Endless golden threads,
shoot up into the sky,
Alone, the threads are ugly,
and simple little things,
Together, a shimmering wave,
glimmers and flows over miles,
All at once they seem to speak,
in chorus and of one message.
“Nebrasia has been honored by the visitation of two great countries,” Adrian’s voice boomed. “Andveltica and Cappeland.”
Madeleine squinted under the bright sun, gazing around at the splendor. She was standing at the end of a red carpet along with all the other royals who stood in a long line that curved in a semi-circle toward a massive crowd of people.
The elegant group wore magnificent, gaudy costumes.
Adrian stood proudly in the center, his entire outfit made of golden thread. His crown was covered in rubies and precious gemstones, causing him to glisten in the sunlight. King Jean stood on his left and King Abel on his right, and in front of the three kings stood a large podium with an ink jar, quill, and document. To King Abel’s left was Prince Antoine who wore a similar outfit to Adrian’s but of all silver thread instead.
Even Adrian’s father, King Luc, was present to Madeleine and everyone else’s surprise; his tired face and hollowed eyes a testament to his fatigue. He looked frailer and more sunken than she remembered; a sort of gray ghost, having never ceased mourning his departed wife.
“As per custom,” Adrian continued, “we have welcomed these guests into our borders, and they have lived with us for a short time. It is as eminent as ever that these ties between nations be strong and resilient. The triple alliance will be signed by the three monarchs as follows.”
The three kings took turns signing the ornate piece of paper as everyone watched silently.
When they had finished, Adrian turned back to the crowd. “As of today, this treaty is official documentation of what we are trying to achieve. Unity, solidarity, trust, support and unassailable friendship.”
There was a loud cheer, and trumpets played.
There was something so final about the moment. Madeleine couldn’t approach Adrian publicly anymore if she wanted to keep her secret safe. She remembered her meeting with him in the garden later that day and bit her lip. There was the risk of Yvette finding out, but she was willing to take it. This may be her only chance to say goodbye, and the garden was very secluded.
She was shaken into reality again by more clapping, and almost missed her cue to exit the area.
They were led to an enormous room that was meant for grand feasts bigger than anything she’d ever seen. Color flooded her face as she gazed at all the food, realizing this was grander than even the ball.
Looking around, she saw that Courtney and Amabel had paired off, eating sweets while comfortably chatting away and Antoine stood by himself, inhaling a fruit tart. She watched him for a moment, grinning slightly at his puffed cheeks full of pastry. He stared blankly at the tray of desserts in an almost melancholy way.
She strode up to him. “Eat too fast and you’ll get a stomachache,” she said, taking a fruit tart for herself.
His face lit up when he saw her, and he accidentally crushed the pastry in his hand. “Whoops!” He pulled out a handkerchief, wiping his hand of the crumbs. “Well, good thing there’s plenty more.”
She exhaled quickly. “I’m afraid you don’t know your own strength, Tony.”
He chuckled. “I suppose not.”
“Tony, you look so magnificent all garbed in silver. I thought I might go blind when the sun shone on you.”
“Me too.” He gazed at her ornate skirt with a grin. “Your gown is quite intricate as well. Are you feeling better since Fernshire?”
“I’m doing well,” she lied, her chest tightening. “Yesterday, I found the harpsichord unoccupied and was able to play a little.”
“That’s good. You know, you may play whenever you like?” He gave a warm smile, and she opened her mouth to reply when Duke Adam approached them, reaching for a tart of his own.
“Prince Antoine,” he said coolly, “we were hoping you might join us in conversation about expanding Cappeland’s territory with the other members.”
Madeleine glanced behind him at the group of men composed of Duke Bourgeois, Prince Bryson, and Cardinal Vauquelin all gathered together.
Antoine let out a quiet sigh. “Of course, but I think I’ll converse with the princess a moment longer.”
The black-haired man loomed over him. “There are not many days left that you will be able to converse with these important men, Prince Antoine. Their stay is coming to an end.”
“Perhaps I could add to the conversation,” Madeleine offered. “I am, after all, a member as well.”
He looked her over, wrinkling his nose. “No need, Princess. You enjoy your time with Prince Antoine.” He bowed, then returned to where the others waited for him.
Antoine shook his head disappointedly. “It’s their loss really.”
