The In-Between

Chapter 7 - Blame

Colin did not say anything else about Calden or his father as we continued the tour.

We ended in the dining room, which was the first room, other than the bedrooms, that I had seen with furniture in it. A large wooden table surrounded by at least twenty chairs sat in the center. Above it hung a gold and crystal chandelier. One wall was again covered in windows while the other had two banners, one baring Calden's family's coat of arms and another with map of Celestia.

Colin pulled out a chair for me, before taking a seat himself at the table. There were two leather portfolios in front of the seat he'd chosen. He placed one in front of me.

"The first document is an agenda for the week. This tells you wh- "

"I know what an agenda is Colin. I am Lady of Rivendall."

His gaze flickered to me briefly before he continued, he looked apologetic. I wasn't sure I could win Colin's favor by being sweet to him. I probably couldn't even flirt my way into a friendship with him, even if it was rather easy manipulate his desire. Colin seemed to be willing to share information if he knew why I was asking. Perhaps, I did not need to hoodwink him into trusting me.

"Right. After lunch, your presence is requested at a council meeting." I nodded, and Colin's brows knitted in confusion. "No complaints?"

I scoffed. "I am not that disagreeable, Colin." He rolled his eyes at me. "Will he be there...your father...t the council meeting today?" Colin gave a nod in confirmation.

I wondered if I would recognize him. I had never formally met the commander, merely heard about the promotion as the rebels strategized. That's what we were...rebels against the Crown. He had described me as a goddess to his son, perhaps he was an admirer. It would be...convenient to have Calden's commander worship me.

"Tomorrow, you and Calden will have some public sightings throughout the court and then there will be banquet tomorrow night to welcome you. Dinner and dancing, the usual affair."

I smirked, the usual affair. I had not attended a banquet in at least 60 years...maybe even a year or two before the war even began. Did I even know how to attend an event anymore? When I first was introduced to society, eligible to be married at 18, I went to so many balls my father demanded that any more invitations we received be thrown in the garbage. He was tired of paying for dresses to be made and fending off boys. It wasn't long before my bond with Ollie snapped into place and my father was happy. Though he was never thrilled about that, he'd seemed surprised to learn I had bonded with Ollie. I paused in my thoughts, thinking about my father and Ollie at the same time hurt deep in my chest.

"Do the citizens know we're to be married?" I asked Colin

Colin shook his head. "They think he's just courting you."

Time. That bought me time. Time to convince the council they made a mistake. Time to destroy Calden's reign from the inside.

"It's imperative that you behave, Adelaide. The people of Iotia have not forgotten the side you chose. They have reservations." His tone was scolding, as if I had done something wrong.

Treason is technically wrong, part of my mind reminded me. I was not wrong for standing beside my bonded during the war. My father was not wrong for aiding the western and southern regions. Iotia had declared war on the south for not agreeing to a policy that impacted their lands. If anyone was wrong, it was the King. 

"I am not a child, Colin. I do not wish to be Queen. I do not wish to marry, Calden." I told him bluntly, he went rigid in his seat. "I will do what is necessary to assist the courts of Celestia, but you cannot expect me to welcome Iotia, Calden, or you with open arms. Calden murdered the love of my- "