Chapter 21.1

Bethan spent the night in Eirwen's room, giving her medicine that should help with sleeping, and then personally interrupting her nightmares. By the time morning came, both had managed to at least catch some sleep. It was then almost infuriating to see how the weapon master had managed to sleep well. She had to ask him at some point how he managed that.

He and Bethan stayed behind as Eirwen made her way to the central hall, where a lot of nobles and their knights were already gathered. It wasn't hard to sense how tense most of them were. No surprise there. Near the hall, Sir Wigbeorht waited for her with the court mages. They all bowed, more polite than they needed to be, before he spoke. "Your Grace. How would you like us to handle the situation?"

"I would like for you to take the lead in the explanation." She wasn't interested in acting as if she didn't care about the crown, though in truth she really didn't. "After that, we will allow for the guests to contact their dukedoms, so they can pass on the news and receive instructions."

He grimaced a bit at hearing that. "That might be difficult. I'm afraid that properly tethering the crystal will take more time. While you did great last night, I was told that your method requires active effort from you. That would be rude to request."

"I will loan you my weapon master. He will have been in touch with many, if not all, other dukedoms in the past. While it won't replace a proper tethering, he can still set up connections that won't require his further involvement." Sir Wigbeorht hesitantly looked at his mages, who equally hesitantly confirmed.

With their plan prepared, they went into the central hall, Sir Wigbeorht walking next to Eirwen. The crowd hushed on their entry and Eirwen stepped aside, letting the man do his job as representative of the crown.

He spoke loudly without involving mana, making sure to have his voice carry his authority throughout the hall. "I come to you to explain yesternight's events. Baron Denmane plotted the assassination of Duchess Verglas, which was prevented with the help of the Duchess's weapon master. Comte Denmane had his son executed for this crime."

He paused, leaving them room to gasp in shock and process what he just truly said. By explicitly stating the weapon master was involved, he was praising the man and covertly voicing approval of his service. He also made clear that he truly did believe the weapon master was honest in said service. And then there was him stating the Comte was behind his son's death. In other words, the guests didn't have to worry about Eirwen unilaterally going after any of them.

After letting them take that in for about ten counts, the man continued. "The Baron's accomplices found death. The knights involved will face interrogation and punishment regarding the role they played. We have cleared the soldiers of active involvement, so those will be released. We also have cleared the nobles whose delegations had been infiltrated with the Baron's accomplices and underlings. None of them carry any ill intent towards house Verglas."

They did carry responsibility, of course. There wouldn't have been so many enemies present without their support. But the crown was making sure all knew they hadn't conspired against Eirwen herself, protecting their names. A debt they would need to repay, to both the crown and house Verglas.

"I understand this news is very concerning. As such, we are working with house Verglas to ensure you will be able to contact your dukedoms today. You will be informed once you can do so. I thank you for your patience and hope you will still enjoy our host's hospitality." With a nod to Eirwen, the man and his group walked away.

Now it was her turn to address the crowd. "While it was necessary, I do regret how your rest was disturbed last night. As a form of apology, I invite you to observe our combat training after lunch hours. We will show you various spars but also actual combat. I hope it will entertain you to see me take up my sword." With a smile, she walked away, while the weapon master immediately sent her a concerned feeling, which she rejected.

Talk to Bethan if you are worried about what to do or not to do. But for now, go help set up the communication crystal. Make sure they understand you also know exactly what to do. I need them to remember we're already out of their reach.

"... I really dislike the risks you're taking, Mo Chroí, but you have been handling this for far longer than I have, so I'll leave the decisions to you. Just tell me when you need a hand, please. I can't help you if you won't let me."

That was a painfully good point. And one she would make sure to use against him as well. But it still made her feel guilty that she was still not sharing all he needed to best prevent her from suffering a panic attack. He was trying, but he knew he didn't have the whole picture.

You're already doing great. But yes, we need to talk about things soon. Let's do that once the delegations are gone. Until then, hang in there.

Eirwen had to pass on entertaining her guests this morning, because he was right, it actually was too soon. She knew she'd be better in the afternoon, though. For now, she withdrew to her study, going through the latest reports. It was nice that she didn't have to depend on messengers for communicating with the Verglas estate, but she still received them from the various Iceheart territories.

For now, things were stabilising in all territories. Which was good, because she couldn't send their leaders and accompanying knights back until after the royal delegation left. A good leader and a dozen knights could make a large difference in the border areas.

After a while, she received a mental message from an unexpected source. Aoife, who she had already sensed was with their old friends from the royal academy. Her message was rough compared to the weapon master's handiwork, but still as good as Eirwen's own.

"Eirwen. Our friends are worried about you. Is it okay if they visit you?"

Something inside Eirwen pulled at her heartstrings. For years they had been on opposite sides and Aoife had hated her for the impact on the man they both loved. Hated her for killing him, then still for not stopping him from forfeiting his name. But that hatred had gone away and now Aoife saw her as a beloved friend once more.

Knowing that, how could she reject her request? Eirwen sent an approval, then quickly put the reports away and warned her doorguards of the coming guests. Soon after, they all arrived. As they froze in the doorway, Eirwen remembered the painting. Aoife also had forgotten, judging from her apologetic glances. But there was no weeping for shed milk. She met her guests with a smile.

They greeted her carefully while throwing furtive glances at the painting. She smiled wryly at the sight of that as she sat down with them at the table, taking the chair nearest to the desk herself. Aoife sat at the chair near the painting, the others taking the couch and chairs in between. Warin, his title Vicomte as heir of Comte Gosling, gave her a sly smile. "Can't believe he kept that. It's a gorgeous painting, so I'm glad my reference wasn't wasted."

Eirwen raised an eyebrow. "Ah, that explains that. I didn't give it any thought, but it would indeed be weird for him to find and commission an excellent painter at the royal capital." She took her time studying the painting, focusing on the quality, the way it made them feel alive. The others also looked at it in silence. "I'm grateful for your assistance."

Warin gave her a shy nod as he rubbed the back of his head. "Ah, you're welcome. But, uhm, are you alright? I don't mean when it comes to him, but last night must have been bad." The others winced at his directness, while Aoife showed clear turmoil on her visage.

Truth be told, Eirwen wanted to claim she was fine. But seeing how hard Aoife was taking things, it felt wrong to lie to her, even if only temporarily. She inhaled then let her breath slip out with a shudder. "I wish I could say I was, but no. With every assassination attempt, it gets worse. I thought that with the war over, I could finally feel safe. But he took that from me."

A wry smile. "I wish I could have felt happy that his father took his name, swore to make amends. But at that moment, all I could do was go through the motions, until it all was over and I could stop pretending to be alright. Take off the mask of a ruler and collapse. Be vulnerable. And hope I will never have to go through that again."

She could see the way they hurt for her. How Aoife clenched her armrests tight, to the point of white knuckles, ashamed of the role she had played during the war while Eirwen had feared for her life. Eirwen looked outside as she continued. "I kept my curtains drawn at the Verglas estate, making sure nobody could see what room I was in. Had guards inside my room. Here, I felt I could let that go. And now, whenever I see the bare window, a part of me wonders if I'm leaving someone an opening."

She kept looking outside as everyone rose to their feet and came to her, holding her hands, embracing her. A bit squished, she wept softly as they offered her their silent support. Aoife's tears fell on her face and mixed with her own. And as strange as it sounded, it felt healing to know they still saw her as a friend in need. As they held her, she could feel her weapon master's senses retreat gently, providing her some privacy. It made her cry harder, while she was held and loved.