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When I finally stepped into the light, my cheeks were wet.
Padraig was waiting outside.
He turned around to face me, and as soon as she saw me, his expression turned sour.
“What happened?” he asked.
I realized that Padraig no longer used my title nor did he hesitate before asking me private questions.
That was good.
I shook my head.
“He...” I pretended that my voice was shaking. I wasn’t much of an actress, but my magic allowed me to send him feelings and I was using it, without even meaning to. “I found a letter.”
“A letter?” he asked.
“A love letter!” I said, keeping my voice low but tone frantic. “A woman wrote it to him. They love each other, Padraig. He is marrying me for political reasons... He will never love me.”
I was trembling now. I did not know for certain if it was a part of my act or a result of my excitement at having found what I had come for tonight.
“You didn’t give him the letter?” Padraig asked.
“Of course not,” I replied, looking offended that he would even ask as I wiped the tears off my face. “I cannot be humiliated that much. I much prefer to live my life alone than be rejected so.”
“You are not humiliated,” Padraig said, putting his hand on my shoulder and giving me a gentle pat.
The feeling of pity that rose from him was exactly what I wanted from him. Although it made me feel guilty to manipulate him, I had no other recourse.
“I want to go to my room now,” I said. “Please.”
Padraig could not object. His feelings of pity remained strong as we walked back to my room, but he did not attempt to console me.
“Thank you, Padraig,” I said as we stopped in front of my room. “Even though it didn’t work, I appreciate your efforts to help me.”
“You are welcome, princess,” he said.
I opened the door and entered. I did not look back at him as I closed the door behind me.
Orla was sitting near the hearth, reading a book casually. She looked up as I came in.
“Did you find what you were looking for?” Orla asked.
I nodded. Before she could ask me, I told her my findings.
Orla agreed that the only reason Lugh’s vassal might want that amount of stock would be to feed a new population that could not feed itself.
“We can send Kieran to check it out, at least,” I said.
Orla nodded. Now that Lady Queill was not inside the castle, Orla could converse with Kieran without fear of getting caught. I felt her emotions leaving the room as she reached out to talk to Kieran. She only spent a few moments before she came back.
“He is going,” Orla said.
It surprised me to hear that my little brother had come around so easily.
“Great!” I said. “Did he tell you why he changed his mind?”
Orla shook her head.
