Isabella raised the elegant teacup to her lips. There wasn’t tea within, though—there was coffee. She expected a rush of bitter unpleasantness, but it was far different than she remembered it. The bitterness was there, but it came alongside other subtle tastes. Vague caramel, most prominently, and… nuts. Still, the unmistakable flavor of coffee persisted most strongly.

  “What do you think?” Valerio asked, sitting across from her.

  Isabella looked into it, then up at him. “It’s better than I… expected,” she caught herself, nearly saying ‘better than I remember.’ She continued, “But I’m afraid it’s just not quite my taste.”

  “Fair enough,” he said, picking up his own, substantially larger cup. “So, you wanted to discuss your next move.”

  Isabella put her hands on the table, going through the questions and requests that she’d formulated the past day in her head. Roderick stood just behind Valerio, listening intently.

  “What would it be like, going elsewhere?” she asked. “What would I do?”

  “I have commercial enterprises beyond this city of Dovhain,” Valerio said. “Particularly, a merchant house in Ambrose. Considering your education, I was thinking you’d be a fine accountant for the business. It wouldn’t be glamorous, but you’d be paid more than you need to feed yourself so long as the work is without issue.

  “If you want to stay within the kingdom, things are more complicated. Your features are far more recognizable. I’d have to send you to the north or the far south—both of which have their own complications. The south is scorchingly warm and dry, while the north is frigid and quite inhospitable. I don’t have much clout there. Life would be… hard, let’s say,” he said softly.

  Isabella thought for a few moments, then asked, “Would I be free to act on my own?”

  Valerio nodded. “Though at your own risk, too.”

  “And… amongst your people. The elves.” She looked to Roderick. “What can I expect?”

  “Very little time to rest,” Roderick said. “My people are very social. They would ask you endless questions. So long as they know you’re under Valerio’s protection, you should be well-looked after. It may be far different than what you’re used to, but given time, I’m confident it’ll be a splendid life there.”

  “Is it a peaceful land?” Isabella asked.

  “Wars generally involve the Thalvass? alone,” Roderick explained. “They can be quite devastating to the land, but in general, the populace is uninvolved. Fortunately, Valerio ensured my tribe’s relative dominance before he departed.”

  “Could you tell me of the situation there?” Isabella asked.

  Roderick gathered his thoughts for a moment, then began, “My clan—the Ithilian—control the whole of the Sylvath River’s delta. We’re using these incredibly fertile lands to establish an agricultural base. Valerio imported grains to us—corn, wheat, and rice. Before, we never had crops that could be cultivated so efficiently. Already, famine has become a thing of the past,” he described proudly. “And should this continue… I believe our population will expand massively.

  “The Sylvath is a grand, calm river that reaches deep into the heartlands of the continent,” Roderick continued. “Further upstream where flooding is less of an issue, we’re attempting to build a city of our own. Ships can travel the majority of the Sylvath, which Valerio believes to be a key to building an exceptionally prosperous city.”

  Isabella nodded. “And your regional rivals?”

  Valerio said, “There are more isolationist nomadic elven tribes, but they’re fractured and friendly. I haven’t explored the entirety of the continent, but I’m quite confident that the only true threat to the Ithilian would be discovery by a nation like Ambrose or Dovhain.”

  Isabella accepted all of that information with a steady nod, then allowed herself time to think for a few moments. Now… it was time to ask.

  “I want to stay,” Isabella admitted, and Valerio stirred in surprise. “But with some requests.”

  “Please,” Valerio gestured.

  “I have… opportunities… that can be acted upon,” Isabella said, having trouble wording it. “They would be of substantial benefit, but require substantial investment of time, coin, and manpower. These opportunities are the primary reason that I wish to stay. I… don’t want to waste them.”

  “Opportunities like the fact that you knew long in advance that Ambrose had Dovhain as its primary grain supplier after losing a valuable trading partner,” Valerio said. “Opportunities like knowing where countless talented yet obscure artists, despite not having set foot in the capital. Does that about summarize things?”

  “Yes.” Isabella nodded, grateful that he had that as a point of reference. Hearing him say that, she considered that his motivations for helping her might be less selfless than she thought. “The problem with that, as I see it, would be that increasing attention would be drawn to your actions. Considering your aims, I’m not sure that increased prominence in Dovhain is even of interest to you.”

