Page 61 of The Queen's Crown
“What do you need?”
“Find out who the designated assassins in the army are. See if any were recently hired for a private job or if any are missing.”
“I understand.”
Knowing she could trust him to handle the matter, she resumed her trek to the dining room, her guards once again falling into place behind her.
“Is everything all right?” Claire asked.
“Yes.” As the future queen, she didn’t have to justify her actions. However, she wanted to make sure Claire trusted her, so she smiled and said, “I simply told him since he will be staying here for a while, he is permitted to write home to his family. I’m not sure he wants anyone here to know about his private life.”
Her explanation seemed to appease Claire since she didn’t press the matter any further.
When they reached the dining room, Sabine entered alone. It felt like the last time she was here had been a lifetime ago. A moan came from the right. She swung toward the sound and found Lottie sitting at the table, her head resting on her arms. “Are you all right?” Sabine inquired.
“I’m sleeping,” Lottie mumbled.
“Did you have too much to drink this afternoon?” She tried to sound shocked and not as if that had been her plan all along.
Lottie tilted her head, opening an eyelid. “Yourteais quite potent.” She closed her eye again. “I’m assuming that’s a reflection on you.”
Sabine patted Lottie’s back before heading out onto the balcony. She slid her hands over the railing and sucked in a deep breath. A hawk flew a few feet below.
“It’s going to rain,” Anton said as he came to stand beside her. “I can feel it.”
She eyed him. “You feel rain coming?” There wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
“My knee hurts—and it’s never wrong.”
“From an old injury?”
He nodded. “Axel dared me to jump from one rooftop to another. I missed.”
That sounded painful. “I assume you were much younger when this happened?”
“Sort of.” He laughed. “Axel and I have a long history of getting into trouble. If it’s not me, it’s him to be sure. We used to drive my father crazy.” His voice sounded wistful.
He reminded her of her brothers, making her miss home even more today. “You’re twenty-two but not engaged?” she asked. That seemed a little old, at least by Bakley standards, to not be betrothed.
He raised his eyebrows and looked at her. “No. Why?”
“Just curious.” It was odd that not one of the four siblings was married.
“I’m not sure how it is in Bakley, but for us here in Lynk, the king will decide who Axel, Lottie, and I marry. I can’t believe my brother is going to choose my bride.”
“Do you fancy someone?” She bumped her shoulder against his. “Maybe I can put in a good word for you,” she teased. This was what she missed about her home. The banter with her siblings.
“I wish it were that simple. Unfortunately, the three of us must marry to strengthen our kingdom. I’m sure you understand that seeing as how it’s why you’re here.”
“Yes.” Her finger trailed along the edge of the railing. Duty. What an ugly little word that could be quite inconvenient. However, she supposed everyone had it in some form or other. Her duty was to her family and kingdom. Someone like a servant had a duty to provide for their family as well, just on a different scale. It seemed everyone had a rope tethering them to something.
“What are you two discussing out here?” Axel asked as he joined them on the balcony.
“Nothing of importance,” Sabine said, turning back to look at the sun setting over the mountain in the distance.
Axel shoved his hands into his pockets. “Can I ask why Lottie is passed out on the dining table?”
“She drank too much tea,” Sabine said, trying not to smile.
