A Beast's Tale

Chapter 77

It was one thing after another today.

Akatsuki provided some interesting information about Gilbert before Belle returned with the tea, but the sight of her reinvigorated his desire to end Gilbert's life. She had to calm her former employer and self-assigned protector multiple times while assuring him of her wellbeing. Then she made the mistake of telling him about Gilbert's interest in Ivetta, and that had him back on his feet, hand on his sword hilt, rushing toward the door. It seemed he couldn't abide Gilbert harassing any woman. Rio's arrival was fortuitous for me, although not for the attendant-turned-prince. At least Akatsuki did not draw his katana upon hearing Rio's request to date Belle. There was a familiarity in Akatsuki's flat denials, Rio's continued wheedling, and Belle's exasperated pleas for peace. They'd done this before, many times, and I could escape without worrying a murder would occur in my absence.

I returned to Sariel's office to find him alone. Gilbert had agreed to attend the summit meeting before he fled from Akatsuki, although he made no promises regarding cooperation, and Silvio and Keith had no objections to holding the summit after the gala ended. There was increasing public concern regarding Gilbert's presence at the palace, however, and if it continued, it might be best to meet at a secret location away from public scrutiny. That concerned me little. Juggling public perception and catering to the people's emotions was Leon's department, not mine, and he was quite good at it.

More concerning was the information Sariel relayed to me about someone putting out a contract to abduct Ivetta. He wouldn't disclose the name of his source, but I knew his network of informants included members of the criminal underworld, and I had no reason to question the validity of his claim. A third party had offered his contact a large sum to complete the task on the opening night of the goodwill gala. His contact was attempting to identify the person from whom the request had originated. Since this morning was one interruption after another, I instructed Sariel to summon Licht, advise him he would escort Ivetta home on her lunch break, and modify her security accordingly.

I hadn't made it five steps away from Sariel's office before a messenger arrived, requesting my presence at an impromptu meeting of the court ministers—excluding Sariel. Leon was already there. I knew what the first item on the agenda would be. Starting rumors was much easier than ending them, and something had incited paranoia within the court about the possibility of Sariel having murdered the king. Fortunately, the king had prepared several documents before he passed away for such an occasion, and I had a letter on hand written by him, which I produced as evidence he was still alive. I would have left the meeting then were it not for my suspicion it would segue into other avenues, and it did. First came the complaints about Gilbert, and then came the suggestion that anyone with connections with Obsidian should not be allowed to attend the ball on the opening night.

"I hope you are not questioning the loyalty of any members of the royal family," Leon said, recognizing the veiled reference to Yves.

"No, of course not!" the minister who had made the comment replied. "But in this time of rising civil unrest, paying attention to appearances is important, and in the past, certain arrangements have been made..."

"All members of the royal family will be present throughout the gala," I said, speaking for the first time since producing the king's letter. "We are no longer pandering to unfounded suspicions."

The minister's throat bobbed as he swallowed. "But Prince Chevalier, surely you can see—"

"I can see a roomful of old men who are more interested in a person's bloodline than a lifetime of accomplishments made on behalf of Rhodolite. The entire royal family will be in attendance, including the half-Obsidianite prince you dislike so much. If that is a problem for you, you're welcome to leave."