Shalador's Lady

time she’d gotten that sorted out and taken a Coach to Sabrina’s residence, the Queen of Dharo was gone and her thrice-damned Steward refused to reveal her location, even when Kermilla emphasized several times that this was an emergency.
    The Steward, of course, offered to hear her out.
    The man had no balls, no sex, and no heart. He listened calmly, with no sign of interest or concern. He didn’t respond to flirting or to pouts or any other tool that usually proved useful when dealing with men.
    He listened. Then he told her what financial arrangements Lady Sabrina had authorized for Kermilla and her court.
    The private side of the Queen’s house in Bhak would be reopened for Kermilla’s use. Sabrina would pay for the general maintenance of that house and its stables until spring. That included the wages for the butler, housekeeper, cook, maid, footman, coachman, and stable lad. No additional staff, not even restoring Kermilla’s personal maid. Food for the Queen and the First Circle who were in residence, as well as for the servants, would also be paid for by the Territory Queen. Kermilla would be responsible for the expense of any entertainment held at the house.
    Income? Had Lady Kermilla discussed the situation in Bhak and Woolskin with her own Steward? Yes? Then the Lady was aware that there was no income available for her use since the winter tithes had gone into paying down the remaining debts.
    Insulting, insufferable man, treating her like a child who had overspent her allowance! Yes, just like that but never ever acknowledging that the allowance hadn’t been adequate to begin with!
    She’d gotten no satisfaction from Sabrina’s Steward beyond him giving her an appointment to meet with Dharo’s Queen the day after Winsol ended.
    It had been too humiliating to go back to the house in Bhak. If she summoned her court to return, what would she do with them? She couldn’t throw any parties or dinners, couldn’t afford tickets to a play or a concert or any other kind of entertainment. And it occurred to her that Sabrina didn’t know yet that her First Circle was short a man, and having the other men scattered would make that fact less obvious.
    So she returned to Bhak long enough to pack up all her clothes, then came here to her parents’ house to “enjoy the holiday as a daughter instead of a Queen.”
    Her father was delighted to see her. Her mother was pleased too, but Kermilla sensed a reservation there. And her brother and sister hadn’t made any accommodation to spend time with her, as they should have since she was a Queen.
    The parlor door opened and her father walked in. Then he saw her, realized they were alone, and started to back out.
    “Father, wait.” Kermilla rushed over to him, grabbed his hand, and pulled him into the room. “I’ve wanted to talk to you.”
    “Maybe we should wait for your mother.”
    “Don’t be silly.” She tugged him over to a chair, then sat on the footstool in front of him. “I wanted to talk to you. ”
    He sighed, as if he knew what she wanted to talk about. But there was sadness in his eyes and more than a little worry.
    “What’s on your mind, sweets?” he asked.
    “I need some help. Just a little,” she added quickly when he shook his head. “There was a misunderstanding about the court expenses and—”
    “I can’t help, Kermilla. I’m sorry, sweets, but I can’t.”
    “It’s not that much,” she coaxed, sure she could wear him down. He had never failed her before. Ever.
    “I can’t.”
    “But you don’t even know how much.”
    “How much doesn’t matter,” he said with a thread of temper that sounded a little like fear. “When your mother found out about all the debts I’d managed to hide from her, all the debts weighing on the family now for the clothes and things you needed while you were in training . . .” He clasped his hands together tight enough to turn the knuckles white. “She told me that if I gave you so much as a silver mark without her consent she’ll divorce me, and the only things I’ll take from the marriage are my personal belongings and all of your debts.” Now he clasped her hands.
    “I’ve got to think of your brother and sister now, sweets. They did without plenty of things these past few years because you needed so much to get established. But you are established now, ruling a village and having a Queen’s income.”
    “And a Queen’s expenses,” she pouted.
    He released her hands.