Page 134 of The Forgotten Queen
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Seran walked into dinner that night, hearing the last of the whispers between her father and Mariele.
“I don’t want her to be bothered with the details,” her father said in a hushed voice. “She’s not strong enough for that.”
“What am I not strong enough for?” she asked, assuming they were talking about her. Lately, everyone talked about her behind her back.
Her father stood, helping her into her chair. “Nothing. We were discussing the Council of Essentials.”
She lifted her brows, not believing him. At this point, she didn’t even care what they were talking about, but she pressed the issue anyway. “The next Council of Essentials is in nine years. You seem to be getting an early jump on it.” She tilted her head. “Unless that isn’t really what you were talking about.”
“It wasn’t.” Her father sighed. “There is something we need to tell you.”
“And what’s that?” She smiled at the waiter, who had deposited a tray of food in front of her.
“The Council will be gathering together in the next few days to discuss…” he hesitated, searching for the right words.
“To discussme?” she finished for him.
“Not you specifically, but the situationagainstyou.”
“What will happen to Doctor Von and Nurse Edmay?” Seran asked.
“Nurse Edmay was found in Appa. Instead of bringing her all the way to New Hope, she will be tried there for her involvement.”
“And Doctor Von?”
Her father fidgeted with his napkin. “He’ll most likely be executed. We need to see that justice is done.”
“How can justice be done when Commander Stoddard is still out there?”
He shifted his eyes to Mariele. “Commander Stoddard has been found.”
Seran remained composed though inside her heart raced. “Where?”
“Officer Kendrick found him close to the border of Cristole and Appa. He’s bringing him to New Hope to be tried for his crimes in front of the Council.”
Seran wasn’t scared of Stoddard, but the thought of him on the loose had caused her some anxiety. The fact that Kase had found him and was bringing him to New Hope lightened the heaviness inside her.
“Will King Marx be attending?” she asked, keeping her tone even, though everything inside of her hoped she’d see him again.
Her father shifted in his chair. “No.”
Her heart sank.
There was only one reason why he wouldn’t come, and that was because hedidn’twant to see her. It was probably for the best. His presence would only confuse things more—things like her heart.
“When is the trial supposed to be?”
“All the rulers will arrive in the next few days,” her father said.
All the rulers except Marx.
Her chest filled with heaviness again.
“We’ll be one big happy family.” Seran gave a terse smile. “You, Mariele, me, Ezra, Renna. It’s a family reunion.”
Her father and Mariele exchanged worried looks, the way Von and Edmay always had. Except Von and Edmay hadn’t really loved her. They had been her captors.
