Page 73 of By Mistake
Oresti gave him an amused look.
"I hate you both," Andrus muttered.
They both looked entirely too pleased with themselves, as usual, but before either could open their smartass mouths, they'd reached the king's chambers.The guards there let them in without prompting.
Inside, in the sitting room, King Oranti waited for them, along with a truly ridiculous tea service.He stood as they drew close, embracing Oresti tightly.Watching them made Andrus ache for his parents, who had always been weighed down by a thousand burdens but had always clearly loved him.If only they could see him now.
But if he thought about that too much, he'd think about all the needless suffering caused them by the Farthing family, and if he thought about that, he would lose his fucking mind.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as they sat down, and gratefully took the tea a servant poured for him, though it still seemed beyond silly to make other people do such a simple task for him.It was a perfect cup of tea, though, so hard to complain in the end.
"Alina is awake," Oranti said."Already trying to resume some of her duties from bed, and summoning people to get started on her new leg.None of my children know how to hold still, I swear it."
Oresti chuckled."I'll go see her later.Well, maybe tomorrow.I'm sure she'll wear herself out and fall asleep in the middle of dictating a letter or yelling at some foolish councilor."
"Yes, tomorrow would probably work better," Oranti said with a sigh."But on to the reason I asked you to come see me.I read through the journals of Elemus Farthing.Grim stuff.The harm caused by him and his ancestors has had ripple effects we will probably never fully appreciate, though I've faith Oresti and Telish will get as close as is possible.My investigator and my historian."Oranti smiled briefly."I assume Telish is still with the journals?"
"He's barely left them since I brought them here," Oranti said dryly."Manesh had to come drag him away last night."
Oranti chuckled, but he sobered as he continued, "You are owed a great many reparations for the harm done to your family on this matter, Andrus."
"I don't—" His breath hitched.He'd been trying so hard not to think about it.That was impossible now, though, in the midst of a conversation about all of it.
Elemus had killed Sendrus, destroyed the lives of the Bothwells ever since.They had struggled, starved, died of illnesses they should have been able to overcome.Parted with heirlooms and personal treasures.Been forced to leave the bodies to rot in the temple, unable to afford proper cremations.He hadn't even been able to find flowers for his mother because it had been the middle of winter when she'd died.
All because of fuckinglies.Lies the Farthing family could have cleared up at any time, but they hadn't, damning entire generations to suffering.His parents had lived and died in poverty, struggling every single day of their lives, always hoping for better.His mother had been proud of her lineage, no matter what anyone said about them, and his father had married her despite the contempt of his family and their anger that he could have done so much better.
"Hey, it's all right," Oresti said, holding him close, and only then did Andrus realize he was crying."I'm sorry, Andrus, I'm so sorry.They deserved better, all of them, and I'm sorry we can't make it better for them now.But your parents, your grandparents, all of them will rest peacefully knowing that you are no longer suffering.That the truth came out."
Andrus wiped his eyes with the kerchief Oranti gave him."Sorry, I didn't mean—"
"Child, you have every right to grieve for lives that were stolen.For the years of your life that were stolen because of cruelty and selfishness.I wish we could do something for your relatives.I know full well I only wear the crown because Prince Kolik was murdered and my ancestors took advantage of the situation.It's the way history so often goes, but that doesn't make me proud of it.We can only move forward and do better than those who came before.Which means reparations to your family, and a formal proclamation of the wrongs committed."
"Can I honor them properly?"Bodies were always cremated, then the ashes either kept by a loved one or, more often, scattered somewhere.As they'd always been paupers, the bodies had received pauper cremations, a term he'd always fuckinghated, which just mean they were laid out in the open air on special tables to rot, then the bones disposed of or, if loved ones could afford it, packed up and returned to the family.
It had cost him everything he'd had at the time, but he had been able to obtain his parents' bones, kept them stored safely away on the hope that someday he could honor them properly.
"Of course, whatever you wish.A proper ceremony, burning offers in lieu of their remains, anything else you desire."
"I have their bones.I should have just buried them in the garden, but I kept them…"
"I would have too.Shimari can fetch them, and we'll burn the bones along with the offerings.Then they can rest properly.I'll take care of it."
"Thank you," Andrus said quietly.
Shimari handed him a cup of tea, and when Andrus looked up to thank him, his eyes glowed red before he winked and withdrew, a faintlaterin the bond that left Andrus burning with curiosity.
"There are other families that merit recompense for his wrongs, but those will be paid from his estate once everything is assessed, sold off, and so forth."
"What will happen to his wife and other family?"
"Farthing has no children, thankfully, and his wife was not party to his misdeeds.Was indeed yet another victim, I'd say one of his greatest victims.I cannot fathom what it was like being married to him.She'll be well taken care of and want for nothing.However, the greater portion of his immediate wealth, all the money he has in his house and in the banks, will be given to you immediately.Well, after the paperwork is filed and cleared, which will probably take a month or two."
Andrus stared."What?Why?I don't need money, I have money now, and a spoiled brat lover with a hundred times the money I possess who will probably say something stupid like his money is my money."
Oresti didn't bother to reply, just stole another sandwich from the table.By the window, Shimari smirked.
"What in the world am I supposed to do with so much money?"
