The Wicked House of Caroline

“There’s a new what?” Her foster brother’s voice was laced with disbelief and Beks slowed her movements placing some bread on to a napkin to bring back to feed the birds. She looked from Laurence at the head of the table to Luther across from her.

Luther nodded his head, excited. “A new oracle at the Great Temple! She has met the requirements to become an oracle by predicting ten events accurately.”

“This is big news,” Laurence said as his shoulders relaxed. “The Great Temple hasn’t had an oracle since the Great Oracle died over twenty years ago.”

The Great Oracle was the one who prophesied Beks as the daughter with dawn in her hair destined to lead the kingdom to greatness. In the past, Great Oracles would predict their successors, such as where they were born, when, or some other important distinguishing aspect, just before their deaths.

But the last Great Oracle prophesied Beks as a political tool instead.

The Temple had been searching for an oracle since the death of the previous one. Hundreds of girls must’ve been selected and made predictions, but none managed to predict the required ten events. At one point, the Temple had been so desperate, they tried to see if Beks was the next oracle, but she couldn’t predict anything.

Not even what lunch they would have that day.

She didn’t have the visions or dreams that were usually associated with oracles, and the Temple eventually left her alone, disappointed.

“It is! This is good news for us. Eldest Brother, I met the new oracle when we went to the Great Temple.” Luther leaned forward, trying to get closer to Laurence. “I was there when she predicted her fifth event: the earthquake in Spisas. She also predicted the massive sea wave.”

Beks raised a brow and reached for another piece of bread. Earthquakes by the shore were often, if not always, accompanied by large, sweeping waves along coastal areas. This was reflected in historical records. Still, she didn’t correct Luther and folded her cache of bread.

“What were her other predictions?” she asked before reaching for her warmed milk.

Luther thought for a moment. “I can’t remember all of them, but the most recent one was the bandit attack on St. Cormac’s Trail.” Neither Laurence nor Beks reacted. “The Great Temple rushed to confirm and it seems that a pilgrimage caravan had been ambushed recently.” Luther looked to Laurence. “Eldest Brother, is there any way to help protect the pilgrims?”

“I will look into it. The best we can do is to guard those on the trail portions within our territory,” Laurence replied. He glanced at Luther. “That was the last prediction?”

Luther nodded. “Yes. She started making predictions a half year ago and they came true one by one.” His eyes dropped and he slumped his shoulders a bit. “Her first one predicted the illness of Mother. That was why when we met her, she urged us to return, as she predicted Mother’s death.”

Beks ate her food in silence. If the late Queen’s death had been predicted, why did it take them so long to return?

“The other kingdoms and principalities in the region will begin sending her gifts in hopes of gaining predictions that could be beneficial,” she said instead. “We should also send a gift to show our sincerity.”

Luther’s face lit up and he nodded. “Yes! I noticed that at the time, she had already begun receiving tributes. She’s a very simple person and prefers basic necessities over extravagant jewelry. She said that what she was most worried about was if she were identified as the next oracle, she would need to start dressing the part.” Luther chuckled at his memory.

“Then, something luxurious, but not flamboyant,” Beks said. “Perhaps some pond silk lace from our garment district with a few pearls sewn on. It would be good for shawls and veils, which most priestesses wear, so it will be useful, but not too eye-catching.”

Luther nodded energetically and gave her an appreciative look. “Yes! That’s it!” His smile was warm and lopsided. “I knew you’d know what to get her, Beks.”

She gave him a nod. “I will have some prepared immediately to be sent to the Great Temple.”

“It is not necessary to send it.” A man’s voice came from the entrance of the dining hall and they all turned towards it. The Third Consort, who rarely joined them for breakfast, walked into the hall with a dismissive ease, as if they had all been waiting for him and he finally graced them with his presence.

It was his typical attitude, so Beks didn’t think too much into it. The man had always been, as Uncle Timur described, ‘a peacock desperate for attention’.

“Is that so?” Laurence asked, matching the Third Consort’s indifference. “Is it not customary?” The corner of Beks’ lip curled up. The Third Consort always threw tradition in their face when it suited him, such as his tirade over the lack of a month-long mourning period. He tended to casually ignore tradition and custom when it didn’t benefit him.

For example, when a monarch had two spouses, child-rearing was supposed to be shared, but the Third Consort kept Luther with him at all times, hardly exposing him to Uncle Timur. This put some distance between the older three brothers and Luther.

The middle-aged man barely held back a sneer as he took a seat next to his son and waited for the servants to place a plate and utensils in front of him. “In order to gain favor for us, Luther and I invited her to visit before she was confirmed as the next Great Oracle.”

Beks bit into her ham. The man was getting a bit ahead of himself, as Great Oracles were only titled as such after at least a hundred correct major predictions of world events. At the moment, she was simply an oracle. As of when they likely invited the new oracle, she was still a priestess at the time.

Luther nodded as he put some food on his father’s plate. “Iris sent me a letter and is already on her way.”

Beks caught Laurence tense to her left. His blue eyes shifted to his brother. “You are quite familiar with her.”

“She was the priestess who was our host during our stay at the Great Temple,” the Third Consort replied before Luther could. He didn’t look at Laurence and continued to eat. “I heard that she already had several successful predictions and wanted to make a good impression on our behalf.”

