Fourth Arc (Thorns of The Black Throne) - 478. Hard Question
Jane fidgeted at her seat.
Angel drank his tea without comment.
Rose finally spoke, her voice gentle. "I'm glad someone slept well."
Roric felt something pull tight in his chest.
This was it.
This was the moment.
If he wanted answers, allies, clarity, anything, he needed to take a chance.
Not obvious. Not bold. Just… a small step.
He turned slightly toward Rose, expression carefully composed.
And immediately stopped himself.
The words sat on his tongue, burning to come out.
'Your Majesty, if you are free after breakfast, may I request just a moment of your time, regarding a matter of health.'
It would have been simple. Polite. Safe even, in appearance.
But not here.
Not in front of Darius.
And certainly not in front of Seraphine.
His spine stiffened slightly as he felt her gaze drift across the table. Not openly. She never stared openly. Seraphine watched people like a cat watched birds, through reflections, through glass, through the curve of her wine goblet.
Roric swallowed his words before they formed.
Not yet.
He lowered his eyes to his plate instead, fingers wrapping around his teacup. The porcelain was warm, grounding, familiar. The scent of citrus and roasted grain from the breakfast dishes drifted through the air. Fresh bread still steaming. Honey glistening under morning light. Butter melting slowly across golden crusts.
Everything smelled peaceful.
Everything felt like a trap.
Darius cleared his throat loudly, slicing through the quiet like a blade through silk.
"Well," his father said, leaning back slightly, drumming his fingers once against the armrest of his chair, "I believe we should not burden our guests with heavy matters first thing in the morning."
Seraphine smiled faintly beside him. "Your Majesty is always thoughtful of hospitality."
Roric resisted the urge to scoff internally. Hospitality meant postponing conversations he did not want to have. It was one of Darius's oldest habits. When confronted with discomfort, he redirected. Delegated. Buried.
Darius reached for a slice of roasted fruit, chewing slowly before continuing.
"The chancellor can handle the trade proposals and border logistics later," he said casually, waving a dismissive hand. "He enjoys such things anyway."
Roric stared down at his plate, silent.
Of course he did.
The king of Pontus, ruler of a kingdom built on conquest and iron discipline, now passed negotiations to a paper-pushing scholar because he did not want to share authority with the King of Euphorion.
It was almost… tragic.
Angel said nothing. He simply lifted his cup again, gaze unreadable, posture relaxed enough to be insulting.
Jane glanced between them nervously, fingers tightening around her napkin. She always reacted to tension like that, like she could feel emotional currents before they broke into storms.
Rose, however, looked serene.
She took a small bite of fruit, dabbed her lips with a cloth, then spoke with effortless softness.
"I would like to see the capital."
The words dropped into the room like a pebble into still water.
Roric's pulse spiked.
Darius blinked once. Seraphine's smile did not move, but her eyes sharpened just slightly.
"The capital?" Seraphine repeated, tone smooth as honey.
Rose nodded gently. "I have never visited Pontus before. Neither has my husband."
Angel's eyes flicked toward her, amusement dancing quietly behind his calm expression.
"It would be… refreshing," Rose continued, "to experience the city before official discussions begin. It helps me understand a kingdom better when I see how its people live."
Darius shifted in his seat, his jaw tightening just a fraction. "Of course Pontus would be honored to show you its beauty. Perhaps we could arrange an afternoon reception with the noble families. They would be delighted to host you."
Seraphine leaned forward slightly. "Yes, a tea gathering would be far more… appropriate. The city can be overwhelming without proper preparation."
Rose smiled politely, tilting her head.
"An hour or two would not hurt, surely," she said lightly. "We do not require a grand celebration. We are travelers today, not dignitaries."
Roric felt his heartbeat echo in his ears.
That was deliberate.
Rose was not simply asking to sightsee. She was creating space. Moving outside the controlled environment of the palace. Away from Seraphine's immediate reach. Away from Darius's shadow.
And Jane… Jane straightened slightly at those words. A flicker of hope crossed her face so quickly most would miss it.
Seraphine's fingers curled gently around her glass, the faint scrape of her ring against crystal whispering in the quiet.
"Perhaps tomorrow would be safer," she said smoothly. "Security must be arranged properly."
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