Page 3 of Once Upon a Crown
“Don’t forget the fact that you haven’t been collecting taxes as often, either,” Brett added.
“As long as King Aries doesn’t have his entire army here and isn’t trying to conquer Norrandish cities, we might stand a chance,” Alastor said.
“The only reason Aries managed to invade Norrandale so quickly was because he had Thatcher working for him on theinside. If His Majesty is only mining in Norrandale then it doesn’t appear to be an Evernean problem to me,” Creston retorted.
“The King of Norrandale was forced into exile, yes. So where are his supporters who would fight with him for his throne?” Dalloway asked.
“Cai has many loyalists all over the kingdom, but it would take months to gather all his forces and secure the proper funds,” Alastor replied.
“We might not have months,” I interjected. How long before Aries couldn’t find what he was looking for and decided he wanted to confront Cai? Who knew what he would do to Cai to get information out of him. “Aries can turn any second. We need to be prepared. And Cai needs to take back Mistwood Palace if he wants to reclaim his throne.”
“Speaking of which, where is His Majesty? Shouldn’t he be joining us for meetings that regard him and his kingdom?” Brett’s question made my stomach coil with nerves. I didn’t know how much longer I could keep making excuses for Cai.
“The King is currently indisposed.” Alastor, thankfully, answered for me. “He will join us as soon as he is feeling well.”
Brimsey spoke up. “His Majesty cannot go to Norrandale and try to win back his throne with no support on the ground. He needs soldiers.”
“And what if we send our soldiers to Norrandale and they all get slaughtered?” Creston raised his voice. “Who will be left to protect Everness?”
“The King and Queen were still engaged the last time I checked.” I was surprised by Lance’s words, and apparently so was everyone else, because there was a moment of silence in the room.
“They are not married yet and Everness has signed nothing to agree to aid Norrandale in the event of war against Argon,” Creston shot back.
The tension in the room was high, everyone on edge. This meeting was not going well.
“You are right, Your Grace.” I raised my own voice. “We have not agreed to send soldiers to Norrandale.” I looked about the room, eyeing my council — the rich aristocrats whom I barely knew, half of whom didn’t even want me on the throne and would most likely use this as an opportunity to have me removed. I had to watch my back like never before. “But Aries is coming one way or another. So, I suggest we start to gather an army and ready our forces. We must be prepared if he decides to attack or if we should march to Norrandale in the spring.”
“Will there have been a royal wedding by then?” the Duke of Wells asked carefully. I felt my cheeks tint slightly. I could barely get Cai to speak to me or leave his room. There hadn’t exactly been the right moment for us to discuss our engagement or the uniting of the two kingdoms.
“The wedding is not the most important topic that needs to be discussed.” I attempted to change the subject and shifted my gaze to Gwen.
“Lady Gwen.” Her eyes found mine, her expression filled with uncertainty. She’d been more quiet during this meeting than ever before. Usually she was the lively, bubbly sort, but ever since the betrayal by her brother, something had changed about her.
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I think it is safe to say you know the man currently in charge of Mistwood Palace very well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” she said again.
“If, for whatever reason, Cai should decide to go to Norrandale, your brother would be his first immediate threat. Imust admit, though I’ve met Lord Thatcher, I don’t feel that well acquainted with him. Especially in the context of warfare.”
“My brother has always been very determined, Your Majesty. But I never knew him to be capable of such violence.” With every word, she was trying to hold herself together. I hadn’t meant to sabotage Gwen by asking her to the council meeting. I only wanted to get a better understanding of our new enemy.
“Say we were to attack the palace — how would he go about defending himself?” I folded my hands on the table. The whole council room was quiet, listening to our exchange, Aries and the mines temporarily forgotten.
“Thatcher might be able to prey on those weaker than him, but I think he’s always been threatened by Cai. You were taken by surprise last time, but should you be on the offensive now, I don’t think my brother would be in the front row to fight. He’ll be looking for a way to protect himself.”
“How do we know that anything she says is true?” Creston said. “For all we know, she is here on Thatcher’s behalf, spying on all of us.”
“I assure you I am not,” Gwen replied, her tone a little firmer now. She wasn’t the sort of person to take kindly to being falsely accused.
“Of course, there are means of extracting information should it be necessary.” A sickening feeling washed over me at the thought of these men hurting Gwen. Based on Creston’s expression, he looked like he might enjoy it.
“I can assure you that Lady Gwen is not working with her brother and that she can be trusted,” I said quickly, placing my palm flat on the table.
Brett interrupted the conversation. “Perhaps we should consider how Lady Gwen could aid us in relation to her brother, then.”
“What do you mean?”
