The Wicked House of Caroline

Beks had always been certain that Laurence loved his brothers and did what he could to keep them safe. He hadn’t been able to stop their mother from sending the twins away after Uncle Timur died, but that didn’t mean he had abandoned them. Laurence wanted the best for all his siblings, even Luther, who due to the Third Consort’s dislike and resentment of Laurence’s existence, didn’t have as close a relationship to Laurence as she, a foster daughter, did.

The twins, since they were young, always had the utmost admiration and respect for their brother. Loyalty and duty to Laurence were engraved into their bones, as it had been in Beks’. When their own mother sent them away far too shortly after their father died, they had made it safely to their destinations, and were secretly guarded and supported by Laurence’s people.

“I’m sorry. I’ve failed you both,” Laurence said in a tight, cracked voice. “I was too naive.”

“It’s not your fault, Brother. It’s mother’s,” Laz replied, with undisguised venom in his voice. “She never should’ve married that bastard after Father Alexios died.”

Lucian grit his teeth as his hands clenched at his side. “I am not convinced that the Third Consort didn’t have a hand in it.”

Laurence took a deep breath and embraced his brothers once more, this time to reassure them. “He has lived a life of envy and resentment; let him die with it when I return to my throne.”

The king’s tone was low and filled with determination and anger.

It was in direct contrast with the relaxing atmosphere of a white sand beach, the gently lapping clear waves, and the clear blue sky now visible through the fog.

Lady Eleanor let out a small cough. “Is this the right place for you brothers to commiserate?” she asked with a raised brow as she motioned around them.

The Carolines were there, along with Gerard, two rokhs, and several paces away, fishermen who’d stopped to watch the reunion.

Laurence let out a tired sigh as he and his brothers pulled away from each other. “She’s right. Is there a better place to talk? We have much to discuss.”

“You’ve come a long way, Brother,” Lucian said as he stepped back. “We’ve anticipated your arrival and prepared a room. It can’t be compared to the Gilded Palace, but it’s clean and has a new bed.”

Laurence shook his head. “I can rest when I’m dead. Let’s talk first.”

“In that case, take him up to the mountain top ruins on the rokhs,” Beks said, looking at the two giant birds. They were bigger and lacked some lingering down, meaning these two were the mated pair, Thunder and Tempest. The baskets at their sides were also larger. “It’ll be faster.”

“Then, we’ll take them up,” Laz told her. “And return to fetch you. Tempest and Thunder can carry up to five people at a time.”

“We managed to make the baskets lighter, as well,” Lucian added.

Beks glanced towards her serpent still appearing excited nearby, and Wrath’s gaze locked on to him. “Take them up. I will go up the road on Snowflake with Wrath.”

Wrath gasped and turned around. “I can ride on him?” Snowflake’s tongue flickered out and Wrath whirled around once more to face him. “Really? You’re much nicer than that little rokh, Snowflake. I like you the most.”

Snowflake flickered his tongue once more.

“It would be good for you to get a look at the resettlement while you’re passing through. The road has been cleared all the way to the mountain top ruins,” Lucian told her as he walked in front of her. He lifted his hand and touched her orange streak. A flicker of concern and disappointment filled his eyes. He swallowed hard. “You’ll pass the ruins you stayed when you first arrived. Much of the resettlement is happening there.”

Her strands slipped through his fingers as he nodded. “I’ll make some greetings while I’m there.” She met his gaze with a firm one. “And let everyone know that I’m all right.”

She heard his breath catch, before his lips lifted in a slight smile and nodded. “Good.”

“Beks.” Laz’s good hand cupped the side of her face. It was done so quickly and so naturally; she almost didn’t notice that she had leaned into his rough palm. “I know you want to make sure the Dranga are settling well, but don’t spend too long or go from house-to-house checking. Gerard told us you had a biha explosion.”

Her eyes narrowed at once and looked over his shoulder, glaring at the bald soldier who inhaled a sharp breath and turned his head away, as if he had done no such thing.

“It wasn’t anything as bad as my first one,” she said, though as the words left her mouth, it didn’t sound convincing considering the state she was in the first time. “I swear, I’m fine.”

The twins didn’t look convinced, but relented. Lucian looked towards Snowflake. “Go at a leisurely pace, but don’t dawdle. I don’t want them reaching the Inheritor’s Palace at nightfall.”

Snowflake turned his head away and flickered his tongue.

“He says he knows how to paste himself and will take good care of Mommy....” Wrath furrowed her brows and looked at her mother. “Mommy?”

Sybil cracked a small smile. “He is referring to your sister.”

“Snowflake, she is Sister.” Wrath gave the serpent a disapproving smile. Snowflake flickered his tongue again. “Oh, she took care of you when you were a baby...then I suppose that’s fair.”

“Laurence, you go with the twins. I also want to take a quick look around the island with Beks,” Lady Eleanor said as she touched his arm.

He nodded. “Your Graces?” he asked, turning towards the Duke and Duchess.

“I want to bring in our two escort ships and make them swear an oath of secrecy,” Sybil told them. “Until the island is ready, it cannot be revealed.”

The twins saluted her. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

“I’ll go with His Majesty,” Robert said. “Deo, you come with me.”

