Chapter 17 - XVII. | Hold thee dear... (2/2)

”I do not see what is amusing,” she said. ”Goddess, William, if you had that boy killed because of some quiet grudge against me, then I--”

”I did no such thing! Helen! How can you even think that I--?!” He stopped himself, pensive. He took a breath and scratched his brow. ”No. I understand. This is just like you, isn't it? Suspecting everyone. And as well you should, I suppose. But I promise you, I had nothing to do with it. Any of it.”

”Convince me,” she said.

His expression hardened. ”Fine. What are your reasons for suspecting me, then?”

It was her turn to be reluctant. ”Well, firstly... you did not wish to marry me.”

”Helen, that was a lifetime ago...”

”What was the reason? Or reasons. Tell me the truth, William.”

He cast his eyes at the floor briefly, frowning as he looked back up at her again. ”I had feelings for another woman when we met. She was a commoner. My parents did not approve and so organized my marriage to you.”

A familiar story. Her brother David experienced something similar, though he did not go through with the marriage--or rather, he had gotten the woman to hate him so much that she refused to go through with it. As for William, Helen could believe him. She remembered how timid he was in those days, particularly around his family.

”I never resented you,” he said. He took a deep breath. ”In fact, I... I've never loved anyone more in my life.”

Her eyes widened, and she turned red.

'Wait, what?' Mehlsanz floated around the two of them. 'Why the hell are you blushing? You've been married to this guy for years, already.'

Helen struggled for the right words. ”I did not realize you felt that way...”

”I often find it difficult to tell you my feelings...”

'Are you f.u.c.k.i.n.g kidding me?'

”William, I also... love you.”

'Hold on, this is a trick, isn't it? You're trying to trick him, somehow.'

The King smiled.

The Queen smiled.

'Holy shit, it's not a trick.'

Helen's smile weakened. ”I also thought you might resent me for never wanting children.”

”Honestly, I never wanted children, either,” he said. ”My family wanted an heir, of course, but I was quite content with upsetting them by then.”

'What the f.u.c.k is happening right now?' said Mehlsanz. 'You do remember that there's a murderer loose in the building, don't you? More than one, if you count Nathaniel.'

That brought Helen's attention back to the present, and she looked at William again. ”If you are not the one responsible, then the most probable suspect is Gabriel.”

The King blinked at her. ”Gabriel?”

”Nathaniel poisoned my wine,” she said. ”I have known all along that he was the assassin, but I do not yet know who convinced him to kill me.” She could see the gears turning in William's head.

He pressed a hand to his temple. ”Gabriel... yes... He has been trying to convince me to support the expansionist movement for months now. He wanted me to talk to you about it. He thinks you don't listen to him.”

”That is because I don't.”

”His nationalism must be even stronger than I imagined if he would go so far as to have you killed. His own sister...” He straightened. ”This changes things. I need to meet with my aunt again. She probably knows more about Gabriel than I do.” He moved for the door.

Helen stepped closer. ”Before you do, can you find a guardswoman named Lynnette Edith and tell her to come see me?”

”Lynnette Edith?”

”I do not wish to see her in public, but I need to amend my orders for her.”

He nodded. ”Very well.”

They paused a moment, standing by the door together, both abruptly realizing that their conversation had ended. Then the King kissed her, and they let it linger.

”Please be careful,” she said.

”You as well.” And he was gone.

Helen turned away from the door, rubbing her flushed face and trying not to look at Mehlsanz.

'Well, aren't you just adorable.'

She stiffened. 'I was merely trying to ensure his cooperation.'

'No, you weren't.'

'W-we are often apart, traveling internationally. Our relationship has--has been very--oh, why am I justifying myself to you, anyway?'

Mehlsanz just laughed.

'Excuse me,' came another voice.

They both turned to see a second reaper hovering by the window.

'I apologize for the interruption, but I'd like to inquire... Wait. Aren't you Mehlsanz?'

'I am.' She tilted her head. 'Garovel?'

'You remember me. So it was you who revived the Queen, then?'

'Indeed.'

'I didn't think the Vanguard was in the habit of reviving royalty. Wasn't there a rule about that? Affecting the living world too greatly or some such?'

'I left the Vanguard,' said Mehlsanz.

Garovel floated closer. 'Why?'

'It's a long story. Reviving the Queen was my attempt to stop the Vanguard from hunting me down.'

'They want to kill you?'

'They don't just let you leave, anymore. It's not like it was when you were there, Garovel. I attached myself to her because now killing me also means killing her.'

'Ah.' Garovel eyed the Queen. 'A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Majesty.'

Helen nodded. ”Likewise.”

'What are you doing here?' said Mehlsanz.

'I was worried that whoever revived the Queen wanted to exploit her influence. I'm relieved to see that's not the case. Or is it?'

'Of course not. Did you bring a servant?'

'I did.'

'How powerful?'

'Why do you ask?'

Mehlsanz hesitated. She looked between Garovel and the Queen. 'I was backed into a corner. They were going to kill me. You understand?'

'I don't. What're you getting at?'

'The Vanguard won't come after me,' she said. 'But now... Abolish probably thinks that the Vanguard is trying to seize Atreya.'

”Give the lady a prize,” said a voice beyond the bedchamber door. A man entered, dressed as a butler. He had a reaper with him. ”That is indeed why we have come.”