Afterstory: The Warmest Winter in the World (15)
The white horse kicked off the ground and surged forward.
Theorad held the reins as it galloped along the forest path, its pale mane streaming in the wind. Benelia rode behind him, both arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
She watched the birch trees flash past.
A few dry leaves clung to otherwise bare branches. Everywhere she looked, the pale trunks rose close together, their dark knots resembling watchful human eyes. The deeper they went, the more oppressive the forest seemed.
Benelia tightened her embrace.
“Theorad.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Why did you leave the main road? If we take a forest trail, we'll be late to the banquet.”
“Because people might see us. It would hardly do Your Majesty's reputation any good if word spread that you were riding behind another man.”
“Then you could have called for a coach.”
She knows why we're avoiding the road. Is she trying to talk because the forest frightens her?
The possibility made Theorad smile to himself. There was something almost endearing about the emperor's complaints.
“This trail is narrow and poorly maintained. A carriage would have trouble getting through.”
“But…”
Benelia fell silent. For a time she sheltered behind his back against the wind. Then she spoke as if something had just occurred to her.
“Theorad.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“The saintess asked me to give you her regards. She says you helped her see the world clearly. She also regrets that she couldn't attend your birthday celebration, but she's terribly busy.”
Saintess Rastain had found the courage to expose the pope's crimes.
The accusations had led to a trial. An astrologer's examination of her mind found no falsehood in her testimony. When the public learned that the pope had used orphaned children in unlawful experiments, outrage spread throughout the empire.
The court sentenced him to public execution.
After the pope's death, Rastain was at last freed from the Light of Life, the magic she had hated for so long. With the death of the person who had inscribed its magic circle, its power had faded.
“I see,” Theorad said. “Though, to be honest, I'm not sure I did very much.”
He considered it for a moment.
“Even without me, I'm sure the saintess would have found the courage to break out of her shell eventually.”
“Perhaps.”
Benelia wasn't particularly pleased with that answer. Must he always discount his own part in helping others?
Then again, this humility was part of the Theorad she loved.
With a faint smile, she rested her cheek against his back.
“Theorad.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“How can I win your heart?”
His shoulders stiffened at the blunt question. Before he could form an answer, she continued.
“You told me you don't love me. Not yet.”
“I do care for you.”
“You infuriating man. Don't hide behind clever wording. Answer the question.”
She sounded imperious, but her voice trembled.
Benelia had spent her life giving orders. Asking someone to love her, and admitting how little control she had over the answer, was unfamiliar territory. What she truly wanted to ask was simpler: What do you like? What would make you happy?
Theorad understood.
“Winning my heart will be a difficult task. Do you still want to hear what it requires?”
“…I am prepared.”
If there was a chance to earn the love she wanted, she would try. Facing an uncertain future was better than spending the rest of her life regretting her silence.
“Very well. Since you're determined, I'll tell you.”
His voice grew solemn.
Is he about to demand something indecent?
Benelia swallowed, suddenly apprehensive.
“I want you to smile more often. Your Majesty's smile is something special.”
For a heartbeat, she could only stare.
Then the tension drained away. He'd teased her again.
“You really do have a gift for making me feel foolish.”
He might have been the first man ever to make such a joke at the emperor's expense. But she found herself smiling anyway.
The first…
There had been so many firsts with Theorad.
She had given him her body and her heart. She had dressed up for him, suffered heartbreak, cried, laughed, resented him, loved him, missed him—and now discovered happiness again.
She had spent so much of her life suppressing her feelings in pursuit of the throne. Without Theorad, she might never have known the full force of these emotions.
Theorad…
Her eyes closed.
The horse swayed beneath them. Hooves struck the earth, sending dust into the air, while wind whispered through the bare branches.
For once, everything felt peaceful. Benelia held Theorad a little more tightly.
I love you. More than anyone…
The winters ahead no longer seemed certain to be cold.
“When will the young master get here…?”
Havid stood in the forecourt of the Pelgaroin villa, hands clasped behind his back, watching the entrance.
White tablecloths covered rows of banquet tables across the spacious grounds. Their dishes had been prepared by skilled chefs from the finest ingredients. It was Theorad's birthday, and the emperor was expected to attend. The staff had spared no effort.
And yet neither of the guests we're waiting for has arrived…
An hour had passed since the banquet began.
Guests were already laughing and drinking, but Theorad himself had yet to appear. Surely he could set aside work for a little while on his birthday?
Havid sighed.
Then he noticed a familiar figure passing by.
Silver hair shone beneath the moonlight. Red eyes and pointed ears made Linea unmistakable. In her hands she carried a silver tray laden with pudding.
Havid hurried after her.
“My lady! Why are you carrying that yourself? That's what the servants are here for.”
Linea blinked at him innocently.
“Chief chamberlain? I wanted some pudding, so I went and got it.”
“But you could have asked someone to bring it…”
“I know where it is. Why would I bother someone else?”
Havid glanced around, concerned about appearances. He took the tray and lowered his voice.
“How many times must I tell you? Other members of the household might feel uncomfortable seeing you do their work.”
“Uncomfortable? Why?”
“In human society, there are customs governing one's position. A lady of your rank is expected to—”
Havid stopped himself.
