The Unfortunate, стр. 59

“I love her, and—”

“DID YOU NOT HEAR ME? YOU ARE DISMISSED!’” After the outburst Beadurof turned to look back at the city and the land beyond, but as quickly as he had, the prince countered with the same, spiteful tone.

“WHAT ABOUT ME? DID YOU NOT HEAR ME? I SAID I LOVE HER!” Banan paused as if waiting for a reaction, but when none was provided, he added, “And no matter what you do, Jenn and I shall be together. I swear. May I be cursed if my words are false. I shall do whatever necessary.”

Beadurof would have offered another rebuttal, but by the time the king turned to reply, the prince had already gone.

✽ ✽ ✽

It was evening before the king went to visit his wife, the first time he had seen her since returning from Yorcia. He had learned of her crime and of Deogol’s, and although he had not been surprised about the former sworn shield, Beadurof had found it more difficult to accept the possibility that Marlisa had also betrayed him, not only once but on many occasions for nearly two decades. Despite the testimonial evidence, though, Beadurof found it nearly impossible to accept. Marlisa was not only his queen but also the only woman he had ever loved. Yes, their marriage had been a diplomatic affair, but they had sworn sacred vows. And that was what truly bothered the king. Sacred vows. The words continued to echo in his mind, and as they did, he became increasingly distraught. He still could not be persuaded to accept that Marlisa had sworn the same vows to another man, that she had loved another.

Although it was difficult, Beadurof had to stop imagining the worst. He tried to convince himself everything Deogol had revealed had been the product of fear, the ramblings of a man bound to die, but the king continued to worry. His concern was that when he questioned his wife, she would not only confirm the events had occurred. But there was another fear worse still, that she would not regret them either.

Within sight of the queen’s chambers, he paused. The thought of Marlisa revealing more about her relationship with Deogol, the possibility of her not regretting her sins, and the mere chance of discovering she had loved another man more inhibited Beadurof and pushed down on him like a suffocating weight. He again reminded himself to stop imagining the worst, but it did little good. There is only one approach to end this torment. I must discover the truth. At last Beadurof opened the door to the queen’s chamber and found it vacant. “Marlisa?” His voice was neither angry nor calm, and he gently closed the door and advanced several paces before calling again.

Still no answer, but there had been the faintest indication of movement.

“We need to have words, Marlisa.”

At first there was nothing. But then there was something more, the sound of movement, and the queen soon emerged from the shadows. Her head was raised as she carried herself in a dignified manner, but she refused to look at her husband.

“Marlisa.” He had tried to soften his tone, but his words were still excessively stern. “Given the circumstances there are many who would call for your execution.”

“There is no need to credit others with your malice,” the queen snapped. “If you would have me burned, or hanged, or whatever pleases you, you need only command it.”

He nodded but did nothing more to acknowledge the comment. There was a conflict within him, and the field of battle was his conscience. He was aware of the crime and the expected punishment, but he could not force himself to damn her to the Life After. She is not only my queen but also the only woman I have ever loved. But has she loved me? Absolutely loved me? Or has it all been a spiteful act? Beadurof promptly dismissed his fears and added, “I swore to you a sacred vow. In the presence of Fate and our families, I pledged my love to you.”

“And I to you,” she replied meekly as if she were prepared to cry.

“Yet you betrayed me.” Beadurof’s voice became more gruff with each word, a result of his anger that he could no longer contain, but he had tried. “And you lied to me.”

“As you have to me.” Despite the momentary show of weakness, Marlisa regained her composure, and her voice suddenly became stronger.

The king was dumbfounded. He had expected her to cry and perhaps even be hysterical with pleas for mercy. He had never anticipated he would be accused, though, and Beadurof’s anger became more difficult to contain as he countered, “Never have I been unfaithful to you! Never have I loved another woman as I do you.” She is indeed beautiful, an image of perfection. The king was reminded of Princess Eadlin and the feelings he had struggled to contain. But although he had been tested, he had remained loyal to his marriage vow, and that is all that mattered. That is more than Marlisa can claim!

Before Beadurof could further dispute the charges that had been hurled at him so maliciously and unexpectedly, however, Marlisa retrieved a rolled parchment, handed it to her husband, and commanded, “If you allege you have never been disloyal or spoken false, then swear this is nothing to you.”

He did not know what to expect, but he thought it would be nothing more than a final attempt by his wife to redeem herself. Beadurof therefore snatched the document and unrolled it to reveal nothing more than a drawing. The king recognized the image immediately, a double swirl with an extended tail that curved upward and to the right, and beside it the symbol was duplicated as a reverse. It was neither a seal of nobility, nor was it a personal signet. It was simply an image Beadurof would occasionally sketch and never for