To say that the Border Barons were not pleased with the latest royal decree was an understatement. Unfortunately for them, Cage didn't give a shit about their feelings or what they wanted. They'd been lazing around for three decades, building their influence, and now it was time to give some of it back.

As General Harkiss had anticipated, most of the soldiers in the border armies enrolled in the king's army and were already marching towards the training camp which General Harkiss had prepared near the border. Cage was aware that this did not look good in case peace talks materialized, but it seemed pointless to march the troops to Valona just to march them back again in case diplomacy failed.

The Port Barons had been less vocal, even if Trix's growing spy network reported that they too would join a coup as long as it was organized by someone else. As it was, the only real potential threat was General Harkiss, in case he changed his mind, but Cage believed that the man had the best interest of the kingdom at heart.

He also wished he would stop sending Madeline to the Grand Palace under different pretenses just to get them in the same room.

"Lady Harkiss to see you, your Majesty," Humphrey announced.

Cage groaned. He'd been in the middle of a strategic debate with Joey and William regarding the potential use of the Endirian refugees.

"Again? Did she at least mention what it is about this time?"

Humphrey was well aware of Cage's annoyance, but somehow managed to keep a straight face and not chide him for being so childish.

"She claims to be delivering a message from her father."

The fact that Humphrey didn't believe it either was shown in his word use. Her father had runners, so if he wanted to get any message to the king, those were a lot better equipped to do so than his daughter. It just seemed that despite their conversation, Harkiss thought he still had a chance to miraculously change Cage's mind. But his antics were backing him into a corner, because he couldn't outright refuse to see her.

"You should bring her here," Joey said, a devious smile on his face.

Cage raised his eyebrows. "Are you out of your mind? I can't receive her in my private chambers. That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid."

"Maybe you should shock her into backing off." Joey shrugged. "I want to see her for myself, whether she's truly trying to seduce you."

It was so hard not to roll his eyes and Joey's preposterous idea, but he managed. "I'm not going to get her in here just to quench your curiosity."

"It could be useful. Maybe you've got this all wrong."

Cage gave him a blank look. "How could I have gotten it wrong when Harkiss specifically said I should marry his daughter before the war?"

"Maybe she doesn't want to."

"And since when does that matter?" As much as Cage hated the very notion of arranged marriage, he wasn't a fool. It was done more than half the time everywhere in their kingdom.

"She could be an ally against it if she doesn't want it," Joey said.

Cage had hoped so, too, until she started looking him up and down at her father's dinner party. But Joey did make a good point about one thing. He was so far in this mess that maybe he'd lost his objectivity. Joey could see things he had missed. And who cared about potential rumors and what Madeline and Harkiss wanted? He had made up his mind and there was no changing that.

"Okay, fine. Humphrey, have her come here."

The man nodded, though his eyes were still on Joey. Even after over a week, it seemed as if he couldn't get used to the idea that someone dead was speaking to them through a magical portrait.

"How's Keleigh doing?" Cage asked once the door closed in Humphrey's wake.

"A bit distraught about the whole Kat thing, to be honest."

"Doesn't she want to come here?"

Joey shook his head, though he seemed fairly angry about the matter. "No. And it makes no sense. She knows you. She would be safe here."

Cage gave a sympathetic smile which hid his doubt. Keleigh did know him, but even if they'd been friendly while staying at his castle in Darkwood, he wasn't convinced that she didn't still hate him for killing Joey. Kat had been like a catalyst for peace between them, but without her, he and Keleigh had nothing in common. Cage would go to the ends of the world to protect her for Joey's sake, but that didn't mean she wanted it.

"When she's ready, she can always come."

Joey gave a curt nod, but didn't seem too hopeful that things would change. Cage wasn't either, but he decided to act as if he was.

"Also, try not to move while Madeline is here. I don't want to give her a heart attack."

This brought a mischievous grin to Joey's face. "Oh, you're taking all the fun out of things now that you're king."

"Ouch, that hurts."

Joey didn't get to reply because there was a knock on the door. Once Cage allowed entrance, Humphrey appeared, his back stiff.

"Lady Madeline Harkiss," he announced in his most formal tone.

Once he moved out of the way, Madeline came in. There was a certain weaver in her steps, as if under her midnight blue dress, her knees were shaking. The color reminded Cage of something else. A pretend ball in his large dining room, the glass working like mirrors. Kat, dressed in the same shade of blue, a tight corset revealing the shape of her body. Her smile as they danced, as she pressed against him.

Her, on the table, him with his hands under her skirts, kissing her neck, her shoulders, everywhere else he could reach. Then another image flashed before his eyes, of Kat on top of him, wearing nothing at all.

