Capital City of Gremelda

Royal Palace Great Hall

The grand wooden doors of the Great Hall creaked open, revealing a room bathed in the warm glow of chandeliers suspended high above. Each one twinkled with warm crystal light, casting a golden hue over the polished marble floor. The walls were adorned with rich tapestries depicting the history of the kingdom and its renowned mages, their embroidered figures seeming to come alive in the flickering light.

The room buzzed with conversation as the nobility gathered for the evening’s event. The powerful and influential of the kingdom, as well as the parents of all current academy students were in attendance.

King Frederick Kingston stood atop the raised dais, a commanding presence, while Queen Clarissa sipped delicately from her crystal goblet beside him. His eyes surveyed the room, watching the nobles of the realm exchanged pleasantries.

In the past, this event was held each year for a variety of reasons, most in the vein of marriage negotiations or family alliances. There were some things that could only be hammered out face to face. Ever since the discovery, and halting of a potential coup, King Frederick had taken to sitting back and observing the game of courtly politics going on below, rather than partaking himself. An activity he now left to the queen, being far more skilled than he in its play.

Polite conversation died away as the king cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen.” The king began, his deep voice carrying throughout the room without aid, its construction intended for the purpose. “We gather here each year to meet with the parents of our future Core. The mages in which we depend on for our kingdom’s stability and strength. To light a path forward for them, the realm, and to ensure our continued prosperity. Take tonight’s event for what it is, an opportunity to make connections—both personal and professional—for your families and, most importantly, your children.”

Raising his glass, the king toasted, “To the Gifts of Rivenna!”

“Gifts of Rivenna!” The crowd returned in kind. Reforming their small clusters of conversation in excited chatter.

Queen Clarissa glided down from the dais, parting the people before her like a dolphin’s fin splitting the ocean’s surface. Vibrant gowns and elaborately stitched surcoats fluttering in the breeze as they made way with bows and curtsies.

She waded into one specific group, catching Duchess Adelaide’s addition to the conversation. "With so many of our own children reaching the age of majority in the next few years, and so few eligible young men of quality at the academy—I imagine we will all be watching this year’s ball with great interest."

Duchess Helena offered a small smile, though there was a flicker of tension in her eyes as they darted to the queen. "Indeed. Eighteen young men and nearly seventy-five young women... There can be no doubt that the competition will be fierce."

Smiling, Duke Wyndham met the queen's gaze with a polite bow, the group offering their own respects. “Good evening, your majesty. It’s a pleasure to have you join us.”

“The pleasure is mine,” the queen said, returning the man’s fake smile.

He only wears that one in particular when he has something planned for his enjoyment, she thought, taking in his countenance and the slight flush to his cheeks. A little early on the drink perhaps, but he appears to be quite smart with himself.

“My queen, if you would be so kind… Were there not a few unsavory types invited to tonight's event?” He led with a pointed glance.

Turning in the direction he indicated, Clarissa realized what had him so excited.

As if the royal family would make such a mistake. She kept her inner thoughts hidden behind a polite mask of curiosity.

“Ahhh,” she said, “You mean…”

*****

“I feel like chum in shark-infested waters,” Grumbled Ed as he and Nadine made their way through the thick crowd. His purple Council robes doing nothing to combat the sneers of derision being thrown their way by those they passed.

Not like I couldn’t set your fine silk on fire for looking at us like that, Ed thought, returning one man’s overt glare in particular.

“We’re not here for us, love. We’re here for Quinten.” Nadine said, her grip on his arm tightening for an instant. In a softer voice that only he could hear, she added with a light chuckle. “They act like this in public, but I have letters from half of these people making inquiry into Q as a marriage prospect.”

Finding a pillar to take refuge beside, they stopped. With its small support at their backs, they were ready to face the hungry wolves of the court.

Baroness Vaelmara materialized beside them as if appearing from behind a veil. Her pale blue gown of fine linen with white chiffon accents highlighted her deep blue eyes dramatically, eyes that locked on a passing server.

“Good evening, Elara. How has your night been?” Nadine asked as the other woman snagged a drink.

