He nodded, “That is good to hear. I began to have some concerns about my own upcoming nuptials,” He teased. Perhaps he shouldn’t be making light of the situation, but he had not been distraught to hear that Jon Valles was dead. He did not know him well, but he could see easily enough that he did not care to know him better. The only person who seemed truly grieved to see him go, had been his new wife.
But she was young and beautiful and Romayne was certain that she would find another husband soon and forget all about Jon Valles. She truly had been lovely, just as her sister was now. Why must the Aragothi insist on only taking one lover? “How is your fair sister?” He asked, “She was in great distress, last I saw her. I wish you would give her my condolences. And you have mine as well,” He added, lightly, “For you lost a brother.”
But not an especially good one, he thought. I know what it is to have a cruel brother.
“I confess I do not know him well,” He said, slowly. He did know Alexandir Godiva more than he would let on, but he hadn’t decided where he would place his loyalities. He had hoped to align himself with Alexandir, himself, but as things were, that seemed a poor choice. Luckily, they had not spoken much since his arrival. “I once wished to know him better,” He added. That much, at least, was true.
It did not take Romayne long to see that the dwarf had few friends here in this city. He had once told him as much, but he hadn’t realized quite how true that statement had been. His almost-wife seemed to be the only one who would speak out as to his innoncence of this crime. Romayne would easily believe that he had been framed, but by whom and to what purpose?
“I cannot say that I know,” He responded. Another truth. He did not know all the players in this game. All he knew about the current state in the Imperial City was what Alexandir had conveyed to him in a half drunken state many years ago. He knew that Avelina Beaumont would murder him if he could – so perhaps she had some hand in it. That would not surprise him. She had spoken such of her daughter, that it was easy to see how much she loved her. What mother would want her daughter married to such a man as that? Especially in Aragoth, where marriage meant all that it did. It had not been her who took the life, but she may have pulled the strings. And framing Alexandir for it would have been a nice touch.
Of course, the Queen herself wanted Alexandir dead, too. It would not surprise him to hear that she wanted Valles’s head as well. And as many enemies as Alexandir had, Valles was certain to have many more.
“You do not believe that Valles could have said something which angered him enough to take his life?” He asked, “They both seemed to have had quite a bit of wine … “ His voice trailed, “But do not mistake me, my lady, it is only a question, not an accusation.” He could tell that she felt strongly on this account, but he wondered if she had been blinded by her feelings – whatever they were – for Alexandir Godiva. He was to be her husband and surely, even in Aragoth, that meant something.
Despite everything, Evie laughed, rubbing at her arm. “You need have no concerns on that count, I assure you,” she replied. “There is nowhere safer than in the queen’s own heart. Particularly given the events of this most recent wedding, I have no doubts that she will take every precaution at your own marriage.” Rowena had always been one to learn from mistakes - both her own and others - and did not make the same ones twice in her own life. “Besides,” she added, arching her brows. “I cannot begin to imagine anyone has so many enemies as did Jon Valles, so I believe you shall be quite safe on that count as well.” She did know that Romayne had enemies - how could he not? The Southern Isles had always been polarizing, but never more so than now. They were a tinderbox and would take only the slightest ember to ignite.
Evie glanced down. In truth, she did not understand her sister’s draw towards someone as horrifyingly odious as Jon Valles, but that the attachment existed there could now be no doubt. Evie had reasoned with herself, before, that Lynessa had merely convinced herself that she loved him for convenience’s sake, but the events of the wedding and his death had left everyone stripped of any doubt as to her true regard for a man who had, in truth, been a monster. Evie inclined her head. “That is very sweet of you, Your Grace,” she said. “I shall certainly convey your kind words to my sister,” she assured him. Evie shook her head. “I fear I cannot answer your question. In truth...” Evie’s eyes darted away, she shrugged. “My sister has quite shut herself away with her grief. She is utterly without consolation. I think it is something that only time can mend.”
When he issued his condolences to Evie, she glanced up in surprise, found herself holding his gaze. Brother. The word felt a slap and she felt the same familiar sickness rush over her that had always infected her when she thought of Lynessa wedding that animal. And what a brother he was. Evie had avoided his company as much as possible, but never once had she felt safe, simply knowing he was in the castle, little less in his presence. Before she had met Jon Valles, she should have thought anyone a wicked person for thinking what now crossed her mind: I am glad he is dead. But that did not bear mentioning. Her eyes fell away again. “Thank you.” Her voice sounded small in her own ears.
Romayne’s manner became more tentative and Evie felt herself soften. She was, she realized, much too ready to be contradicted that she leapt to defensiveness immediately. Any argument with Avelina Beaumont was likely to do that to a person. It would not do to be jumpy and defensive towards Rowena. The Queen preferred a bit more charm and a bit less command.
Evie laced her fingers together. She struggled to articulate the thoughts that worried at her brain. Perhaps, she thought, it was fortunate that she had run into Romayne prior to going before Rowena. This would give her a better opportunity to organize her thoughts and her argument. “He is kind,” she responded, at last. “And just and intelligent. Even if he were going to kill a man, it would not be done as this was done. I do not believe for one second that it was he who did this.”
She only wished others could see it - Evie did not understand how they all could be so blind! Had they not known Alexandir for years upon years? Had they forgotten everything they had once known of his character? Indeed, Alexandir’s arrest was more like a coup in nature than justice - but that was equally ridiculous to Evie. Who would order a coup against Alexandir - and why? Especially when he was so soon to remove himself to the West?
“He is a good man,” Evie assured him. “I hope that someday you will know him much better...and under substantially better circumstances.” Surely, surely, this was a misunderstanding that would be quickly cleared up and then they could all move forward.
Evie bit her lip at the question, nodding. She paused reflectively to gather her thoughts, speaking slowly and thoughtfully. “A touch of inebriation is not enough to make a murderer of a peaceful person,” replied Evie, softly. “If he had that kind of violent apathy in him, I imagine your own isles would have a very different look, just now. It is a matter of public record how he comports himself in battle and this murder does not in any way match that account. No, Your Grace, I do not believe that even Jon Valles had it in him to make His Grace so irate as to betray his own nature. And certainly he should not have stabbed Jon Valles through the gut and run away to allow him to bleed out on the floor in the Hall of the Gods, where anyone might at any moment walk in. Even,” she added. “In a state of inebriation. I confess, I’ve no notion of who the real murderer may have been, but it was not him.” Despite herself, Evie smiled hopefully. If Romayne, who doubtless had more reason to dislike Alexandir than had Rowena, could be convinced than so could the queen, Evie had no doubt. “Do you agree with anything that I’ve said?”
