Will pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing.

"I'm sorry," I told him. "I didn't mean–"

"It's fine," he nodded. "It's time I own up to it."

"Then it's true?" my mother asked. "You have no wish to be King?"

"Just because I do not wish to be King does not mean I am not prepared to be it," he told her. "I know how important the role is; I know how much Oreia needs its line. I'm not trying to buck the responsibility. I am regretting confiding certain things in my sister, but it's not her fault for divulging something that is true. I knew better."

I tensed. "I'm so sorry."

Mom shook her head. She stood in front of us both, stilling her parental stalk from one side of the chamber to the other. Then she kneeled in front of Willem, and she took his hands as he sat upon the settee.

"You don't have to be King," she told him.

"What?" He knit his face. "Are you punishing me?"

"No," she sang. "No, the opposite. If you don't wish to be King, you can go... be a carpenter for all I care."

"You want me to be a carpenter? Why?" he asked. "I said I was sorry!"

"No! Will!" She sighed. "You're misunderstanding me. You don't have to be King. You can be whatever you want to be. That's all I've ever wanted for you. For both of you. I want you to have a choice in what your future looks like. Whether that's marrying a painter or–"

"M-Marrying– Ha! Marrying a painter?" he cracked.

"Oh, please," Mother rolled her eyes. "Do give it a rest, dear. Even Mr. Henrik knows you're in love with him. Why don't you just propose already?"

"But I–" He stopped. "I don't understand."

"What is there to understand, sweetheart? You're my firstborn, my sweet, sweet Willem. I've known you the longest, and I know you all better than you know yourselves. You think, what? That if you want a certain life for yourself, I could ever resent you for it? If you don't wish to be King, don't. It's simple."

"It's not that I don't wish to be King," he said. "It's that... I odn't think I'm right for it. For Oreia."

"In what way?" she asked.

"As King, I am expected to produce an heir, and if I marry Mr. Henri– Gah, first of all, there are two people in this what-if, and I have no idea if Mr. Henrik even... wants to– Look, I... Whatever. Say I have a preference for the person I wish to marry? Say I–"

"Wish to marry a man?" she asked.

"Yes. ...How would I produce an heir, Mama?"

She glanced at me. "I've been a bad mother," she said.

"It's a trap, don't agree!" I warned him.

She scowled at me. Will sat taller.

"I meant," she started. "I should have taken time to address these things with you. With you both. I was simply trying to let you decide for yourselves. I'm raising leaders here; leaders decide. Will, if you wish to be King, you can be King and still marry a man. The mechanics of passing the title on to an heir– that all comes later. I don't even care if you have children. If you want them, have them; if you don't, don't."

"But–" He shook his head.

"The Crown will go where the Crown goes. Where God wants it go. First of all, there's no promise that even with a woman, you would ever sire a child. I know those who have tried for years without a line to show for it. If you do not want children, the Crown could pass to someone you appointed, or to Sam or his boy."

"Sam's having a boy?" I asked.

She shrugged. "We suspect."

"How wonderful for him," Willem said. He sighed.

She paused for emphasis. "And if not Sam, then Sam's son; if not his son, then Eliza; if not Eliza, then her children. The point of having so many of you was to secure the role traditionally, but if it doesn't work out, then we will forge another path for it. It would not be the first time the Crown reworked a law, and honestly, who better to head the wave of change this Empire needs, than the monarch himself?" she asked.

Will swallowed. 

"Ultimately, children, our days are not guaranteed. Any one of us can die at any moment; my only wish as your mother is that–" She choked up. "Is that your moments, however few, are happy ones. Ones where you know that no matter what, you are loved and you are safe."

"Mama..." I touched her back.

"That's all I want," she said. "That is why you cannot marry any of the men who try to purchase you like you're cattle; your husband must love you," she said to me. "And it is a happy thing that Löff has come to prove himself above that, but without the effort I would not have signed you away, even if he had offered me all of Gosil. And that is why you cannot ignore a court painter simply because you think you must choose between Duty and love," she said to Will. "I want you both to have the same opportunities that I had. I want you to feel as complete as I feel with your father. Why would I ever want less? And honestly, Rosie, if you want to be an old maid and never leave this place, then don't leave. I don't see the appeal, but fine. So be it! I'll... I'll build you and your Duke another wing and you can vacation here if it means so much? I don't care."

"Her Duke?" Will looked at me. "Did Löff ask you to marry him? Did you say yes?"

I frowned. "No, and he likely will not ask me after today. I wouldn't ask me. I'm just a lot."

"What?" Will's face clouded. "Did he say that? Would you like me to set him right?"

I shook my head. "No, it was my fault. You see, I–"

My mother rolled her eyes. "Eliza thinks the man who sent her thirty dozen roses is going to bail on his intentions because she reacted badly to discovering his cousin is Lord Beck," she said. Like it was nothing. No big deal.

"His cousin is Lord Beck?" Will frowned. "Gross."

