Page 45 of A War of Crowns

“I fear nothing,” Edmund snarled, lest Lord Naari make the mistake of using that word again in his presence.

The ambassador cleared his throat. “Of course, Your Majesty. I only meant that Elmoria no longer has the strength to wage war on two separate fronts. Their navy is, to our knowledge, entirely devoted to blockading our own shores. Drakmor has little to lose and everything to gain from entering this alliance—”

“With a heathen king,” Edmund helpfully finished for the Arathian. “His Majesty does realize I risk excommunication by entering into an alliance with Arath and taking his unholy daughter for a bride, does he not?”

“Ah, I see now,” Lord Naari replied, his smile saccharine. “It is your own Church you fear, Your Majesty.”

Edmund was on his feet at once. “You may leave now, my lord, before your tongue earns you a place in our dungeons.” He narrowed his eyes. “Or worse.”

But the ambassador seemed unruffled by those threats. His demeanor was as calm as ever when he murmured, “Before you make a hasty rejection of my king’s generous offer, Your Majesty, I feel inclined to inform you that not all within the kingdom of Arath worship the Lady Below. I myself am a devout follower of the Lord on High. As is Her Highness, Princess Mariana. It is for this reason she was chosen, out of the king’s many daughters, to be offered to you as a potential bride.”

Edmund’s brow furrowed. “And you did not lead with this news because…?”

Because it was a lie? A clear attempt to pander to him?

What sort of fool did these Arathians take him for?

“Because we thought you might understand King Andreas would never seek to offend you by presenting an offer your principles would compel you to reject.”

Edmund scoffed, “So, you mean for me to believe this was all a test?”

Before another word could be exchanged between him and the Arathian, the double doors leading into his study swung open to the announcement of, “The Dowager Queen Charlotte.”

Lord Naari rose to his feet and swept into a bow for the dowager queen as she breezed her way into the room.

Edmund offered in dull greeting, “Mother. You are a minute early, I think.”

“Oh?” the dowager queen asked, smiling even though she clearly didn’t follow. “I’m not sure what exactly you’re talking about, darling, but it’s always good to be early, is it not?”

When the doors snapped shut behind her, she turned her attention to the ambassador and greeted him with a warm, “And what a pleasure it is to see you again, Lord Naari.”

“Your beauty, as ever, lights up the room, Your Majesty,” Lord Naari simpered, luring another frown to Edmund’s lips.

Why must he always suffer the sight of men trying to flirt with her? As if she were simply another young lady of the court—rather than hismother.

“What terrible timing, Mother,” Edmund interjected, stopping all that nonsense before it could properly start. “I believe the ambassador was just leaving.”

“Oh?” Charlotte Hargrave’s eyes widened as if she was truly shocked by that news. “Well…how disappointing. You shall have to sit next to me at dinner, Lord Naari. We can speak properly then.”

Edmund shot the dowager queen a look which his mother ignored, eyes only for the ambassador in that moment.

Lord Naari had the good sense to addresshimfirst, at least, when he promised, “I will leave your presence, Your Majesty, and not take up more of your time. But I had hoped to have an answer I might send King Andreas, regarding that…other matter.”

Edmund resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Lord Naari’s attempts to be discreet. As if his mother didn’t already know what they discussed. “Yes, yes. You may tell His Majesty I will consider it.”

“That is all we could hope for,” Lord Naari reassured with another bow before he finally peeled himself away and made for the double doors.

His mother watched the ambassador go, rather like a cat pining after a mouse that had just escaped the grasp of its jaws.

The moment the doors swung shut again, Edmund presented her with the most disapproving expression he could muster. “And what was that?”

His mother shrugged and unclipped her folding fan from her belt. She flicked it open with a sharpsnap. “You know I am for an Arathian alliance, darling,” she lazily declared whilst fanning herself.

“Well, if you are so keen, you’re free to marry the King of Arath yourself, you know,” Edmund grumbled while returning to hisprevious perch. Slumping into his chair, he rubbed his face. “I personally want an opportunity to spar with this Queen of Elmoria before I commit to anything else.”

Flicking a look up at his mother, he added, “We both know that de la Croix woman will back out of this peace summit of hers if she catches wind we are courting Arath.”

“But why would we even bother making the journey to this…peace summitat all? Elmoria can offer us nothing.” The dowager queen laughed—a cold and cruel sound. “Their political power is but a fraction of what it once was. But Arath?” She sighed wistfully, still fanning herself as she did so. “They are a power on the rise—an ally worthy of the Hargrave name.”

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