From what Beks could see, Deo had been putting some distance between him and his father, hinting that he wanted to go with his younger siblings to explore the island. Despite this, Deo’s face didn’t falter and he nodded. “Yes, Daddy.”

“Brother and His Grace can fly with me,” Laz said. “Lucian, take Lord Deo.” Lucian nodded his head once. Laz then turned to Gerard. “Escort the Ladies and Lord Thad.”

“Yes, Battalion Commander.”

“Jonas,” Laz said. “Whistle for Cloud and accompany Her Grace, the Duchess of Caroline, to their escort ships. She is a water biha user and may have some insight on the currents.”

Jonas saluted him once more. “Yes, Your Grace.” He bent his knee in front of Laurence before passing.

The rokhs took flight and when the baskets were steady, those returning to the mountain top ruins climbed in. Beks thought Thad and Wrath would be envious and want to fly in a basket, as well, but instead, she found her younger sister scrubbing her hands in the waves.

“Brother! Come here!” Wrath said as she turned around.

Thad glanced over and walked towards her. “What-”

Wrath’s little hands pressed against the front of his tunic and dragged down, drying her hands on her brother’s clothes. Lady Eleanor grimaced and let out a low hiss. “Oh dear....”

Thad stood in place, frozen in disgust and horror as his sister used him as a towel. Wrath pulled her hands away and turned them up and down. She nodded, satisfied.

“Snowflake, look! I’m not sticky! Can I pet you?” She abandoned her brother and ran towards the glorious horned serpent.

Thad closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Beks thought he was going to calm himself and ignore Wrath’s actions. Instead, he raised his arms and wind began to sweep around him. He eyed his younger sister and before anyone could stop him, sent a narrow gust of wind towards Wrath.

The youngest child yelled as she nearly fell forward and looked at her feet. The wind wasn’t enough to knock her down, but it was enough to push enough sand around her legs that she was now almost calf deep in sand and couldn’t get out. Wrath’s face flushed.

“Mommy!” She yelled and Sybil, who was speaking to Jonas, turned around. She sighed and walked forward.

Beks lifted her hand and rubbed her forehead.

“They’ll be fine,” Lady Eleanor assured her. “My brothers and I used to do that sort of thing with each other all the time when we were children. I can’t tell you the amount of times we’ve gotten on each other’s nerves.”

“Perhaps my childhood is different due to my situation,” Beks said. When they were children, Deo was very affectionate and caring towards her.

Lady Eleanor chuckled.

They trudged to Snowflake and the Duchess, who had pulled her youngest daughter out of the sand and was reaching into the hole left behind for one of Wrath’s shoes.

“My feet are all sandy now!” The youngest child complained and sent a hateful glare at her brother.

“Dry sand will fall off eventually,” Sybil said. She called Thad over and had the two apologize after pointing out what each did wrong. The two youngest huffed, but were quickly distracted when Gerard lifted them on to Snowflake’s back. Wrath sat closest to his head with Beks behind her and Thad behind Beks. “Don’t cause trouble for your sister. Be sure to listen to her and Gerard, as this environment is new and has dangers you’re not yet used to. It’s best to be cautious.”

“Yes, Mommy.”

“Lady Eleanor, are you sure you don’t want to ride?” Beks asked. The older woman shook her head.

They began to go up to the beach, towards the tree line. The path they were going through had been cleared, and quite wide, likely so supplies could be carried deeper into the island from the shore.

As they walked, Gerard pointed out all the changes and relevant discoveries they made. For instance, there were several paths to the beach, but this one was the largest and below them, the path was lined with stone that had been overgrown. It was estimated that the path was much larger than the carriage width space they were walking in, which was just large enough for Snowflake.

The path split into two; one went west, to the closest ruins, which was were Beks had slept her first few nights on the island. The path had also been cleared and she could see the outline of stone structures in the forest. Snowflake would take up all the room on the path towards the ruins, so they dismounted and walked in.

“This is the main settlement, called Igasha Town. Igasha in the Dranga’s native tongue is northeast. These ruins are in the northeast of the island.”

While the general structures remained the same as Beks remembered, much of the foliage that had once taken over the entire space had been cleared. Only the large, thick roots that coiled around and over the various stone buildings had remained, but structures had doors and windows had grid like panels with thin pieces of an opaque white material.

“What are those?” Lady Eleanor asked as an old woman who recognized Beks and Gerard eagerly invited them inside her home.

“Glass oysters,” Thad said. “They live in warm climates and the people in northern Aehamake use their shells to make glass-like decorations and windows like this. One of the windows of the doors on one of the escort ships uses them.”

“There are many on the south shores that have washed up,” the old woman said in broken Jasper. “Some soldiers said they were like glass, so we tried it.”

“It lets in light, but is private,” Lady Eleanor said. “It’s beautiful.”

They continued through the ruins and Gerard explained that families were allowed to pick from the ruins and then clans drew lots to find a section of the ruins to settle in. The clans would be in charge of distributing the small homes to their smaller family groups and individual family members could then trade locations with others.

There were some disputes, of course, so the Elders had to step in and hear each case individually before passing a verdict.