She gave him a grateful smile. “Thanks.”
Gazing over at the group, she frowned slightly when her eyes fell on Cardinal Vauquelin. His odd behavior in Fernshire hadn’t slipped her mind, but she wasn’t sure if she should bother Adrian about it again, since what Vauquelin did was not in any way incriminating. Didn’t the king have more important things to worry about?
“What’s on your mind, Madi?”
She blinked back into focus, finding the green eyes. “Huh?”
“You look a bit distressed.”
“Oh. I suppose I am.” She hesitated. “Tony, I’m sure it’s nothing, but there’s something off about the cardinal, or rather, something he did the other day that I found rather peculiar.”
“And what’s that?”
She took a step closer, her voice lowering. “He went into this run down shop with a rough-looking man in Fernshire. I saw him during the flower festival. It could be nothing, but he seemed to be doing some kind of business with the man and went inside for some time.”
“That is a bit odd, considering how highly ranked he is. What kind of business he’d need done in Fernshire I can’t imagine.”
“Tony, I wonder…He might visit again this evening, since the council will not be meeting. I want to check it out.”
He searched her face. “By yourself?”
“Yes. I’ll just poke around a bit.”
“Madi, I don’t know about that.”
“I can’t shake this feeling. I need to investigate.”
“Oh, no, I agree. I just think you should go with someone.”
“But who?” He made a face, and she blinked. “Oh, are you volunteering yourself?”
He chuckled. “Yes, if you want me to.”
“I do. I’ll meet you just outside of town, by the gates, okay?”
“I’ll be there. I really hope we don’t find anything. There’s already enough drama in the council.”
“I agree.”
They both looked up when a high-pitched giggle rang out. Yvette hung on Adrian’s arm while he talked with King Jean. He looked miserable.
Antoine snorted. “That girl has been dragging him around everywhere, showing him off like some sort of prize she won.”
“Yvette thinks I’m a threat to their relationship,” she blurted out.
He looked at her in surprise. “She said that?”
“Yes. She thinks they will be engaged soon. Supposedly, he must marry one of the princesses from the triple alliance before this visit is over. Must he really marry?”
Antoine considered her, then shook his head. “The king and queen of Cappeland have been pushing for an engagement with Yvette since before the triple alliance was even mentioned. They were hoping that by bringing her along, they could finally convince him.”
“Really? He never told me.”
“He absolutely does not have to go through with a marriage. He has every right in his power to refuse and remain a single ruler. King Jean pressured him especially hard the other day. I think perhaps he does intend to marry by the end of the month though.” He looked crestfallen then, biting his cheek.
She blinked. “You think so?”
“I do.” There was a pause, then Antoine sighed. “Madi, I’m afraid I’ve made those councilmen wait long enough. They’ll keep harassing me if I don’t join them.” She opened her mouth then closed it. “I will see you later in Fernshire.” He took her hands, placing his forehead to them.
She could tell he was upset but didn’t press the matter. “Until then, Tony.”
♛♚♛
Madeleine’s large blue dress caught on a few twigs as she made her way through the tight passageways lined with hedges.
She rounded the corner to find the private room empty. Taking a seat on the stone bench, she gazed up at the statue of Queen Gabrielle. The marble face looked kind and pleasant, the way Antoine often did, but her hair and eyes, as Madeleine recalled, resembled Adrian’s.
There was a crunch of leaves underfoot and she turned as Adrian entered the room. The golden king, still in his gaudy attire, stepped through the green entryway. She swallowed, standing up stiffly from the bench.
“Please,” he said in his kingly voice, “sit.” He came to join her.
“I see you had no time to change either.”
He looked down at himself then gave a small grin. “I came as soon as I could.” He pulled the shining crown off his head and set it next to him sheepishly. There was a pause. “Madi...” He took one of her hands in his. “I’ve really enjoyed our time together here. I don’t need to worry about my duties or being the image of a perfect ruler when I’m around you. I can just be me. I miss those days when we were children, and we could have fun without a care in the world.” He squeezed her hand. “I cherish those days and cherish what we have now.”
She searched his face, finding she had no words.
“I want something more with you,” he continued. “I know it must sound quite formal, but if it’s important for me to marry to strengthen Nebrasia’s alliance, then why not Andveltica? Why not someone I admire so much already?”
