*THIS NOVEL IS A SEQUEL TO WILD CARD & CANNOT BE READ AS A STANDALONE*
There is a legend that one in four royal advisor-mages will betray their monarch, overthrow them for power.
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Gwenore, the new Queen of Acewood, is on a throne most would kill...
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Twirling the burgundy liquid in my cup, I watched my sisters in their element. How they blended in while being resplendent; how they fit into this world better than I ever could.
Tilda was near the balcony doors, screening through girls she wanted to present to me as ladies-in-waiting. She clutched at her red and white polka-dotted gown, her fists tight as she marched around them, observing the way they drank from their goblets, scrutinizing how they held their utensils. Even from afar I could spot her tension. I expected she'd run over to me at any moment to declare how all the women she'd interviewed were useless.
Astrida, as anticipated, loitered near the champagne fountain, filling and refilling her cup, her languorous figure compressed under her sparkly, tight-fitting gown with its high slit that exposed her milky legs. Naturally all eyes were drawn to her low-cut corset, and she fawned under the attention. To my surprise, she'd forgone her usual diamonds, to not outshine me.
And yet her crimson curls were so bouncy and boisterous that it was hard not to notice her. She pouted her peachy lips at the men who surrounded her, but I caught her ogling Teodric on more than one occasion. She was at one point besieged by other women, who were giggling and pushing her towards men. Her heart wasn't in it; though she flirted with a group of soldiers and was clearly beyond drunk.
Should I have been worried? Or was it best to leave her to her antics?
Somehow, I felt that Astrida could handle several men at the same time, if she wished. The notion made me gag, so I steered my gaze away from her and her adventures. I'd tune back in if I caught her getting too close to Teodric.
Luckily, the foreign prince stayed near his fiancé. He molded into the throng of guests without drawing too much attention. As long as he remained with Ysac, he'd be safe from Astrida's attempts at seducing him. I hoped.
As I stared at the couple, both flipped around to me. The wine spiked my blood and brought back thoughts of the day, ideas and conspiracies and things I'd been mulling over.
Things that were eating me on the inside. I needed to share them, but I didn't trust my advisors to listen. In any case, they were too busy testing the potential new Arden.
So I waved Ysac and Teodric over instead, sick of lounging, lonely on my miserable throne as everyone else had fun.
"Majesty," said Ysac, bowing at the bottom of the dais. "How is your evening?"
As he said it, I noticed Teodric wince. He, as a fellow royal, knew exactly how my evening was going.
Dreadful.
"Come up here," I muttered, urging them to join me atop the platform. "I want to talk to you two."
Their anxious gazes grew more flustered as they remained immobile at the base of the dais.
"Fear not," I said, sensing their tension. "It's only to discuss an idea that took root earlier today and it won't stop bothering me."
Ysac hopped up, but Teodric's shoulders slumped as he peeked around, wary.
