A Beast's Tale

Chapter 23

Clavis followed Ivetta around the rest of the afternoon. My door was closed, but I could hear his voice occasionally. She’d said he and Luke were ‘a bit overbearing’ after they saw the bruises. She was clever, and naïve, all at the same time. They’d both gotten their chance to beat up on Jack before I killed him. Clavis’ behavior had very little to do with the bruises, or even the assassination attempt. But I didn’t interfere, even though I wanted to. My own feelings had to stay just that: my own. She was in no danger from Clavis, and she was fully equipped to handle him without my help. So I read my book, and when it was finished, I got another one, and I ignored the familiar prattling outside of my door.

She presented herself a few minutes before five o’clock, as usual. My open door allowed me to hear the storm still raging outside, the rain still pelting the windows with a fury.

“Get a carriage,” I said, not looking up from my book.

“I’ll give her a ride, Chev,” Clavis quickly volunteered. “Shall we go, Ivetta?”

I looked up, my eyes meeting hers as Clavis waited with his hand outstretched. She smiled and shrugged as she picked up my teacup. “Goodnight, Prince Chevalier. Prince Clavis, I need to stop by the kitchens first.” She offered her usual curtsey and then walked past him, ensuring the hand he wanted was full.

“She is a tricky little thing, isn’t she?” Clavis said, smirking. “Well, see you, Chev.”

I didn’t respond, but as soon as the door closed, I allowed myself a chuckle at Clavis’ expense. The look of tired resignation in her eyes had told me everything I needed to know. Clavis was getting on her nerves, but she was willing to put up with him a little longer. It was probably best for her to have an escort, anyway. For all I knew, the informant could be one of the coachmen.

The thought was sobering.

I joined my brothers for dinner at the round table that night, much to their surprise. My promise to Ivetta regarding Yves remained to be fulfilled. I wasn’t going to say anything to him over dinner, of course, but this way, I wouldn’t have to go to the trouble of tracking him down later.

“Chev, what are you doing here?” Clavis asked, his golden eyes wide.

“Eating,” I said coolly as I took my seat.

Jin chuckled. “You’re just in time. Clavis was filling us in on his afternoon with Ivetta.”

“He was following her around like a love-sick puppy,” I commented with a smirk.

Leon laughed, and the rest joined in, but Clavis’ sly grin didn’t change.

“We had an interesting conversation in the carriage,” he said calmly.

“Let me guess how it went,” Nokto said, his crimson eyes glittering. “You were begging her for a date, and she was turning you down, over and over again.”

Clavis shrugged. “Actually, she asked me about our dear Chev.”

All eyes turned to me, but I said nothing.

“It seems our little dove isn’t afraid of the Brutal Beast anymore,” Clavis continued, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.

“I could have told you that,” Yves said.

“She’s not afraid of anything,” Licht added quietly.

Leon’s eyes met mine.

“Don’t you want to know what she asked about, Chev?” Clavis pressed on.

“I couldn’t care less.”

He grinned. “The queen.”

Why would she want to know about her? Unless this had something to do with that conversation we’d had when I told her my mother was afraid of me. She hadn’t been able to comprehend that. But why would she be thinking about that, today of all days?

“Why?” Luke asked as I continued calmly eating in silence.

“She seems to think there’s some humanity left in our Chev. I did my best to correct her misperception,” Clavis said smugly.

“It’s too bad,” Nokto said with a sigh. “If he had a shred of humanity, he’d be worried about her becoming a target after that assassination attempt.”

Yves’ eyes widened. “You think she’s in danger?”

“Of course, she’s in danger,” Licht replied irritably.

“If you don’t think Chevalier has a shred of humanity, then you haven’t been paying attention,” Jin commented. “He’s been a lot more human than usual lately.”

“I’m not convinced he’s being anything but selfishly possessive of his new favorite toy,” Clavis countered. “He’s never been good at sharing.”

