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“So it seems,” said the prince noncommittally. “It is of course not unusual for such disputes to arise between the various groups within a castle.”
Heath gave the prince as challenging a look as he dared. “And I suppose it’s not unusual for the crown prince to personally investigate such petty disputes?”
The prince sighed, running a hand over his hair in a gesture that made him seem immeasurably more human than normal.
“You’re right, of course, that usually I wouldn’t get involved.” He met Heath’s eyes frankly. “To be honest, Lord Heath, I placed absolutely no reliance on Lord Percival’s claim that the men who attacked him wore guard uniforms. But I know you’re sensible, and not given to exaggeration. If you believe him, then I place considerably more weight on that. And it didn’t escape my notice that when I asked you about it, although you said you believed your brother, you didn’t claim to share his opinion about what happened.”
“Which is the convoluted royal way of saying that you’ve reached the same conclusion I have,” Heath nodded. “That someone must have been impersonating the royal guards for some undisclosed but presumably malicious reason.”
The prince didn’t answer, raising an eyebrow at Heath’s plain speaking.
Heath shrugged. “Being polite and aloof has gotten us absolutely nowhere, Prince Lachlan. We set out to bridge the gap between the power-wielders and the court, and instead managed to turn the rift into a chasm. Not to mention I just confessed to spying on your father’s guards, and unless I’m mistaken, caught you sneaking around to investigate my claims without your father knowing.”
“I don’t believe I could be accused of sneaking,” the prince said with dignity.
Heath cast a meaningful glance around the dusty room. “Are you sure?”
The prince had the decency to look a little pained. “I can see your confusion,” he said. “But I don’t wish to hide anything from my king. I will of course be telling him of my discoveries today.”
“Fair enough,” Heath said, trying not to let his disappointment show. He had a feeling he knew what the king would say.
“I have other matters to attend to, Lord Heath.” Prince Lachlan’s formality had returned. “But I daresay I will speak with you again soon.”
Heath nodded absently, his thoughts on the matter of the uniforms as he wandered back up the corridor, some distance behind the prince, who was walking briskly.
He suspected that the prince hadn’t actually planned to tell his father about his investigations, but had felt challenged by Heath’s comment, and had changed course. Heath hadn’t intended it as a criticism, of course. But maybe Prince Lachlan was right. Maybe secrecy served no one.
With that in mind, he sought out his brother, who was exploring one of the city’s larger markets with some friends. Heath pulled Percival aside and gave him a highly truncated version of the morning’s events. He made no mention of the prince, just informed Percival that he’d been listening in on some guards, and had followed their comments to the point of discovering the missing uniforms.
“Are you serious, Heath?” Percival was predictably unimpressed. “Laundry must go missing all the time in a household as large as a castle. I’m sure our laundress has lost at least half a dozen of my garments over the years.”
“But half a dozen at once?” Heath challenged.
“This is absurd,” said Percival angrily. “Why are you so determined to find another explanation when the true one is so obvious? The king wanted me dead, and he sent his guards to do it.”
“Percival, hush,” said Heath, looking around in alarm.
They’d moved away from Percival’s group, but they were still in a public market, surrounded by people on all sides.
“No, I won’t hush,” said Percival angrily. “Why should I cover for someone who tried to kill me?”
“If the king wanted you dead,” said Heath in an exasperated undertone, “don’t you think he would have managed it by now?”
“Obviously when I called him out on his failed attempt, he realized it’s not so easy to knock me off without consequences,” Percival said dismissively.
Heath shook his head, taking a step back from his brother. “I’m done trying to reason with you, Percival,” he said shortly. “You’re an arrogant fool if you truly think you’re the center of all this.”
Anger flashed in Percival’s eyes, but before he could retort, one of his friends wandered over.
“Are you two squabbling again?” he asked lightly. “Makes me glad I only have sisters.”
“You’re wise,” Percival said acidly. “My sister is the sweetest person I know. Brothers are nothing but trouble.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Heath held in the caustic retort. Percival might be childish enough to bicker in front of others, but Heath refused to descend to his level.
“Come on,” Percival said to his friend, sounding irritated at Heath’s restraint. “Let’s get some skewers.”
“No way,” said the other young man emphatically. “I won’t be eating anything from this market anytime soon.”
