The journey to Hemsgate Palace dragged as it did when Caerwyn insisted on Rhosyn riding in the carriage. Her sour look tickled something inside Edrien when she glared at him horseback riding alongside.
Exhaustion gripped at him and numbness ached in his thighs, but he didn't join Rhosyn in the precarious box—not since the last time.
The road was dark, but the king's road was as safe as any, especially along this route. Every hour or so, they'd pass a patrol, Caerwyn nodding at the King's Highway Wardens each time, a few familiar faces every few hours.
They'd pulled into the king's favourite palace, its grounds extensive, its building magnificent. The sun had just crept over the horizon and a new found energy coursed through Edrien. Maybe it was adrenaline, or just the excitement and anxiety that he and Rhosyn were together again.
He hopped down from his horse, a stable boy already grabbing its reins as Edrien popped his head into the carriage—as far as he'll go. Rhosyn was dozing in the backseat, fatigue coloured her eyes in dark circles, but nothing stole beauty from her.
"Shall I let you sleep off that glass of wine?" he teased, her eyes blinking awake in a start at their surroundings and then she was shaking her head with humour warming her lips.
Together, they rushed for the entrance, giving one maid a fright and nearly knocking over another as they rounded a corner. Giggles escaped their throats as they all but fell over themselves rushing to his quarters and through his apartment.
When they'd skidded to a halt in front of his bedroom, Caerwyn already opened his mouth to intervene and was cut off.
"I'll be here," Rhosyn said, her breath heavy from their run. "Now hurry," she prompted, shooing him towards the door.
Edrien wasted no time getting ready, knowing that the council would meet any moment and Rhosyn waiting outside, probably tapping her foot and ready to bite off Caerwyn's head if not gnawing on her fingers.
He stepped back into the parlor to find Rhosyn doing all the things he suspected.
"Ready?" he asked, smirking at her impatience.
She closed the distance between them, looking him over and pulling at his collar to straighten it.
"Shouldn't I be saying that to you?" Rhosyn's hands paused on his chest. "You don't have to be scared, you've got this," she assured.
His heart was pounding in its cage.
"I'll be right here when you return," she promised and that was more than enough to see him through.
Edrien took hold of one of her hands. "Then I'll be quick," he grinned and then he was heading towards the council room.
The past few days hung heavy on his shoulders, but every moment was worth it. Now he just had to face his father and solve an issue before it became one.
A cramped room devoted to debate and parchment, a kingdom's problems reduced to a space smaller than his wardrobe. Edrien watched as the important men who had the king's ear stirred, unable to remain quiet in the chamber eyeing him up and the large stack of paper dominating the table.
He felt unnervingly naked without Rhosyn, though he knew she waited nearby.
Nearly everyone was present, save the most important person—the king.
Candle smoke curled in the drafty room, the space unusually warm thanks to the amount of bodies pressed inside it. A distinct creak snapped alive and the room fell silent. Heavy footsteps wrapped around him and then his father was in view, robed, royal and really pissed off. Edrien wasn't the only one who had fore-notice.
King Alestan slammed his open palms against the table. "Tell me what nuisance the north is kicking up now?" anger gritted at his words, his aged face splotched red.
That's when the king's dark gaze crashed into Edrien's and he finally registered the documents laid out.
"You've got an answer?"
"I've got a solution," Edrien replied, every eye in the room now on him, before he could falter he remembered Rhosyn's face and felt a surge of confidence. "They thought they could belittle the crown by exposing the document, inaptly named Ledger of Partiality. But we'll address each claim today and absolve the issue immediately, taking the momentum out of their slander before it's had time to stick."
Some faces blanched at the large stack of accusations, some about a few of the lords present. Alestan held out a hand, a page boy rushing to receive a metal clipped pack of papers from Edrien and delivering it to the king. His cold, dark eyes ran over the words and a smirk pulled at his thin lips.
"You two have been busy I see," Alestan murmured low, seemingly satisfied. "So," his voice raised louder, commanding, "what solution have you brought me, son?"