“Father believes it is important that we are able to maintain good relations with the Temple,” Luther told them.

“Yes, this is why we sent the Third Prince to the Temple,” Laurence replied. Beks could almost hear Laurence’s unspoken words: that should’ve been enough.

“Do we know when the new oracle is scheduled to arrive,” Beks asked. “I must prepare her welcome and the Hall of Eloquence.” It was the best of the three manors adjacent to the palace where guests of the royal family stayed when visiting. Carriages brought guests to and from the palace from across the moat, and each manor was fully staffed.

There was also room for guests, staff, guards, and supplies. It would also give them a place to receive guests of their own.

“We will not be placing her in the guest manors,” the Third Consort said as he looked across the table at her. “She is the new Great Oracle and we must show our utmost sincerity while visiting Kadmus. She will stay in one of the villas within the Gilded Palace.”

At this, both Laurence and Beks looked towards him. Laurence frowned. “When the late Great Oracle stayed with us for an extended period of time, she stayed in the Hall of Eloquence. It is inappropriate for guests unrelated by royal blood to stay in the Gilded Palace.”

Luther’s face fell, but the Third Consort appeared to brush this off. He looked directly at Beks.

“Lady Rebecca is not related by blood.”

The table was quiet and Beks wanted to roll her eyes. Laurence raised a brow. “She is Mother’s foster daughter and my foster sister. It would be appropriate.”

The Third Consort gave them a cold smile. “But she is not blood related.”

“She isn’t a guest, either,” Laurence replied with a cold smile of his own. “She is your son’s fiancée. Or did you forget?”

Luther lowered his head and seemed to be lost in thought. His father snorted and turned his head away. “And your mother was your mother, but you neglected a mourning month.”

“I respected her wishes,” Laurence said with a flippant voice. “Her last wishes are more important than a month of mourning. Various lords and houses have agreed with this. There is also precedent for it, though it has been many generations.”

“Eldest Brother.” Luther turned to him with a hopeful look. “Can we not make an exception? We are the first kingdom to host the new Great Oracle. Isn’t this an immense honor? All eyes will be on us to set the standard. We can’t be insincere.”

Laurence gave him an incredulous look. “You think that having her reside in the best of our guest manors with a full staff is insincere?”

Luther drew back a bit. “But it is still a guest house.”

“And she is a guest.” Laurence reminded him in a cold voice. He narrowed his eyes. “Luther, there is no reason for her to stay in the Gilded Palace.”

Beks caught Luther’s brown eyes trying to silently ask her for assistance. She lowered her cup and met his gaze unmoved. “Your Highness, Prince Laurence is following protocol.”

“Are you jealous that my son wants another woman to stay in the Gilded Palace, Lady Rebecca?” The Third Consort spoke suddenly and all eyes turned back to him. Laurence frowned and his sharp blue eyes bore into the Third Consort. Luther’s brows shot up and looked at Beks with dismay, as if he’d never expected her to.

The Third Consort sat up straight, appearing haughty as he smirked at Beks. Before she could reply, Laurence spoke up.

“Third Consort, that is an inappropriate accusation,” Laurence said. “You are well aware that Lady Rebecca is fully versed in royal protocol and will follow it accordingly unless instructed otherwise by the reigning monarch.” He looked towards Luther with cold eyes. “I expect this from you, as well, Luther. Do not forget that you are the Fourth Prince of Kadmus.”

Luther lowered his eyes at once. His voice was quiet and tight. “Then...we should follow guest protocol.”

Laurence gave him a nod, as if satisfied with his concession. “Beks, prepare the Hall of Eloquence for the new oracle’s arrival at once.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do not forget her welcome ball,” the Third Consort said. “If we are not veering from protocol, then there must be a ball to welcome her.” He lifted his chin, as if he were somehow looking down on her.

“I will begin with procedures at once, Third Consort.” Beks gave him a small nod of her head and picked up the folded napkin with the bread. She looked towards Laurence and gave him a bow. “I will excuse myself, Your Majesty.”

Laurence gave her a nod and she rose from her seat. She managed to make it a few steps outside the dining hall when Luther caught up with her.

“Beks!” Luther almost skidded in front of her to block her way and she resisted the urge to frown. Luther wasn’t a child anymore, and such movements could cause an accident in the Gilded Palace’s heavily decorated halls.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“You’re well-versed in royal protocol. Surely, there must be a case where guests have stayed at the Gilded Palace,” Luther said.

“There is a history of guests staying on the grounds where the Gilded Palace now stands, but the Gilded Palace itself is less than a hundred years old, and since it was built, guests who are not blood related to or fostered by the royal family have stayed at the guest manors,” Beks replied.

Luther’s shoulders dropped. “Are you certain? Can you speak to my brother and make an exception?”

Beks tilted her head and held his gaze. “It is inappropriate for the new oracle to stay in the Gilded Palace.”

“Beks-”

“Your Highness, I am the foster daughter of the late Queen and your fiancée, and I do not live in the Gilded Palace,” Beks told him. “If an unrelated woman, oracle or not, becomes a guest within the Gilded Palace by request of the Fourth Prince when the Fourth Prince’s own fiancée lives outside the Gilded Palace, in the Old Tower, how will this reflect upon the family?”

