Torgan Wine Ch. 41

The fork left her hand without thought and struck Kresh in the face. Both of them rose in a fury, Kresh lapsing into Phaethian and Isonei into Lerian.

"You will not speak that way of the horrors your Empire committed. The Desecration is not a source of amusement and I will never allow it to be treated as one in my presence!"

Burgath put himself between them barking an order to Krouth. Isonei lifted her hand as the servant approached her, not wanting to be touched. "I liked you, Kresh, but I no longer believe we can be friends. Your Empire is monstrous and it will never be welcome in Leria or in Ara."

"Your Grace," Krouth took another step closer, "Do not be hasty."

"She wished to provoke me by speaking that way. I gave her the sharp edge she asked for."

The Phaethian woman spat something else and turned on her heel, storming to the door. Burgath followed with a glance to Isonei that suggested she had done something she didn't grasp the import of.

Krouth followed behind them and closed the door before turning with a relieved look. "You should not have thrown something at her, but putting distance between you is a wise choice, your Grace."

"I have the feeling I'll be woken again to apologize as I was the night I misbehaved with the Queen."

"I will stand with you and make certain you are not unfairly treated."

"Thank you, Krouth." Isonei sighed, rubbing her head and looking at the food on the table. "The food was good, and I was hungry. But now..."

"Reclaim a meal for Leria, your Grace." His tone was dry and it made her break into sobs of laughter. Krouth helped her back into her chair as she tried to compose herself wiping tears of mirth out of her eyes. "The jest was not that amusing."

"It was. You should jest more, Master Krouth, you have a wonderful sense of humor."

He inclined his head, allowing his amusement to show on his face briefly. "I thank you, your Grace."

Isonei turned to the meal and began to eat, occasionally giggling to herself over the jest. The food was excellent. She stuffed herself on the lamb and various unidentifiable side dishes until she felt sleepy. While she was finishing her meal, Krouth prepared water for her to wash in and a fresh night dress.

Clean and full, she was climbing back into bed when Krouth knocked on her door again. "Your Grace? You have visitors." He entered quickly and helped her back into her robe as she made a face.

Stepping out of her room she was surprised to see Burgath and his Majesty seating themselves.

"Little Duchess! I was told you threw a fork at her Imperial Highness?" The King grinned wickedly.

"I was never this poorly behaved in Ara, your Majesty." Isonei winced and tried to look embarrassed. "She provoked me and I lost my temper."

"Burgath told me." He waved her over to sit next to him. "More people have wanted to do that than you can imagine. Did you eat well?"

"I did. The veorola has some peculiar effects but I was able to eat very well tonight. It feels so nice not to be on the edge of being ill and to have a full stomach." She gave him a rueful smile. "Under any other circumstances I would be writing her Imperial Highness a thank you note for the lovely meal."

"Write it. You can give it to her when your tempers have cooled." King Orgath gave Burgath a pleased glance. "Leria will be a topic best avoided between you in the future. Their defeat and the loss of the Crown Prince wounded their pride. That is why she makes light of what you call the Desecration. I had not expected you to take such a thing so personally. You are an Aran, not a Lerian."

"I am, and I am a daughter of Liadith. My home is with Liadith every bit as much as it is my father's house in Ara. I-"

He sharply interrupted. "Your home is now here in Torga, little Duchess. Draeseth should have spent more time making you happy in the Kroscur than he did." His face softened somewhat. "I read your letter before I allowed it to be sent. He will bring Lady Lislora to Court and the claim she is carrying his child will be looked into. I was pleased that you were so gracious."

"It's the father's House that's important. In Ara, I would expect him to have other children than mine." At his smirk, she put her hand on his arm with a frown. "But he would also expect me to have other children than his. If one is free to have lovers, the other should be as well."

"He will not continue to have her as a lover. You will marry and raise her child as well."

"Your Majesty, you have been kind and I am very fond of you, but I-"

"Gave your word not to marry in this year. I understand. At the end of it there will be a wedding here at Court and if you are well enough I have promised your Daga a Lerian ceremony as well. You will be able to visit your family and then return."

"I don't want a Torgan marriage. Draeseth can accept the Aran Arrangement with me or I will allow him to dissolve it and marry Lislora if he would prefer. I-"

"My son is not so foolish that he would choose a lesser woman over a Lady of your quality, little Duchess. Why do you not wish a Torgan marriage?" He stroked her hand. "Draeseth loves you tremendously. He dotes on you and he has never doted on anyone."

"I know, and I do love him, but I am bound by my word. Entering into such a thing lightly, exclusive until death... A year is difficult enough." Explaining that she had promised Daga Lothlaerith in a dream seemed eminently foolish.

"You will be a beautiful... your language does not have a word for shteg, I think? A woman who is newly married? I am having the gown made; it will rival the one worn by her Imperial Highness. White silk and gold brocade with gems and pearls." King Orgath smiled warmly. "You will have a royal wedding that your father and your Daga will both be pleased with."

"But, your-"

He patted her hand and rose abruptly cutting off her protest. "You look tired, little Duchess. I know that the unpredictable effects of the veorola may still be lingering." Pulling her to her feet he continued cheerfully, "Back to bed. Burgath will return to look in on you in the morning."

"Thank you, your Majesty." Isonei let him kiss the top of her head and moved obediently to her room while he spoke Torgan quietly with Burgath and Krouth.