“Akin to swimming in a pit of vipers.” She said, throwing back half the contents of her glass. “How long do you think we need to stay before it’s appropriate to escape? I have already been asked about remarrying twice tonight.”

A small smile tugged at Nadine’s lips. “What, they haven’t asked after Cedric’s health?”

The return glare she received had Nadine covering a small smile.

“We are leaving as soon as the king makes an announcement. He did not share what it was regarding in his letter, but included it in the invitation as a reason to attend.” Ed answered. Scoffing, he continued, “As if there were an excuse good enough to miss tonight.”

“Councilman Wycliffe, what a surprise. We haven’t seen you at one of these in years.” Came a man’s rich baritone. A voice that neither Ed nor Nadine would ever forget. The group nearest them scattering to the wind like a flock of frightened birds.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Duke Wyndham.” Ed greeted neutrally. The stiff nod acknowledging the man’s rank, the only sign of his emotions.

“I take it you are here for your grandson. What a shock that must have been, discovering he is Gifted.” The warm and welcoming smile at odds with the warped sense of enjoyment Ed could see dancing behind the man’s cold grey eyes.

Lost for words, it was Nadine that answered, her voice composed and smooth as she said, “It was unexpected, but we are very pleased with how the stars have aligned.”

The Duke’s smile widened. “Yes, I bet that bit of unexpected news was much easier to receive.” Easier than what, he left unsaid.

Ed tasted blood, biting his tongue as he stared at the arrogant prick before him in mute fury. Nadine’s nails bit into his arm in warning, but he was past caring. To his great fortune, his attention was stolen by the pair joining the conversation.

“Councilman and Countess Wycliffe, thank you for attending.” Said the king, his voice loud enough to carry. His wife, the queen, smiling in greeting.

“Of course, your majesty. Thank you for including us,” Ed said with a bow, the others following suit.

An easy smile spread across the king’s face, “With the Lord Marshal away protecting our borders, and the showing Mage Ashford has had at the Academy. We had to ensure someone of his talent was represented here tonight, do we not?” The pointed look that followed was a heavy contrast to his affable expression.

Ed started to frown before he caught his slip, trying and failing to return the smile he said. “Yes—your majesty…?” His answer coming out almost like a question.

“Yes—yes. I’m sure you are no doubt confused. Come, let me clear a few things up.”

Turning on his heel, the king interlaced his arm with the queen’s and escorted her away. With nothing else to do but follow, Nadine and Elara each took an arm as the trio walked past Duke Wyndham with a nod. A slight snub as he followed along in their wake.

A large circle opened around the king and queen as they reached the heart of the Great Hall. Leading the queen through a graceful turn, the lights from the overhead crystals setting off the glittering stones at her ears, wrists, and neck.

Ensuring all eyes were on the pair of royals, King Frederick stepped forward and addressed the expectant onlookers.

“In the effort to stop a coup and protect the royal family, a great wrong was unintentionally committed…” The king began.

Ed felt it as the small hairs along the nape of his neck stood on end. Nadine going rigid beside him. Her nails were likely to have drawn blood if not for his robes, offering him modest protection.

“In my haste to protect those I love, a trial was held prematurely and with grave consequences. Over the proceeding years, we have exhausted not only the initial investigation but all of those branching from it. Those that were found implicit, have been dealt with. The innocents used as a smokescreen, have been cleared of all charges. All except one, the ones that have suffered the most, Earl Julian and Countess Katherine Ashford.“

A murmur was quickly taken up by the crowd as the smarter, or more politically minded, put the pieces together. Their calculations and scheming taking off like a galloping horse as the king’s announcement tossed years of work and alliances out of the window as the delicate ranking of potential suitors was thrown into chaos before the king had even finished speaking.

Recognizing the building buzz as a timer until he fully lost the crowd's attention, King Frederick continued, augmenting his voice to carry over that of the whispering nobles.

“The Ashford name has carried a dark stain in recent years. A falsity that I can finally correct. Their family has—and continues to serve the realm with honor. Let it be known that from this day forward, Julian and Katherine Ashford will no longer bear the taint of traitor.”