She watched as the enthusiastic light in Luther’s eyes dimmed. He drew his head back and lowered it. “Forgive me, Beks...I didn’t realize....” He looked a bit ashamed as he lifted his head. “It’s just that I had befriended her and told her about Kadmium and the palace. And you, as well. I thought it was fitting for a friend to stay here as I’d be her host.”

Beks took a deep breath. “There are many rules we must adhere to and it is not surprising that such minor ones would slip your mind. After all, this would be your first time hosting a major guest you invited.”

Luther nodded. “Thank you for understanding.”

Beks bowed her head once more, this time to excuse herself. “I will make sure that the new oracle and her attendants are comfortable in the Hall of Eloquence, and that the welcome ball be fitting of her status.”

Luther smiled. “Thank you, Beks.”

“Your Highness, please remember our agreement. Such affairs should not be made public in any way so as not to affect the esteem of the royal family or each other’s official position.”

His face drained of color and she heard him take in a sharp breath as she stepped around him to continue towards her office.

“Beks, there is no such thing between the oracle and myself! She is only a friend!” Luther darted in front of her once more and grasped her hands, standing in front of her to meet her eyes. “You are the one I will marry.”

She gave him a nod. She was a little taller than Luther and as such, tended to wear flats everywhere. “Yes, I know.”

“I will honor and respect you, Beks.” He squeezed her hands, as if hoping his sincerity could be felt.

There could be many things she could’ve replied. She could’ve reassured him and insisted she believed his words. She could’ve thanked him. She could’ve promised him the same.

Beks studied his face in silence. “I only ask that you ensure that your actions do not shake the institution your mother worked her entire life for.”

Luther stiffened for a moment, before he nodded. “I will. I know that I should do more work to assist my brother.” A pained expression crossed his face. “Especially right now.”

Beks nodded. “The transitional periods can be particularly volatile.”

Luther swallowed hard. He glanced around and then took a step closer. “Beks...can you tell me the truth?” he asked in a quiet voice.

She cocked her head to the side. “The truth?”

Luther nodded and he bit his lower lip as uncertainty appeared to fill his face. “Father said that he heard that my second and third brother are missing.”

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She folded the last letter on the pile. The parchment itself was still crisp, but the writing inside had become messier than previous letters. The contents had also become more informal, if not sentimental. It had taken her several days to read all the letters, not due to her reading speed, but her reluctance to read them.

Beks took a deep breath, running her fingers over the parchment once more to remember the feeling before standing and walking to the fireplace across the room. It wasn’t necessary to have the fire going that time of year, but she’d told the servants she was cold. The Old Tower tended to be drafty, so no one saw it as out of the ordinary.

She stood in front of the fire, holding the last letter.

She never doubted that the late Queen wanted her there. She never doubted that the late Queen had some affection for her.

But even after the dying woman grasped her hand and whispered that she loved Beks with her dying breath, Beks didn’t think she meant it the way a mother loved a child.

How I envy your mother for having you from her flesh; to have been able to hold you in her arms upon your first breath and look into your eyes when they opened. If the gods are satisfied with me in this life, I pray they let you be of my womb in the next, my beloved daughter.

If I could make you queen, I would.

Beks kissed the last letter and then tossed it into the fire. It caught at once and she watched the paper blacken and curl under the heat. She took a deep breath and clenched her hands at her sides.

Fifty-seven letters. Some were as short as a half sheet. Others were multiple pages. One by one, they were burned, as instructed, but every word was locked in Beks’ head. Every word of affection, every careful warning, every detailed instruction. These were things she didn’t know, and now knew that her foster brothers, the late Queen’s sons, did not know.

It turns out that while she doted on her youngest son, the late Queen put all her hopes on Laurence and requested that Beks give him more support. Of the princes, he was the most capable and fitting to become the king with a calm and fair temperament, and loyal to his cause.

The late Queen regretted that she’d sent the Second and Third Prince away, but at the time she’d missed their father and seeing them reminded her of him.

The late Queen also felt guilty about taking her from her parents, but at the same time, did not regret it. It was for the sake of the kingdom, she said.

There was so much more written in those fifty-seven letters, but two things stood out to her the most.

First, her pet snake, Snowflake, going missing wasn’t an accident. The late Queen was afraid that such a large snake would strangle Beks in her sleep if it ever escaped, so one day, while Beks was at her lessons, the Queen had Snowflake snake-napped and released in their southern borders. At the very least, that area was somewhat tropical, so it was a fitting environment for Snowflake.

However, the indignation that filled her had caused her to drop the letter and refuse to read the rest of the letters for a week.

Who wouldn’t feel betrayed after finding out that their beloved childhood pet didn’t accidentally escape, but instead was secretly re-located by their parent? The late Queen apologized in the letter, but Beks was still upset.

The second thing, and most important, was that Nexus’ original purpose as an information network never ended as Beks was originally told. It still existed and gathered information to this day. Mr. Kesse was just the keeper. The real owner was the late Queen.

But now that she was gone, she had passed it on to the new owner.