Linea was far older than he was, and she had lived among humans long enough to understand their manners. She was simply having fun with him.
He frowned.
“Is tormenting an old man so amusing?”
“Not entirely without its pleasures.”
She giggled. Havid had half a mind to give her a gentle rap on the head.
Still…
He was glad she could joke so freely.
Suddenly Linea's pointed ears pricked up. She turned, listening.
“They're here.”
“The young master?”
“Yes.”
Havid looked eagerly toward the villa entrance.
There was no sign of Theorad—only the floating magic stones illuminating the path.
Has she tricked me again?
He was turning back to scold her when a voice rang out.
“Theorad!”
Ashley came running toward the entrance, lifting the hem of her dress to keep from tripping.
Then Havid heard approaching hoofbeats.
A white horse emerged from the trees. Theorad rode at its front, and behind him sat Benelia.
Havid stared, astonished.
The horse slowed and stopped before them.
Theorad looked down at Ashley and Linea, still breathing hard from the ride.
“Forgive me for being late. I came as quickly as I could.”
“And that's all you have to say?” Linea demanded, folding her arms.
Ashley looked no less displeased.
“Do you know how long we've been waiting?”
“I… I'm sorry.”
Theorad dismounted with an awkward smile. Benelia climbed down after him and came to his side.
Both wives looked toward the emperor. Ashley sighed softly, seeming at last to understand the delay.
“Never mind. Go and greet Father and my older brother. They kept saying they wouldn't eat until you arrived, but…”
At that moment, Fred waved wildly from a banquet table.
“Brother-in-law! What took you so long? We've been waiting forever!”
Count Leonberg sat beside him, doing his best to look dignified. But both men were plainly drunk.
Theorad couldn't help laughing.
“From the look of things, they found something to drink while they were waiting for their food. They didn't even notice Her Majesty arrive.”
Ashley's face flushed. Her father and brother were making a spectacle of themselves.
“I'm sorry. They really did wait for you…”
“It's quite all right. I'll go and greet them. But where are Raylin and Roselia?”
“Over there. They're with Beynon and Dremes.”
Beynon and Dremes?
Theorad looked where she pointed.
Dremes was telling the children a story. Beynon, sitting nearby, looked distinctly alarmed.
“…And you wouldn't believe how funny it was! I went into a brothel to investigate someone, and there was that idiot Beynon—”
“Are you out of your mind? Don't tell children stories about brothels!”
“What's wrong with it? They're enjoying it! Aren't you, little ones?”
Whatever tale the witch had been about to tell, Beynon was doing his best to keep it appropriate.
Theorad decided that, for the moment, the children were probably safe with him.
All around the courtyard, people laughed and talked. Roylen and Pares seemed especially absorbed in a conversation with their colleagues.
Theorad took in the cheerful gathering, then excused himself to Ashley, Linea and Benelia so he could greet his father-in-law.
Havid accompanied him.
The three women watched him go.
“…”
“…”
“…”
For a time, none spoke. The silence between three splendidly dressed women was more awkward than anything happening at the banquet.
At last Ashley broke it.
“It seems things went well.”
Benelia hesitated. Ashley, as ever, had seen through the situation immediately.
“…I'm sorry,” Benelia said with an uncertain smile. “For intruding upon the love you share.”
“There's no need to apologize. Theorad made his own choice.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
Benelia turned toward Linea.
“And you, Grand Master? Can you understand how I feel?”
Linea's shoulders twitched. She made a rather unconvincing attempt to appear composed, cleared her throat, and finally gave a small nod.
She had no intention of denying Theorad's decision.
“…I can understand.”
Benelia let out a quiet breath of relief.
Something white drifted down onto her hair.
A snowflake.
Another landed on Ashley's shoulder, and a third on the back of Linea's hand. Each melted where it fell.
They looked up. White flakes were descending steadily through the night.
“…The first snow,” Ashley whispered.
Her breath hung in the air. Benelia and Linea lifted their faces to the sky beside her.
Then a voice called from the tables.
“Count Ashley! What are you three doing standing over there? Come here!”
It was Fred, already deep in his cups.
Ashley smiled and looked at the other two.
“Shall we go? We'd better put a stop to my brother's drinking before he makes a nuisance of himself.”
Linea and Benelia nodded and followed her.
“Huh? Y-Your Majesty the Emperor…?”
Fred's expression changed so abruptly at Benelia's approach that laughter spread around the table.
Benelia laughed too. Ashley demanded to know why her brother had drunk so much, while Linea sighed and used telekinesis to whisk the bottle out of his reach.
“Is that the viscount?”
“Viscount Theorad!”
Elsewhere, guests caught sight of Theorad and rose from their seats. They approached with gifts, wanting to thank him for everything he had done.
Embarrassed by the attention, he protested that he couldn't accept anything extravagant. The guests insisted nevertheless, pressing their presents upon him.
From a little distance, Havid watched the scene.
He took a small notebook from inside his coat and began recording the day's events. One day, he knew, they would want to remember this birthday.
As he wrote, he looked around the lively courtyard. Laughter seemed to rise from every table.
Havid couldn't keep from smiling. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened.
What a lovely sight…
Snow continued to fall, but no one seemed to mind.
It was the warmest winter in the world.