She stared into those blue orbs she had been obsessed with for so long. “A-are you sure you want that with me?”
“Yes. No one else occupies my mind and I think you’ve come to admire me as well, at least I hope so.”
“Of course, I mean,” she paused, blushing. “You do not wish to marry Yvette then?”
He exhaled quickly. “Of course, not. I would be miserable. I originally asked you here, before my discussion with King Jean, because I wanted to ask you how you felt about a marriage proposal. Do you dislike my idea?”
She shook her head. “No. In fact—” she was suddenly quiet, the blood draining from her face as she realized something.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, and she could only sit there, frozen.
“I…There’s only one issue.”
“What is it?” She shook her head, looking down. “Whatever it is, you can tell me. I already hold your deepest secret.”
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“No, not quite my deepest.”
“What do you mean?” She hesitated, and he rested a hand on her cheek. “You can trust me, remember?”
She gazed into his face then nodded. “Of course.” She reclaimed her composure then began to speak. She explained everything from the notes to Yvette’s threats.
“If Yvette hears you broke off the engagement with her for me,” she said seriously, “she will surely tell everyone what I am.”
His mouth hung open. “Madi, this is the worst possible news. Yvette would most definitely tell everyone. This…would be terrible for my reputation.”
Her heart pounded quickly, and she was certain Adrian could hear it too. “W-what should we do?” There was a tense silence between them.
“Madi...” He paused, still holding her hand in his as a sadness crossed his face. “I have a duty to my country, and many people already think I am too young and inexperienced to rule. If I were attached to a scandal, the alliance could become unstable. Your mother could be executed. I cannot risk the safety of my people. I think,” he looked away, swallowing, “I think it is best we pretend this conversation never happened.”
Time froze. “Never happened? But what about what you just said—”
“That was before I learned of this. Do you not understand the seriousness of this situation?”
“Of course, I do! I thought perhaps that it would not matter.”
“Not matter? How could I possibly explain this away while exposing your mother, putting her life in danger, and throwing the alliance and my people into ruin?”
She stared at him, feeling a large pit in her stomach. “Who says anyone will believe Yvette’s accusations? She is not generally taken very seriously.”
“I don’t want to take that chance. What if it doesn’t work out? What if everything goes to shambles? What if—”
“What if, what if,” she repeated, standing. “Adrian, what if it works out fine and we get to be together?”
“There’s no guarantee.”
“So, you’ve already decided then?” She searched his face in distress. “You’re going to marry Yvette? She is the only other eligible princess. Can you really marry someone you dislike so much?”
He looked around desperately for a moment before recovering his bearings. “I’ve realized that growing up is about doing the right thing, and that is sometimes the hardest thing. I must do what is right for my country. I see no other option here.”
There was a pause, and she gave a shaky exhale. “I was obsessed with you for years, Adrian,” she said quietly, blinking lifelessly at the ground, “and in my wildest dreams I wanted to marry you. I thought of how you were the only person who could accept me for who I really am even after you learned what my mother did, but I know now that is not true.” Tears trickled down her face. “As long as my secret did not affect you, it was fine, but now that you’ve learned this…” She paused. “When I entered this same room all those weeks ago, you treated me coldly, and I could not figure out why, but now I know. You’re afraid of what people think of you.”
He blinked at her. “I—”
“You’re constantly trying to prove to everyone that you’re no longer a child; that you’re a revered ruler and competent king, which I understand. I do. You’re afraid of what my truth will do to you, but what about you and what you want, Adrian? What you want matters.” She swallowed. “But you’ve given up so easily…Was I always simply a guilty pleasure for you to use when you wanted to escape your kingly duties?”
He gawked at her. “Not at all. You were never a guilty pleasure, Madi. I...love you.” She gaped at him, her chest heaving. “You must understand what a sacrifice this is for me.”
Her lip trembled. “I know what people are saying about you, and they think you are an extremely competent ruler. They say it’s amazing how you’ve stepped up and succeeded your father with little to no support. You are afraid of what they think, but this is your chance to show your strength and vigor, but you falter. Adrian please, reconsider.”