Once the letter had turned to gray flakes and powder in the fire, its text no longer readable, Beks stepped back. She walked to her vanity, flipped over her music box, and removed the urapearl. She re-installed it on the base hidden in her desk.

“Connect to Nexus,” she said once the clear urapearl turned black. It shifted into silver before the silver faded away to show a man’s face.

Mr. Kesse gave her a small nod of his head. “Good afternoon, my lady.”

Beks swallowed. “Good afternoon, Mr. Kesse.”

“It has been some time,” the old man said in an even voice. “Have you read Her Majesty’s letters?”

Beks nodded once. “I have.”

She saw the corner of his lip curl up just a bit. “And what do you say?” He urged her, and Beks took a deep breath and repeated the sentence instructed in the letters.

“The sun has set and the dawn has broken.” If she weren’t so invested in what the phrase would get her, she would’ve been amused at her foster mother’s choice of words. Of course, it had to somehow tie in with the prophecy. The late Queen loved that prophecy.

Mr. Kesse’s smile widened. He bowed his head once more. “Welcome, Mistress of Nexus. What would you like to know?”

“I’d like an update on the statuses of the local charity projects these last few months, since Her Majesty was bedridden,” Beks told him.

The old man gave her a nod. “I will prepare them. Will Miss come to headquarters?”

Beks hesitated. She’d never left the palace by herself, but she had a better chance of convincing Laurence to let her go out on her own than the late Queen. The current security of the palace grounds was high as they were in a transition period and Laurence did not yet have his official coronation.

It was better to go through Laurence than attempt to sneak out. “I will come in a week’s time.”

“Yes, Miss,” Mr. Kesse said. “Is there anything else?”

Beks furrowed her brows. Her main concern had been the progress of charity work. She wanted to make sure it was funded well and that there weren’t any complex problems.

But now she had an information network in her hands. She wanted to find out more, but the new oracle was supposed to arrive that day and she didn’t have time for a several hour-long meeting with Mr. Kesse.

Someone was bound to come looking for her.

She’d save the introduction into Nexus’ information network for when she met with Mr. Kesse in person. She opened her mouth to reply that there was nothing else when she paused. Her eyes narrowed.

There was something else.

Something she’d told the Fourth Prince was ‘a concern’, but did not elaborate upon when he asked. She only confirmed that at the moment, the Second Prince had gone after the Third, who was missing after the ambush.

“Is it possible to get information from beyond our borders?” she asked.

Mr. Kesse didn’t flinch or show any sign of surprise. “Yes, Miss.”

“What about the east region?”

“It is possible.”

Beks took another deep breath. “I would like information on the whereabouts of Legion Three, Battalion One.”

Mr. Kesse raised a brow and then bowed his head. “Would you also like information on the pilgrimage caravan of Priest Cian Timur?”

That was the name the Third Prince went by in the Temple. In order to obscure his identity and protect him from anyone who might want to use him against Kadmus and the royal family, he used his father’s name as a surname. The consorts only used their given names in private and were almost always addressed by their rank or by their surname.

Even the First Consort was addressed as King Consort rather than King Alexios. As a result, the general public likely did not know the given names of the late Queen’s first two husbands.

Beks narrowed her eyes. “You already have news of them?”

“You will find no other network as efficient as us, Miss.”

She almost balked. “Then why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“The information we provide is only for the ears of the Mistress of Nexus.”

She bit her lips to keep from crying out in foul. She supposed it was important that only the right person had such power, but it was still annoying. Perhaps they could’ve found something more about the Second and Third Princes already. She grit her teeth and shut her eyes, taking a deep breath.

She opened her mouth, but there as a knock on the door.

“My lady, the entourage from the Great Temple has reached the city. His Majesty requests you come and welcome them in the royal drive.” The familiar voice of her maid came from behind the door.

Beks frowned. She looked over her shoulder and raised her voice. “I will prepare and come out in a moment. Wait for me outside.”

“Yes, my lady!”

Beks counted to twenty before looking back at the urapearl. Her voice lowered. “Prepare all the information you can find on both the Second and Third Prince within the last two months.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Beks raised her hand and ended the link. She removed the urapearl and walked to the vanity, where the music box-come-hiding place was.

Beks closed her eyes and took a deep breath to refocus herself. She put away her urapearl and adjusted her clothes. It was growing warmer by the day, but her clothes still appeared thick and covered her arms and neck. She walked towards the door and opened it, giving the maid a nod before heading to the stairs.

The courtyard between the Old Tower and the Gilded Palace was once where guests were dropped off and welcomed, but now that the Gilded Palace was built, the official entrance was pushed further away. She had to cross the width of the palace to get to the main entry hall and then outside the sets of massive wooden doors with gilded carvings of Kadmus’ landscape.

Below the three sets of stone steps was a gravel drive that stretched across the new moat and to the primary gates. The palace grounds stretched past the primary gates, but only the residential and government buildings within the grounds needed to be secured by a fence.

The iron gates were open and as Beks arrived and took her place beside Laurence, she could see a trio of white carriages bearing the gold seal of the Great Temple approaching. Luther was standing with his father to one side, while Laurence stood with Lady Eleanor under an umbrella.

