"Thank you for your assistance, Kate. Keeping watch over Dorian has proved to be a rather exhausting experience. Still, I think perhaps this illness might ultimately be nothing. A bit of fever and some slight madness. But he insists on milking this cow for all it is worth."
Kate couldn't say she was terribly shocked to find that Octavia was suspicious. The woman was far sharper than the king. But things were already in motion. Unless the queen had an incredible weapon hidden somewhere, she would have no time to riposte. So many people, all working on concert, who could possibly predict it, or stand against it? "Your majesty, you have nothing to worry about. I'm quite familiar with taking care of those who are feeling unwell. The king is in good hands."
There was one, singular terrifying moment when the queen eyed her in stark silence for several seconds, eyes narrowing. But finally she left to take care of some personal matters. Breathing a sigh of relief, Kate entered the bedroom and took up the chair next to the bed where the poor man was laying there groaning and sighing. For a time, things were relatively quiet. At some point, recognition flashed on Dorian's face and he turned to look at her. "Lady Kate? Where is my wife?"
"Getting herself some food and a proper bath. She has been at your side since the very moment you fell ill. She's been a real example to me, and I wanted to be certain she had a moment to breathe. So here I am." She smiled beatifically and nodded.
"And my daughter?"
She gave another reassuring smile. "Sitting the throne in your absence, and doing a marvelous job by my estimation. I think perhaps she is a mite harsher in her judgments, but also more generous in her giving. I'll leave it to you to decide how to judge her abilities."
That seemed to satisfy him for the time being, and he carefully sunk back into the bed. "There will come a day when she will have to rule without the shadow of her father hovering over her... There is no point in coddling her when she is an adult in her own right, with a wife, and a child on the way."
Well, there would be no better time to begin than now. "That reminds me, your majesty. There are some things we need to discuss." He looked at her wearily, but she held up her hand to stop him from speaking further. "This is very important. You see, there is no child on the way, my king. Victoria and I have tried. Gods know, we tried." She sighed and picked idly at her dress. "But finally we went to seek an answer, and found that Victoria is not so capable as we first believed. If we are ever to have a child, it will be through adoption or some other means."
The king appeared to find his energy and began to sit up. "You deceived us?"
"You threatened to have me imprisoned, and my family and countrymen killed. You left me with no choice." Kate would never have had the strength to speak to him like this if she did not know that so many were supporting her.
"Then I hardly need tell you what happens next."
She shook her head and stared him down defiantly. "This situation will not end the way you believe. If you attempt to throw me into the dungeon, I will be out within the hour. If you send your soldiers to conquer Freemarsh, they will refuse. And as for your little assassin, some friends of mine have already captured and detained him."
For a moment, Dorian could only bluster, before sinking back down in exhaustion. "These are mere words. I have no reason to believe any of it."
"True. You're free to call my bluff, if that's what you believe it to be. But when everyone in the city discovers you tried to put me away, they will grow to hate you that much more. If you command your knights to do something and they refuse, their respect will fade, and they might never listen to you again. And I shudder to think what will happen if your use of an assassin became public." She paused, mostly for dramatic effect. She was enjoying this, no denying it. "You see, your majesty, you've been approaching your life and your reign as a chess game. But for me, this is very real, and it is not a game. I don't seek to win, nor do I have any intention to lose. So. I chose not to play."
He glowered at her, though he said nothing in return.
"Even your illness. I orchestrated that too. And I don't take any pride in it. But it was necessary to remove you and the queen from things for a few days. And here is where the real difference between us becomes clear." She reached forward, and he actually flinched. But whatever he was expecting, it was likely not for her to take up the damp cloth on the nearby table and touch it to his forehead. "I promised Octavia I would take care of you, and I shall. We're family, whether you like that fact or not. You can threaten me, my family, the whole world. But I am here. Because of you, Victoria exists, and I am happier than I have ever been. I have so much in my life now. For that, I love you, and I will not let harm come to you."
He continued to say nothing. Not that she expected him to. She had said her piece, and she swore to stay until the queen returned. What else was there to say now?
"I'm sorry, I'm not certain I understand what's happening here..."
Kate glanced over from her throne to where Victoria sat, frustrated and confused. It was understandable. She had been busy doing her job while Kate was off playing at royal court intrigue. So there were some details she had missed out on in the intervening days. But neither of them could have predicted what would happen next.
Dorian and Octavia stood before them in clothing that was far from regal. They had with them a small retinue of knights. "It seems we're not needed here anymore. And Octavia has suggested that perhaps the two of us need to spend some time wandering the world. The thrones are occupied by better monarchs than either of us."
"Well, I don't believe I would go that far..." Octavia added with a sly smile in Kate's direction. In truth, the woman had privately confessed to being impressed with Kate's ingenuity. But she would wait to see if she had the spirit to be a true ruler. "But they will do a fine job keeping our chairs warm in our absence."
