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Wimfred shot to his feet. “Outrageous!” he declared. “The queen is risking a lot to save your people. How dare they question her!”
“But I don’t even think they did it. King Algar did. And I had nothing to do with what happened at the Dome.”
“I know, but we have to meet with the rebels so you can tell them that. There is no time left. Some of them might have already departed back to the North.”
A bitter laugh almost escaped my lungs, that’s how grotesque the whole situation had become. Now, even the people I was trying to save were turning against me.
I took in a deep breath and exhaled quickly. “Let’s go, then.”
“What? Now?” Wimfred protested, waking Frida, who slowly lifted her head. “Impossible. We need to gather guards.”
“No,” I said. “If the rebels already think me a threat, they might not even meet if I show up with half an army on my heels.”
“She is right. Nobody wants to harm her, and Dieter and I will keep Mina safe,” Alrick said.
A strange silence took over the room.
“I will accompany you in Dieter’s stead,” Wimfred said.
Alrick’s frowned. “Why? Where is Dieter?”
“Dieter won’t be able to join us,” I said. “I will explain in front of the rebels, so they can hear it as well. Let’s waste no more time now.”
“I will come as well,” Frida said, rising to her feet.
“Absolutely not,” I insisted. “That’s out of the question.”
“As if any of you could stop me,” the tiny woman said, straightening her woolen dress. “Somebody has to make certain that your reputation stays intact.” She threw Alrick a dagger-sharp glance. “And two women are better than one, especially when facing a herd of men.”
And just like that, Frida was the first to walk out into the hallway. Alrick shrugged with a grin on his lips. “I assume Frida is the woman who raised you?” He followed her.
Wimfred stayed behind with me. I could practically feel his stress burning off of his skin.
“Speak your mind, Wimfred. You know you can talk to me as you have to my father.”
Wimfred nodded. “I didn’t want to add to the burdens you are already carrying, but now that the rebels are questioning you, I can’t remain silent any longer.”
I stiffened my back, prepared for yet another blow. “Go on.”
“My spies have told me that King Algar and King Louis have held several private meetings since they arrived. They were unable to obtain the exact details, but words of marriage and the Rhine Kingdom were spoken. King Algar doesn’t want the Rhine Kingdom. He never did. But he seems to have made a pact with King Louis.”
The news shouldn’t have shocked me, but it did. I knew King Louis was up to something, the way he had behaved with me. I also suspected that he wouldn’t march his army south, at least not as long as the North was weakened and divided. The horrific thought that Louis might toy with the idea of marriage had also crossed my mind. But to hear it out loud now, to know King Algar was involved...
“King Algar gets the North restored through his alliance with Gunther, and maybe some extra lands and riches, and Louis gets the Rhine Kingdom.”
My hand started trembling again. I clenched it. “Gunther must not be aware of this. I assume King Algar is playing both sides.”
“Of course he is. He has no spine nor honor.”
Stepping closer, I could tell Wimfred was trying to maintain an emotionless expression—yet it was written all over him. “We have to get Rune on our side,” he said. “Now that the rebels are questioning you, it’s more important than ever.”
My head jerked back. “You make it sound as if the rebels’ side and mine are in opposition.”
Wimfred’s expression didn’t falter. “As I said, we need Rune on our side.”
I hated the sound of it, but it didn’t really mean a change of plans.
“We will also need a marriage to the rebels,” I added. “A strong connection to the North once their names have been cleared.”