“Is the welcome meal prepared?” Laurence asked as he stood with legs apart and arms behind his back. He didn’t take his eyes off the carriages.

“Yes, the meal will proceed in the dining hall. After the meal, the new oracle and her attendants will take carriages to the Hall of Eloquence. Palace servants will bring their belongings to the Hall of Eloquence while we eat,” Beks said.

Laurence gave her a small nod to show his approval. Beks glanced towards the Third Consort and Luther. While the Third Consort had a calm expression on his face, Luther’s face was filled with excitement. A wide, earnest smile on his face and his gaze was fixed on the carriages.

The white horses pulling the carriages turned on the circular drive that surrounded a three-tiered fountain and lined up in a row.

The second of the elegant carriages stopped in front of them and the attendants jumped from the back of the carriage to open the door.

A young attendant stepped out first and began to fiddle with a parasol. Before she could open it, a woman's voice rang out from the carriage.

“Luther!” A young woman with curly, pale orange hair and large brown eyes lit up as she stuck her head out of the carriage and saw the Fourth Prince. Before the attendant could open the umbrella, the woman jumped out. She quickened her step, but before she could reach them, an older woman appearing to be another attendant let out a loud cough.

“Your Eminence,” the old woman wearing a dark blue headpiece called out in a low voice, immediately making the new oracle stumble to a stop. The old woman narrowed her eyes. “You are the new oracle of the Great Temple.” Her words were a cold reminder to be aware of her new position.

The new oracle took another step and then slowed down, lifting her chest, and straightening her back. She lifted her chin, putting on a serene smile as her steps became measured. The white robes with gold embellishments and the gold circlet around her head were likely relics of former oracles, as was customary.

The attendants around her were dressed in robes and overcoats that most priests and priestesses wore. Only the narrow, colored shawls over their shoulders differentiated them by rank and sect. Their clothes were much more modern. Only the oracle got to wear sacred vestiges from her predecessors.

Beks stood to Laurence’s right while Luther and the Third Consort stood on the left. Royal guards were in rows around them, though Beks didn’t think it necessary. Kadmus was on good terms with the Temple and shared similar interests, so there was no reason the Temple would suddenly attack. She supposed it was just to show their prestige.

The new oracle stopped about two paces from Laurence. She put her palms together in front of her and bowed.

“Good afternoon, Your Majesty King Laurence. Thank you for welcoming us to Kadmus,” the new oracle’s voice was gentle and almost sounded as if she were giving him a blessing.

Laurence gave her a small nod of his head. “Welcome to Kadmium, Oracle Elpidah.” His voice was calm and neutral.

Oracle Elpidah thanked him and turned to Luther and the Third Consort. Her eyes seemed to smile as she met Luther’s eyes. “Good afternoon, Your Highnesses Prince Luther and Consort Hessing.”

Luther beamed and bowed his head towards her. “I’m happy to see you arrive safely, Ir-Oracle Elpidah.”

Beks could almost feel several eyes lingering on her as her fiancé seemed to greet the new oracle in far too friendly a manner. She wished he wouldn’t be so obvious that it appeared as if he were disrespecting her in front of the party gathered. She knew Luther didn’t mean to, either.

He was naive and sheltered by the Third Consort. He didn’t hide his feelings well nor retained the neutral demeanor of a royal that one would usually expect. It wasn’t terrible, but it had moments where it caused frustration.

Now as one of them.

Beks’ vacant gray eyes watched as Luther seemed unsure whether or not to shake the woman’s hand. He was rescued by the Third Consort, who spoke up and drew the new oracle’s attention to himself. Oracle Elpidah seemed to snap out of her ecstatic daze upon seeing Luther. Her expression dimmed as she bowed her head to the Third Consort.

After shaking his hand, Luther lifted his and the new oracle’s face lit up once more. She shook his hand and instead of letting go, she allowed Luther to tug her towards Beks.

“This is Lady Rebecca of Caroline,” Luther said as he turned to face Beks and released the oracle’s hand. His eyes softened as he looked at Beks. “I call her Beks.”

“Your Eminence.” Beks lowered her head and moved her foot back to bend her knees ever so slightly. It was a simple curtsy, but Beks’ head never fell below the new oracle’s.

Oracle Elpidah was slender and of average height, with her eyes meeting Beks’ chin at best. Compared to Beks, who was taller than most women and shaped like an hourglass, Oracle Elpidah looked delicate and fragile. Even the way they dressed differed greatly.

The new oracle was in her sacred robes layered white with shimmering gold. The sleeves were slit and her thin, pale arms peeked from between the soft folds. Beks was in a dark mauve dress that hid her figure and appeared like a shroud over her body. The fabric was embellished with embroidery and lace and she wore a matching knotted headband and her nectria hair pins. With her black hair framing her face, her entire demeanor seemed colder.

Beks stood up and the new oracle beamed. She lifted her arm and extended her hand.

Just as Beks was reaching for her hand, she watched the new oracle pale. Oracle Elpidah’s eyes went wide and she snatched back her hand to grab onto her head. Beks jerked her head back, about to ask if the oracle was all right when a shrill, cutting scream filled the gravel courtyard.

At once, everyone seemed to freeze as the oracle fell to her knees, clutching her head as if in pain. She curled over, screaming.

