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"And just what is that supposed to mean?" Leesha demanded

"Whose is it, then?" Araine demanded "One of the would-be Deliverers? It’s no secret you shined on Arlen Bales He was seen coe at all hours"

"We were just friends," Leesha said, but it sounded defensive, even to her

Araine arched a brow "And then there’s this business with the deleurs put you in the pilloith hileur in Ahmann Jardir’s palace," Leesha said, "and he tells no such tales"

Araine smiled "I have other sources in Fort Rizon"

Leesha waited, but the duchess did not elaborate "Who I take to my bed and carry in my belly is my own business, and none of yours It’s no heir, so you can keep it out of your plans and find a betterup so easily?" Araine asked "I’ on?" Leesha asked wearily

"You think this is the first bastard to complicate a royal match?" Araine tsked "An Herb Gatherer should know better how these things can be handled"

"Handled?" Leesha was at a loss

The duchess’ foot stopped twitching "You and Thamos announce the child and marry immediately When the child comes, you deliver in private, and your Gatherer announces, alas, the child is born still"

Leesha’s hands began to tre She set thelare

"Are you threatening my child, Your Grace?"

Araine rolled her eyes "I told you before to keep up with the dance, girl, but you keep h not to coht as well declare war on the Hollow"

"Not a war you’d be likely to win," Leesha noted

Noas Araine who glared "Don’t be so sure about that, dear I’ve seen all the pawns you can play, but you’ve not seen all of mine"

She waved her hand, as if to dispel an unpleasant stench in the air "But none of that is necessary Easy enough to bundle a loaf of bread and bury it, and find a place to hide the child Announce a few days later that to ease your grief you’ve decided to wet-nurse an orphan to fill the void in your heart Creator knows the Krasians have left mudskin bastards fro a few before you choose, and none will be the wiser Then you and itimate heir" She lifted her teacup "Preferably htfully "So I can never truly claim the child as my own?"

"You’ve missed your chance at that, I’m afraid," Araine said "You’d have enemies to the north and south, and your own people would doubt your wisdom"

"Perhaps they should have a wiser leader," Leesha said "Perhaps your son deserves a wiser wife"

"Point me to this better woman, and the job is hers," Araine said "Until then, it falls on you"

She reached up, flicking a finger against the lacquered wooden crown she wore, set with bright jewels "The commoners think it easy, to wear a crown But leaders hed "At least Tharandfather bought his way onto the throne, the Royals were on the brink of a coup Euchor e, ready to crush the battered victor and nae to Rhinebeck’s son was the only thing that held the city together"

"I never knew," Leesha said The Duchess Mum had never been so open with her before, and she was afraid to say anything more, lest she break the spell

"It seemed like the end of the world at the time," Araine said "Rhinebeck the First did not sit the throne long, and his son had no aptitude or interest in ruling He visited the palace just long enough to put children infort, chasing boar and harlots