Chapter 9
The palace scandal had passed, but the ripples were far
from s
settled
Back at Hawthorne Manor, Beatrice looked smug as ever. “So what if you’re a general? The Fourth Prince said it himself once he ascends the throne, I’ll be his royal favorite. You’ll be bowing to me before long.”
I glanced at her once, Said nothing.
Let her dream. She had no idea how treacherous that path really was.
When the news reached home, Mother and William were stunned.
Mother clutched her chest, appalled. “A prince’s mistress? Have you no shame?”
She turned toward me, maybe to scold me too–but I met her gaze, cold and silent. She hesitated and looked away.
Beatrice waved it off. “Aunt Margaret, you’re thinking far too small. He’s not just any prince–he’s the Fourth. When he takes the throne, I’ll be his choice. You’ll see. Our fortunes will tum.”
Mother could only swallow her protest.
She had hoped for a proper wedding–but with the Prince already bound to another, her place in his household had to be… discreet. No church bells, no procession. Just a quiet arrangement, sealed behind closed doors and whispered titles.
So she became his mistress in name, little more than a well–kept secret tucked into the far wing of his estate.
Mother barely had time to wring her hands before the latest lists from the royal academy arrived–William’s name wasn’t on them.
In a panic, she dragged him to my chambers.
“Please,” she begged, “speak to the King on his behalf. He needs a post–anything at court.”
I didn’t look up. “You overestimate me, Mother.”
Her expression darkened, then softened again as she tried a gentler tone “I know William was unkind before, but he’s your brother, Eleanor. Blood is blood
I let out a quiet laugh. “So you do remember. Then you must also recall what I endured at home. How I clawed my way to where I am now. And you expect me to hand it over, just like that?”
William yanked his arm from her grip. “Why are you begging her? She’s not the only heir of House Hawthorne. Just watch–I’ll make my own name. said nothing. Just smiled faintly.
Winter drew near. The King’s health worsened by the day. Word came from Sir hellan: prepare
Junderstood. I had little time to concem myself with my family’s potty schemes.
the turn of the year, the king passed. His final decree named the Third Prince heir.
The Fourth Prince’s faction cried treason, claiming the decree had been forged. Civil unrest broke loose
Chaos engulfed the capital
Mother fled the estate our had it Beatrice, now in the royal household, had fed her lies. She came to me once, urging me to shift my allegiance. “The Fourth Prince will win,” she said. “Why not serve a true dig?”
I had her confined
But the vanished d within days,
spring arrived, 1 led a detachment of light cavalry through the back gates of the palace and cut off the rebel forces escape.
The Fourth Prince was captured. He took his own life the next morning in the royal prison
his entire household was exdled
The Third Prince claimed the throne without bloodshed. A new era was declared–one not in e
name alone, but in strength.
As for me, I was named Commander of the King’s Armies. The first woman in the realm to ever wear the silver crest of a general.
By April, the air was warm and fragrant, Flowers lined the streets. I finally had a moment to breathe.
Chamer
BookSnap
Enjoy mel
Sir Judian invited me for wine at the Starlight Tavem. Laccepted
On my way there, I passed a wagon of exiles. Among the ragged crowd, a hunched woman was wailing at the guards.
1 swear–I’ve no ties to the Fourth Prince! My daughter is the Commander of the King’s Armies! Let me go!”
The voice stopped me cold
I turned.
The woman spotted me instantly and staggered forward. “Eleanor My daughter–it’s me!”
The guards held her back and bowed. “Commander,”
“Who is she?” I asked.
“A woman from the Fourth Prince’s estate,” one replied. “claims to be your mother, my lady. We were about to remove her thought she might be mad.”
Another added, “Everyone knows the Lady Eleanor’s mother vanished during the uprisings. Likely killed in the riots.”
“No–I’m her mother! Eleanor, please! I was wrong!”
Lady Margaret.
Her eyes pleaded as she reached for me–only to be yanked back by another hand.
Beatrice.
Her face was gaunt, nearly unrecognizable. She clung to Lady Margaret’s arm, voice brittle,
“You said you’d protect mel Even if I was exiled!
Lady Margaret shoved her away. “You’re not even my blood. I took you in out of Idindness, and you repaid me with betrayal.”
“No! Don’t say that you’ve lost your mind!”
A crack of the whip silenced them both. The guards shoved them back into the cart.
Just before they vanished from view, Lady Margaret mouthed a final plea Don’t abandon me
I turned away.
At the Starlight Tavern, Sir Julian was already waiting, swirling a cup of wine in one hand, as though he hadn’t a care in the world.
He had played a key role in the Third Prince’s rise. Now Lord Chancellor, he was the envy of half the court–but took no allies, save me.
“You kept me waiting,” he said, tossing me a flask. “You’d better drink before start talking politics.”
I caught it and took a swig. The wine was crisp, clean, and sharp enough to clear the log in my chest.
Sunlight spilled through the open windows. For the first time in months, I let myself smile.
Sir Julian raised his glass. Let the past rot, Eleanor. The future’s yours now.”
I met his gaze.
“You’re right.”
Spring had come. And with it, a life finally my own.