  “It’s true that the taller you rise, the easier you are to spot,” Valerio conceded. “But… we’re quite cautious. My fief, that dismal chain of islands, has many coves and is generally an excellent point to hide ships. The lagoon there is incredibly treacherous for most vessels. Any ships of mine heading to the Sylvath Delta pass through there, where sailors—all of whom are trusted elves—return to their homeland under cover of night. And so long as I’m not exceptionally overt, I don’t think there’ll be a problem. Roderick?” He looked over.

  “If her opportunities are as grand as she implies, perhaps the ‘grand armada’ that Edgar wanted you to build could be more than mere talk.” Roderick looked at her. “But it sounds to me as if you want to use Valerio for politics in the royal court.”

  “I feel a very strong responsibility for Dovhain,” Isabella said without wavering. “I want to promote peace and stability.”

  “That’s flimsy justification,” Roderick challenged.

  “I also want to learn magic from my teacher,” Isabella continued. “If you need more justification… there are questions that I still want the answer to. There are grudges that I’ve left unsettled, I’ll admit it. And I worry that I would fail elsewhere.” Isabella looked down. “This life is all that I’ve ever known.”

  And if I’m wrong about you, Valerio… there might be a way out, she thought, but left that unspoken.

  “I suppose it is a big step,” Valerio conceded with a nod.

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  “And… if possible, I’d like to stay here, specifically,” Isabella said. “It might be impossible. Claude is generous, but he’s also a traditionalist. It’s unthinkable for a princess to stay with their fiancé months in advance, but I’d like to try.”

  “Presumably you’d have to speak to him,” Valerio said. “I’ll aid you how I can, but if I ask, it’ll seem as though I’m forcing you to stay.”

  “And I intend to speak to him.” Isabella nodded.

  Valerio nodded, then looked to Roderick. The elven man gave Valerio a nod, and then the Duke of the Isles looked back.

  “Then it seems we’re all in agreement. Selfishly… I’m very glad that you’re deciding to stay,” Valerio said, leaning onto the table. “You always brighten my day. Things would be much duller with you gone.”

  Isabella didn’t know how to respond to that, so she looked at her hands. She wasn’t dense, she just didn’t quite know how to handle comments like that from him. But why? She supposed that since he was a pirate, he must have a great deal of experience in womanizing. That thought was strangely sobering, and Isabella looked back up at him with a clear head.

  “I look forward to working with you,” Isabella said politely, drawing a line.

  Valerio leaned back, looking a touch disappointed. She felt a little guilty.

  “To brighter days,” she added more informally, raising up her cup of coffee.

  Valerio’s smile returned. “Much brighter,” he agreed, tapping his cup against her own.

  ***

  Gaspar looked beyond the barred gate of Duke Valerio’s estate, a large number of holy paladins joining him. His own espionage efforts, coupled with an anonymous tip likely originating from a mage, had led him to conclude that Princess Isabella was within the mansion of the Duke of the Isles. He’d heard plenty of tales about the man, and he couldn’t deny feeling some fear as he stared at the pathway to the mansion’s entrance.

  He saw something move and looked to one of the trees. He was almost certain there was a pair of eyes peering out at him from the branches, but he couldn’t quite be sure. He rolled his shoulders, then stepped forward, testing the gate. It was unlocked, and he pulled open. Gaspar was about to issue orders to his paladins when the double doors to the estate opened.

  Duke Valerio and Princess Isabella walked out, their arms linked. A servant of the palace followed them. Gaspar stood there, waiting and watching as they walked toward him. Halfway to the gate, they broke apart, exchanging words. Then, Isabella walked the rest of the way with only the palace servant. She stopped in front of Gaspar.

  “Knight-Commander. What a coincidence,” she said dryly. “Could I ask you to escort me to speak to Prince Claude, and further ensure Alice isn’t harmed?”

  Gaspar swallowed his correction of King Claude. He hadn’t been coronated yet, after all—that was tomorrow. He cast a glance back at Duke Valerio, who stood with his arms crossed and a faint smile on his face. He didn’t look concerned in the slightest by the array of holy paladins in front of his mansion.

  “I’ll escort you back to the palace,” Gaspar told her, not committing to her request. “But I’d like you to give me a summary of what happened to you.”

