The Kingdom's Crown (Inheritance of Hunger #3) - Kathryn Moon Page 0,63
funeral and the parade will be simple. You are prepared for this, Bryony. You don't need to worry."
"I spent all my life learning from tutors and my grandmother how I should behave. Now that she's gone, it feels as though it's all been erased," Bryony breathed out.
I leaned in as the maid finished Bryony's hair, and she and the guard slipped out of the room, leaving me alone with my princess. "Nobility and grace can be taught, but you have those traits naturally. I think you would give your grandmother a great deal of pride today no matter what."
Bryony's eyes blinked rapidly, a soft shudder running through her shoulders until I drew her out of her seat and into my arms. "I never imagined that I would feel so…unmoored without her. I can't imagine…" Bryony cursed and tucked her face against my throat. "I am still thinking of how to become queen, today of all days."
"You're ambitious," I said shrugging. "If you were a Mennarian prince, you'd be applauded for it, regardless of the occasion."
Bryony sighed and went quiet.
I tugged on her hand as I stood from the pouf. "Come. I'll dress you, and we'll walk through the gardens until it's time to leave."
"It's still winter," she said, lips quirking a little.
"You like winter. I'll manage."
Bryony nodded, but instead of moving away, she only wrapped her arms around me, sinking against my chest. A soft shuffling sound came from the doorway, and I looked over Bryony's head to see Cosmo peeking in, dark curls rumpled with sleep. I nodded toward Bryony's black gown, and Cosmo crossed to the dress, lifting it up to cradle in his arms as he joined us.
"I just want this week to pass," Bryony murmured, glancing back at Cosmo.
"It will, little muse."
It might feel like an eternity in the meantime, but yes, it would pass.
Together, Cosmo and I dressed Bryony between us, moving her gently into her sleeves, tightening the laces on the corset she hated so much. Cosmo's quick fingers navigated the buttons up her spine as Bryony's cheek rested on my chest. I wanted my warrior queen back.
The royal tomb was full of bodies, and every scuff of a shoe and soft clearing of a throat seemed amplified as it floated up to bounce back and forth against the high marble arches. The volume was high, even with the funeral's audience all speaking at whispers. Bryony and I had separated briefly to do our part bending the ear of nobles, and I was on my way through the crowd to her when a vaguely familiar face snagged my gaze.
Victor—no, Vincent. One of the remaining Chosen of the now deceased dowager queen. He looked a little lost in the crowd, eyes searching, and my chest squeezed dully. He was probably only looking for the other, Hector, but there was a distance in the look that made me wonder if he knew what to do with himself without his mistress. Would I know what to do without Wendell or Bryony?
I drifted to him unconsciously, and his face smoothed, a faint smile rising at my approach.
"Your Highness," he said with a soft bow.
"My condolences," I answered with one of my own.
He released half a sigh, nodding, and then held the rest of the breath, eyes scanning the room again. "I had enough time to prepare myself, and yet…" He trailed off, swallowing hard.
"What…what will you do now?" I asked, my own eyes traveling to Bryony. What if something were to happen to her? We knew now that the Chosen didn't take part in their daughter's life and that most of the queen's line used them as a tool for relief in some fashion. Would we all be discarded from Kimmery?
"Her Majesty has offered me a seat on the council," Vincent said with a slight wrinkle of his nose. "Not to my taste, but it was a request from Violet and I do want to be of some help to the princess."
"And Hector?"
Vincent smiled at me, head tipping. "They don't kick us out, Your Highness."
I wasn't too proud to breathe a sigh of relief. Wendell and I would've managed, I supposed, but to be ripped away from the others too after losing Bryony? I was surprised by how distasteful it sounded. I didn't want to return to Mennary, even in my occasional homesickness.
"I am all the family Heck has left. He'll remain in the castle with me," Vincent said with a nod.