The Unfortunate, стр. 24
To anyone else watching, the contents of the satchel could have been anything, but the queen knew. Soon it would be over.
She continued to watch as Beadurof eased the newborn from the cocoon-like enclosure and held the boy in his arms. Then he paused and gazed at the child.
Is my husband again having second thoughts? Damn him! Marlisa could feel her temples throbbing. Damn him! She was prepared to add to her curses when the king laid the boy on the ground and retrieved his dagger. Because her husband had leaned over the child, the queen could no longer see. All she could do was wait, but after several additional moments, she wondered if Beadurof would be overcome with guilt, if he would be able to end the child’s life. She did not have to wait long.
Her husband slowly lowered his arm, and Marlisa was filled with overwhelming relief when shrill cries pierced the night’s tranquility, but the emotion did not linger. When the crying continued long past what Marlisa had expected, she tried to hurry closer toward her husband, but it was to no avail. By the time she arrived, Beadurof had gathered the child in his arms and had departed the area. The queen tried to follow, but the same force that had allowed her to move effortlessly through the air was now holding her back.
✽ ✽ ✽
A knock caused the queen to wake, and she quickly beckoned, “Come.”
The door slowly opened and her most trusted handmaiden entered and curtsied. “My apologies, Your Majesty. I was delayed.”
The queen, still pondering the events of years past, was quiet at first before inquiring, “I can trust you, yes?”
“Of course Your Majesty.” Jenn’s tone, though calm, remained cautious and uncertain.
“I thought so.” Marlisa noticed the young woman’s reaction but chose not to probe for a reason. There were matters of greater importance. “Please sit,” she eventually added and extended her arm to direct attention toward a set of high-backed chairs. The queen waited until Jenn had become situated before also sitting and informing, “Beadurof approached me with news about you and my son.”
Despite the earlier gestures of uncertainty, the handmaiden’s reaction was calmer as if she were not surprised, as if she knew the words to follow.
“Is it true?”
Jenn nodded as she struggled with her composure.
“That is what I feared,” the queen replied—doing her best to remain composed, too. “I have watched the two of you over the past several months—over three years, I suppose. I have been able to detect the growing closeness, but …” Marlisa’s words trailed as she remembered her past and her own experience with forbidden love.
“Your Majesty?” Jenn offered after several tranquil moments.
“I should have expected this. Banan has always adored you. In a way I am happy, but I also hate to see it occur.”
“I do not understand.”
What is there not to understand? Despite the urgency to convey understanding, the queen’s voice remained calm, and she offered a meek smile before emphasizing, “Fate, Jenn! Fate has blessed you and Banan with a bond only it can dissolve, but there are certain individuals who will not accept this.”
“Your husband?”
Marlisa moved closer and gently rested her hand on Jenn’s shoulder. “I am sorry, but Beadurof would never allow such a marriage, even if it is Fate’s will. You and I both know this.” It was a fact that could not be disregarded. Beadurof had a way of being involved in the annihilation of a woman’s heart.
“I have already accepted that harsh truth,” Jenn replied. “But I have always clung to the thinnest strands of hope. I have always wanted to believe there is a way.”
The queen had never considered her handmaiden as a foolish girl, but that was the first thought that came to mind. Youth, love, and the wrath of Fate was a potent mixture, a brew not suited for the fainthearted.
“Forgive me,” Jenn quickly apologized. “I speak without thought.”
Marlisa waved her hand to indicate no offense had been taken. “Go on. There is no need to consider your words with care. Tell me what your true thoughts are.”
Jenn hesitated momentarily before adding. “It is not King Beadurof who is my greatest concern. It is Banan.”
The queen was dumbfounded by the accusation. Banan? What had he done? “My son?” Marlisa prompted.
“Yes, he has asked about my homeland.”
It made sense. As second in command of the forces, Banan had been instructed to learn whatever he could about King Aengus and his intentions. Yes, she understood, but Marlisa was not prepared to reveal such information, not even to her most-trusted servant.
“What is occurring that Banan wants to know about Drunacht?”
“It is a diplomatic matter,” Marlisa coolly replied. “All I know is there is unrest, and Drunacht and Yorcia have been communicating.”
With her answer the queen had withheld details but not the truth. She respected Jenn too much to lie, no matter the topic and no matter how painful the facts.
The young woman smiled. It appeared she was content, as content as she could be.
“If I were you,” Marlisa added, wanting to change the topic, “I would tell Banan what he wants to know. I would tell him the truth.”
The handmaiden again nodded with a smile. “I agree, but I would like you to be there to help explain.”
The queen understood what had been implied. Having been responsible for the handmaiden all of Jenn’s adult life and having always considered herself an alternate maternal figure to the young woman, Marlisa knew she was best situated to explain the truth of Jenn’s past.
“I would be more than happy,” she replied with a smile “But not tonight. I shall be leaving soon, and I shall not return until tomorrow evening. I need to be distanced from the capital so I can clear my mind.”
“Would it not be better to wait until daybreak?”
“It would, but I need to leave as