16

Mabel

A few weeks after I returned from the border to meet with the King of Helvet, I was at a luncheon with many ladies of the nobility to discuss the temples and problems in their areas. Typically, the concerns they had were about the future and the opinions of the people who lived in their territories.

Mostly, they were the same, but a few were locally specific, and I was glad to hear what I did. It was useful besides a few whining that it was too much power for me to have basically… No matter how many times we told people I would not be in charge of the temples. This was simply a transition period and setting up new norms.

The doors opened suddenly and a few people gasped. I turned to look at what was going on and let out a yelp when I was lifted up and spun around. I barely had a chance to see violet eyes and know it was Ian so I was not scared.

"What—we are in public," I chastised when he stopped, slapping his chest and giving him the look he deserved.

Instead, he kissed me like no one else was in the room, completely scandalizing everyone there.

"You did it, lovely," he chuckled, tears in his eyes. "You are a miracle."

I studied his gaze but drew a blank. "You tell me that often, Ian. What are you talking about?"

He threw back his head and laughed. "Damn right I do because you are, and I will make you understand how special you are, Mabel Brooker." He beamed at me and answered before I could ask again. "We just received word that the plague is being cured. The medicine reversed even the sickest, and anyone with new symptoms is cleared."

I blinked back tears, not having doubted the goddess but thrilled it was confirmed. We received updates, but it was that some were feeling better or too soon to say for sure. This was… Amazing.

I kissed him, not caring who was around. "Thank you for believing in me."

"Always, lovely." He spun us again until I squealed. "I knew your medicine would work. That is not the miracle or what I was praising you for."

Now I was really, really confused.

"We have peace with Helvet," he declared, nodding when I could not hide my shock and ignoring the gasps around us. "The king sent over a treaty for ten years of peace, Mabel. Ten years—no war."

"Oh, Ian," I rasped, overcome and thrilled. That would be such a relief for so many.

He kept nodding, reaching up and wiping under my eyes. "And the mine. Areca will have full rights to the mine as long as we give five percent of the stones to Helvet and sell another five. That is all they ask."

I broke down crying. That was… A miracle.

Way more than any of us could have hoped for.

Ian left as quickly as he had come in and then the luncheon was abuzz about the wonderful news. People were congratulating me and seeming to understand that the saint title was not just for show or to make medicines that people had lived without before.

This was real and a chance for the countries on the continent to have a better future.

I was glad when it wrapped up, ready to rest a bit and just handle some things alone in my workroom. These events with so many people that I had to slap on a smile for so long were too much.

Nothing could have surprised me more than my security giving me worried looks and telling me there was someone waiting for me in my carriage. I was about to be upset they would have allowed that, but Whitney leaned in closer.

"She was going to make a scene if we did not hide her, Your Grace," she whispered.

She? Who could that be? I nodded and let her help me into the carriage… To find Renee Matthias bruised and beaten.

"What happened?" I asked gently, hating the woman but remembering exactly how it felt to be in the state she was.

"Father was furious at what I did," she whispered. "Raymond making it worse because he was upset and not getting involved because he did not want to upset Uncle. That, I could handle, but someone handled the lord that Father wanted to sell me to with his multiple wives. Father blamed me that I had told someone and he could not get his money for my sale."

"And Raymond did nothing?" I checked.

"I was not allowed to contact him," Renee admitted. "I do not know if he would have. He was so busy with David and trying to get him under control after…"

After he lost his mind about me being the saint and then becoming the grand duchess.

"I know I have no right and am a hypocrite, but Father scarred my face with the beatings," she choked out. "He says I cannot be sold now and—I am scared how much worse it could be. I managed to flee when I was allowed my weekly bath and one of the maids helped me. She got me to her brothers who were headed to the capital. I had no one to go to."

I opened the curtain. "Whitney, let's head home."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"You will not kick me out?" Renee checked.

"No, but so help me, if you cause any more problems or distress for me, Renee, I will have knights escort you home," I threatened, knowing I would never do any such thing.

"Thank you," she choked out. "Thank you, Mabel." She cried the whole ride, and I did not have the energy to correct her using my first name.

When we arrived, I had one of the knights help her out and asked the maids to get her cleaned up and treated. That she was allowed to stay in a guest room for now as long as she behaved… And to send a message to Raymond Matthias that I needed to speak with him.

I found Ian in his study buried in paperwork. I leaned in the doorway for a moment and simply stared at my handsome husband. He hated when people had referred to him as the kingdom's most eligible bachelor because he thought it was his title and being part of the royal family.