Groups were arranged to clear the area of vegetation and debris while additional supplies were being purchased on the mainland. With limited tools, the progress of restoring the small homes in what was an ancient village was slow. In addition, the settlers were new to the environment.

These weren’t the wooden homes or yurts they used when grazing they were used to. Even with their previous experience, there was much to learn and adjust to.

The animals that had made it through the migration were currently being kept in the lowest tier of the mountain top ruins site. Though it was further away from where the majority of the Dranga settled, there was a good reason for placing the animals elsewhere. The island’s native fauna, especially any predatory animals, did not come to that site, therefore, there was a far lower chance of the domesticated animals being eaten by wild ones.

In addition, the entire compound had high stone walls and places that could be sectioned off, so each family group had a specific place for their animals. The settled ruins were a beachside town and the land around it had yet to be reclaimed for human use, so they had nowhere to put their animals nearby.

This would change in the coming months, Beks figured.

Still, she didn’t expect to see so many animals when they finally reached the mountain top ruins. In the chaos of fleeing the Giant’s Ridge, Beks hadn’t paid attention to the animals that were being moved.

The sheer amount that made it all the way to the southern coast, without dying or being eaten, was enough that even she, as a layman, was sure they could be bred and sustain the current population after some time.

Lady Eleanor, Thad, and Wrath didn’t seem to know where to look when they came through the massive, newly repaired gates to the mountain top ruins.

“These ruins are called Eravah. Jonas found the term in the tablets and it’s broken into characters that mean City and Clouds. When it was mentioned to the Elders, they started laughing. Apparently, if they were to translate City of Clouds in their language, it sounds similar.”

“Then this entire area is called Eravah?” Lady Eleanor asked.

“Yes, my lady. There are three major tiers here, with each tier having small, sub tiers that aren’t fully level and follow the shape of the mountain,” Gerard told them. “This is the first tier, which is the largest and goes both up and down, on the east side. This is where the animals are being kept, but from Jonas’ research, this was a bustling town with a marketplace. It is now called the Commercial Tier.”

It was also where some of the Elders, including Elder Arash were living. Beks made sure to stop and greet them, even entering a dilapidated shelter of a home of Elder Arash and her family to have coconut juice. They knew she had yet to reach the very top, so they let her go, but said they would speak to her soon, as they wanted to tell her more about the settlement and discuss governance.

Snowflake carried four people: Beks, her siblings, and a tired Lady Eleanor, up the central ramp to the next tier. While smaller, it was still quite big with larger buildings that almost looked like warehouses.

“What tier is this?” Lady Eleanor asked.

“My lady, this is the Administrative Tier. It does not stretch as wide as the Commercial Tier, but it does have more sublevels.”

“Did Jonas discover what was here?” Beks recalled that there had been an office here that she spent a lot of time on, memorizing tablets.

Gerard nodded. “Government offices, communal buildings, two more libraries with tablet slots, and....” He looked at the children. “A school for older children.”

Thad made a face and Wrath nodded. She hadn’t gone to school yet and was still studying from private instructors.

“What about the tier at the top?” Lady Eleanor asked, tiling her head. From where they were, they could see the broken tower where the rokhs roosted, as well as some parts of a building that stuck out.

“That main building is the Inheritor’s Palace. Elder Arash said that the Inheritor will be the leader of this island.” Gerard looked at Beks, who sighed, tired. “And the top tier is the smallest, but with the most extravagant buildings, despite their state. Jonas believes it was where the Inheritor lived and ruled from, so that is the Inheritor’s Tier.”

“How much work have you done?” Beks asked. “You’ve only been here for a month or so.”

“The Battalion Commander and Prince Lucian assigned most of the Wild Dogs to assist with clearing the overgrown vegetation and debris. Those with building skills, including carpentry and bricklaying, were assigned to assist with repairing what they could of the Inheritor’s Palace.” He paused and tried not to wince. “While it has been cleared, we lack the luxury of the mainland....”

In short, he didn’t want them to expect much.

Snowflake reached the open courtyard at the top of the main ramp and stairs from the Administrative Tier to the Inheritor’s Tier.

“My lady!” A voice cried out as Beks slid off and prepared to help her siblings off Snowflake. She turned around and saw Sandra running to her with tears in her eyes. “Welcome home!”

Beks face filled with a smile. “Hello, Sandra!”

Sandra nearly stumbled to a stop before bowing. “I apologize for not meeting you below. I was working in the office with supply logistics and cost when Gerard returned.” She shot her husband a glare. “I didn’t realize what had happened until I saw the rokhs fly off from the corner of my eye. I only found out you returned when they arrived.”

“It’s all right. We would’ve wasted your time as I took my siblings and Lady Eleanor to visit Igasha Town.” Beks gently led her two younger siblings closer and introduced them. Gerard asked his wife to take the children to get some snacks at their house while he took the two women to the throne room.

If she’d heard that in the past, Beks would imagine the throne room in the Gilded Palace with its vaulted ceiling, gilded decorations, and elaborate throne. Those didn’t exist on the island, and as they walked through the stone halls and porticos of the palace, though the paths were clear of dirt and overgrown plants, it was clear that this was not the place for such decor, either.

