HEIR OF THE DRAGON

CHAPTER 13

Her father's face was pale as he listened to the news and when Lalisa was finished, he shook his head. "I can hardly believe this."

"It is shocking, your Grace," Ser Harrold agreed. "And yet there can be no denying what the princess says is true. I heard it as well, straight from the Hand's own mouth. He poisoned Princess Lalisa to prevent her from taking the throne or setting aside her wife in favor of another mate."

"She wouldn't do that, your Grace," Roseanne added quickly. "Whatever I said to my father was only to get him to confess to these crimes. I've never had reason to doubt your daughter's love or her fidelity."

The king smiled weakly. "That's good to know. Still, to think that my Hand could have conspired to murder my own daughter..."

"I know." Lalisa took a seat at the same table where they had all eaten lunch only a few days earlier. Today the king had been dining alone when they came in and the aroma of his now-forgotten beef stew filled the room. "I've never been fond of Ser James but for Roseanne's sake, I didn't want this to be true either."

"There's just one thing I don't understand: if you already had these suspicions, why didn't you come to me sooner?"

"Because we had no proof. And because accusations had also been made against my uncle. We were worried that if we pointed a finger at the wrong person, it would tip the other one off."

He nodded thoughtfully. "A sensible precaution. You've done well, Lalisa. I will admit, I was worried about your judgment after the earlier... incident, but your visit to Dorne was a great success. Prince Qoren writes of you in glowing terms, you've helped settle several outstanding disputes with Sunspear, and now you've brought this plot to light. You've proven yourself to be a true heir to the Iron Throne. The realm will be in good hands after I'm gone."

Lalisa placed her hand on top of his. "I appreciate that, father. But don't think of leaving us anytime soon. You have a grandchild to meet, remember?"

"And hopefully many more after that." He brightened at the thought, and when he turned to Roseanne, there was a smile on his face. "I should thank you as well. You've shown yourself to be a loyal mate and a worthy daughter of House Manoban."

Her wife smiled back at the king. "I'm proud to be one, your Grace. And I apologize again for the incident, as you called it. I'm just grateful you've been able to forgive us."

The king waved his hand dismissively. "There's no need for further apologies, Roseanne. A father wants nothing more than for his daughter to be happy and you make her happy. I only wish I'd seen it sooner."

Roseanne dipped her head low enough that the king couldn't see her send an abashed glance to Lalisa. "I didn't make my feelings very clear."

Lalisa looked up at her wife and smiled. "They're clear now."

"That they are," Henry agreed. "Unfortunately, not all our difficulties are so easily put in the past. For one thing, I will need a new Hand. "My brother has long coveted the position, although he does have his war in the Stepstones to deal with now, along with Lord Lionel."

"My uncle might not be the best choice if you still need to negotiate with the High Septon," Lalisa added.

"I do. This business with Ser James has only emphasized the importance of gaining the Faith's blessing for your marriage before there are further troubles." He paused for a moment, stroking his beard. "What about Lord Lyonel? He has a good head and he's served me well as Master of Laws."

Lalisa considered the choice carefully. In her time as her father's cupbearer, she'd had a chance to observe Lord Lyonel on the small council and he'd given her the impression of being a decent, prudent man, observant of the Faith but no fanatic. "He seems like a good choice. And he's already here at court, so he can start immediately."