The Queen's Secret (The Queen's Secret #2) - Melissa de la Cruz Page 0,97

do by this and that person. It’s true that I have no particular interest in the dull bits of governing. That’s what the Small Council is for—to take care of the dull things, like taxes and laws, and so on. And Lilac—the queen, I mean—she’s quite good at that sort of thing. The Dellafiores always were. She’s also quite good at shooting demons in the heart, as we’ve discovered.”

Cal decides a small smile is permitted, though Hansen doesn’t smile back. He’s frowning now and rubbing his temples.

“Your problem,” he says, jabbing a finger toward Cal, “is that you’ve forgotten the thing you’re good at. What you were trained to do.”

Be an assassin, Cal thinks, mystified. There’s not a day in his life when he forgets this. And he’s found the scrolls. For an assassin, he’s a rather successful one, he would argue.

“You were trained,” the king continues, “to be unseen. To remain in the shadows . . . not in the spotlight . . . next to the queen.”

Here it comes. Cal braces himself. He’s to be exiled from Mont, from the queen permanently. He has won his life and lost it at the same moment.

“The people only believe what they see, Holt, and they shall see their king and queen united, in marriage and fealty. A happy royal family, as it were,” continues Hansen.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” says Cal.

“But what happens in the shadows . . . what happens there, what they cannot see . . . that is none of their business, don’t you agree? And as long as we keep everything in the shadows, well, then, everyone can go on believing the story.” Hansen coughs.

Cal leans forward. He’s starting to understand what Hansen is saying. He’s starting to see that perhaps happiness is within reach.

“And we can control the story, can’t we? I hope we understand each other, because things are going to change. Changes that suit everyone rather than the duke and Lord Burley.”

“Certainly, sir.” Cal thinks it’s best to agree. “You have the power here. Everyone else serves at your discretion. From the highest to the lowest in the land.”

“Quite.” Hansen shrugs. “And something else that your apprentice pointed out, which I hadn’t even considered. The duke and Lord Burley were the ones who appointed Daffran to the Small Council! Not me—them! And there he was, sitting right here, among us, at all our meetings, while he was possessed with the evil spirit of the demon king! I could have them executed, you know. For negligence, at the very least. But I won’t.”

“That is magnanimous, Your Majesty.”

“Never been a fan of bloodshed,” says Hansen. “My hope in marrying was to gain peace for both our kingdoms, and peace we will have. In the spotlight and in the shadows.”

Cal shifts in his seat, feeling his cheeks flush with the heat of the tapers. A thought occurs to him, and he wonders whether he could be so bold as to suggest it. “Perhaps, Your Majesty, things can be even more peaceful than you had hoped. You and the queen are both rulers in your own rights. You should be able to live in splendor and comfort, as you choose.”

Hansen sits up. “You have a solution you have devised?”

“Hear me out, Your Majesty. Castle Mont is not fit for you at the present. It’s been stained by the Aphrasian rot.”

“Indeed,” says Hansen.

“And you, sir, have always preferred the summer palace, up in the mountains. The one with the lake and the forests that can meet all your hunting and fishing needs. It would make sense for you to move the capital there, don’t you think?”

“Move the capital there?” says Hansen.

“And Renovia must not be neglected. The queen must oversee the reconstruction of Violla Ruza.”

“Of course she must.”

“Two courts,” says Cal. “Renovia and Montrice. Two rulers. Aligned. A royal family, happy in the spotlight.”

Hansen thinks it over.

“I shall, of course, have to assign one of my assassins to guard the king,” says Cal. “I was thinking Rhema Cartner would suit you.”

The king raises his eyebrows.

“Assassins, after all, remain in the shadows and keep ourselves scarce,” says Cal.

“Two courts,” says Hansen, mulling it over. “It could work.”

“Your combined kingdom is very large, Your Majesty. It only makes sense that you are each needed in a different place.” Cal is trying to keep his emotions in check, but if Hansen agrees, this could change everything.

Hansen looks intently at Cal. “I am told the queen will have some happy news to share