A Beast's Tale

Chapter 40

"And that is why I've arranged for you and Prince Nokto to attend a ball together," Sariel was saying as I walked into his office. "Prince Chevalier, I'll be with you in a moment."

Being made to wait would have irritated me but for the amusing scene unfolding. Belle looked as though she had tasted something sour until she glanced back at me, at which point trepidation added itself to the dread twisting her expression. Her attendant was smiling, but he was also staring Nokto down with an intensity that hinted there was more to him than a loyal lapdog. And Nokto, of course, was smirking.

"But I don't know how to dance," Belle protested, turning her attention back to Sariel. "And what if I say or do something wrong?"

"You'll do fine, Belle," the Dog reassured her, his smile brightening further and his sky-blue eyes softening when he focused his gaze on her. "Everything you do is perfect."

"Thanks, Rio, but I don't think everybody there will be as generous as you are."

"Don't worry about the dancing. I'm an excellent lead." Nokto reached out and took her hand in his. "And I'll be happy to teach you everything I know."

Nobody missed the emphasis he placed on 'everything,' least of all Rio, whose smile became more akin to a beast baring its fangs. Nokto's crimson eyes met his opponent's, his sly grin unchanged.

Belle jerked her hand away from Nokto. "Does it have to be him?" she asked Sariel.

That was enough of that. "Yes. Get out," I interrupted.

She jumped. Rio's challenging glare landed on me.

"I believe what Prince Chevalier is trying to say is the decision is final, and I'll hear no arguments," Sariel said, smiling his thin, frightening smile and fingering the whip coiled on his desk. "We'll have our first dance lesson this afternoon, and I assure you, it will be as rigorous as all my lessons thus far. Now, if you'll excuse us..."

"Wait." Belle took a deep breath and straightened her back, though she kept a wary eye on the whip. "I'm Belle, and I need to know as much as I can about the state of the kingdom and the princes, right? So maybe I should stay and listen to this."

The little rabbit had gained some confidence. Good. I walked toward her and flicked her in the forehead.

"Ow! Why—"

"This is not for you to hear."

She rubbed the red mark on her forehead. "You could have just said so. I guess I can go to the library and study some more," she muttered as she turned to leave. Nokto and Rio followed her out.

"You've had your nose in a book long enough," Nokto said. "Why don't we have some fun?"

The door closed behind them before I could hear Rio's riposte. Sariel sighed and motioned for me to take a seat.

"She is drawing suspicion," I noted.

"Yes, she is, and especially with Obsidianite spies on the prowl, we need to reinforce our story about her being a noblewoman. She'll have to enter the public eye and attend several social functions, and there's nobody better suited to such events than Prince Nokto. I know I can trust her to behave, but..." He sighed again. "Setting that aside, Clavis explained the situation to me last night, but I want to hear it from you as well."

"I have nothing to add."

"Humor me."

It was my turn to sigh, though mine expressed annoyance instead of the resignation I'd heard in Sariel's exhaled breaths. Most of the time, Sariel left us alone to handle politics ourselves, but being the king's regent meant he had the final say in all matters of government—until Belle named me king. In this instance, he wanted information, and he wanted me to corroborate or contradict Clavis' testimony as to the events of the past few days.