Page 30 of The Royal Throne
Sabine nodded. “Sometimes I feel so alone here. However, since being crowned, I feel I have a purpose. I’m trying to learn as much as I can about Lynk and our army. I want to help lead this kingdom in any way I can. I want to help my subjects.” She did her best to meet as many eyes as possible. “I am your humble servant,” she said. “If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.” She bowed her head.
Regina came and sat next to her on the sofa. “We’re so glad to hear that,” she said, rubbing Sabine’s back. “You’re young and shouldering a lot of burden.”
She nodded. “Thank you for inviting me tonight. I miss being around my family and feeling loved and supported.” While she hoped to garner sympathy, she didn’t want anyone to think she was weak. These were the highest ranking members in the army. She needed them on her side. “You have to understand,” she continued, “I grew up in a large family. It’s hard not to have that any more.” She reached out, taking Regina’s hand and clutching it. “I’m sure you understand. Now that your son is back, you must feel a sense of joy.” She pulled her brows together and looked about the room. She twisted toward Cutler. “Where’s your wife?”
“That’s a good question,” he said. “Especially since she’s pregnant. I suspect she’s in bed with your husband.” He downed the rest of the drink he’d been holding.
Chapter Eight
Shock rolled through Sabine. While she’d assumed Rainer and Heather had spent the day together, she hadn’t considered that they’d be in bed. It wasn’t that late, the sky wasn’t dark, and she’d mistakenly assumed those sorts of activities didn’t happen until then. Her naïveté had to be showing. The fact that Cutler had just announced it to the room made her shrink into the sofa, her face turning flaming red.
“I thought the king ended things with Heather once Princess Alina arrived?” one of the women said.
“I heard he had an agreement with the princess,” someone else whispered.
“Is the child she’s carrying yours?” a man asked Cutler. “You haven’t been married that long, and she’s showing.”
Cutler pushed off the wall, coming to stand next to his father, as if for support. “The child is not mine.” Defeat coated his features along with a tinge of helplessness.
“You’re an honorable man to marry a woman like that, knowing her condition,” one of the wives said.
It surprised Sabine that everyone was talking so openly about this.
Lady Regina placed her hand on Sabine’s arm. “I’m sorry if we’re being too forward around you,” she said.
She didn’t know how to respond to any of this.
“The truth is I’ve been in love with Heather for years,” Cutler said as he sat in one of the vacant chairs. “King Rainer knew it. One day, he came to me and told me to marry her. I jumped at the chance. I didn’t realize.”
“You have to understand,” Felix said, looking at Sabine as he spoke, “we all hoped King Rainer would be different from his father.”
She realized they wanted her to know the sort of man she’d married and understand how others viewed him. Especially the high ranking officials in his army.
This wasn’t the first time Sabine had heard sentiments such as these. She clutched her goblet, squeezing it, trying to mask her emotions so everyone here wouldn’t know her thoughts until she had time to understand them herself.
“I think we’re scaring our new queen,” Regina said. “Let’s discuss happier things. I’m glad my son is here with us.” She lifted her cup in Cutler’s direction.
“Yes,” Felix said. “Now let’s hope the king doesn’t send us to war.” He lifted his goblet in salute as well.
“War hardly matters with so many dying in our camps,” one of the men said. “How many have been killed? Twenty-one?”
Sabine had no idea what he was talking about.
“It’s definitely not an animal,” Cutler said. “At least not of the four-legged variety.”
“Let’s not terrify the queen,” Felix said.
“I don’t frighten easily,” Sabine replied. “I had an assassin chasing me for weeks—I’ve learned I can handle a lot.”
“Regardless,” Regina said, “this is supposed to be a celebration. Let’s change the conversation to something more pleasant.”
People started talking about other things, and Cutler abruptly stood. He went over to the side of the room and began pacing. He reminded Sabine of a caged animal. It concerned her—the things he might be forced to do to escape.
Sabine awoke to a soft knock at the door. When she opened it, Drew stood there with Harper and Claire.
“Captain Drew informed me my services are no longer required,” Claire said, her eyes red as if she’d been crying.
“I’m sorry,” Sabine replied. “Since you’re the sister to my husband’s mistress, I can’t have you around.” Her voice was still gravelly from sleep.
