Chapter 203

As Caleb sits on his throne, he only vaguely listens to the discussions his advisors are holding before him. No one seems entirely sure what to do with Kira’s remains.

As a former Luna, by right, she should be interred in the royal crypt within the capital. But, because of the situation of her attempted murder of the King’s favored consort, it’s unclear what would be appropriate.

The advisors report that the nobility are split on the matter, while the new commoners are firmly against her being laid with the other Kings and Lunas.

Caleb doesn’t care either way. Though Evan lies in that crypt, and Kira likely helped plot his death, Evan is dead and gone now. He cannot be further hurt by the presence of Kira’s bones or if they are placed elsewhere. His spirit will rest easier regardless, knowing that one of the conspirators of his death can no longer hurt anyone else.

What matters to Caleb now is the living. With Kira gone, the most recent dire threat is off of Harper, and that’s all that really matters to him. There will always be dangers to her, but Kira was the one he couldn’t see, blinded by their history and his want to trust her.

He was a fool for allowing Kira to do as she wished without supervision, and Harper was almost the cost for that mistake. He would never be so blindly trusting again.

But then, the only people he had left that he trusted at all were Harper and Tristan. With Tristan gone, possibly forever…

The other matter that troubles Caleb, in addition to Tristan’s capture, is Hector’s disappearance. Caleb’s father, the orchestrator of Evan’s demise, is still out there somewhere. The scouts Caleb have sent after him have yet to report any reliable findings.

Caleb assumes, perhaps rightly, perhaps not, that Hector had help disappearing. As Caleb’s enemy, the rebels could have taken him in. Or some of his many loyalists were hiding him.

Caleb has too many enemies anymore to know which would act against him the fastest in what circumstance.

“Lady Gladys has agreed to inter Kira’s body on her family plot, if we decide not to allow her in the royal crypt,” one of the advisors says. “So the body will at least have some place to go, and we will not be forced to give her a pauper’s grave.”

A pauper’s grave might be just what Kira deserves, but Caleb’s interest has been fully distracted by this new name. “Gladys?”

“Oh, forgive me, my King,” the advisor says, bowing. “Gladys is a fairly new political player who has been gaining favor with the nobility, especially those with the most traditional values.”

“Who is she?”

“She is your father, former King Hector’s second wife who, in his long absence, has taken over his estate and lands.”

The news bothers Caleb, who sits up straighter in his chair. “I was not made aware that Hector had taken a second wife.”

“She has been hidden from the public eye for many years,” says the second advisor. “But she has become emboldened since the divorce between Hector and Kira has become wider known.”

Caleb considers this a moment. He himself did not know his own father had divorced until recently, let alone remarried someone else. A lady?

What other secrets has Hector been keeping?

“Are there children?” Caleb asks, feeling sick to his stomach.

“No, my King,” one of the advisors says with assurance. “Gladys is older than your mother was. As she and Hector married later in life, there has been no children.”

Good. That’s a relief at least. There shouldn’t be any illegitimate children coming for the throne.

“To our knowledge, Gladys also was married before,” the advisor continues. “But there is no record of any children from that marriage either.”

“Gladys has become more vocal since Kira’s death,” says another advisor. “It seems she is finally ready to step into the political scene. The nobility will likely request she have a place in the court. You should be prepared for that request, my King.”

“I imagine the request will come sooner rather than later,” the third advisor said. “Gladys has been outspoken against you, my King. There’s even some talk that she wishes to publically face you, to confront you over your treatment of Hector and Kira.”

Caleb laughs, thinking it a joke. When he sees the advisor is serious, he only laughs harder.

“If she wishes to confront me, she is free to. If she wishes to travel here on her own, let her come and face me. But I make it clear, she is not invited. She is not an honored guest. The second wife of a man who arranged for the killing of my brother will receive no special treatment or honor in my palace.”

The advisors each dip their heads in understanding. “Of course, my King. Very good, my King.”

He half-hopes she will arrive just so he can see with his own eyes the woman who would fight for the reputation of a man so terrible.

The other half of him hopes she stays far, far away. Caleb has only removed one threat to Harper, he is not ready to bring more into his house. By marrying Hector, Gladys has already proven herself someone of ill-judgement. While there’s no guarantee she will be as against Harper as her husband and his late ex-wife, she has enough against her to make Caleb suspicious.

But let her come. Let one of the nobles house her and bring her into court. There, he would be happy to gaze down at this woman who wishes to label herself so readily as his political enemy.

He’d face off against her.

But in the meantime, if she is willing to solve the Kira problem, Caleb will let her do it.

“We will hold a vote among the court for what to do with Kira’s body,” Caleb says. “This will give them some sense of power, as well as take the blame off of me, no matter the outcome.”

One of the advisors asks once more, “You are certain you have no preference, my King?”

“She is dead,” Caleb says. “Where her bones lay to rest matters little to me.”

I stand in the back of the room as the court decides what will happen with Kira’s remains. Caleb has allowed the court to decide. Sitting in his throne, he seems entirely disinterested in the results.

However, I hang on every word. Each raised hand, each voice.

The existence of Gladys is shocking enough, as is her desire to now stand against Caleb. I worry she might be one more thorn in his side causing problems, but for now, her distance offers some comfort. As long as she stays far away, she shouldn’t be unmanageable.

Though, with how many nobles seem to be in support of Gladys, I worry.

Caleb doesn’t need more enemies.

In the end, the nobles loyal to Kira have their say. She is to be interred in the royal crypt. Caleb gives his agreement, and the matter is settled.

As the work of the court comes to a close, the typical social party begins. As the court mingles, I continue to stand near the back of the room, watching. I’ve never truly felt like I belong in these things, and I’m perfectly happy to sit this out.

That is, until Jason approaches me.

I owe him so much. There is much to say, like thank you, for one.

But he seems uninterested in such trivialities. The minute I start to apologize, he waves me away.

“I have more important things to talk to you about, Harper,” he says.

I blink. “Like what?”

Lowering his voice, he says, “I want to tell you what I know about the rebellion.”