What the Queen Knew
Chapter 09 - What the Queen Knew
They moved Lord Vale to a hidden room beneath the archbishop’s residence.
He was too weak to face the council, but his mind remained sharp. He described every detail of Queen Marian’s final investigation while Corren wrote it down.
The stolen grain was only part of Varrick’s plan.
He had created shortages in the western counties, then blamed Lord Vale’s tax collectors. Angry farmers turned against the crown. Aldren responded with soldiers. Varrick supplied those soldiers through companies he secretly owned.
He had earned money from the hunger and power from the anger.
“The queen discovered he was preparing both sides for war,” Lord Vale said. “If the west rebelled, Varrick would offer himself as the only man capable of saving the kingdom.”
Elara looked at Rowan’s locket.
“And the key?”
Lord Vale closed his eyes. “Lady Celeste gave it to Rowan because no one watched a sixteen-year-old page.”
Rowan placed the locket on the table.
“The queen kept a private strongbox in the old music room,” he said. “After she died, the room was sealed. Celeste told me to hide the key until she could retrieve it.”
“But she never did,” Elara said.
“She became ill.”
“She was poisoned.”
Rowan nodded.
“Why didn’t you give the key to my father?”
“I tried. Varrick’s men arrested him before I reached the estate.”
“You had twelve years after that.”
“I was watched. Then your father ordered me to remain silent.”
Lord Vale’s voice was weak but firm. “I believed the evidence inside the box would condemn Elara’s mother as an accomplice.”
Elara stared at him. “What?”
“Varrick forced Celeste to sign false account books. If the documents were opened without context, the council would believe she helped steal the grain.”
“You let me believe she died innocent because you were afraid people might think otherwise?”
“I wanted to protect your memory of her.”
Elara stood so quickly her chair fell backward.
“My whole life has been arranged around what men decided I could survive.”
Neither Rowan nor her father answered.
That silence was an answer.
She took the key.
“The music room opens at dawn.”
Rowan stepped in front of the door. “Varrick will be waiting.”
“Then he can watch me learn the truth.”
“Elara.”
“No. You do not get to choose for me again.”
She left the room with Corren behind her.
At the old music room, the lock opened with one turn. Dust floated through the pale morning light. A broken harp leaned against the wall.
Behind it sat the queen’s strongbox.
Elara inserted the tiny key.
Inside were letters, account pages, and a glass vial wrapped in velvet.
But the most important document was a marriage contract.
It named Queen Marian’s infant daughter as heir to the throne.
The child had supposedly died twelve years earlier.
Attached to the contract was a note in Lady Celeste’s handwriting.
THE PRINCESS LIVED.
May you like
Elara read the next line twice.
I TOOK HER WEST AND RAISED HER AS MY OWN.