But I knew the truth that women could be just as shallow as men and it was solely because of how handsome he was. Ian walked into a ball or party and women started fanning themselves and we all knew it.

My silly husband was the only one still in the dark about that.

"What did you need, lovely?" he asked without looking up. "Tell me it's something fun. Naked Mabel time?"

I shivered. "That sounds lovely but no, it's much more serious."

Instantly, he stopped what he was doing and focused on me, pushing to his feet and walking over. "Tell me."

So I did. He sighed when I was done, and I nodded. This was a mess we did not need but… I could not just ignore it and maybe something good could come from it.

"I know it's sooner than you and Andre planned, but could the marquis and his brother have an accident?" I asked.

He stared at me for a full minute. "I do not think you can suggest things like that as the saint, lovely."

I rolled my eyes. "The goddess is all about punishing people and making the world better. I simply understand this world better than she does, and just because we arrested the people committing crimes does not mean they would be punished. Matthias still has a lot of backers. It would be a huge problem for the kingdom and your family."

"Agreed, and he started a huge issue about his temple being touched."

I snorted. "That man believed in the temple and Holy Empire as much as my father." I accepted a hug from Ian. "What do we do? We cannot leave this alone and—Raymond cannot be trusted, but he's the best option."

"Yes, and I handled that lord Renee was to be sold to." He sighed when I flinched. "Not because of any feelings I have for her. I hate local lords like that and—the corruption. You know that."

I did.

"I will handle it even if it gets a bit ugly," Ian promised.

"Not ugly for us," I said firmly.

"No, that family. We just need to make sure Raymond stays in the capital."

Raymond showed up faster than I would have thought, but something was going on given the look in his eyes.

"Yes, your sister is here," Ian told him in way of greeting. "And apparently, your father has been beating the piss out of her."

He could not seem to find his voice. "I cannot think of a reason for you to lie to me, but Renee is his princess. I find that very hard to believe, Your Grace."

I shook my head. "You of all people should know how awful your family is and how much they hide to look good. If she was his princess and beloved daughter, he would never have considered selling her as some local lord's third wife."

He seemed gobsmacked to even consider that but then frowned, clearly thinking that I made a good point.

We let him join us for dinner—much to Andre's annoyance—and Raymond looked truly upset when he saw the condition Renee was in.

"And this is after she was cleaned up and my maids tended to her," I reminded him. "She was a bloody mess in my carriage and had to escape your father."

Raymond flinched. "Father said she threw a fit about being kept from the season and ran away. That was why I was on edge and out looking for her."

"You always willingly ignored Father's abuse," Renee muttered, not even able to look at her brother. "You thought he was so hard on you, but you had a chance to get what he wanted. You are just as selfish as the others to think only about how things affected you."

I thought Raymond would get angry or snap, but I saw some humanity in his eyes. He was clearly shocked, but there was something more to it.

Renee turned to me. "I was horrible to you, Your Grace, but I want you to know that some of it… When Father was amused, he ignored me. I could be free if I acted how he wanted. My failing was wearing that mask for so long to protect myself that I became the monster of that mask."

"I am not strong enough of a person to simply accept that after how horrible you were to me, Renee, but I am willing to give you a path to redeem yourself. Safely."

She let out a slow breath and nodded. "I used to enjoy when you were beaten because it made David look bad and Father would not touch me. I deserve… I want to have a new life."

Fair enough.

"I can handle Father and…" Raymond started to offer but trailed off when fear was thick in Renee's eyes. "Why did you not come to me?"

"Father is debating killing Uncle so the title will be his and he can pass it to you later. Or maybe new children since he is courting some young lady—younger than me—and wants a fresh start with her as the marquis."

Ian let out a whistle and turned to one of the butlers. "I believe we will need more wine with dinner."

"Yes, Your Grace," the butler agreed, glancing between the siblings.

We sat and Raymond let out a heavy sigh. "I know you want more information to decide what to do, so you should know that Uncle is not handing over the title yet. He thinks the pressure for him to retire and live quietly will fade with the next scandal or drama. He does not think what he allowed was that bad and—he wants revenge for David."

Renee of all people snorted. "He never loved his own son, completely incapable of that or caring for anyone. Aunt is the one I pity most somedays, but now he wants to act like he cares?"

