody has deliberately wiped out all mention of her.” He looked down, wringing his cap tighter in his hands.

I stepped closed, my trepidation growing. “What happened, Noah?”

“I was the one who visited the university. Most of the people who give me information have no connection to nobility or excuse to be there. I went and said it was palace business. Anyway, an intimidating man stopped me as I was leaving and told me never to look for Eloise Moore again or there would be trouble.”

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