"Did neither of you pay attention to your tutors?" she asked. "What did I even pay them for?"

"It was a hundred," I said.

"What?" he asked.

"It was a hundred dozen roses," I explained. "Dad said he counted... I, I don't think that matters."

"A hun– What is that? Twelve hundred roses!?" Will asked.

"At least math was covered," she muttered.

"Well, it does sound like a lot when you say that way," I confessed.

"Yes," Mom said. "And don't think the importance was lost on me. You told him of Sam's courtship."

"Oh, right," Will smiled at the thought. "I remember that. It is quite similar. I don't know, Lize. In my experience, the Duke has always been very polite and very thoughtful in his actions. Even when I vomited at him, he–"

"You vomited on the Duke!?" I cried.

"At! I vomited at the Duke, yes. I was well-wasted. Not my greatest moment."

"Good Lord, Willem," Mother said. "I hope you apologized."

He nodded.

I sighed. "Well, no wonder he does not wish to marry me!"

"First of all," she chimed. "We do not know that he doesn't want to marry you. You ran away from him like an escaped convict, remember?"

"That is not comforting," I spat.

"And in my defense," Will said, "I vomited at your Duke before the Hunt. He still showed up. And further, when I was panicking about it, he was thoughtful. He helped clean it up–"

"Ew, gross, no," I said.

"And he told me that if I did not want to marry any of the women in the room, I should... find another room. I think he said."

"So, let me get this straight," Mother croaked. "Everyone. Every single person in your life knows that you are struggling, except me. Your mother and your Queen. The one person who should've known first?"

"It sounds awful put like that," he replied. "But maybe I'm not struggling so much anymore. If you're suggesting that I don't have to choose... I might not. I might stop looking for him at social events and just ask Mr. Henrik if–"

"If he'll marry you!?" I asked.

"If I can court him," Will said. "Then I would know when to expect him and not have to make appearances at stupid Hunts when–"

"Ah ha!" I cried.

He rolled his eyes. "He doesn't even know I like him, Eliza."

Mother shook her head. "He knows, dear. We all know. And I could've told you he wouldn't be at the Hunt."

"Still..." Will looked happier than he had all week. "I'd like to do it properly. He's worth it."

"I agree," she said. "I think Mr. Henrik is a wonderful man. I think he's funny. If you put him in a room with all the different men out there and told me to pick the one that was best for you, I would take a look at your face and choose him, and every time. Regardless of rank or, or... whatever it is you think I value. You forget that I married the ostler's boy. Do you think I care if you marry the court painter?"

"I'm... I'm sorry," Willem said. "I thought... I was scared you'd be disappointed."

"There is nothing you could do to disappoint me," she said. "I'm very proud of my children." She sank into the sofa, pulling me with her and sitting between us. "I just want you to be happy. All of you. That's why when Sam wanted to marry a woman from Watha, we gave her a chance."

"Watha is really horrible," I moaned.

"Yes, but Delilah is not," she said. "So, we must assume that there are others who are decent there as well."

"Mom," Will laughed.

She took our hands. "Willem, if you do not want to be King, tell me. You do not have to be King."

"I want to be King, but only if I can court Mr. Henrik. I know that sounds ridicilous but, I think he is my person. And if you truly mean it..."

"Yes," she said. "I mean it. Though, I'm not sure why you think you need my permission. You're both free to love whom you wish."

Will looked at me. "Are you okay with that?" he asked. "I know I've always joked that you'd be Queen."

"I... I want Oreia to do well," I said. "I love this empire. But yes. I'm... I'm okay with it. I'm shocked, but... relieved. Truly."

My mother smiled at me. "Oreia loves you. No matter if you are here or if you are in Gosil."

"I'm very confused," Will said. "Did Löff make an offer or not?"

"He didn't," I said.

"We're not worried," Mom added.

"We aren't?" Will asked.

"No," she added. "Eliza here fears nothing. Not death, not dragons, not bears, not even swans. We certainly don't fear a man who cannot handle us. Right?"

"I feel like that one's a trick question..." I said.

"Eliza," my mother pressed.

I said it quietly. "I don't fear a man who cannot handle me."

"No, because when there were farms burning, you did not sit in your tower and look down upon the glittering embers, did you?" she asked.

"Well, you can't really see Gosil from– No. I didn't."

"That's right. And you don't fear your mother or your Crown, either, as you went to go see to the rumor of mythical beasts yourself. Yes?"

"Well, I wouldn't say–"

"And when you were caught and told to return, you what? Defied another order and wound up in the middle of a terrible mess, yes?"

"I don't want to answer that," I said.

"You fought bandits; you found the inventor of said dragon– which wasn't even a dragon, but a contraption, I'm told, and you helped solve a mystery that plagued another country. All by yourself, and all because you had a nagging feeling that you needed to follow through. Yes?"

"Well, I had help," I said.

