Sage in the Sea

No Right

Fergus draped his dress uniform coat over my shoulders as I sat on the small cot in the small undergarment dress that I had been wearing beneath my dress. He sat next to me on the cot. Archie had already come to fetch Piers to deliver the grave news. Fergus and I were to remain in the bunker until my maids brought me different clothing to wear. Despite the king being killed, it was still not proper for me to walk around in so little clothing.

"Should we rejoice or mourn?" I murmured as I wrapped his coat more tightly around my body. Fergus leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together. He gave a small shrug.

"I'm not sure. There will be an investigation, so we are not out of the woods yet, but I believe that it is over. Piers shall be initiated as the new king tonight, after the court coroner has declared the king dead. You shall become queen and Queen Octavia will have to teach you while mourning the loss of her husband."

"But he is gone. His plan for the Bycgan shall not be possible now."

"No," Fergus replied as Eleanor appeared in the doorway with her arms full of black clothing, "that much is at an end." He stood up, giving a small nod to Eleanor. "I shall wait outside."

"Fergus?" I said as I stood up as well. He paused and turned to look at me. "Thank you. For everything. We could not have done it without you."

"Well," Fergus said with a small smile, "I truly believe that you would have found a way, your highness."

I forced a small smile onto my face as he shut the door gently. Eleanor put the dress and cloak onto the cot, helping me to remove Fergus' coat and the undergarments. We didn't speak as she helped me into the dress and into the cloak. There was no much to be said. I would have to be the mourning newlywed. I would have to protect myself from the investigation that was to come.

I did not know who would take the fall for the crime. They would be killed, whoever it was. Piers had been at odds with his father, but he was still his father and his death would not go unpunished. I did not ask who it would be. I thought it best to now know.

"Adelaide?" Eleanor asked as we walked towards the door. She had Fergus' coat draped over her arms. I turned to look at her, my hand resting on the door handle. "You are much stronger than you appear."

I smiled softly at her, reaching over and squeezing her arm lightly. She returned the smile before I opened the door and Fergus escorted us up the stairs.

x.x.x

"Adelaide," Lysander said as he appeared in the doorway to the dining room where I sat with Eleanor and Miriam. Fergus had fetched Lila and taken her to another part of the castle with him.

I looked up at Lysander now, keeping my face neutral. I was now a married woman. He glanced at the other two occupants in the room before his eyes landed on mine once more.

"Your presence is requested in the front driveway," he said. I knew by the look on his face that something terrible had happened. I slowly stood, resting my hands on top of the table.

Taking a deep, shaky breath, I addressed him, "May I ask what for?"

"They believe they have found the culprit," he said. I stared at him. Already? The assassination had taken place less than two hours ago and they had already found the culprit?

"Who?"

I squeezed by toes inside my shoes, biting the inside of my lip. I could already tell from the look on his face that I was not going to like his answer.

"Guard Farbridge," he said softly.

My hand shot to my mouth, a sob escaping my lips as I sunk down onto the chair. I shook my head, it couldn't be. He couldn't have taken the fall. Piers was supposed to have him tucked away to be interrogated for impersonating a guard. He was supposed to be out of harms way for now. I was supposed to be able to find a way to keep him safe.