The throne room was more of a long hall that took up the north side of the building. The north wall was just a series of thick, intricately carved columns open to the view overlooking the tiers, jungles, and sea below. It almost made the hall appear as a portico if not for the waist-height walls between the columns. There was also a stone ledge that jut out from the wall, likely a seating area from when the room was in use.

In the afternoon, the room was still illuminated with light and there was no need for the light pearls all over the room.

Rather than a golden throne with a red velvet seat at the far end of the hall, Laurence was seated on a wooden bench in front of the remains of a colorful fresco behind him. His brows were furrowed and he leaned forward, listening to his brothers who were seated on stumps in front of him.

Even Beks’ father and brother were seated on stumps that had been brought in to use for chairs.

Considering how long it took Beks to get there and all her stops, Laurence and the others had been speaking for at least two and a half hours. From the looks of it, their conversation was nowhere near done, either.

Beks drew her lips inward and bit them as she and Lady Eleanor walked into the hall. Laurence lifted his head at once and instantly smiled upon the sight of his soon-to-be wife.

“You’re back.”

The other men in the hall turned around, rising from their seats as Lady Eleanor nodded. “There is so much to see, but it’s so hot and humid...after so long in the cold of Sagittate, I’m exhausted.”

“We’ve been traveling for some time, too,” Laurence said. He stood up and waved his hand. “We’ve talked long enough. Let’s take a rest.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“Of course, Brother.” Laz looked at Gerard. “Gerard, escort His Majesty and Lady Eleanor to the chamber we prepared.”

Gerard bowed his head. He stepped forward to lead the couple, who had joined arms, through a doorless entryway to the right of the ‘throne’.

Lucian looked at the Duke of Caroline. “Your Grace, shall we show you to your rooms? The rooms are modest, but they are clean. Rooms are ready for you and your children.”

“In a moment,” Robert replied. “I want to wait for my wife to return.”

“Where are Thad and Wrath?” Deo asked Beks.

“Eating at Gerard and Sandra’s house,” she replied.

Deo put his hand on his stomach. “I can go for something to eat, as well. Where is Gerard’s house?” Lucian stepped forward.

“I can take you there. Your Grace, would you also like to go?”

Robert shook his head. “No, I’ll wait where you said the rokh will land for my wife.” Lucian nodded and let them both outside the hall.

Laz remained in the hall with Beks and looked towards her. “Beks, do you want something to eat?” he asked in a soft voice. “I can make you something to eat.”

“I’d like to sleep, actually. Is my room ready?”

His face filled with a proud smile. “I’ll take you to your room. We’ve added windows and doors, as well as an actual bed from the mainland.”

She gave him a thoughtful smile and nodded as he extended his hand towards her. She took it and leaned against him as he brought her through the same hall Gerard had led Laurence and Lady Eleanor to.

As they walked, Laz explained what changes and improvements they’ve made, as well as apologized for the lack of luxuries she was used to. Beks shook her head. No matter how many luxuries she had in the Gilded Palace, being on the island at that moment was much more relaxing.

As they neared her room, Lucian caught up with them. Thad and Wrath had been on their way to the hall with a handful of snacks when they stepped outside, so the family decided to wait for the Duchess of Caroline in the outdoor dining area outside the kitchen.

Lucian told her that they’d made some changes there, as well. There was now a roof that reached over the entire stone deck area outside of the kitchen. The broken pieces of pillars had been moved and now they used a simple, but large wooden table with wooden chairs.

Similar to the throne room, a low wall had been built around the deck and then window panels made of wood grids inlaid with glass oyster shells closed off the outside from within, when necessary.

Bek’s room had a similar design.

“Jonas read some entries that spoke of something like these layouts. The glass oyster shells are opaque, but still let in plenty of light,” Lucian told her as they opened the new double wooden doors to her room. “As panels, they can be moved from side to side to let in the breeze.”

The rotunda was a peculiar shape with the pool in the very center, but there was plenty of room on the sides for other furniture. When they entered, there was a seating area with a round table and four chairs, as well as waist height chest of drawers in front of a five-panel screen made of the same materials as the window panels.

On the left, there was a wardrobe, changing area, and what appeared to be a large desk.

On the right, a large, canopied bed dominated the remainder of the space. There were still some dead spaces, after all, they didn’t have much in terms of decoration and she was sure the furniture was the most they could get so soon.

Beks walked around the room and found that aside from the space between the two columns directly across from the entrance, the other spaces had been covered with tall window panels resting on a low stone wall at hip height. At the top, as the room was tall, wooden panels were used to fill in the gap and secure the window panels.

The space between the center two columns was now a set of large double doors that were open and Snowflake was seen waiting outside, basking in the sun.

“What do you think?” Laz asked. “We weren’t sure what more you needed. Sandra said you need more, but these are the basics.”

Beks turned around and she stood by the foot of the bed. She smiled as she sat down. She ran her hands over the fabric that covered the bed and narrowed her eyes.

“This is silk....” She looked up. “How did you two get silk?”

The twins looked at each other and moved closer, closing the door behind them. “Our father left us many things, including bolts of fabric. Lucian and I haven’t revealed this to anyone, not even Brother Laurence.”