“Iris!” Luther rushed to her side and knelt down. “What’s wrong? Is it another vision?”

“The oracle is having a vision!” The Third Consort let out a surprised yell and stepped forward with wide, earnest eyes where there should’ve been concern.

The oracle’s attendants swarmed around the young woman, all speaking at once. Beks kept her distance, not wanting to crowd and suffocate the girl.

She saw the oracle’s thin, pale arms begin to wave in the air, batting people away as she struggled to take a deep breath. Her face was red as she looked up. Her eyes looked at Beks just a few steps in front of her, wide and unrestrained.

“It’s not you....” The oracle’s voice almost wheezed out. She shook her head as she raised her thin arm and pointed at Beks with fingers decorated with gold rings. Everyone in the courtyard seemed to turn their attention to her. Beks furrowed her brows and tilted her head to the side just a bit, in question. “It’s not...you’re not the one.”

“The one?” Luther looked from the oracle to her and back. “Iris, what are you talking about?”

The oracle’s hand rose and Beks watched the other woman grab Luther’s forearm and use him to pull herself into a seating position and steady herself. She seemed shaken and panicked as she looked up at Beks, as if horrified.

“The...the prophesied child destined to bring Kadmus prosperity....” the oracle said, swallowing hard. Her eyes crinkled up and looked at Luther with desperation. “It is not her.”

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“She’s obviously insane.”

“Brother, you can’t say that.” Beks sat back on the sofa in Laurence’s office as he paced in front of his desk, scowling. Beside her, Lady Eleanor had a comforting arm around her and was gently stroking the side of her head, as if worried that the new oracle’s words had upset Beks.

“How can she just point at you and contradict the prediction of her predecessor,” Laurence said with a scowl. “I’ve never heard of any oracle doing such an audacious thing! Have you?”

“I am not familiar with the histories of oracles of the Great Temple. I’ll have to look into it,” Beks answered, almost a bit helpless. “I didn’t expect her to claim that I wasn’t the prophesied child.”

“She pointed directly at you and said such a thing in front of her entire entourage and the royal family!” Laurence seethed. “There was no protocol, no ritual to the prophecy at all. I can’t believe I canceled the morning court to greet such a reckless person.”

“It wasn’t so much a prophecy as it was a clarification,” Beks said. “Oracle prophecies are never extremely detailed and there is no way to verify them until the prophecies came true. I just so happened to fit the criteria given by the late Great Oracle.”

Lady Eleanor frowned. “Don’t tell me you believe that woman’s words?”

Beks sighed and shrugged. “I have always been ready for the chance that there could’ve been a mistake. Perhaps there was another child who met the criteria elsewhere and was not identified. After all, after I was found, the search ended without the possibility of me being the wrong prophesied child being questioned. Even the late Queen addressed that this was a possibility.”

She looked at Laurence with a helpless, but resigned expression. Laurence’s displeasure was still apparent on his face and didn’t fade. “A possibility, though a highly unlikely one,” he said. “Where else is there such a landscape where a birth would happen, resulting in a female baby with your hair?”

He motioned to the strip of braided orange hair on the left side of her head. The strip of orange hair clashed against the rest of her black hair, becoming her signature identifying marker. There had been times where she wanted to dye it, as she felt it was too eye-catching, and made her self-conscious, but she was forbidden from doing so.

The daughter with dawn in her hair needed to stand out and show off her identifying marker at all times. Headpieces and scarves to hide the orange strip became integral parts of her wardrobe and when she sneaked out of the castle grounds, she’d do so with a headscarf that covered all her hair.

“The chances are small, but never none,” Beks replied. In fact, she’d tried to research other places where the criteria for location, where the earth split, could’ve been during parts of her youth where she did not want to be a prophesied child. From what she found, aside from Sagittate, there was one other place that was similar, but it was on another continent.

So, there was a chance they’d identified the wrong girl, making her more the convenient child of prophecy.

“Beks, they did not make a mistake when they found you,” Lady Eleanor said with some defensiveness in her voice. Her embrace tightened to reassure the younger woman.

“Even if you were misidentified, you’re already part of his family,” Laurence added in a firm voice. “You will always be Mother’s foster daughter.”

“If not her favorite child.” Lady Eleanor gave Beks a grin and a squeeze. Warmed by their thoughtfulness, Beks did crack a small smile.

“And you are my sister.” Laurence knelt down beside the chair. “That can never be taken away.”

Beks nodded her head once. It was also too late to return all her education and accumulated knowledge. She was raised as a valuable resource and anyone who understood that wouldn’t carelessly dismiss her.

“That aside, the last Great Oracle would not reveal a prophetic vision or dream without being asked,” Lady Eleanor said, her brows furrowing. “Supposedly, when the prospective oracles are young, they are encouraged to note down significant events around the world every so often for verification, but once they’ve been identified, they usually have some restraint and are picky with who their prophecies are revealed to.”

Beks nodded once more. That was why oracles were often wooed by nations and powerful individuals with gifts, and welcomed with open arms wherever they traveled in order to gain the favor of prophecy.

Great wars on the continent had happened in ancient times due to powers fighting over an oracle, but historical records said that oracles began to give false prophecies to those who wronged them, thus winning favor became more useful.