"Fro some things, but not with the horse," she said. "And that is a burden you will carry your whole life, but a price you were willing to pay for its prize. I am proud of you."

"What horse?" Willem asked.

My mother offered him a dismissive look, but said, "She killed a horse to save Ser Willoughby."

"You killed a horse!?" my brother gasped.

"I... I didn't tell you that?" I tried. "Oops?"

"I'm surprised you didn't know, Will," Mom said. "Daniel told me of it the moment he could. In fact, his wasn't even the first whisper I heard of it."

"Everybody knows?" I asked.

"It's alright," she said. "I understand why you did it. I would have done the same."

"My sister," Will stated. "She doesn't eat meat. Who would have thought?"

She rolled her eyes. "Do yourselves a favor; stop finding excuses to deprive yourself of what you want. I did not risk a war with Chalke for you two to invent stupid reasons I could ever be disappointed in the people you wanted to be. No, the people that you are."

"I'm sorry I ever doubted you," Will said. He hugged our mother, and I joined him in it. "And if you're serious about Mr. Henrik–"

"Oh, do ask him quickly!" I cried.

"Ha!" Mom shook her head. "Invite him to the ball," she told Willem. "Ask him there."

"What if he finds it sudden or I embarrass him? I–" He paused. "That's another excuse, isn't it?"

"Yes," she said, smiling. "This life is difficult without the pressures we apply ourselves. I came into the Crown very quickly and without warning. You? You have me. And your father and everyone around us... And our knights. In fact, some of the best advice I have ever received was from a knight. Ser Willoughby, if you'd believe it."

"What was it?" I asked.

"He said that the Crown should be happy. Its bearer should speak their mind, follow their gut, and be someone who loves Oreia as much as any soldier. Show me another house that can proudly, and flawlessly, do all that. Show me anyone who is more worthy of the people's trust than my children."

"If I marry the Duke," I said softer. "I... I leave. I leave Oreia. I leave the Crown. I leave Willough and Willem's side, and I just... I'm scared of what that means for me. I'll miss everyone."

"We will travel to see you," she said. "If this man is your match, don't allow fear to hold you back."

The front door opened; we heard it from the hall.

Mother sat up. "That'll be your father back from the Hunt. And Elías. I wonder who won." She nudged me with a smile. "I bet it was the Duke. Won't that be nice?"

I shook my head. "No, he... Well, in Gosil, they don't hunt for sport."

"Then why was there?" she asked.

"...For me?" I said.

She nodded deliberately. "Ah. This man, who doesn't believe in hunting for sport, arrived at a sporting event called 'the Hunt' with no other purpose than to see you, and you're concerned that he will no longer wish to marry you because of Lord Beck?"

"It isn't possible," Will said.

"Will, don't tease me," I whined.

"I'm not. It isn't possible. Men don't act like that, and from a logical standpoint, is it really all that convincing that you spent a fortnight with this man, and he didn't realize the kind woman you are? He knows what he's in store for. I have no doubt."

I scoffed. "That was almost sweet," I said.

"What? I thought you liked logic?" he teased.

Dad opened the door and looked at the three of us.

"Hi," Mother said.

"What, uh... What are you all doing in here?" he asked.

"Just talking," she replied. "How was the Hunt? Did Eli win?"

"No."

"Who did?" she asked.

"Don't, uh, don't bring up the Hunt to Eli if you love me," he said. "I was quite the distraction, and he does blame me for the loss."

"Ah," she nodded. "That's fair. And who won?"

He paused. "About that," he started. "First, might I speak to Rosie, please?"

I bristled. "Me? What? Why?"

"You left abruptly, dear." He glanced at the other two.

"Did Askar leave?" I worried.

"No," he said. He frowned. "Are you alright?"

"He's still around?" I asked.

"Yes, should he not be?" Dad asked.

Mom stood up and led Willem to the door. When they left the room, singing awkward goodbyes, she leaned in and whispered something to my dad. He nodded. When the port was shut, I was scared.

"Am I in trouble?" I asked. "I know I embarrassed you, but–?"

"Embarrassed me?" he asked. He took the seat next to me. "You're not in trouble, nor did you embarrass me. Please, are you alright?"

"You asked me that, and I said yes. What's going on?" I worried.

"You didn't answer, Rose," he told me.

"I did, I said... Did... Did the Duke say to— Or that... Does he not wish to see me again?" I asked.

"No," Father said.

"No!?" I cried. "Oh, God! What am I–?"

"No, no!" he hurried. "No, he didn't say that. He told me to tell you he was sorry, but not because he did not want to see you again."

"Sorry?" I asked. "Do you think he'll end his courtship?"

"No. No, that's not the impression I gathered at all."

"It's fine; you can tell me," I said. "The Marquis was a shock; I handled it badly."

"The Marquis is whom I wish to speak to you about."

"What? Ew. Why?" I asked.

He sighed. "Rosie... Lord Beck won the Hunt."