Pain shot through his chest, so potent he couldn't help but bend over, and clutch at the sore spot. Screams and questions of whether he was alright rang through the room, but he couldn't focus, couldn't open his eyes. He knew that no harm had come to him physically, and yet the pain felt so real.

"I'm fine," he finally said.

He wasn't. Not by a long shot. And what was strangest was that he wished he could feel the real pain, the one stemming from his feelings for Kat. Not this pain that punished his memories of her.

"You... you don't look fine," Madeline said.

With a deep sigh, he straightened and forced a smile. "What are you implying, Milady?" His tone came out teasing.

It made Madeline blush, and she sunk into a deep curtsey, leaving her cleavage for show. It was not impressive or at all enticing in any way. Cage suddenly felt like a block of marble. Humphrey lingered in the doorway, but seeing that Cage was indeed fine, he let himself out.

Madeline straightened, still shaky, obviously uncomfortable with being alone with him.

"I understand you have a message for me." He rounded the armchair he'd been standing next to and dropped on it. "Do have a seat," he said, indicating the sofa opposite from him.

Madeline didn't move, her eyes fixed on him.

"What?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, I've just never seen you so..." Her words trailed away.

Cage glanced down at himself. Yes, he was only wearing black trousers, boots and a simple shirt, without a vest or tunic. He guessed that by royal standards, he was practically naked, but he'd had enough of all the fancy undergarments and overgarments he was now forced to wear as king.

"I'm still wearing a shirt," he offered.

Madeline's cheeks caught fire and she finally looked away and walked towards the sofa where she sat down, smoothing her skirts.

"I was surprised to be received into your private chambers," she whispered.

"As you can see, I'm a little underdressed for court."

She glanced around as if expecting a line of prostitutes to come pouring out of his bedchambers.

"Your message?"

"Oh, yes. My father wishes for you to know..." Her voice faltered and her gaze filled with fear.

Cage narrowed his eyes at her. "You forgot, didn't you?" She stuttered for a moment before he raised his hand to stop her. "You and I both know your father has more effective messengers than yourself. No offense. So let's cut the circus, shall we? Why are you really here, Madeline?"

"Well... My father said that I should come see you."

"To remind me that you exist? I know you do. Your father keeps reminding me of that himself."

"That's rather rude."

"It's not rather rude. It's very rude. I am very rude because I have no patience for this game. You and I discussed this. Your father and I discussed it. I'm not getting married right now. You don't even want to get married to me in the first place."

She hesitated for a moment. "You know it would not be my choice. And I could do a lot worse than the king of Iride." She eyed him up and down. "Or you, for that matter."

Cage would have been flattered if he wasn't so annoyed and tired of the whole thing. "I think that makes very little difference."

She placed her hands on her hips. "If we're being honest, what exactly is the problem? Am I not good enough for you?"

"That also makes very little difference."

"Or is it because I'm not an Annorian princess?"

Kat hadn't been an Annorian princess either and he would have married her in a heartbeat, king or not. The thought was painful.

"That doesn't matter anymore. Not after the disaster that is my mother."

Madeline faltered, obviously not expecting to hear the king take a jab at his own mother who was still queen. Before she could say anything, however, the door opened and Edmund charged in.

"Kale, there's a delegation of--" He stopped abruptly as he noticed his brother wasn't alone. So instead of finishing the news, he just stared. Madeline stared back as if she'd never seen this particular prince before.

"A delegation of what?" Cage asked as the silence stretched out. He couldn't keep the amusement out of his voice.

Edmund flinched and turned to him, his cheeks pink. "A delegation of barons from the port towns. They want to talk with you."

Cage groaned. Great, now he actually had to put clothes on. But on the bright side, it was the perfect reason to end this tedious conversation with Madeline.

"I'll have to get dressed then and I don't think any of you need to be here for that. So, Edmund, why not take Lady Harkiss to the garden and show her the autumn foliage?"

"I'm sure the prince has other things to do." Madeline stood and smoothed her skirt, glancing anywhere but at Edmund.

"Actually, I don't mind." The words were out in all their unfiltered glory, and Edmund's usually pale cheeks caught a very healthy rosiness.

Madeline seemed just as surprised by his words as he was. "Oh. Alright then."

Cage did his best not to smirk until they were out of his room.

⚜⚜⚜

I've been awful at keeping up with updates lately. Weirdly busy Friday's for a while. But I'm making up this time by actually updating.

Cage can't catch a break and General Harkiss keeps shoving her daughter down his throat. Maybe she'll get distracted by Edmund and everyone will leave him alone.

And now barons are here. How delightful! Stick around for more story. I hope I actually get to update Friday as well this week.