The Nechi's Wife

✣ chapter twenty-eight ✣

King Renyld's POV

"Your Majesty," A page said upon entering my office. "A letter."

As he gave it to me, I noticed that the letter smelled of perfume. Immediately, my mind began to race. Was this from Tamra? She knew better than to continue contacting me. And yet, the thought of reading something she'd written was exhilarating.

"Who is it from?"

"I was told it was from a private location. Though on the letter it says the Princess' name. It's to the Meretian King and Queen."

"Oh, I see."

I should have known Tamra wasn't daft enough to contact me. Not after what I'd told her the last time. I cleared my throat, "Excellent, thank you. You're dismissed."

The letter now felt heavy in my hands. Of course, it was from Ayan. I wondered if she knew the letter would have to go through me first. Most likely not, or I doubt she would have sent it.

I eyed the paper suspiciously. I wasn't supposed to open such letters, the mail of royalty was always given confidentiality, but her situation was incredibly delicate. I couldn't risk her divulging sensitive information, especially to her parents. They believed her to be safe and secure in the Aranian castle; who knew what they might do if they discovered she wasn't?

Upon opening the letter, I was struck by how beautiful the handwriting was. Though there was one glaring issue:

It wasn't in English.

It was in Meret.

"Dammit," I mumbled. As I pondered over whether to destroy it, I heard another knock on the door. "Enter!"

In came Sir Lorcan with a large smile on his face. "Your Majesty," He bowed quickly. "Lady Eora has given birth to her child!"

Although he seemed happy, his impatience was apparent. "You want me to come for the naming ceremony now?"

He faltered, "Yes...please do. Before Eora and Eavan remember how much they hate me."

"What?"

"They're so happy about the child, they've forgotten to harass me as they're so accustomed to doing," Lorcan explained. "Lord Eavan was on his way to tell you but I was already in the hallway, so he asked me to do it instead. He didn't even glare once."

"You're a fool, Lorcan."

He grinned. "You wouldn't expect any less."

"I'll come," I said, rolling my eyes. It was tradition for the King to be present at the naming ceremonies of nobility. I was charged with giving the child their middle name so it would be unbecoming of me not to attend. I slid the letter back in the envelope and set it on my desk.

I would decide what to do with it later.

...

When I returned after the ceremony, I was content to see that my office had been cleaned. "Finally," I muttered. I'd been asking the maids to tidy it for days.

I approached my desk, deciding I would destroy the letter and find a translator to create a fake response. But it wasn't there. My entire desk had been organized, and there was no paper to be seen.

I immediately sent for the cleaner, who was very shocked to see my enraged state. "Where is the letter that was here?"

Her eyes widened, "Your Majesty, I gave it to a page... They took it to the next boat leaving for Mereti..."

"Why?" I roared. "Who gave you permission?"

"Your Majesty!" She cried out. "You did!"

"What nonsense are speaking of?"