Standing up with a light chuckle, Victoria approached her parents and drew them both into a tight hug. "Please, I know you believe yourselves to be invincible, but do not get into too much trouble. Even the main roads can have their share of bandits and monsters."
The king laughed as well and pulled her even closer. "I may be an old man, but I am not that old. You will see us again."
"You. Come." Surprisingly, Octavia motioned to Kate. So she quickly joined them in a bewildered embrace. "You had better protect my daughter from everything else with the same intensity you fought my husband. Do you understand me?"
"Mother!"
"I asked you a question, darling." Her grip tightened, less comforting now and more threatening. But... still loving?
"I swear, my queen. There will be no safer place in the world than by my side." She could hear Octavia chuckle in her ear, and her grip softened. "You need only focus on enjoying your travels."
The four of them finally separated, the two parents bowing lightly. "I'm not your queen any longer, Kate. Just... your mother-in-law. The crowns belong to you now."
As they departed, Kate could hear the sound of Victoria sniffling softly. Her mind went through several attempts at what comfort she could speak, but in the end she just reached over and took her hand, holding it firmly. They stood there in respectful silence until the doors finally shut. Without warning, Victoria suddenly leaned in and wrapped her arms around her tightly. "So many years of animosity, and yet I already miss them."
Lady Kate stared out the window of the carriage, idly reflecting on how in the world she had reached this situation.
It wasn't that long ago she had been on a very similar carriage ride, but for very different reasons. Meeting her betrothed, discovering she was a woman, the marriage, the threats, the conspiracy, and finally a sense of peace. She glanced over at Victoria and smiled at the mere sight of her. Today was a beautiful, wonderful, perfect day. Kate was finally returning home to Freemarsh. She had received a message just a few days before from her mother and father. When she first saw it, she squealed with joy as though she were still a young girl.
The moment the vehicle came to a stop, she scrambled out and was met by her entire family who embraced her in an instant. Her sisters were cheering excitedly, her father was telling her how beautiful she looked, and even her mother seemed legitimately glad to have her home. Finally she pulled back from them and looked into her father's eyes. "You mentioned in your letter that we have something important to discuss?"
"Of course, let us retire somewhere a bit more private."
Kate hadn't been expecting the feeling of nostalgia that would overwhelm her strolling through the place she had spent so many years. Even after as many months, she still knew every brick and tile intimately. They all traveled through the castle to her father's study, even her sisters. He sat behind his desk, motioning for Kate and Victoria to sit down across from him. "Venerable queens, I have asked you here in order to review our treaty."
The two of them shared a look of shock, then stared back at him in disbelief. "Father, if this is some kind of joke about waging war, I can assure you I do not find it funny."
For his part, he began laughing quite broadly. "Quite the opposite. I believe, now that you are on the throne, it is time for us to discuss the leadership of Freemarsh. Queen Victoria, I hope you will not mind me saying... I never really trusted your father. But I trust Katie, and she trusts you."
"But... Tara and Lynn... One of them should become duchess. It's only right."
"We talked it over. You're so smart and so kind!" Lynn smiled, though it slowly turned a bit impish. "Besides, it seems overly difficult. I would much rather manage a library or become a bard."
Her mother's face grew dark. "...we'll discuss that later..."
Doing her level best to steer things back on topic, Victoria cleared her throat. "What about the people of Freemarsh? Will they agree to it after such a lengthy drama?"
The duke and duchess nodded their heads in understanding. "There will likely be some initial tension during the transition. But long-term, it will all depend on how you rule. And I believe you will rule justly."
Discussing the actual legal terms of such a massive change took time, even between rulers of good will. By the time they had finished, the sun had already sunk down below the horizon. So the queens of Venatici were bid to spend the night in Freemarsh. Naturally, they agreed.
Dinner was filling, and Kate found a sort of ethereal joy in watching her wife interact with her sisters. They had seemingly infinite questions for her, and she answered all she could. And now they were alone once more in a guest room – far less lavish than anything in Venatici, but arguably more welcoming. Kate finished tugging Victoria's dress away from her body, then turned so that the other woman could do the same.
"So... it would seem that our kingdom will soon double in size. Do you... Do you really think that your country will accept me and my people?"
That was a surprising bit of vulnerability from her wife, and she hummed softly in appreciation of the person she was becoming. They had both been changing. "They will. Perhaps there will be some work involved. But I welcome it gladly." Their clothes removed, she guided Victoria into the bed and wrapped tightly around her. She nuzzled her love, peppering her with kisses. "Tomorrow, we will return home and begin preparations for this merger. And when the time is right, perhaps we will make another visit to the orphanage. We will wear our crowns with joy and delight. We will make the lives of our citizens better. We will go down in history books as great queens. I know you, you would accept nothing less."
And so they fell asleep, coiled around one another, eager for the future.