Silence Reigns

Chapter 10

Lady Helen wrapped her hands around the warm chalice and brought it to her lips. Her eyes, painted in heavy shades from the wedding, watched her husband from her place in her chair. "You have a lot to thank me for," she commented casually as she set the chalice on the table.

"Thank you," Landoness said with little emotion as he ate his breakfast.

"Everything went according to plan."

"Yes."

"Does that not make you happy, husband?"

He chewed a bite and looked at her. "Has Erielle gotten breakfast?"

Helen looked taken aback. "You're concerned for your enemy's daughter, are you? Maybe you should just take her as your concubine, if you so desire."

"You know that life is behind me," Landoness said defensively in response to her bitter tone. "Though you don't make it easy to leave behind," he added in a low mutter.

"I know it is," Helen said. "However, just what can you possibly be worried over? It worked perfectly. They are married, and you are king, just as it should be, and now we can move forward."

"She didn't seem to be taking well to Edom's...vigor."

Helen selected a muscadine and popped it in her mouth. "So he may have been a little rough on her; what concern is that of mine? Now that she is his wife, it matters little. He has a right to do with a wife as he wishes." Lady Helen raised her eyebrows at her husband.

"She fainted, Helen."

"Yes, possibly from the excitement."

Landoness frowned at his wife. "You are a heartless woman."

"That is decidedly the biggest understatement I have heard from you, husband," she said with a little laugh. "You know what to do now. It shouldn't be long before all threats to your power are eliminated."

"I do." They shared silence as they ate, until Landoness finished and put his napkin on the table. Rising from his seat, he said his adieu to his wife and went to take care of business.

Edom entered the room after a few minutes, his hair mussed and his face flushed.

"Mother," Edom said, nodding to her.

"Good morning, son," said Helen with a smile. "My firstborn. Congratulations on your wedding. You are the crown prince, and a legitimate heir to the throne of the Eastern Kingdom. How do you feel?"

Edom didn't glance at the servant who brought him his food, but immediately dug in. "Elated, honored."

"Good." She leaned forward and spoke in a more hushed tone. "Do you believe me now?"

Edom looked across the table at her, and she continued. "What did I tell you? I made sure you were made crown prince, put you in the best place to become king. And your foolish little mistake would never get out."

"You were right. I didn't believe you at first, but now I'm free of the consequences." He chuckled and spread his arms wide as he leaned back in his chair. "I can do what I want, thanks to you."

"Anytime, dearest son," Helen said. "I am the Queen, after all."

Erielle read the letter from her mother, slowly tracing the curves of each letter with her eyes.

Your father is dead...

The deadness in her heart matched the tone that her mother used to write the words on the parchment, matched the deadness of her father's body that she never had the chance to bid adieu. Devoid of emotion. Probably to spare herself the pain.