“The storage space isn’t in Kadmus, it’s in Aceria.” That was a seaside principality next to Kadmus, which had a lot of trade and was well known for being a place where wealthy individuals stored items they could not move immediately or wanted to prevent from being taxed upon entry into their respective country.

“We needed a ship to get to it and it was one of the first places we went as soon as we could get off the island,” Laz told her.

“You’re probably wondering where we got all the money for all this,” Lucian told her. “It’s from Adah’s storehouse that he left us.” That answered her question on where they got their money. She also wasn’t surprised that Uncle Timur left them something in secret. He was a foreign prince in an environment where he had enemies and was worried about his sons. It made sense.

“We calculated it and we have enough to assist Brother Laurence,” Laz asserted as Lucian nodded.

Beks shook her head. “If he finds out the money is left from Uncle Timur, he won’t take it.” Brother Laurence would likely yell at them, both out of frustration and guilt.

“We know,” Lucian said. “So, we want to draw up a loan agreement. The royal treasury will likely be empty when he returns, but we trust that he will repay us later.”

Laz smiled and knelt down in front of her, gathering her hands in his and smiling. “We all know he, and you, won’t let us just throw our money away.”

Beks let out a heavy sigh. No matter how much pride Laurence had, he needed the money to retake his throne. There was too much to pay for. “Don’t bring this up with him without me.”

Laz smiled and leaned up, kissing her cheek. “Even if he can’t return it, as long as heis secure, it means we are secure.”

She couldn’t argue with that.

“All right, we’ll leave you to get some rest,” Lucian said as he stroked her hair back. “I hope when you awake, you’ll embrace us before Snowflake.”

“I can’t help it if Snowflake is closer.”

“Cruel,” Lucian chuckled. Beks stood up, pulling Laz up with her and then extending her arms to embrace both of them at once. When she did, both brothers buried their faces against her head and neck. She heard Lucian’s trembling voice whisper. “I prayed that you would be safe. Every day.”

“When you didn’t return with Gerard and the days passed....” Laz’s voice tightened. “We just wanted to know you were safe.”

“I’m sorry.” She rubbed her head against theirs. “I tried to come back, but we couldn’t get through the fog.”

“You’re back,” Lucian said as his warm lips kissed the side of her head. “And you’re safe.”

“I’ll be more careful next time,” she replied. “I missed you both.” The arms around her tightened and for a moment, she just wanted to stay there, safe and comfortable.

Laz stroked her hair back. “All right, sleep. When you are hungry, come to the old dining area to eat. Do you still remember?”

“Of course, I do.” She snorted and sat on the bed. Before she could bend down, the twins had knelt in front of her to remove her shoes.

“Do you want to bathe first? Are you sure you’re not hungry? I can bring you some fruit.” They fussed over her for a while longer before she finally managed to get to the center of the bed and assure them she was fine; she was just tired.

As she sat in the middle, she looked around and furrowed her brows. “This bed is larger than my bed in the Old Tower.” That bed was enough for two people and was actually two smaller beds pushed together.

“Of course, it’s larger,” Lucian said with a wide smile as they headed for the door.

Laz looked over his shoulder at her before raising his hand to cast darkness across the numerous window panels. Beks sank back into the bed and heard him speak before he closed the door.

“After all, how are all three of us going to fit otherwise?”

╔═════════════════ ∘◦ ♔ ◦∘ ═════════════════╗

When she woke up, it was night. When Laz used his biha to darken the room, there was still a little light coming through in order for her to see. Now, there was no light coming through and the light pearls, save three that were dimmed, were dark.

Beks moved and felt a weight against her body. She turned her head and saw the familiar curled body of her little sister nestled against her, acting as a child-sized heater. Beks smiled. Wrath’s breathing was even and she was in a simple, sleeveless cotton dress. Beside her, on the edge of the bed, was the book on legendary beasts.

Wrath had likely tired out as well and came to find her for a nap.

Beks didn’t know how tired her sister was, so she didn’t wake her. She carefully slid her arm away and was careful not to shake the bed as she slipped out. When she reached the foot of the bed to put on her boots, she found that a set of leather strapped sandals awaited her. They’d be much more comfortable to wear in the climate.

When she put them on, she wasn’t surprised that they fit. Sandra knew her sizes and measurements. She quietly left the room and began the familiar walk down the light pearl-lit halls to get to the porch where they used to eat. The portico that connected it to the rest of the Inheritor’s Palace now had a roof over it, though it was made of wood.

She didn’t know how late it was, but she couldn’t smell food in the air, meaning she’d likely missed dinner. However, there were still light pearls brightly lit from around the corner. As she approached, heard several voices.

“Brother, please consider it!” Laz seemed to plead and Beks frowned. Didn’t she tell them not to bring up the money Uncle Timur left them without her? She’d need to prepare Laurence to the idea first and then lay out a plan to implement the money, as well as pay it back so it wouldn’t trouble Laurence.

“What is there to consider? It is not my marriage.”

“Your brother will not get involved,” Lady Eleanor said in a smooth voice. Beks’ frown eased, but furrowed her brows. Their tense conversation wasn’t about money.