  “Very well,” Isabella agreed.

  ***

  Knight-Commander Gaspar opened the door for Isabella, allowing her entry into Prince Claude’s study. She walked in, where he fortunately sat alone with the exception of four holy paladins. The new king was properly guarded, it seemed—and he’d remain so. Though, to call him king would be improper. Until his coronation, he was merely the regent.

  She had been surprised that the holy paladins had found out that she was staying at Duke Valerio’s residence so quickly, but it had ultimately worked out.

  “Isabella,” Claude greeted, rising to his feet. “We’ve never spoken before, as I recall.”

  “No, we haven’t,” Isabella confirmed.

  “I heard that you were found within Duke Valerio’s mansion,” Claude said. “Did he mistreat you? Is there any sort of complaint that you’d like to levy against him?”

  “Far from it,” Isabella said. “Duke Valerio saved my life. Or at the very least, saved you from paying a ransom to kidnappers,” she joked dryly.

  Claude didn’t seem fond of her humor. He sat back in his chair with a stoic expression. “The duke demonstrated commendable behavior, then.” he said. “Is there anything that you wish to discuss? I don’t mean to be rude, but there’s a great deal that I need to do.”

  Isabella took a breath to gather her courage. “The actions of men working on your behalf nearly got me killed,” she said flatly.

  Claude’s face shifted. “Are you accusing me of something?”

  “Whether or not you gave the order, your actions spurred mercenaries to roam the streets, killing members of the royal family and raiding their estates,” Isabella continued firmly.

  Claude—who doubtless thought much the same himself—didn’t say anything.

  “Given these facts, I believe that I wouldn’t be overreaching to ask of you a favor related to my well-being.”

  Claude didn’t concede yet, but prompted her to continue with a gesture.

  “I’d like to move my residence to Duke Valerio’s estate.” Isabella stared him in the eyes.

  Claude rearranged some things on his desk as he collected his thoughts. “Do you realize how improper that would be? If I permit that, I’d be tacitly encouraging a lack of chastity in the royal family. Your virtue, and that of all your sisters, would be brought into question.”

  Isabella knew Claude well. He responded best to direct, blunt, and unrelenting reason.

  “Do you think our father’s pathological habit of absconding with numerous mistresses and taking multiple wives a year hasn’t already eroded the perspective of royal chastity beyond repair?”

  Claude said nothing for a time. His mother, just like Isabella’s, had been executed when he was very young. She knew that he understood her points.

  “You may be right, but I intend on doing things differently,” Claude said. “I’ll bring the matter before the royal council. I want their opinion before I make a decision.”

  Isabella stepped forward. “Are you perhaps referring to the royal council likely responsible for the murder of dozens of royal princes and the kidnapping of countless others?”

  Claude stared at her, his gaze hard. “I’m performing a robust investigation into the parties responsible, Isabella.”

  “I’ve heard of your good nature, Claude,” Isabella continued. “All I desire is peace of mind and safety. I can’t find that here.”

  Claude leaned back into his chair. “I don’t intend on making exceptions or ruling arbitrarily, as our brother Edgar did. I’ll speak strongly in your favor, but ultimately, this will be brought before the council. As one of the people most affected by Edgar’s spontaneous actions, I hope you can appreciate the thought process behind the decision.”

  Isabella walked up as close to the desk as she could and said quietly, “If I were a prince, I wouldn’t need to ask.”

  Claude mulled that over for a moment. “But you aren’t. You’re a princess. Your safety is a more important consideration than that of men. Be grateful that you don’t have to take to the battlefield, Isabella.”

  Isabella tried not to sigh. “Can you at least allow me to speak to the councilors?”

  “Certainly,” Claude said. “I’ll bring the matter up in today’s council meeting. That’s about eight hours from now. They should all be receptive to a visit, and they’re all within the royal palace presently.”

  Isabella dipped her head. “Thank you, regent.”

  It was time, it seemed, to figure out what had happened to her reputation in the aftermath of King Edgar II’s death. It would be a difficult sell… but she knew the majority of the royal councilors. And…

  Isabella walked outside, where she saw Duke Valerio waiting for her. She knew the councilors, and she wouldn’t be doing this alone anymore.