A Beast's Tale

Chapter 56

"Back to work already, huh? I thought even you would take a day off to enjoy being engaged," Leon teased, settling into the chair across from my desk.

"I am specifically interested in the matter of a jeweler," I said coolly. There was no point in taking a day off if Ivetta wasn't doing likewise, and I needed to work to get my mind off the mistake I'd made earlier with her.

Leon chuckled. "Now it makes sense. You're not actually working; you're already planning the wedding. Well, you're in luck. Not only is there a fantastic jeweler among the ex-slaves, there's a mine nearby that's rich in garnets. I assume you'll be wanting them in the wedding rings, since you incorporated them into the engagement ring. Nice touch, by the way."

"When will you be visiting the settlement again?" I asked, ignoring the compliment. I was still too irritated with myself to accept it.

"Next week, I think. They're currently living in tents while they clear all the rocks and plan the town, but everything's moving really quickly. I think they'd appreciate a visit from their new king."

"Then I'll come with you." It would be best for me to see the jeweler's work for myself and, if I determined his skills were adequate, go over the design I'd sketched out.

"Sounds good. Oh, and they've got a name for the town now. They're calling it Freedom."

"That's rather optimistic," I commented.

"But it's true. So, are we still keeping this a secret?"

"For the time being, yes. You are dismissed."

He stood up, grinning broadly. "You know, since Ivetta came along, you've changed a lot, and not at all. See you later." He opened the door and paused, and then he looked back at me. "Did you want to talk to Gilbert?" he asked, his expression darkening.

"Send him in."

Leon frowned as Gilbert passed him, wearing his usual charming smile, but left without another word. Gilbert took the seat across from me.

"We need to talk," he said simply.

"Indeed." I sat back in my chair, crossing my arms and legs as I studied him. Everything about him was the same as it had been at the beginning of the goodwill gala - the charming smile, the air of carefree relaxation, the inscrutable glint in his blood red eye.

"You wouldn't have wanted the emperor here," he continued. "He's a bit unhinged."

"Then it was your decision to come in his place," I concluded.

"Of course. And mine to invite Yves to Obsidian for a tour, although I'm afraid he'll be in for a much colder welcome than I receive here."

"He can handle it."

"I'm sure." Gilbert's smile vanished in an instant, and his eye narrowed as he leaned forward. "When I say unhinged, I mean it, in every sense of the word. He's angry, and he's dangerous."

"In general, or just where Ivetta is concerned?" I asked coolly.

"Unfortunately, the latter. He was already upset about the treaty, so I didn't risk telling him until you received the signed copy. When I did..." Gilbert winced. "It wasn't pretty."

"If he tries to hurt her, treaty or no treaty, I will not hesitate to kill him," I said firmly.

"If he keeps this up, I'll kill him first," Gilbert muttered.

"And throw your country into chaos?"

He chuckled, but the glint in his eye hardened. "I sometimes forget how nice and polite things are here in Rhodolite. In Obsidian, it's more common for an assassination to mark a change in rulership than it is for a natural death and inheritance to occur."