“I will require Beks to first make herself clear if that is the truth! I won’t allow her to mary because she feels obligated to!” Laurence’s voice was filled with conviction and some pain. Beks stopped before she turned the corner, immediately realizing what they were talking about. “You know what she went through at the Gilded Palace the last twenty years, and how that idiot brother of ours treated her in the end! I don’t want to watch my sister go through such betrayal and frustration again. If she wishes to marry, it will be on her terms and I will not allow you two to coerce her!”

“Brother, we are not coercing her,” Lucian said in a softer, subdued voice. Beks craned her neck to look into the dining room where several people sat around a long wooden table. “We swear to you that we desire to wed her out of sincerity.”

“And it should’ve been one of us from the beginning,” Laz added, his head still bowed. “We would’ve treated her well and never betrayed her.”

“You said twenty years, Brother. For twenty years, we’ve not said anything and now she is free. Shouldn’t you allow her to make her own choice?”

Laurence let out a heavy breath and rubbed his head. “Beks is more duty bound than you imagine. I want her to marry you because she loves you,” he told his brothers. “And from what I saw this afternoon, she loves that snake more!”

Around the corner, in the hall, Beks winced. Snowflake just happened to catch her eye first. After all, he was big and an almost luminescent white color that attracted attention. Not to mention his cute big red eyes.

“Then, Brother, if Beks chooses to be with us, will you approve of the marriage?” Laz’s voice carried a hint of eagerness, making Beks feel warm.

A loud thud was heard and Beks craned her neck to see her father, who had been seated in silence at the far end of the new dining table, shoot to his feet. His fist was on the tabletop and while she couldn’t see his face from her angle, she was sure he was scowling.

“You dare make such a decision without my daughter’s knowledge?” Robert yelled. “And do you think her mother and I are irrelevant? Our daughter volunteered herself for the sake of the kingdom once and it nearly got her killed! I won’t allow it to happen again!”

“Your Grace, rest assured, I will not allow such a marriage to happen, even if it is for my own brothers, should Beks agree for the sake of duty.” Laurence quickly placated her father.

“Your Grace, if she accepts our proposal with her heart, then rest assured we will treat her well,” Lucian said in a gentle voice. “We will protect her and care for her.”

“She will be our only wife in this lifetime, Your Grace,” Laz told them. “This we swear.”

The twins had turned, still on their knees, to face her father and bowed their heads once more.

“If either of us break this vow, may death take us at once,” Lucian said.

“There is no need to make such a terrifying vow,” Laurence replied with a tired sigh.

“The vow isn’t good enough,” Robert snapped in response.

“You should let Beks say her thoughts on this first.” Sybil was seated on the left-hand side of her father, leaning back against a wooden chair with her legs crossed and her eyes dark. Her lips were pulled in a tight, contemplative frown. “She has done so much, has she not?” Her eyes swept across the others around the table. “Though it is good that Their Highnesses are willing and are sincere to my daughter, Beks should make the decision herself.”

Beks nodded in agreement. Mommy makes the most sense-

“Rebecca of Caroline, come out.”

Mommy, why have you betrayed me like this? Beks shoved down her embarrassment and took a deep breath to compose herself before taking a few steps out of the hall wearing a placid, neutral expression. “Mommy is correct. You should hear what I have to say as a primary participant in such an event.”

“Snow Flower, if you don’t wish to marry, you do not need to.” Her father rushed to her side, his face filled with concern and affection. “If you want to come home, you can come home and we will support you for the rest of your life.”

Beks tried not to crinkle her eyes too much. “Daddy, I’m not going to be a burden to the duchy my entire life.”

“What burden? You’re not a burden!” Robert said with decisiveness. “Will she be, Deo?” As his heir, of course Deo’s opinion had some weight.

“It’s better for her to live comfortably in Sagittate than to be harassed by courtiers in Kadmium,” Deo replied from where he sat beside their mother with his arms crossed and stern look on his face.

“Brother, you don’t need me in Sagittate. And if I am left without a purpose, would that not be a waste of all my efforts thus far?” she asked as her father led her back to the table. He pulled out the chair on his right side and motioned for her to sit.

Beks glanced at Laz and Lucian, still kneeling by the feet of their eldest brother. As a sympathetic look filled her face, Laurence looked down at the twins and ordered them to stand.

“Don’t embarrass her like this,” he said in a low voice.

The two didn’t bother brushing off their clothes. They walked towards her at once.

“You’ve slept past dinner. Are you hungry?” Laz asked.

Her hand went to her stomach. She could feel it trembling and she frowned. Hunger is probably what woke her. “Yes.”

“Then I’ll bring you something to eat.”

“I’ll pour her something to drink,” Lucian said, about to follow.

“I also want something to drink! And eat!” A small voice came from the hall and Wrath trudged out, barefoot and rubbing her eyes. She looked around and pouted as her gaze settled on Beks. “Why did you abandon me?”

Beks chuckled, but gave her sister a sympathetic look. “You were sleeping so well,” she said as she held out her arms. “Come and sit.”

Annoyed, Wrath still walked to her sister and climbed onto her lap, as if to stake her territory.

Sybil chuckled. “Didn’t you already eat dinner?”

“That was so long ago!” Wrath said, leaning back against Beks. “I’m hungry again.”