He searched her face. “Oh, Madi,” he stepped closer, placing his hands on her shoulders. “I wish it were that simple. I do accept you for who you are, but this could ruin my reputation and worse, it could jeopardize my kingdom.”
“We must say goodbye then?”
He couldn’t meet her eye. “I’m afraid so.”
“Once you make this choice, you know you can’t look back. If you’re not going to marry me, then please, don’t get married at all. At least do that for yourself. You already have the triple alliance. You don’t need to marry anyone just because Queen Adele is desperate to dump one of her many children on you.” He opened his mouth then closed it. “Do this for yourself for once. I will not stand in your way.” She turned to leave when he grabbed her arm.
Turning, she was surprised to see tears sliding down his face. “I really do care for you, Madi. I feel so light when I’m around you and it’s a rare moment when you do not cross my thoughts. Please, do not take this personally. I would choose you if I could.”
“Perhaps,” she said, her own eyes filling up again, “but perhaps you would also choose me now if you were brave enough to.” Taking her arm from his grasp, she left the secret room failing to hold back the water flow.
♛♚♛
Madeleine stood in the square, staring at nothing in particular.
She remembered how quickly Antoine had dismissed himself at the banquet, and wondered if he was even going to come to their outing. Not that it mattered now. She was far too occupied with her thoughts of dread.
Wandering around for some time, trying to mull over in her head what had happened in the garden, she felt a tap tap on her shoulder and looked up to see the sly, curly-haired prince smirking at her.
“All ready for our secret mission?” he asked, grinning.
“Oh, Tony,” she said softly. “I thought perhaps you wouldn’t come.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” He pulled a large hood over his head. “I brought disguises as well.” He handed her a large blue cloak, giving a small smile.
His sunny face filled her heart, and without much thought, she pulled him into a tight hug. Her eyes were wet again.
The prince froze in her grip for a moment before putting his arms around her. “What’s the occasion?”
She finally let go, quickly wiping her eyes. “Nothing,” she said quietly. “I’m really glad you came. It means a lot to me that you are still my friend.”
He looked her over in concern. “Are you alright?” She shrugged mutely. “What happened?”
She examined the ground awkwardly. “It’s nothing, well, not nothing. You know when we were in town, and we thought we saw someone dash away?”
“You mean when you told us your secret?”
“Yes. Yvette sort of confronted me later. She got a hold of the papers I ripped up and threatened to expose me if I ever talk to Adrian again.”
Antoine’s mouth was agape. “She what?”
“I can’t risk her exposing me, Tony. What if she—”
“She can’t keep you from seeing the king,” he snapped. “It sounds to me like she is more scared of you than you should be of her.” She blinked at him. “She’s just intimidated by the fact that Adrian prefers you to her. If she causes any problems, I will be there to support you. You know I will. She can’t harass you like this, and no one would believe her anyway if she made such wild accusations.”
“That’s what I said!” Their eyes met then she looked down dejectedly. “There is the issue of the proof she carries though. They’d all find out with evidence like that, wouldn’t they?”
“Oh, perhaps, unless she went to Adrian who would definitely cover for you. It’d be risky if she went to your father, though.”
She sighed. “That’s what I’m afraid of. Tony, are you…” her voice trailed off.
He cocked his head to the side. “Am I…?”
“Are you disgusted by me?”
He stared, then let out a short laugh. “Disgusted? By you?” He laughed again, and she looked at him helplessly. “Why in Elderian would you think that?”
“Well, it’s just that a-after I told you what I am the other day in town, were you not a bit detested? Are you not worried how I might affect your reputation?”
“Of course not. Where is all this coming from?”
“Then, you do not feel differently towards me after knowing? We are still friends?”
He considered her then put a hand on her shoulder. “Madi, you already know how I feel about you. I embarrassed myself in the harpsichord room, remember?”
She turned a little red, giving a small laugh. “Oh. I do remember that now that you mention it.”
He made a face. “Then you know that nothing has changed since then, and I would never blame you for something you have no control over. Now your mother on the other hand…”
“It’s strange,” she cut in. “Before I found that third letter, I had already forgiven her for what she’d done and somehow, I can’t seem to hold on to the anger I had before. I do not blame her. Is there something wrong with me?”
