Page 74 of Dead Crown
Jaki said something as Lumi hunched on the floor against the door, and both snapped at each other a few times, although Lumi didn’t quite catch it all.
“You’re hiding something from me, and I want to know what it is. Did he tell you that’s my baby?”
“No, it’s not your child-”
“Well, the kid certainly came from somewhere, and that’s why he ran!”
Jaki paused for a moment. “She’s my daughter.” He said something else.
“That’s your child? And you didn’t tell me right away?!”
“Lower your voice. You’ll scare them, and yes, she’s my daughter-”
“Or a courtier’s-”
Their voices faded a bit since Jaki must have tugged Elswere into the sitting room. Lumi strained to hear until he heard the King shout.
“Is this some sort of sick joke?!”
“Father-”
Both dissolved into yelling as Lumi held Jacqueline closer and tried to soothe her crying. He caught something about spies, sob stories, herbs, and, “all it takes is one time, and how was I supposed to know he’d conceive?” The last came from Jaki. More arguing ensued before they started to quiet down.
“He’s not Edur, and whatever he told you is a pack of lies that you were dumb enough to believe. Edur’s been dead for years. They found remains! You’re absolutely insane!”
“Fake remains. Did you actually look upon the unburned face of Edur? Did anyone? No. I would swear to Elira herself he’s Edur, and if you threaten him-”
“Prove it.”
“How the fuck am I supposed to prove it?” yelled Jaki. “Should I demand Tivar come here and say who he is?”
“Bring him in here, and let him tell me something only Edur would know,” demanded Elswere. “Now.”
“Like what? And he goes by Lumi now.”
“That’s for him to know, and why would I call him by his fake name? Oh, right. He’s a spy.”
It took a few seconds before Jaki knocked on the door. “Lumi, can you let me in?”
Lumi did, and he shook his head once Jaki entered. “I’m not going out there. I don’t want to see him.”
“Please, can you think of something to tell him-”
“Why?”
“I can’t hide this forever, and I know you’ve only been here for a few hours…he already knows, so let’s get it over with. I didn’t know he was going to come in here.”
“What if he takes away Jacqueline? He’s furious!”
“There is nothing he can do to you, and I will protect you. I swear. I got you away from Tivar. Do you think I’d let Elswere take away our child or do anything to harm you? What’s he going to do with her?”
“He’s fucked me,” whispered Lumi. “He’s done all sorts of things to me. I let the heat work and pretended to love it. I-”
“You did those things because you were doing what Tivar said to do.”
“I still fucked him! How do you think he feels knowing he was fucking his nephew this whole time, half or not?”
Jaki rubbed his forehead. “It’s not like you woke up one day and decided to spy here. You were trained and forced to do whatever Tivar commanded.” He leaned forward. “Yes, you could say you’ve done wrong things, but you’re not a bad person. You were an innocent child forced into a horrible situation by the false heir who isn’t even worthy of being called a fairy being. And then, he made sure you couldn’t disobey for the most part before he sent you here. None of it was your choice, and while it may take a while, Father will have to understand. You need to tell him something only you two would know so he doesn’t think you’re a spy pretending to be Edur.”
