Artus’s eyes narrowed. “Ah, yes. They were fortunate for the chance at a trial.”
“You broke into the Grand Hall, screaming nonsense about Daemons at the court and jury—including the row of French diplomats in their jury who’d come to monitor the Ermendardes’ trial. You made a spectacle of my father’s authority in front of them, and you’ve the audacity to question my father’s decision to deem you unfit for duty? Although, I do suppose congratulations on your remarkable recovery are in order—you seem plenty well enough to travel to my castle in the middle of the night with your accusations. Have you clawed your way out of the depths of your madness, or is it simply that it only troubles you when you’re asked to do your job?”
This was the first Lilac had heard of the reason for his dismissal. He’d interrupted Vivien’s parents’ trial. But the subtle triumph in Artus’s smirk led Lilac to believe not everything had come to light. What more had Artus done to warrant losing his title? More than that, what else had he managed to get away with? Had Francis feared Artus’s interruption wouldleave a certain impression on the French diplomats? Just how unhinged was his rant?
Even she thought it seemed a harsh punishment to come from her notoriously docile grandfather.
Despite Henri’s response, Artus looked amused. “You know, Francis took pity on Armand after my wife died. He was gracious in refraining from revoking their statuses. Helped him become a fine duke. You were fast friends, you and my son. All for Sinclair’s right to greatness to be stripped from him.”
“Hisright?” Blood boiling, Lilac started forward.
Artus’s guards immediately covered him, one of them drawing his blade. Robes shifted and metal sang as both guards at Lilac’s side mirrored them.
But there was a quicker flash of movement.
“That won’t do.” It was Piper. She stalked past Lilac and held her hand out, holding eye contact with the Le Tallec guard before her. “Your weapons, please.” He placed his blade in her hand without question while she looked over at the other one. “You too, give it here.”
Herlinde’s laugh was barely audible behind her. “Modron. Would you look at that.”
Lilac’s mouth hung open. The room exchanged confused glances as Piper tucked their blades under her arm, leaving Artus’s guards silent and blinking. In the same fashion, she collected Mathias and Lorenzo’s bows, quivers, and daggers. Smiling to herself, Piper strode over to one of the far tables against the wall and laid them out neatly, one by one. She dusted her hands off and promptly returned to Lilac and Herlinde’s side.
“Who is she?” Artus asked the guards beside Lilac. “Were you not just apprehending her?”
“Yes,” one of them answered, looking hesitantly at Henri, who had shakily seated himself once again. Marguerite was rubbing his shoulder. “We were mistaken.”
“She’s my new lady-in-waiting,” said Lilac coldly. “I’ve been expecting her but wasn’t sure when exactly she would arrive.”
Artus squinted at Piper as Henri’s eyes flitted briefly to Lilac, then back to Piper. “I’ve never seen her before,” said Artus. “Where did you find her?”
“Idid,” Hedwig responded, flicking one of her peppered brown braids over her shoulder. “I handpicked her earlier in the month.”
Piper began to fidget at her side; Lilac stopped her with a brief glare.
“But ladies-in-waiting are chosen from prominent families by the Stewardess.” Artus laughed, as if this was all some ridiculous scheme to rob him outright of some truth he was owed. “She’s in charge of your kitchens.”
“We never replaced the one we had after my father died. Lilac has promoted her,” Henri said boredly, taking a swig from his new water glass brought over by Hedwig.
Lilac understood Hedwig’s quick thinking; the chef had covered for Lilac many times. But why was her father lying for her?Again?Did he actually pity her, or was he equally tired of the scrutiny? Surely he wasn’t doing it out of love or loyalty.
She willed the telltale heat and blooming red in her face to calm, but she couldn’t believe that after such a night, Artus was here—and that after everything, the Le Tallecs had still managed to weasel their way into her castle. At least now she seemed to have allies willing to stand against them.
Lilac didn’t dare look at Hedwig, who unsurprisingly spoke as she returned to her spot at the head of the food table.
“He wouldn’t know, Your Grace. Living in his little pub like he does.”
Artus’s ridiculing smile fell. He ignored Hedwig. “I hear your borders have been threatened.”
“I’ve handled it,” Lilac retorted, trying not to sound as defensive as she felt.
“Your father has handled it while you’ve been… elsewhere.” He eyed Piper then, and Herlinde, who’d remained patient and silent in her shadow. “Haven’t you?”
Her answer was simmering. “My whereabouts are none of your concern.”
“It is natural, given the prison you’ve finally broken yourself out of, that you want to explore. Every young ruler should know their kingdom front to back, now, shouldn’t they? And your parents did their best ensuring your literacy and education of the world within the boundaries you were given. They even encouraged you, rightfully so, to consider my grandson as your husband. He would have made a worthy partner.”
“Do not patronize me. There’s not a decent bone in Sinclair’s body. He was never in my consideration.” The mere thought of him made her want to shrivel within herself. She hated remembering now, her thoughtsunclouded by any partial bond to Garin, that he currently resided under the same roof.
Even as her prisoner, it wasn’t enough. She wanted him dead. The only reason he was alive was because he deserved a worse fate.