“Well, you can think what you want, but she’s still safer with him than she is on her own,” Jin said firmly.

“And whether he cares or not, I do,” Luke interjected angrily. “And nothing’s happening to her on my watch.”

Such was the general consensus around the table.

“Leon, you’ve been awfully quiet,” Jin prompted.

“I think the rest of you have covered it all pretty well,” he said, taking a bite of steak so he wouldn’t have to say more.

The topic of conversation strayed to other matters, and I was refilling my plate for the third time when a wide-eyed Luke spoke up. “Leave some for the rest of us, King Highness!”

“That’s rich, coming from you,” Clavis laughed.

“He has a point, though,” Jin commented. “You act like you haven’t eaten anything today, Chevalier.”

“I haven’t.”

“Why not?” Yves asked.

“That is none of your concern,” I replied coolly.

“King Highness has had a lot on his mind lately,” Nokto volunteered. “And I have some news that may put everybody off their food.”

I looked over at his unusually serious crimson eyes. “What is it?”

“We will be joined by Silvio, Gilbert, and Keith at the goodwill gala this year,” he announced glumly.

There was a moment of stunned silence around the table. I set my fork down and stood up.

“Showoff, I need a word with you.”

“Don’t call me that,” Yves snapped, his deep blue eyes glaring up at me.

I ignored his protest and headed for the door. “Now.”

He sighed dramatically, but he got up and followed me out into the hallway.

“What is it?” he asked irritably.

“Has Black talked to you about the goodwill gala?” I asked, leading him toward the library.

He scowled. “I’m not going to endanger Rhodolite’s relationship with Benitoite just because I don’t like being left out of social engagements.”

“It is vital that you attend this year,” I said firmly.

“Why? So you can use me against Gilbert somehow?” he snapped.

“So Gilbert can’t use you against Rhodolite somehow,” I countered. “And because you are a prince of Rhodolite. Leaving you out of these events gives the impression that your own brothers don’t trust you. It is well past time to rectify that error.”

“What are you talking about?” Yves asked.

I sighed as we entered the library. “It is possible that Obsidian never officially abandoned you because they hoped to use you against Rhodolite at some point, and that may be why Gilbert wrote to you. While we don’t know what he wants, your presence at the goodwill gala will very likely confound his plans and show that we stand with you.”

He was silent for a moment, following me across the library toward the alcove where the raging storm mercilessly pelted the tall window. “Ivetta said you trusted me,” he finally said quietly.

“She is correct,” I said, coming to a stop in front of the alcove. “And it is time for you to know the truth.”

“About?” he asked, standing beside me with his arms crossed over his chest.

“About Bloodstained Rose Day.”

He grimaced. “You should have let me die.”

“You should not have been there,” I said firmly, staring straight ahead through the storm and into the past. “You were only sixteen.”

“And Licht and Nokto were only fifteen, but-”

“They weren’t being forced to kill their own people,” I snapped, turning to face Yves. “You were as capable as they were, but none of you should have been there. I made the decision to protect you for the simple reason that you were my brother.”

He looked up at me, his deep blue eyes wide. “You don’t mean that.”

“I nearly killed our father when we made it back home,” I continued. “The only reason I didn’t was because the kingdom was already hanging on by a thread, and I made that clear to him. But I also made it clear that I would not be so forgiving if he tried to send children into battle again.”

“I didn’t know,” Yves said, stunned.

“Nobody knew. A king would never admit to being put in his place by one of his sons,” I said bitterly. “That was when he started this foolish policy of keeping you out of many social events under the pretense of keeping our allies happy. His real reasoning was to punish me for my insolence.”

Yves was speechless, his eyes wide with shock.

“I call you ‘Showoff’ because you are overly concerned with how others perceive you, and such measures are unnecessary. You are as capable and strong as any other prince of Rhodolite, and you are an asset to this kingdom.”

“Well said,” Leon interjected approvingly as he entered the library.

