Of Whispers and Daggers ✓ [TLRQ #2]

Chapter 43 - Aster

Something like shocking, refreshingly cold water runs through me with the explosion of light, followed by a strange sense of calm. As much as those women don't want me to rule them, I am here and here is where I am meant to be. I deserve to stand in this court as much or more than any of them do. The staff accepts me.

The weight of the staff's reaction drops on me as the light fades.

The boy-prince, the wizard that can hardly cast, the Second Son that the Ladies didn't want to accept—that's the person the staff chooses to mark as the greatest since Xíeme?

I glance at Selenia, who looks just as shocked as I feel. "There has to be some mistake," I whisper.

Sela shakes her head, eyes wide with wonder. "It's a gift." My brow furrows, and below us, the Table Arbitrate whispers harshly to one another. In the tiers, the maids and pages chatter excitedly, except for one—Leavi, who watches me with wide, clear eyes.

Sela steps forward, spreading her arms, and all eyes draw to her. Somehow, she's filled her face with awed excitement rather than the panic I'm feeling. I try to reign in my own expression, but I have no idea what to replace it with. I suppose confidence might be good, but this was certainly never a situation Agraund prepared me to face. I resist the urge to suck the spot on my finger where I had to prick it on the staff.

"My people," Selenia calls. "Behold your Second Son of the Court! You have all heard the stories—the great Lady Jacqueline gifted this crystal to her Second Son, the revered Prince Xíeme, who helped her defeat the Shadesnare, the darkest evil of all Avadel! He formed the crystal into this staff, casting upon it to give Morineaux a sign when his greatest successor should rise." She gestures to the staff. The wood at the top has now grown to twist around the crystal. "This was that sign! We thank the stars for blessing us now, in this time of darkness and trial, with the staff's Chosen Second!"

The servants take the cue and let out a cheer, clapping. Aselle claps easily, along with Misanette and a few of my other sympathizers. The women in the tiered seating follow suit, but Irrianet and the others hesitate a moment before joining in. It's hard to differentiate between the people that hesitate because they don't believe it and those that wait because they simply don't want to support me at all. Aselle, in contrast, suddenly plays the supportive Lady so well.

Where the Retrans sit, the priestess whispers something quickly to Riszev's aunt, who grins. Their party claps eagerly as well, and concern twists my gut.

Selenia steps back. "I present to you, courtiers and commoners alike, your Chosen Second Son of the Court, Prince Astraeus Jacqobi S'Pierre S'Díane!"

I step forward and raise the staff that now reaches a foot above my head, glad my words have been chosen for me. "I pledge to serve you well and with my whole being. Long live Morineaux!" Script over, I set the staff back down heavily.