Crown of One Hundred Kings (Nine Kingdoms Trilogy #1) - Rachel Higginson Page 0,88

you.”

“You will recognize none of them, of course,” Tyrn continued. “As any person in your father’s employ or council had to be put to death. I couldn’t trust any of them. I’m sure you understand.”

I focused on swallowing that news. My hands trembled and fury bubbled within me, but I could neither scream nor cry in front of these people. Instead, I forced calm into my voice. “Do you have reason to believe that any of those punished were responsible for my family’s murders?”

Tyrn held my gaze. The candlelight between us illuminated the madness dancing in his pale blue eyes. “I do not need reason. I am King.”

My gaze fell to my soup. I had lost my appetite, but I could not look at my uncle for another second.

One of the lords, I couldn’t remember which, bent forward and slapped the table with his hand. “Here, here.”

General Leffenmore leaned in as well and declared, “And long may you reign, my King.”

My uncle’s mouth tilted in a cruel smile. “I do not think my niece agrees, gentlemen. She is, after all, here to take my crown.”

There did not seem to be an appropriate answer, so I held my tongue.

“You are sure that she is indeed your niece?” Lady Leffenmore asked with a bored lilt to her tone. “She appears from nowhere with a highly hunted for crown and we are to assume she is the heir to a throne that has not been in the Allisand family for eight years.”

“That is why Conandra was called, my dear,” “General Leffenmore explained. “The trial will get to the bottom of this business. The truth will be exposed.”

Servants appeared and switched our soup bowls for plates of cheese and sliced meat garnished with squares of toast and oxtail butter.

“Are you not afraid, Child?” Lady Leffenmore asked as she slathered her cheese with butter and green jam. “This trial is serious business. Your life is at risk and for what? Because you want to be recognized as the lost princess? Because you want to be reinstated to palace life? I pray to the Light you know what you are doing.”

My voice rose. “I am well aware of the risk, Lady Leffenmore. The truth will indeed be found out. I have no reason to fear it.” The table livened with the rumbling of the lords and general. My uncle did not voice his opinion, but neither did he take his eyes from me. “And as for palace life, I was quite content at the monastery I came from. Their way of living is more natural to me than anything the palace can offer. So, you see, I am not here for luxury or notoriety.”

“One does wonder why you are here then,” my uncle mused. “After all these years, what made you leave the shadows of your secret life? Why now?”

I looked around at the men serving Tyrn and felt disgust join my rage. “It was time, Uncle. I did not leave the palace with the intent to live my life in secrecy. My home is here. My life belongs to Elysia.”

“So why not stay in Elysia to begin with? Why let the kingdom and the realm believe you to be dead?” Tyrn’s eyes flashed with frustration.

“My life was in danger,” I insisted. Nerves shivered through me as I realized that returning still might mean death. I looked at my uncle, “Whoever killed my family, wanted all of us dead. Every last Allisand. You cannot deny this.”

His stare did not waver, “I cannot.”

The next course was served- roasted boar with summer yams and turnip puree. Conversation died while everyone tasted their dinner. I pushed food around my plate and tried not to be sick.

“Where is Prince Taelon?” I asked at last. “Is he still in residence?”

My uncle enjoyed another large bite of boar before he replied. “No, I do not believe he is. Something of a business nature took him away.”

My supper settled in my stomach like a pile of bricks. Taelon was gone. He’d left me alone with an uncle that would prefer me dead.

I thought of Oliver. “Did his staff leave as well?”

Tyrn sighed and it seemed to shake the entire table. “No, they did not. He left them behind to dwindle my resources and fill up my guest rooms.”

At least Oliver had not also abandoned me.

Wine was served during the third course. I declined, but everyone else partook. While the men managed to drink theirs in moderation, Lady Leffenmore filled her glass three times