I sighed and glanced back at him as he crossed the library toward us. “You were not invited.”

“No, but I’m glad I came,” Leon replied. He clapped a hand on Yves’ shoulder. “Do you believe me now?”

Yves looked from me to Leon and back again. “I…I don’t know what to say,” he finally stammered.

“Just say that you’ll be at the goodwill gala, and you’ll hold your head high for Rhodolite,” Leon said encouragingly.

Yves nodded. “I won’t let you down.”

“You never have,” I said quietly.

Yves’ face relaxed into a shy smile. “How much of this do I owe to Ivetta?”

Leon looked at me, surprised.

I shrugged and turned back to the window. “That was all I needed to say.”

“Sounds like a certain little lady deserves a cake, and you probably need some time to think about everything, anyway, right, Yves?” Leon asked teasingly.

“You just want me baking again!” Yves said accusingly, but I knew without looking at him that he was trying to hide his embarrassment.

Leon knew it, too, and he laughed. “Can’t say I wouldn’t mind it, but I’m going to have to put in some extra time training with my knights if you and Ivetta are going to be baking every day.”

“Well, I’m not baking for you tonight, so just forget about it,” Yves said haughtily. “But if you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen.”

Leon took Yves’ place beside me at the window, looking down into the gardens. The wind had flattened the grass and several of the rose bushes, littering the pathways with branches, leaves, and flowers.

“Chevalier,” Leon finally said after Yves left.

I glanced over at Leon. “What is it?”

“That was really decent of you.”

“It was necessary.”

He chuckled. “Sure, whatever. Did you talk to her?”

I nodded. “She declined to be reassigned. I was going to suggest you.”

“I’m honored, but why didn’t you set Clavis straight at dinner? It won’t hurt anything for him to know you care about her.”

I stared out the window at the raging storm. “I have my reasons.”

Leon stood beside me, silent for a while, and then he asked quietly, “You love her, don’t you?”

I clenched my jaw, but said nothing. He correctly interpreted my stony silence and let out a low whistle.

“How does she feel about it?”

“This is none of your business,” I said quietly.

He clapped me on the shoulder. “You’re my brother, so that makes it my business, but your secret’s safe with me. Want a drink?”

“Me having a drink with you? What are the others going to think?” I smirked.

“Maybe I’m just chewing you out for being such a heartless beast. Come on.”

I’d never actually been in Leon’s room before. His office was always a disaster, but his room was surprisingly neat and tidy. The walls and ceiling were all varying shades of blue, with a contrasting brown rug covering most of the floor. There were two chandeliers hanging above the bed, which was covered with rich blue and red blankets. The headboard was framed with gold and padded with red cushions. On either side of the bed was a pair of built-in bookcases, completely full of books.

“I thought you fell asleep whenever you tried to read,” I commented.

He shrugged, grabbing a bottle of wine from the end table next to the bed. “I do. You won’t believe how long it takes me to read one book.”

There were a pair of lounge chairs around a coffee table in a corner, and we took our seats there as he filled our glasses. “Here,” he said, handing me one. “I’d prefer something stronger, but this will do for now.”

I took a sip, leaning back in the chair. “I hope you don’t expect me to pour my heart out to you.”

He laughed. “Yeah right. I just figured you could use a drink.” Suddenly, his expression turned serious. “So, what do you think about the goodwill gala?”

“We’d already guessed Gilbert was coming, but for the rest to come as well means they’ve heard rumors about the king,” I said, taking another sip.

Leon nodded. “My thought exactly. Sariel needs to hurry up and choose a Belle already.”

I scowled, thinking over this news. “Obsidian must be planning something with Yves.”

“We’ll have to split our time,” Leon mused. “One of us watching Ivetta, the other watching Gilbert. Yves can handle himself.”

I drained my glass and picked up the bottle. “I need another drink.”

“Me, too,” Leon said.