Crimson Lace

Chapter 6

ELLE
CHAPTER SIX

"Sixty thousand soldiers have perished in just the past year alone for a war that is based on old grudges. I don't know your stance on this issue Titus, but I would like to pull my men out of those trenches as soon as possible—"

"I am sorry to cut you off, Keaton, but as you know these soldiers are only Serfs. Their lives are . . . simply expendable. Besides, war is a good form of population control."

I would love nothing more than to march over there and yank on King Titus's tongue for being such a cold-blooded man. I watch in horror as King Keaton nods in agreement with King Titus's cruel words, and try to refrain from spitting in disgust.

My stomach lets out a small gurgle as I digest the third and fourth courses. As a result of discussing matters in lengthy depth, we are only on the fourth course. The problem is that I have felt full since the second course's squash soup. My stomach feels like it is going to bust through my corset. This is going to be a long night, but luckily they stick to speaking Rivaran, so at least my brain doesn't have to focus on translating as well as digesting.

"I agree, Titus. We need not worry about that. However, the more that die on the front lines the fewer Serfs we have at our disposal when it comes to fighting in more important battles, and this war is making them weak."

That's what he cares about? They don't care that their precious soldiers are mainly teenagers, and they are dying? I let my eyes roll in disgust.

"This long-lasting battle has put a damper on the relationship I have with my people. I want them to see their king as a man of mercy and peace, so that they will want to pledge allegiance to me and not those wretched terrorist groups and gangs. I want to end this war, and I want to do it with an alliance."

King Keaton isn't one to be afraid of small rebel gangs, especially not ones made up of Serfs. I raise an eyebrow in surprise. What has him so concerned? We don't hear much about these groups around here. Tropis, the capital of Rivara is much too fancy for street gangs to be milling about and causing trouble. They save such shenanigans for the more rural and impoverished areas of the kingdom.

I don't like to leave my questions unanswered. "Excuse my interjection, but I thought you had these rebellious groups under control, My King."

Josephine's sepia colored eyes flicker to mine. I guarantee that I have surprised her tonight with my reluctance to stay within my expected political position. Which amounts to no position or say in these matters whatsoever.

"Child, please be patient," Keaton hushes, lowering his tone to give me a gentle but firm reminder of where my place is.

I wince at hearing him dub me a child. I'm seventeen for crying out loud.

"So it's an alliance you speak of, Keaton? What good would that bring my kingdom?" King Titus grumbles.

"An alliance would mean double the resources, double the men, and double the force."

"Fedja, habion entre allionco wrëtli shu lon tibùco sej'sta fierr prie?" Alec's voice startles me. His tone reminds me of his warmth, and the swinging vowels of Northlan make my stomach twitch with butterflies.

What joy it brought me to be stumbling through the palace halls with him in my hand as we tried to outrun our responsibilities. My heart could quite literally glow back then. It is hard to imagine how it has faded so much since. My heart that once used to blaze like the sun is now a dim candlelight trying to illuminate miles of dark fog.

Quit it, Elle, I scold myself. Alec's memory only brings pain. He is a prince and an image of perfection born and raised. Not meant for me. He is one of them, just another one of my superiors.