Conversations held in muted tones burst to full volume as the room exploded into a cacophony of sound. A heightened sense of urgency permeating the hall as Ed and Nadine were swarmed.

Count Edmund’s face remained stoic, as if transmitted to marble. His gaze wavering only once to take in the expression souring Duke Wyndham’s countenance, before his eyes returned to the king.

This does not absolve you of their deaths. Ed thought as the man raised a single brow and turned away. Ed’s focused shifted to the queen, who watched him like a bird of prey waiting for the mouse to make its move.

Shaking himself, Ed turned his attention back to his wife as she fended off the flood of conversation and well-wishes being heaped upon them. The shift jarring in comparison to the welcome they’d received. A tug on his arm had him releasing his grip and allowing Elara to disappear, ghosting into the crowd.

*****

Elara slid between gaggles of finely dressed nobles. Their perfumes overlapping and blending together in a cacophony of smells that unsettled her stomach.

She felt a momentary pang of regret for abandoning her friends to handle the pack of jackals set on them, but she knew there wasn’t anything she could do to aid them in their current situation.

Her approach was as graceful as it was strategic. Sliding into an open space beside her target, she spoke calmly and smoothly.

“Duchess Sutherland, Duchess Hastings, It is a pleasure.”

With a slight jerk, Heidi Sutherland whipped her head around from where she’d been in deep conversation with Merida Hastings.

Both ladies exchanged a look before shifting slightly to allow her access. Something she gladly took, giving each a curtsy. With a warm smile to Duchess Merida, she asked. “How are Ronan and Taylor fairing at the Academy? Cedric writes of them fondly.”

“They are well, thank you.” The woman’s own smile came in layers.

Based on how Cedric described the brother’s relationship, that’s not a surprise. Elara thought, feeling a momentary pang at the idea of siblings, something she’d always wanted for Cedric but had been unable to provide. At least he has Q. A look at Merida and she added, And Ronan.

Turning back to Heidi, she said. “And, of course, with the ball so near, I expect the younger generation is abuzz with excitement. Your daughter, Lady Celeste, must be fit to bursting over it, I imagine?”

Heidi smiled, though it was the kind of smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yes, Celeste is quite popular, especially with so few young men of suitable rank at the academy.”

Elara’s expression tightened with the dig, though her eyes sparkled with a keen edge. “Indeed. With only eighteen young men, I’m sure it’s much different from when we went through the academy…” She let the words hang for a moment before continuing. “Of course, we mothers must do what we can to ensure our children’s futures, mustn’t we?”

Heidi inclined her head in agreement. “Quite so, Baroness Vaelmara. And what of your Cedric? He’s made quite an impression at the academy, has he not?”

Elara’s lips curled in a smile that hinted at quiet pride. “Yes, Cedric is a strong contender in his studies. With he and Quinten skipping their entire first year, it has made him—well, rather popular in his own right as of late.”

Heidi’s eyes flickered with irritation. “Indeed. Well, I do hope you are successful in finding him a suitable match.” In an obvious attempt to redirect the conversation, she continued. “I must say, tonight was quite the turn of events for the Ashford boy.”

Biting her tongue, Elara let the conversation flow where it may. Quietly excising herself from the group with little to no concern from the two Duchesses as they talked amongst themselves.

Kneading her lower lip between her teeth, Elara took one last look over her shoulder before finding an exit.

*****

As more and more families approached the Wycliffes, it became clear that the Ashford family name was well and truly clear. Nadine handled the attention with poise, while Ed remained stoic beside her, content to let his wife field the endless stream of inquiries about their grandson however she saw fit.

Across the room, King Frederick watched the gathering with a sharp eye, noting the shifting tides of interest, and the collapse of old agreements at the chance of greater opportunity. Beside him, Queen Clarissa leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you for taking my advice, Frederick.”

The King’s lips curled slightly, though his eyes remained hard. “It was the right move, my dear. Though, it won’t repair the rift I created.” Absentmindedly popping his knuckles with his thumb, one by one. “I just wish I’d asked for your council when this all started. It would have saved years of trouble.”

Patting his arm, the queen consoled him. “It’s done. Now, it’s time to let them wear themselves out fighting amongst each other.”