“I will tell you what,” Selwyn interrupted, “I will talk to your father myself. If he still isn’t satisfied with your safety, I will camp out beneath the tree. I am sure he will let you then.”
“Oh Selwyn,” Candra cried before launching herself into his arms. “If you do that, I shall love you forever,” she declared. A strange new emotion came from Selwyn as he awkwardly returned her embrace. I scanned his face, but saw nothing that I could identify. Of course, with the knowledge that he had been a defender, I doubted that I would be able to see anything.
“I will try,” he promised, carefully setting Candra away from him. “Now we should go see what colors I have to paint your shutters with.”
Happily diverted from the topic, Candra scrambled down the makeshift wooden ladder to the ground. I followed with my thoughts full of what these new discoveries could mean.
Chapter XIII
Hadrian
The Caelestis Novem celebrations were even more elaborate than normal. Every royal family was present from heir to youngest male child. Many of the kings also brought their daughters below the presentation age. Zezilia’s absence was surprisingly unnoted by the gossips, a detail for which I was infinitely grateful.
My quarters were moved to the farthest reaches of the High King’s manor. My baggage mysteriously disappeared and reappeared between the wagons and my quarters, obviously searched. Giles, my personal assistant, was in fits over the rumpled state of my robes for hours. Thankfully, Renato had the foresight to remove my personal papers from the luggage prior to leaving the compound; so, there was nothing of significance for the perpetrators to steal or use against me.
Although many of the nobles and kings, including the High King, greeted me warmly enough, some were reserved and Ilar and Sabine were downright cold. I had expected the frigid look from Sabine, but Ilar’s took me by surprise. I instructed Renato to set up a private meeting with Zezilia’s father. He obviously had something against me and considering my promises to him regarding her future, I needed to resolve it if I could.
The first day’s events, a sacrifice to the goddess, the presentation of the young women to the court, and the first dance of the week, passed with only minor problems. I missed my usual crowd of friends during the dance. Conversation with Korneli, Errol, Tristan, or even Horace would have broken up the boredom. As it was, I was forced to speak with a long line of young women and their motherly escorts as they each tried to break my cool exterior. None of them had anything interesting to say.
As a young, unmarried Sept Son, the high ranking mothers had apparently chosen me as one of the best catches for their daughters. I didn’t understand why. My time in office was quickly becoming one of the most rumor-ridden in memory. Scandal was following my every decision and my unpopularity with the Mesitas was reaching historical levels.
“You are rich, powerful, handsome, and young,” Renato replied when I voiced this to him. “On the list of available men, that combination ranks high for both mother and daughter.”
“So, I am going to be plagued by this everywhere until I marry?”
Looking sympathetic, Renato nodded. “If it makes you feel any better, I am in the same category.”
I lifted my eyebrow at him. He fit the handsome criteria, with his thick golden brown hair and hawk-like eyes. I supposed he was considered powerful as my right hand man. “So, how are you fending them off?” I asked.
“I am circulating the rumor that I am already engaged.” He looked proud of his accomplishment.
“Are you?”
He laughed. “I wish. No, I am not.”
I considered it a moment. “Somehow, I don’t think the same solution would work for me.”
“I guessed not. My mother is coming this way, Master,” Renato added. “She looks like she intends to speak with you.”
“Honored Sept Son.” Queen Nascio Ilar addressed me in even tones as she inclined her head as custom required. “My son,” she said, acknowledging Renato’s presence as he took his place behind my left shoulder.
“I am the one who is honored,” I replied. Offering her a formal salute, hand to shoulder, I studied her features. Her dark eyes met my gaze.
“I wish to speak to you in private if that is possible.”
“The gardens are available, Master,” Renato sent.
“Let us step into the gardens then,” I suggested. Renato preceded us as we weaved through the crowds of gossips and eager wallflowers. I avoided catching anyone’s eye, though a maiden did try everything short of tripping me to get my attention. Finally we emerged into the slightly cooler air of the night. In the distance, insects chirped and hummed.
We followed the path toward the day gardens, sure to be empty at night. Once we were well out of sight of the terraces about the palace, the queen turned and confronted me. “I understand you are the one to speak to about the rumors.” Her tone and inflection were completely within the rules of etiquette, but her body language, what I could see of it, made it clear she was demanding an answer.
“It matters which rumor, your majesty,” I replied. “There is quite a smattering of rumors tickling ears this Caelestis Novem.”
“I am referring to the one linking my daughter’s name and yours. Is it true that Errol Silas is training her to be your wife?”
I watched her moonlit features with interest. Here was a woman with spirit to match her beauty. I guess I should have expected that after my meetings with her daughter a year ago,