“Your Highness, don’t give her too much!” Sybil shouted over the tops of their heads. Beks heard Laz assure her he wouldn’t.

Beks looked around. “Where is Thad?”

Deo motioned out past the open window panels. Surrounding the open lawn, there were wooden changes with light pearls and Thad was showing Gerard how to use his wind biha to lift him up. “Gerard is as heavy as three Thads, so this will be a challenge.”

“Master Zilar isn’t that big, either,” Lady Eleanor said, as if pitying the hardworking soldier.

“Why is everyone talking about my marriage?” Beks asked. She had long understood that her marriage would never be a private matter. It was something that came with her situation and she accepted.

“Everyone is concerned that you will force yourself to marry for duty,” Sybil told her. “And that is something no one wants.”

“My brothers have expressed their interest in marrying you,” Laurence told her from the far end of the table. “We’ve spoken of this before, but I want to reiterate that I, as both your brother and our king, do not wish for you to marry out of a sense of duty.”

Beks lowered her eyes and nodded. “I have been thinking about this, but it’s too early and there are more important things to consider first, such as Brother Laurence’s throne. For the time being, I am happy being with Laz and Lucian. We can address anything more when our situations are stable.”

Her mother seemed to nod, contemplating her daughter’s thoughts. Laurence did the same. Deo made a face, but didn’t protest. It was the low grumbling from her father and Wrath that caught her attention.

“No, Sister is too good. She can’t marry!” Wrath said. Despite his wife’s look, Robert nodded.

Plates of food were placed in front of them and Wrath, who had been scowling with distaste, froze. Her eyes dilated as she looked at the food on the wooden plates that wafted with a deep, rich scent that screamed they were delicious.

Beks looked down as her sister tensed on her lap.

“Coconut water. It’s very refreshing in the humidity and heat,” Lucian said as he poured some white-ish thin liquid into a wooden cup.

“And I made these for you this afternoon. I’ve kept them warm, as they’re best when they’re warm.” Laz sounded happy as he placed a small wooden plate with two egg tarts on them. The sweet scent filled the air and Beks heard her sister inhale a sharp breath.

“What...what is that?” she asked in a tight voice.

“Egg tarts,” Beks said. “They are my favorite pastry when I was a child in the Gilded Palace. Only Uncle Timur made them for me and now, Laz makes them for me.”

Wrath trembled. She swallowed hard. Without a word, she slid from her sister’s lap. Everyone watched as she turned around and looked at the two identical men.

“You made this?” she asked, almost accusing.

Laz nodded. “I did.”

Wrath drew in her lips and bit them. She looked up at the two men with scrutinizing eyes. After a moment, she scrunched her face. “You can’t buy my approval with foo-”

Beks broke off a piece of egg tart and shoved it in her mouth in mid-sentence. Wrath’s face flushed as the sweetness seemed to take over. Beks watched her sister’s face struggle before slowly chewing and swallowing the food. The corner of her lip curled up. “Do you like it?” Wrath whimpered. She looked at her sister and then back at the twins. “Don’t make me regret my approval!”

“That’s not what we discussed!” Thad’s voice rang out from the steps leading on to the porch. He gave his sister an annoyed and disgusted glare. “You said you wouldn’t let them marry Beks and take her away! That was our agreement!”

Wrath stomped her feet and pointed at the twins. “But they’re good-looking and can cook!”

“Starfish, your criteria for your sister’s husband is too low,” Robert said in a dull voice.

The twins chuckled and smiled, petting Wrath, and thanking her for her approval. Deo snorted. “Don’t get too excited,” he said. “My sister hasn’t agreed to marry you, yet.”

╔═════════════════ ∘◦ ♔ ◦∘ ═════════════════╗

No one seemed suspicious as to why her bed was so large. Beks was sure when her father saw it, he’d ask why they had brought in such a large bed, as while it fit in the room, it seemed a bit out of place. It was likely because she shared the bed with one person, and that one person, Wrath, rolled around and kept falling off of beds if she had a side to herself.

At the moment, her sister was exploring the island once more under the careful watch of some Wild Dogs and Thirnir, but Beks was moving in an extremely important piece of furniture.

“How about here?” Robert carefully rolled a pillar-like table from side to side to move it closer to the wall.

“Too close to the window,” Beks said as she stood behind him. “We should leave room behind it for the lid when it’s ready.”

Her father let out a small, agreeing hum and re-adjusted the table in his daughter’s room. Carved from a single piece of stone, the pillar portion tapered in the top, creating a bit of a cone before flaring out again to a surface with a slight curvature in the center. All around the top surface were the carvings that made this particular piece of stone important.

Urapearls did not work on the island when they were placed on their bases, as they did when they were on the mainland or in Sagittate. None of them had figured out why yet, but Beks suspected it had to do with the high levels of biha being manipulated around the island that caused transmission errors.

She was almost resigned to having to sail back to the mainland every time she wanted to use her urapearl, when she found the small table that reached her waist in one of the offices where she was collecting tablets.

It was in one corner of a room, appearing as just another piece of stone furniture which was commonly found all over the Administrative Tier. Beks wouldn’t have paid much attention to it, as she’d been placing her snacks on the table, until she spilled her coconut juice on it. In the midst of wiping it, she noticed the circular carvings.

