Page 200 of I Ran Away to Evil
A few council members were glaring at Their Royal Highness for going forward with the motion before an official vote … but the ruler didn’t seem to mind and accepted their ire with grace. I could only imagine the amount of paperwork they would be forced to fill out for helping us, and I smiled a thank you. They winked back.
“Now that that’s settled”—the Duchess waved a hand at Chloe, sitting a few seats down the table—“I move that we finalize the matter with Drendil and then give the responsibility of cleaning up this mess to the new ruler. Any questions before the motion?”
No one said anything.
“All in favor of accepting Knight Commander Havork Everrond as Regent? Select [Yes/No].”
The council were all in agreement save a few who chose not to vote. Chloe was among those who’d abstained, due to a conflict of interest.
“As the hostess of this meeting, I will moderate the will of the council. This concludes the agenda.” Grand Duchess Calisto thanked the members as they all stood and left. Duke Wyldon bowed, a small apology for the trouble I’d faced at the hands of his countryman.
Their Royal Highness Rowen winked at us as they walked by. “Remember, Keith, apersonalinvite!”
Regent Havork just stood there, looking shell-shocked. I held Keith’s hand in mine but used my free hand to reach out and pat the old man on his shoulder. He slowly turned to stare at me, still processing what had just happened.
“Could you do me a favor?” I asked him, handing over the entire Drendil heirloom royal set. There were entire parts of the castle that could not be opened without the set, including sections of the royal suite. It wasn’t exactly good of me to take parts of the ceremonial set when my parents sent me off to die … but I didn’t regret my first moment of rebellion.
Havork took the pieces and nodded creakily. “What would you have me do?”
“Could you approve my cousin Francis’s divorce?”
“Your cousin wants a divorce?”
“No, but his wife petitioned the courts last year. No idea how he captured her, but it would be lovely if you could free her and maybe grant her justice?” I sighed. “It was going to be the first thingIdid if I ever became queen.”
“Then it shall be done.”
The grand duchess and Necromancer Chloe joined us, coming around to the front of the half-moon table. Calisto waved toward a door on the opposite side of the atrium from where the council had exited. “If you two are done, shall we visit Simon and Thalia?”
Chloe saddled up beside Keith as we all followed the duchess. “Rufus is going to have a field day with your proposal. ‘When you didn’t kill me’ indeed.”
She shook her head, her long golden hair catching the light. “At least Julia brought me somewhereromantic. Points for high drama and maximum formality, I guess. Godmother would be proud. It was veryyou.”
“Chloe,” Keith replied, “do you think Rufus will say yes when I ask him to be my best man?”
Keith laughed as a look of anger and utter betrayal warred across the young woman’s face.
“You wouldn’t! I’m obviously your right hand,” she proclaimed with proud hauteur.
“You could be one of my bridesmaids?” I offered.
Chloe put a hand on her chest, further offended. “Not even the maid of honor? See if I get you anything fancy.” She flounced ahead of us, then turned around and stuck out her tongue.
Havork trailed behind as we all followed Calisto into the side room containing my parents. They’d each been set on top of a prepared pair of small beds.
“What happened to Chadwick?’ I asked, curious.
“He was charged long before you arrived. Duke Wyldon of Servalt is cooperating, and they’ve seized all of his assets. Chadwick is being imprisoned in the Baldorin mines. I owe you a set of Veralyn’s Enchanted Restraint Manacles, as we portaled him away with yours still on him.”
“That’s not necessary.” Keith’s reply was quick and final. He could give up a pair knowing they were being put to good use. And he could always make more.
Everyone in the room turned to Regent Havork, to see what he would decide. He squared his shoulders and announced, “[Raise] them.”
The duchess waved at her future daughter-in-law. “Necromancer Chloe, if you would do the honors?”
“Mypleasure.” Chloe rubbed her hands menacingly before throwing her arms out, twiddling her fingers. “This will only give them achance,though. As long as we are all aware? Depending on their willpower and desire, my [Raise] skill will assign them with an appropriately leveled Undead status.”
“So they might come back as a wraith? Or a lich?” I asked.