He laughed again. “Madi, you have a strange way of thinking about things. I think it’s amazing that you let go of those feelings towards your mother. You’ve handled all these secrets about her and yourself very well indeed.”
“You think so?”
“Absolutely! Now then, enough of this self-doubt. We have a dangerous man to catch in the act.” He beamed at her, then pointed to the cloak still in her hands. “Put it on.” She lifted the cloak and draped it around her shoulders then sheepishly realized it was covered in his scent. “Which alley way shall we hide in first?”
She scanned the area. “Somewhere near that rundown shop. I’ll show you where it is.”
He offered her his arm. “Then away we go! We’ll be less conspicuous if we walk with the crowd.”
She kept up pace with him, breathing through her mouth by the end of their brisk walk. When they reached the area where Vauquelin had been last, she remembered that a certain blacksmith was also in the vicinity. She gulped, glancing to that side of the road, wondering if her father was there now.
“Don’t worry, I’m right here,” Antoine said gently. “You don’t have to worry about Justin. Where was it you saw Vauquelin last?”
She gave a grateful smile before looking around. “Over there.” She gestured to a shack that was falling apart and half hidden in the corner.
They walked closer, and decided to hide behind a row of barrels, shielding them from the view of the main road.
“You’re sure this is where you saw him?” She nodded and they sat down on a hay bale, waiting.
The street was not particularly busy, but the two cloaked figures remained unnoticed. They had waited for almost an hour before Antoine grabbed her arm, forcing her to crouch beside him. He pointed to a gap between the barrels, and through it she spotted the rough-looking man Vauquelin had talked to before. He had brought out a large crate of something on the old wooden counter. She strained to see if she could look inside, but the box was sealed. She blinked as Vauquelin came to stand on the other side of the counter, his face almost completely hidden behind a large black cloak. The prince and princess exchanged a nervous glance.
“Good evening, Luis,” Vauquelin said coolly. “I have brought what we agreed on.” He patted the lid of the box. “My men will bring it through the back in a moment, but let’s discuss the pay I requested.”
Luis grinned. “I thought perhaps a man like you would not require any pay, considering we are on the same side. You should be paying us, since we are the ones doing all the fighting.” Two large men with covered faces came through the front door, carrying something large, and heavy covered in woolen cloth.
“Back inside,” Luis hissed, and they disappeared behind the door. Both Vauquelin and the rough-looking man then went inside the decrepit building.
The prince and princess hurriedly made their way to a tiny window that peeked into the back room. They struggled to both look through it.
The room was lined with shelves and boxes. Luis approached the heavy package and lifted a corner of the cloth to reveal a sword with what looked like a Nebrasian insignia on it. The sword lay on top of other various weapons.
Madeleine pressed her ear to the window. “I can’t hear anything, Tony,” she hissed.
“It looks like there’s a door in the back. Perhaps we can hear them if we got closer.” He pointed, and Madeleine could see there was indeed a door in the far corner of the room directly across from where the men stood.
She nodded, and they crept around the store. They pressed their ears against the door.
“You will never bring my merchandise to the front counter again,” Luis whispered darkly. “I’ll have your throats slit next time. Do you hear me? Les Oiseaux Libres are not a forgiving organization and do not tolerate mistakes.”
Madeleine exchanged glances with Antoine again.
“Yes, sir,” a gruff voice replied.
“I assume you’re awaiting payment, Great Liberator?”
Vauquelin’s unmistakable, deep voice answered. “That was the agreement.”
The sound of jingling coins rang out. “These better be the best weapons in the castle,” Luis said. “We can’t win this war without them.”
“I think you’ll find them adequate.”
The sound of footsteps becoming more and more distant signaled that they were leaving the room. Antoine motioned for them to leave, and they quickly found their way to a little shop not too far away where they could still view the building Vauquelin was now leaving. He began walking their way and, in a panic, the prince and princess both ran. Madeleine gestured to a different area where they could duck behind a large wagon. They quickly hid themselves from sight. The cardinal walked past, never breaking his stride.
She let out a sigh of relief. “That was close—spoke too soon!” She sucked in her breath and froze as a messenger from the castle walked past them, but they were once again not spotted.
The older servant with white hair and a small beard went into the shop Madeleine had been trying to ignore where an active forge was spitting out smoke.
