Of Whispers and Daggers ✓ [TLRQ #2]

Chapter 24.1 - Aster

Every step I take feels like it takes three times longer than it should, and as I go about my various tasks, my pace keeps increasing. I stop in to Illesiarr to make sure he doesn't need any more assistants. Once again, both of us are far too busy to pause for catch-up, and I fear I'm finally beginning to understand why my parents were always so distant. At least, I tell myself that's it. Too loyal to their country to waste time with their already cared-for children is a much prettier story than the alternatives. I offer Illesiarr a weak smile and leave, hurrying out as quickly as I came in.

I can't believe my sister already called another Auditorium meeting. Perhaps both me and Reyan lecturing her wasn't the best way to convince her to listen to us, but I don't think even with that in mind, I could have kept silent. I don't intend to stay silent this meeting, either. I push into one of the strategy rooms, where Reyan agreed to meet... for breakfast.

He stands on the other side of the round table, a meat pastry in hand. I've only ever seen the citizens out in the city eating pastries with their hands, but now's not the time to bother about it. He and I might have our differences, but with Sela acting like soldiers are toy pawns, he's my best ally at the moment. That's a worrying thought.

I close the door, saying, "Thank you for agreeing to meet."

He hms, gesturing with his pastry at mine sitting on a napkin on my side of the table.

I pick it up in the napkin, keeping my expression neutral. He didn't bring utensils, but the point of etiquette is to be polite. I swallow the indignity with my first bite of pastry.

"What is this about?" he says.

"You and I both want Sela—"

"Selenia," Reyan corrects.

I pause, caught off-guard. The name tastes wrong in my mouth. "Selenia, to agree to whatever strategy is going to demand the least loss of life. I figured we had better be presenting the same one, then."

He chews thoughtfully. "Alright. What do you have in mind?"

"I've gained the favor of a few of the Ladies. Inner Lady Janeaulí and High Ladies Misanette and Emavinne, though they sided with the majority last time, have expressed willingness to follow our lead."

He snorts.

All three agreed to help with the coronation, but Janeaulí, the one who questioned me about the ravens, took a little more convincing than the others. She's a good win, though, and normally well-respected at the Table.

I continue. "I think, too, that Solitaena will stand with us, considering her behavior at the last meeting and the dinner. I know Janeaulí doesn't get a vote, but she might be able to sway someone else to our cause. Even if she only convinces one, then we'd have six out of the twelve votes."

His hand raises flippantly. "What's it matter? It's Aselle that has our sister's ear."

"For now. But if we can avoid making ourselves seem any more like Sela's enemy, then she won't automatically discount the people that agree with us. And if we can convince her that a strong chunk of the court thinks our way is wiser, then she might actually listen to what we have to say and realize it is sense."