Prince Raoul rose, dark eyes screaming murder. “You little weasel! How do you know this? Have you been following me?”
“Raoul,” Torvald murmured, drawing all eyes to himself. “Please, sit down.”
The prince fell into his seat and spooned soup into his mouth without meeting anyone’s eyes. The king frowned at Haskell until the boy’s smile faded and he sunk low in his seat.
“If you’re determined to be a pest, you’ll no longer be welcome at my table,” Torvald said. “That information wasn’t yours to share. Apologize to your brother.”
“I’m sorry,” Prince Haskell murmured, eyes downcast.
“I suppose I don’t need to ask how you spent your day,” the king said with a disappointed sigh. “Spying on others from that perch of yours isn’t a productive way to—”
“What else would you have him do?” Raoul said. “He doesn’t have any friends.”
“I do so!” Haskell shouted.
Torvald took his crown off and placed it on the table. It might as well been made out of gold by the way everyone stared at it. He looked from one boy to the next until he had their attention again.
“I speak now not as your king but as your older brother,” he said. “When your need is most dire, many, many years from now, who can you call on if not each other? Find some way to get along before you push each other away forever. Respect your mothers. Respect each other. And stop this bickering in front of Lady Isa. You’re not making a good first impression.”
Suddenly, everyone was aware of me again. I looked down at my salad and pretended to be engrossed by the tomatoes. I didn’t know how to feel, how to process everything I was learning about this man. But it was obvious that dinner was a family affair. I should’ve dined elsewhere. When I mustered the courage to look up and speak my mind, Torvald was wearing his crown again and asking the servants to bring the main course.
Chapter Fifteen
Ladies Bodil and Helka took turns talking during the main course of pork chops, steamed vegetables, and potatoes. Haskell refrained from devouring them like a sea monster, but he did seem very happy to be eating them. The king inquired about the comfort of their rooms, whether the servants were stocking the fireplaces with enough wood, whether they needed any extra spending money—not only for themselves but for the children. The women stated their needs, few though they were, and the king promised to see to them.
We were served chocolate pudding for dessert, much to Evie’s delight, and strawberries with crème.
Before I could enjoy them, however, Torvald smiled at me and said, “Now it’s your turn, Lady Isa.”
I froze, my fork stopping just before it could reach my mouth. I tore my gaze from the strawberries to see I had everyone’s attention. “You know how my day went, my lord. You were there.”
“But the children weren’t. I’m sure they would love to hear about your graduation ceremony and shopping spree.”
“Oooh, did Torvy give you money to buy things?” Evie asked, her mouth smeared with chocolate.
“Yes, your brother was kind enough to supply me with a wardrobe,” I said, smiling. “When I arrived at Dotharr’s Academy, I was provided with some training and lounging clothes, but I had nothing to call my own.”
“How awful!” the princess cried. “Everyone should have their own clothes. I’m glad Torvy rescued you.”
I looked down at my plate again and picked at my strawberries.
“Your parents must be very proud to know you have found a job so soon after graduating from the academy,” Lady Bodil said. “Will they visit often?”
I gripped the napkin in my lap until I could feel my nails through the material. “I wish it were so, my lady, but they have both passed away.”
Her face drained of color and she immediately began stammering apologies.
“It’s all right,” I said, summoning another smile. “I know you meant no offense.”
“I’m very sorry for your loss,” Torvald said, and the others agreed.
I took a bite of strawberries, frustrated. Was he toying with me? Did he truly not know? How could he appear so genuine? My head was starting to ache.
“I hear you have to fight to prove your worth at the warrior academy’s graduation ceremony,” Haskell said after a moment of silence. “Who was your opponent? Was it a hard fight? Did you win?”
“It’s customary to take a breath between sentences,” Raoul murmured.
Haskell shot him a glare before turning his attention back to me.
It was a struggle to sound nonchalant. “I fought my good friend, Viggo. He’s the most talented fighter I know. It was a hard battle, especially in the rain. But yes, I eventually emerged victorious.”
Haskell’s face lit up with a grin. “You’re tougher than tough, aren’t you?”
I found myself smiling at his enthusiasm. “I suppose I am.”
“There is nothing to suppose,” Lady Helka said. “You survived a year in a men’s academy. That’s proof enough for me that there is no one alive who could match your strength.”
I bowed my head to hide my red cheeks. “Thank you, my lady. That’s kind of you to say.”
“I hope you don’t mind my saying so, Lady Isa, but I wonder at Dotharr’s decision to gift you with warrior talents,” she went on. “This life of working in the shadows, sneaking and killing, isn’t a life meant for a lady.”
The king frowned. “Helka, it isn’t your place to question a Heavenly Master.”
“I personally don’t believe in the Heavenly Masters,” I said, “but I have come to realize that we’re all placed in certain situations for a reason. I’m happy to discover my reason for being here while working in the shadows for our king.”
The statement was met with stunned silence. Viggo would call me a blasphemer, but these people were too afraid to contradict a trained killer. I sipped my wine and enjoyed the rest of my dessert in silence.
After the plates had been cleared, we ventured into the drawing room. Lady Helka took up the harp and Princess Evie climbed up onto the piano bench. They played softly and eloquently in the corner while the others lounged on couches too beautiful to be sat upon. Raoul pulled open a drawer in the table, took out a deck of playing cards, and began to shuffle them.
“I’ll be victorious this time!” Haskell announced.
Raoul scoffed. “We’ll see about that. Torvald, do you want to play?”
“Of course,” the king said. “But only if Bodil plays as well. It wouldn’t be as much fun without her.”
Bodil laughed and blushed as if embarrassed but pleased by his words.
I stood off to the side, unsure of my place.
My feelings must have been evident on my face because Bodil smiled at me. “Do sit with us, Lady Isa. If you’re unfamiliar with the game, you can learn by watching us play the first few rounds.”
My eyes were drawn to the window and the darkness beyond. “Thank you, my lady, but I must remain vigilant.” I passed Evie and her mother, and stationed myself by the window.
I watched the servants light the lanterns to illuminate the path for other servants and the patrolling guards. It seemed like a completely different world here on the royal hill, a quarantined little utopia. I had to wonder if the people within the walls were aware of the Quest for Resources or the other nations. Even the servants seemed bent on only one mission: to make the people here as comfortable as possible.
I watched everyone who passed, attentive and determined to memorize their faces at first. But the more time I spent standing there, the more I found my eyes wandering to the king’s reflection. I still hadn’t made up my mind about him. Even as he played, he was gracious and patient with his half brothers. He consulted with Lady Bodil behind his cards and laughed with her at Haskell’s outrage. He seemed so… comfortable.