“Why is a Nebrasian messenger all the way out here,” Antoine whispered, “and at a blacksmith no less?”
She watched in horror as Justin came out to greet the older man. The messenger gave him what looked like a slip of paper. Justin opened it, read it, then pulled out his own paper and quill.
His quill only touched the paper for a couple seconds before he was wrapping it up and handing it to the older man along with a small sack that clinked unmistakably of coins. The messenger was on his way at once, disappearing around a corner.
They waited in silence.
Madeleine nearly jumped out of her skin when Antoine’s stomach growled. He bit back a laugh, and the princess felt she could breathe normally again as soon as Justin disappeared back inside the building.
“I thought we were done for a few times there,” she said, walking over and sitting on a nearby bench. “Your stomach nearly scared me to death just now.”
Antoine laughed, plopping down next to her. “Guess I should eat more often, huh?”
“Tony, were you frightened?”
He put his arms behind his head. “Of course not. The brave Prince Antoine would never cry out in fear—” She jabbed his sides lightly, causing him to let out an unholy scream. “Hey!”
“Forgive me,” she said through giggles. “I could not help myself.”
He shook his head. “You never can.”
“I should probably treat you more properly, being a prince and all.”
“No, this is better.” He grinned at her. “I’d much rather you treat me like a friend and not some pompous royal.” He’d thrown his arm over the back of the bench behind her and seemed to just realize it was there and drew it back quickly.
She got a strong whiff of his scent again and tried to ignore the fact that she liked it. “Thank you again, Tony, for coming with me. I really needed your help.”
“You’re welcome. I was thrilled to come along.”
There was a pause. “I’m glad we can laugh again like before.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“It’s been a hard couple of days, and I was worried that things had changed, and we might not stay friends after what happened between us.”
His face flushed. “Yes, well, I thought I’d ruined everything that day I embarrassed myself. I’m glad I didn’t.”
She placed a hand on his shoulder. “Well, as you can see, nothing is ruined.”
He glanced away. “Forgive me for having a temperamental disposition these last few weeks. I was jealous of you and my brother, and I really should have just been happy for you. I know you’ve been wanting a more meaningful relationship, and not some fly by proposal. Adrian is really such a great match for you.”
She hesitated, not having the heart to correct him. “Well, thank you for saying that.”
“Of course.”
There was a pause, and her face fell as she remembered what was at hand. “Tony, what should we do now?”
“About what?”
“Vauquelin.” The seriousness of what they had witnessed finally set in. “I’m certain he sold Nebrasian weapons to that man, Luis. This is extremely serious. We need to act quickly.”
“I know. We will need more solid proof before we can bring Vauquelin to judgment though.”
“Is there nothing more we can do?”
He blinked in thought. “We should meet with Adrian after supper tonight and discuss our options.”
“When is supper?”
His eyes widened. “Probably right now.” He shot up from the bench, looking up at the darkening sky. “We need to go. Madi, this is serious. We might miss dinner!”
“That is serious,” she said with a laugh.
They sprinted all the way back to the castle and outside the dining hall before halting to catch their breath.
“We—need—to—compose—ourselves,” Antoine wheezed, hands on his knees.
She nodded, slumping against the wall behind her. They made eye contact, then laughed, making themselves wheeze and pant even more.
After a few minutes they were able to steady their breathing and walked in together with dignity. Many of the heads at the table stared at them, and they sat down in the only two empty seats.
“Madi and I lost track of time,” Antoine explained, since they were quite late for dinner.
Adrian gave him an annoyed look then snuck a glance at Madeleine.
She could not quite read his expression and looked away, settling herself in her seat. She was about to reach for a bread roll when someone else came through the doors, catching her attention.
The older man with white hair who’d handed Justin the note in town, marched up to Queen Nicole, offering the small, folded piece of paper in his hand.
Madeleine stared at him, her face paling. She was certain now she knew what was written on the slip of paper.
She made eye contact with Antoine who seemed to understand as well. He knocked his fork on the ground, apologizing quickly. The prince was much closer to the queen, and as he leaned down to grab his fork, from Madeleine’s vantage point, she could see him sneak a peek under the table as the queen was opening the little paper.
When he came back up, he had a very serious and confused look in his eye.
She stared at him as he mouthed out the word, Brûlant.