Aedan could think of no reply to that, for she was absolutely right.
He stared down at the floor, morosely. “I suppose I could resign my post….”
“And leave the emperor to choose a new high chamberlain in time of war?
He depends upon your friendship and your counsel. You have been trained for this from birth, Aedan. Who would replace you?
In time, perhaps, an adequate successor could be found from among the nobles of the court, but if you resigned while Anuire is threatened, you would not only be utterly disgraced, but you would also weaken and demoralize the emperor at a time when he needs most to be strong and confident. You cannot afford to make the noble sacrifice, Aedan. You don’t have that luxury. You don’t have the right.”
Ironically, he thought, she had used the same words he had spoken to the emperor earlier that day.
And they were no less true applied to him than they had been when applied to Michael. He sighed and sat down heavily on his bed.
“You’re right, of course,” he said. “But what am I to do? I suppose I could deny it, but the damage will have already been done.
I knew Laera was spiteful, but I never suspected she would go so far.”
“There is one thing that can be done, before the story spreads farther than it has. I am loath to suggest it, but I can think of nothing else that would serve to quell the gossip before it can erupt into a scandal.
You must take a wife.”
“A wife!” He thought quickly. Yes, that could work. And it would add further plausibility to the story that he and Sylvanna had merely stayed out drinking all night, comrades in arms unwinding after a long and difficult campaign. It would be a lie, of course, but a lie that people would find easier to accept with his being betrothed. His father had died before he could arrange a marriage for him, and what with the war, there had been no time for him to give any thought to marriage, even if he’d had the inclination. And even if people still suspected the liaison with Sylvanna, they would be unlikely to bring it up if he were married. Not without proof.
Ariel was right. If he married, it would deflect Laera’s plan for revenge, but that still left him with a difficult situation. Quite aside from the problem of finding a wife, he would have to marry someone he did not love. The marriage would be a lie. And how could he bring himself to do that to some innocent girl?
As if she could read his mind, Ariel said, “I will marry you.”
He glanced up at her sharply. “No,” he said, shaking his head.
“Ariel, I could not possibly ask you to sacrifice-“
“What sacrifice?”
she asked in a faintly bitter tone.
“I have always loved you, ever since I was a child.
And if I cannot have you, I do not want anybody else. I would almost rather die than marry you
under such circumstances, for I know you do not love me, but good marriages have been made without love before. We are of the noble class. Such things are a way of life with us. A marriage based on love is rare among the nobility, and I have not yet been promised by my father. Nothing would please him more than to have you ask him for my hand.”
She swallowed hard, and tears came to her eyes as she spoke. “I will make you a good wife, Aedan.
Who knows, perhaps, in time, you might even come to love me a little, but if not, I will understand and turn a blind eye to any liaisons you may care to have. Just don’t flaunt them is all I ask. Let me keep some shred of pride. And one more thing. My father must never, ever know the truth of this.”
“Of course,” said Aedan. He got up and came over to her, then got down on one knee. He took her hand. “Ariel-“
“Don’t,” she said, shaking him off and getting up.
“Let us not make a mockery of this. It is purely a political arrangement,” she added stiffly, “between friends. Speak to my father in the morning. He will joyfully give his consent, and we will announce it to the court tomorrow. It would be best for the marriage to take place as soon as possible. The war provides an excellent excuse.”
“Yes, I suppose it does,” said Aedan woodenly.
“Ariel, I-“
“And for Haelyn’s sake, don’t thank me. Please.”
He looked down and nodded. He moistened his lips. “I must … tell Sylvanna. It would not be right for her to hear of this only when our betrothal is announced.”
“No,” said Ariel firmly. “You must not see her now. It would only add fuel to the fire. I will go to her tonight and tell her myself. I will explain the situation fully and make her understand the necessity for this.” She took a deep breath, and her voice broke slightly as she said, “And as I know you are too well mannered to ask it of me, I will also tell her that you love her. And I will try hard not to cry. Good night, Aedan.”
She turned and ran out of the room.
**chapter Three**
The wedding took place in the great hall of the Imperial Cairn, with the entire court in attendance.
The floors had all been swept clean, white bunting hung from all the galleries, jasmine incense added