The oracles themselves were part of the Temple and ultimately, the Temple had their allegiance.

Beks took a deep breath and frowned a bit. Her first meeting with the new oracle didn’t go very well and she could almost sense some animosity coming from Oracle Elpidah. Perhaps the oracle was just upset that the ‘wrong’ person had been found and felt that Beks was occupying a position that shouldn’t be hers.

In a way, it could be seen as disrespectful to the oracle’s predecessor, so Beks didn’t take it as a massive insult.

When Oracle Elpidah had pointed at Beks outside, Beks didn’t react past a small tilt of her head. It was more out of confusion than anything else. Before Beks had been able to reply, Laurence stepped forward and extended his arm in front of Beks to move her to the side.

“We have always been prepared for such an error, but Lady Rebecca has proven herself a valuable member of our family in terms of ability and knowledge. Even if she were misidentified, she will still be of great benefit to Kadmus.” Laurence had hidden his irritation and disdain expertly, and didn’t reveal his frustration until after the meal, and Oracle Elpidah and her entourage were sent to the Hall of Eloquence.

His defense of Beks and his mother’s search had seemed to dismiss the tension brought on by the new oracle’s dramatic scream and fall to her knees. Beks could still see Oracle Elpidah’s horrified eyes grow wide with surprise, as if she had never expected that they’d consider such a possibility.

However, once Laurence acknowledged it, and that Beks was useful even if she weren’t the prophesied child, what more could be done? The new oracle didn’t seem to know what to say before Luther helped her up. Attendants had helped her brush off the dust from her robes.

Oracle Elpidah had muttered a barely coherent sentence of acknowledgement before the Third Consort broke the awkward scene and suggested they go inside.

The meal had been uneventful and was dominated by small talk and casual greetings welcoming the new oracle to the kingdom. The earlier scene had been forgotten. Luther had been seated next to Beks and seemed to put serious effort into being attentive to her. She couldn’t help but be suspicious, as that was unlike him.

“Excuse my suspicion, but I can’t help but think that today’s outburst had to do with the Third Consort,” Lady Eleanor said with a slight scowl. “He invited the new oracle here and must have his reasons.”

“He’s always been very vain and values power and reputation.” Laurence let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his forehead. Years of having to deal with the Third Consort exhausted him. “You know how he is. Any slight threat to his position or tarnish on his reputation and he’ll act out, but he’s never gone too far. He knows his limits.”

Lady Eleanor and Beks both frowned.

“Does he?” Beks asked, looking towards her foster brother with some doubt. “He has become...more active since the Queen passed.”

“Grief affects everyone differently, Beks,” Laurence replied. “He’s reacting to an uncertain future without his biggest supporter. And he has Luther to think of. It’s not a secret that during transitions of power, some royal family members disappear.”

“Brother, you would not do that.” Beks sat up straight and met his eyes. Laurence’s character was outstanding. He was fair and just, which was why the late Queen solidified his position early and didn’t educate her other sons as intensely as she did Laurence. Much more had always been expected of him.

Laurence always stayed in touch with the Second and Third Prince, and even advocated for Luther to be more involved with various royal household duties. He felt secure in his position, so he didn’t feel threatened by having three younger brothers, including one who was set to marry a prophesied woman.

His face softened as he looked at her. “I know you trust me, Beks, but the Third Consort has always resented me.”

Beks lowered her eyes. She knew that, too.

In the late Queen’s letters, Queen Letizia admitted that she married the Second Consort to stabilize her power over marrying Petrus Hesser, the later Third Consort, out of love, despite having promised him when they were younger that he would be her Husband of Choice. The Second Consort had been chosen because Laurence’s father, the King Consort, suggested him.

It would be almost ten years until the Third Consort got his coveted position as the Queen’s husband, and it was only after the King Consort died. It must’ve been a joyous day for the Third Consort, but a horrible one for Laurence, who’d lost his loving father.

The late Queen knew her decision angered her childhood love, which was why out of all the royal consorts, the Third Consort was far more indulged. To this day, he acted like it, and Beks wouldn’t admit it aloud, but she blamed the late Queen.

“He resents all of us,” Beks said as she took a deep breath. “But he’s never crossed the line in the past. That could change.”

“He isn’t the type,” Laurence replied. “He’ll cause trouble, but he isn’t too daring. The risk is too great.”

“Never mind him. There is nothing we can do to change him and as per protocol, he’s still a member of the royal family and is entitled to live out his old age on royal grounds,” Lady Eleanor told them.

“Royal protocol makes an exception if they remarry outside or commit a crime against the family,” Beks said.

“He was obsessed with Mother. I doubt he’ll remarry any time soon.” Laurence almost snorted with distaste.

Lady Eleanor’s eyes crinkled up with a mischievous glint. “Then, should we frame him for a crime?”

Laurence looked at his fiancée and raised a brow. “Is that the way a marquis’ daughter should be speaking?”

Lady Eleanor smirked and threw him an amorous look. “Why? You don’t like it when I speak so crudely? You always tell me you do.”

Suddenly, Beks did not want to be, literally, between her foster brother and future foster-sister-in-law. The two had locked eyes, and Beks looked towards the door, making an immediate escape plan.