"David was his just as much a stud horse as people treated me like a mare," I mumbled, hating to have to rehash any of this. "I do not know how much Ian can push—"

"I will not have to push much," Ian chuckled darkly. "The heads of families and ministers are done with the marquis. Even if they hate my cousin or want more power, they are done with such an ‘embarrassment' as the leader of their party."

"I heard much of the same at the last ministers meeting," Andre agreed. "This might not be my place, but you were just saying that you were overwhelmed with the socializing with the nobility aspect of your role as saint, Your Grace. That they were being too pushy or overbearing to speak to you on the side."

I sighed and shot Ian a guilty look. "Certain families—and we can guess which—and those who listen to them are making it clear I am not actually the grand duchess, but a tool you picked up so other countries did not. Another feather in the cap of the royal family."

"Please tell me more later when my mood is not so violent," Ian seethed.

"It is not that bad, just an annoyance and tedious at events," I assured him before looking at Andre. "Are you saying to let Renee handle that?"

"No, not right away. I think her road to redemption should involve your effort to reform the temples. There is no more selfless endeavor than making them be useful to the people of Areca. And taking her under your wing would protect her."

"I am willing to learn," Renee accepted. "My studies were…"

Raymond snorted. "You were disruptive and—"

"Father told everyone that because he thought it a waste to spend money on a tutor for a woman who would simply bear children," Renee seethed, ignoring her brother's shock and focusing on me. "I am not well educated because of it. But my tutor did say I was intelligent. He said it was a waste Father was cheap. I could learn."

I nodded. "You have to earn it, Renee. I will allow you to have a position at the capital's temple and be protected there. No one has to know you are there while you heal and learn, but you will work for that."

"Wait, she—I can—" Raymond argued, shocked what was going on.

"You had your chance to help her and clearly missed her abuse, the sister you so loved and the family's princess," I snapped. I met Renee's gaze. "This is your redemption and earning the protection so you can never be sold or forced to marry again. No more abuse, but you must earn it."

She swallowed loudly. "I accept. It's still selfish, but I would like to learn who I truly am. I am not the Matthias princess, but I am also not what I acted either. I do not know anymore and the cruelness… I would like to find out. I am willing to work for that."

"Well done," I praised, nodding that I was serious. I turned to Raymond. "I want everything handled that I showed you in the divorce proceedings. If Ian helps you, I want your vow that you will stop with the illegal dealings of your family and causing that—it was all disgusting."

Ian clucked his tongue when Raymond seemed hesitant. "Or I could simply destroy the Matthias family as I have planned and you would have no title to receive." He shot me an amused look. "I already started with that plan. Two of their gambling dens have been shut down."

"I knew it was you," Raymond sighed. "People are going to gamble and—"

Ian slammed his hand on the table. "You had women there forced to service guests. They were not willing, you bastard! Some underage. All abducted because of their looks and forced to—"

"I did not know that part," Raymond argued… And I believed him. He looked a bit green.

"It was in what I showed you," I hedged.

"I glanced at it and knew—I did not want to risk anyone looking over my shoulder," he admitted.

I nodded, thinking that was probably true given how fast he'd looked at it. "Everything your family has their hands in is like that, Raymond. It's not simply something small like gambling and skirting taxes, but your uncle is not the only one who was party to that." I nodded when he winced. "Your father as well."

Renee snorted as if making it clear that she was not shocked… She gave Raymond a look that he might not be as intelligent as she gave him credit for.

"I do not know if…" Raymond sighed and rubbed his hand over his face.

"Yes, you would make enemies shutting a lot of that down and with dangerous people who like underage girls and abducting women from the street," Ian muttered. "But if you do what Mabel wants, I will work with you to handle it all safely and make it so you are not the villain. But you will not hide anything and do better as the next head of the family."

"So the illegal gambling hall every family has in their territory is fine, but the rest is the line," he muttered. "I am more than fine with that. I think it's all stupid anyways. Gambling is not illegal in the kingdom. It's just nobles wanting to be stupid and rebels for their thrills."

"But it's part of the game," Ian admitted. "I have one, but I pay taxes on it. The nobles who come do not know that. It's actually registered. That is why none of the ministers use it when they are in my territory. They know that. It's all the lower-ranked nobles and upper class who want the thrill of gambling at the former prince's gambling hall his cousin does not know about."

"Of course, you have it like that," I chuckled. "And I am sure you and Gerald chuckle about it."

Ian winked at me, laughing when I simply shook my head.

Still, Raymond took the deal. So did Renee, and while I was hesitant, I was hopeful this part of my past might finally be resolved.

Finally.