The Curse of the Gift

Part 13

Allan

"She should be executed!"

"And you just keep her locked up!"

Shouts echoed throughout the bright hall intended for the council meeting. I've only been here once, when the prince was first introduced to the council. But the atmosphere was very different from what I remembered. Everyone was furious to learn that one of the main suspects was on the run and the other was just sitting in one of the chambers in the castle.

Respectable and well-mannered lords did not boast of using impolite words toward the prince. Alexander, however, sat still, folding his arms across his chest, and simply watched the whole bacchanalia. I caught a glimpse of him, and he seemed far away in his mind.

"Silence."

Alexander's voice was not so much loud as it was cold and commanding. It was at this moment that he was more like his father than ever before.

"To begin with, there will be an investigation. And so I ask everyone to cooperate."

"Do you suspect any of us?!" The gray-haired man who shouted loudest could not stand it and jumped to his feet.

My hand jerked on the hilt of my sword, but Alexander stopped me in one slight movement.

"Yes. And every one of you will be checked."

"How can you do this? Your father..."

"My father is dead. He was murdered." Alexander finally stood up, and there was a sepulchral silence in the room. "He may have trusted you, but that doesn't mean I share that feeling. From this day forward, you are forbidden to leave the palace."

He spoke the last words on his way out of the hall. As soon as the door closed behind us, there was more shouting and scolding.

***

Now, as usual, there should be at least two experienced guards beside the new king in his study. It should have been Izaya and I, so that Alexander would not be so uncomfortable, but because of his absence, someone else was always around. But today I ordered that we be left alone in the study. I could see that the prince was not himself, though he tried to keep a steady and calm demeanor.

Once we are alone, Alexander exhales exhaustedly and sits back down on the couch.

"Is she safe?"

The prince doesn't say the name on purpose, but I know he's talking about Tayana.

"Yes. Izaya is there all the time."

"Good," he says on an exhale. "Did you find something?"

"You ask me that every few hours. If I found something, you'd be the first to know."

"I know, I'm sorry..." He runs a hand through his too short hair and covers his face with his hands.

I sat down on the couch across from him, and watched closely the prince's every move.

"And... how is she?" I can see that Alexander really cares about Tayana, but that's what pisses me off.

"She's awake. But still weak," I tried not to hide my irritation, but Alexander noticed, and a faint smile flashed across his face. "Marian handed her the medicine. She's strong, and she'll be back on her feet soon."

"Don't be so angry. I was only asking."

"Who said I was angry?"

"You're ready to attack me every time I talk about her." Alexander finally relaxes, and now all his sleepless nights and worries are clearly outlined on his pale face.