“I need to go over some things for tomorrow’s welcome ball. Please excuse me.” Her words were rushed. She shot up from her seat and Lady Eleanor’s arm fell from her shoulder. Beks avoided looking at their faces as she bowed her head and turned to make a beeline to the door. She could almost feel a tension in the air and wanted out at once.

As soon as she stepped outside, she shut the door, not wanting to think about what would happen inside her foster brother’s office now that she was gone.

Beks turned all her focus to the welcome ball the next night. Final preparations had already begun and would also take up the next day. She went to find Luther to tell him that she could not attend the next court session with him to observe, as she would need to be present overseeing the ball preparations.

Finding her fiancé didn’t take long, as she was informed that he’d gone to the Hall of Eloquence. A small voice in the back of her head told her that of course he’d go there. Why wouldn’t he?

She considered going after him, but decided to go and write a note to be delivered to him instead. She was stopped multiple times by servants and aides regarding everything from the welcome ball and meal plans to military supply organization.

She didn’t make it back to the Old Tower to write a note.

Bek reached the portico between the Old Tower and the Gilded Palace when she saw a young man approaching. Her eyes flickered to the sky; it had been at least a few hours since she saw him at lunch.

Could he not make his relationship with the new oracle a bit more discrete? At least leave me a little face so the staff doesn’t look at me with pity.

She stopped and waited for him to reach her.

“Luther, about tomorrow’s court-”

“Beks, I’m glad I ran into you,” Luther said with a wide smile. “I won’t be able to attend the morning session tomorrow.”

Beks stopped where she was and narrowed her eyes just a bit. Her lips tightened into a line. “Luther, I know that court can be very boring, but it is necessary for you to gain insight and experience governance through them.” He was the de facto heir. Kadmus could not afford ignorant royal family members.

Ignorance and lack of discipline was what led to the corruption and debauchery that the late Queen fought so hard to correct.

Luther shrank back and his eyes darted to the side. She recognized that as a sign of embarrassment and shame. Her stomach began to twist as the possible reason.

“I know,” he said, his eyes still not meeting hers. “But it is the first full day that the oracle is in Kadmium and I want to take her sight-seeing in town.”

For a moment, Beks stared at him with dull eyes and couldn’t stop her disappointment. How could she support Luther as the Fourth Prince if he didn’t at least try to be involved? She could only represent him for so many things.

“We are in a transition period and need to maintain the solidarity of the royal family. A host has been prepared to guide the new oracle through the city on our behalf,” Beks told him. She’d even personally planned the route they’d take to show off significant shrines and development in the city.

Luther shifted awkwardly in front of her. “She’s unfamiliar with a host. She’d feel more comfortable with someone she knows.”

Her jaw clenched. She wanted to reprimand him. As the new king’s younger brother, he had certain duties expected of him. His two older brothers were currently missing, and even if they weren’t, until Laurence was married, the royal household should’ve been overseen by another immediate family member present. Beks was still carrying the load. Practically all of it. It was acceptable when the late Queen was alive, but it should’ve been reassigned to Luther, if only to familiarize him with the planning and protocol of the royal household.

“His Majesty has assigned you work at the Ministry of Public Works. Have you finished your review of existing projects assigned?” Beks asked. The Ministry of Public Works had some of the most straightforward projects and were on-going, and thus pre-approved with little oversight required for existing projects. Beks had started there when she was thirteen and still occasionally was called on for reference.

Luther froze for a moment. “No, I haven’t completed the review yet, but I have reviewed the majority of the projects.” He’d been assigned road expansion near two plazas and the extension of an old hospital. Three projects.

“The court has not taken a rest yet, Your Highness,” Beks reminded him as she lifted her chin. “Everyone is working. Is it fair for you, the king’s brother, to accompany a guest when there are pending assignments?”

“But the assignments are for on-going projects. Can’t I just approve them? Must I review them again after you’ve already reviewed them?” he asked. He looked at her eagerly. “You’re much better at this than me, Beks! If you already reviewed them, they must be approved for implementation.”

The corner of her eye almost twitched. She reviewed them and found several issues that needed to be dealt with, as there were price differences in supplies from the previous years. Additional budget needed to be allocated, there was a timeline extension, and affected parties needed to be notified. She hadn’t made any changes because she wanted Luther to find them for himself.

“You are the Fourth Prince of Kadmus,” Beks said as she turned her head away. “You should know by now what you should prioritize.” She stepped around him, but knew he was going to tour the city with the new oracle tomorrow.

“Beks, Oracle Elpidah is a valuable resource for us! She may tell us a prophecy that will benefit Kadmus during Brother Laurence’s reign; I can’t fall out of favor with her,” Luther said as he turned around to watch her walk away. “Think of the benefits!"

Unless she’s building those roads or renovating that hospital, I don’t care. Beks turned around to face him. “I carry no official rank here, Your Highness. Do as you wish.” I can’t stop you from being a disappointment.

“Beks, it is purely for the sake of the kingdom and my brother,” Luther called out behind her. “Beks!”

Out of all the princes, why did I have to be engaged to that one? Beks closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She turned around and headed back to the Old Tower. She still had work to do.