They were reminiscent of the carvings on the urapearl bases in her family’s fortress home in the Sacred Valley. She asked her father how hold those bases were, to which Robert had told her that they far predated him and even his grandmother.

“Those have been there as long as the castle has been there. In fact, we couldn’t move them even when there were renovations being done to the castle,” he had told her.

Beks then experimented with her own urapearl. She had readied herself for the same disappointment she had when she was trying to control biha with random objects in place of her aunt’s kraken cane, but Mr. Kesse’s face had appeared on the urapearl.

She was excited, despite the base being an entire tier and opposite where she lived. Beks then resigned herself to using the elaborate urapearl base in the office, instead, when Gerard came in to deliver food to her and moved the pillar.

She had screamed.

Jonas had screamed.

Gerard was confused. Her heart had sunk, thinking that because the base was moved, they couldn’t use it.

So, she tried her urapearl again. It still worked. A few more tests later and she decided to move the base to her room. It wasn’t an easy task to move such a heavy piece of stone while keeping it protected to avoid chipping off a piece and breaking it. They’d wrapped in layers of dried leaves and then someone managed to get Snowflake to bring it up to the rotunda.

Several burly Wild Dogs carried the pillar up the steps, through the wooden doors, and into the room. From there, her father was left to do the manual labor of adjusting it into place for her. Part of the surface top had two pieces sticking out with holes, suggesting that at one point, it had a lid, so Beks had a wooden one commissioned from one of the carpenters in Igasha.

“Okay, let’s do a test.” Satisfied that it was placed, Beks dug out her urapearl and placed it on the surface, nesting it into the shallow bowl and on top of a piece of circular mother-or-pearl-like disc at the bottom. As long as the urapearl touched that disc, it seemed to work.

Beks gave an order and as the image inside the urapearl cleared, she saw her uncle.

“You don’t usually call at this time. Is everything all right?”

“Everything’s fine, Erik,” Robert said. “Beks just moved this large urapearl base and wanted to make sure it worked.”

“All right. If it’s just a test, I’ll end it here. I’m trying to get a hold of the Northern Pass Fort for their report. They’re two days late.”

Robert and Beks frowned at once. “Have there been any problems?”

“Up until the last report, no, but the delay in report is always concerning,” Erik said. “When shall I call you once I receive the report?”

“We’ll give you a few hours and call you later,” Beks said. “The urapearl base was brought into my room and no one is here watching it for calls.”

Her uncle nodded. “Then, we’ll speak soon. Brother, it is best if you’re there, too.”

Robert gave him a nod. “I will. Tell Hilga to do what she sees most fit. I trust her instincts and strategic abilities.”

Erik nodded and the urapearls disconnected.

“Daddy, are delays in reporting like this common?” Beks asked. Her uncle didn’t seem as worried as she would be.

“Every so often, yes. Especially during beast migrations. Defense requires all able bodies on standby and those who end their shift need rest before they return, so communication back to Sagittate can be delayed,” Robert replied. “However, we should always be cautious.”

“Beks!” Lucian ran in from the hall. “The captain of Surveyor II has arrived at the throne room to give his report.”

Beks stood up straight. Robert’s lips tightened into a line. “That’s the ship that went to Paraxes?”

“Yes, it just returned. The captain, one of our Lieutenants, requested to speak to Laz and me immediately.”

“Then why did you run here? Just send Sandra,” Beks said as she and her father immediately rushed to the door and began walking quickly down the hall.

“Sandra is at the beach overseeing the supply distribution from the ship.” Sandra worked in military logistics prior to leaving to find her husband and brother, so it was a fitting position. Beks thought it more fitting than being a lady in waiting.

The trio swept down the hall and just as they stepped through the side entrance, she saw Laz’s pale face and unsteady body. Lucian gasped.

“Laz!”

“Your Highness.” The man kneeling on the floor bowed his head as Lucian dashed across to his brother with Beks after him.

“What’s going on?” Lucian asked as he and Beks grasped either side of Laz to steady him.

Laurence took a deep breath. “There is news from Paraxes on Langshe,” he said. He swallowed hard and looked at the twins. Beks’ stomach tightened with dread. “Lucian, I’m sorry. Your aunt, the Empress of Langshe, has passed.”

Lucian’s eyes reddened at once. Though he’d met his aunt only once, they’d spoke to her via urapearl when Uncle Timur was alive, and the twins had exchanged letters when they were older. Family was extremely important in Langshe culture, and the late Empress was close to her favorite, and only full-blooded, brother. Though distant, they were close.

Lucian’s breath trembled and Beks grasped both of them. She pulled them along, and both men didn’t seem to notice until she sat them down on the stumps and knelt between them, holding their arms tightly in hers.

“What about Brother Zhan?” Laz said in a tight voice. “Has he ascended the throne?”

The man kneeling in front of Laurence was silent for a moment and then shook his head. “Battalion Commander, I’ve only heard rumors-”

“Then tell me what you’ve heard!”

The man sucked in a sharp breath. “Crown Prince Zhanzhin was enroute to the Summer Palace to be there when the Empress passed,” the man wheezed out, hesitant. “He never arrived.”