Page 88 of Veil of Winter

“If Bertold is not too contrary to fall in love and get married, then I think you have a chance.”

Sir Oswalt gave him a rare smile as he grabbed the pommel and mounted his horse. “Perhaps. But I fancy English girls.” Then he smirked. “I’ll leave you to woo the foreign women.”

Gerard just grinned.

They set out for Montciel, and Gerard had the same nagging feeling he’d had when he talked with Bertold, the feeling that he needed to get back there quickly, to make sure Princess Elyce was safe and well.

“Let us hurry,” Gerard said.

“Looks like another snowstorm is coming.” Sir Oswalt gazed up at the sky.

Gerard didn’t bother telling him that his concern had nothing to do with the weather. His friend would probably ridicule him and accuse him of wanting to get back to Elyce, as he had jested earlier, “for some time alone with her before she becomes queen and is too high and holy for the likes of you.”

So they rode all day, and the whole time Gerard had to fight the anxious feeling that Princess Elyce was in danger.

***

Elyce met with Father Johannes and three of the guards to discuss her coronation and what to do with her father.

“I think he should be exiled,” one of the guards said, “just to be sure that he will not do something to cause trouble.”

“I agree,” another guard said. “It is going to make him angry to see his daughter taking his place as the ruler of Montciel.”

“What do you think?” Elyce asked Father Johannes. “I am his daughter, after all. He would not try to take the throne from me, would he?”

Father Johannes rubbed his chin before answering. “I do not know. Your father was easily manipulated by King Claude, but as Sir Phillipe says, he will be angered by what has taken place. He will not want to give up his life as it has been, secure and luxurious in Montciel Castle.”

“But what if I reassure him that nothing will change? He can stay here, but he will not have the governing duties he had before. He can have his enjoyable activities—hunting and whatever else he likes to do—but I will be in charge of the kingdom.”

The guards were subtly shaking their heads before she finished speaking.

“What is there to stop him from bribing the weaker-willed guards to overthrow you?”

“The fact that I’m his daughter?”

All four men looked doubtful. And she remembered how he had ordered her to be executed. “We will tell him that if he is found talking to any guards, he will be sent away.”

But the four men again raised their brows at her and frowned.

“Very well. We will send him away. But I am hopeful he will be able to return in the future. And I will tell him so.” How could she bear to make her father unhappy, even though he had not treated her as a father should treat his daughter? He wouldmake her feel guilty, accuse her of being a terrible daughter, of violating God’s commandment to honor her father and mother.

She wished Sir Gerard were here so she could ask his opinion.

While they were still discussing what to do with her father, another guard came with a report.

“Forgive me, Princess Elyce,” he said, “but your father is asking to see you. He wanted me to tell you that he wishes to leave his room and speak with you alone.”

“I would not advise that,” one of the guards said.

“At least do not meet with him alone,” Father Johannes said. “Allow me to stay with you.”

“Very well.” Her insides shook at the thought of facing him again. What would he say? He would certainly be angry, but surely he would understand that she had the people’s best interests at heart, and now that King Claude was dead, he could not be thinking of insisting on sending the people to work in the Valkenfeld mines. Surely he would listen to her and realize he had been wrong.

“Send him in here,” she said, as they were in Father Johannes’s study room at the back of the chapel.

A few minutes later, her father entered the room. His eyes were red and watery, his cheeks blotchy, as if he’d been crying.

“I wish to speak to my daughter alone,” he said in his best kingly voice.