Chapter Eleven

"Rolf," Bran said, drawing out his brother's name. "Do you have to be in here?"

It's not that his brother's presence really hindered him. It was just Rolf seemed to be in high spirits, which meant he was going to be annoying. Bran hated people watching him while he worked, and he especially hated his family watching him work. After being away for so long from them, he often found that there was still a touch of awkwardness when it came to being around his family.

Rolf had been sulking for months. Ever since he'd gotten married, he'd just looked depressed. Bran may not be the most observant person in the world, he often admitted that he could be lost in his own thoughts, but even he had noticed Rolf's change in demeanor. Bran didn't think it had anything to do with Kalys, Rolf seemed to think very highly of her, and had portrayed affection towards her often. There was just something off, something that if Bran dwelt on long enough, his heart would become sad.

At least the rest of his family had been open and honest about they coped with everything they'd been through. Celie would hide, but at least they knew when she was upset or everything had become too much for her. Delilah would get over dramatic and sensitive, snapping and angry at those who dared cross her. But it made sense to Bran. Their father would get rash, and their mother complacent. They balanced each other out in that way as they dealt with the things they'd been through. Bran himself, would just refuse to make decisions, and force himself into calm study like his mother, one of the many similarities they shared. He would expect Rolf to be like their father, but Bran had yet to pin him down.

After everything they'd been through, Bran had never seen Rolf break. When the aftermaths of Khelsh swept through the Castle, Rolf was steady and jovial, as always, seemingly unconcerned and unafraid. When Delilah had gotten engaged after so many things happening with Arkwright, causing the rest of them to spiral out of control, Rolf was the same as he always was. It had become to the point where Bran wondered if Rolf really cared about anything. Rolf had had his outbursts, of course, but nothing really compared to the rest of them.

But after his wedding, things went downhill quickly. Bran didn't really know why; he really did seem to like Kalys enough, and he'd admitted he knew he'd be married to her one day. For some reason, he'd just become angry and tired, and depressed. He seemed all out of jokes, his normal sense of teasing almost gone. Since he'd found out Kalys was pregnant, he barely spoke at dinner, just off to file more paperwork. Bran, who was self-admittedly a workaholic, was even worried for him as he seemed to be laboring more hours the past few weeks. He was trying to distract himself, Bran was sure, but it certainly wasn't the best way to do things.

He wondered how Kalys felt on the matter. It wasn't as if they knew each other for so long, but he could tell Kalys cared for him. Especially if the faint sounds of heavy breathing and rocking from a shared wall meant what Bran thought it did. He wondered if Kalys noticed, or if she felt the same way. She seemed too smart to let it go unnoticed, and Rolf seemed to attached to her to have had said nothing. But then why was this so horrible for him?

Maybe it was Casper that made him so worried and sulky. Maybe it was because this particular event seemed to involve him so heavily. Bran shook his head, Khelsh had been after Rolf for the most part, and most of those duties had been laid upon his younger brother. Bran sighed; maybe it was because Rolf really was in love with Kalys, and this whole thing scared him to no end. He figured that was a valid reason for being the way he was; sulky, depressed, anxious, and angry all the time. Everything he'd been since September.

But today. Today the pendulum had swung.

He'd marched into Bran's workshop, a smile on his face, obviously just having bathed. His hair was cut, face clean shaven. It wasn't that he was ever unclean, now he smelled clean and looked to be in much better health. The dark circles that had plagued his eyes had lightened, and his brow wasn't furrowed with worry. He perched himself atop an empty desk, content to be a bother.

"Can you test his blood to see if he's lying?" Rolf asked, hands coming to tap against the wood.

"Please ponder the idiocy of that question before you open your mouth again," Bran snapped, and Rolf rolled his eyes.

Thalia raised her eyebrows at him, and Bran chose to ignore her. He continued studying the sample of blood he'd taken from Cecelia, noting the differences between her and Rolf's. He was spending the day testing blood, seeing the major differences between Hathelocke properties and Arkish ones. Kalys was completely pure, obviously, along with Ethan's. His father was almost purely Arkish, though there was some other ones mixed in, and his mother's a little less than half Hathelocke, and then a mix of other things, including the Arkish properties found in Ethan's. Lilah leaned more toward the Arkish side, as did Bran himself, while Celie had a touch more Hathelocke in her.

"Rolf, I can't find one hint of a Hathelocke property in your blood," Bran commented, his mind turning on what Casper had said. Maybe his child had a good chance to be mixed, after all.

Rolf nodded solemnly. He looked serious enough, and for a second Bran feared that his good mood, though irritating would be gone, and he would be back to filing all day in his study. But he shook himself.

"So you're testing Casper's blood to prove he's at least a Hathelocke?" Rolf asked, continuing to tap his fingers against Bran's desk.

"That's the hope," Bran said, putting his eye carefully to a piece of magnifying glass. "Though that I believe about him. He has a strange aura."

Rolf looked like he was about to say something, but then he shut his mouth, a twinkle of teasing still lingering in his eyes. Bran wished he would've said it; then he would feel more normal in Rolf's relentless attacks towards him to stay. Normally, Rolf had duties and meetings to attend, but it was Friday, and Friday was the day King Glower took for personal matters, and Rolf took off. In past years he'd spent them getting into trouble with Pogue, and then talking his way out of it, but recently he'd been using the extra time to make up any work he hadn't had time to finish previously. Today, he was with Bran.

"I feel like anyone would have a strange aura if they were threatening to kidnap babies," Rolf pointed out, and Bran shrugged in agreement. "Do you believe Casper?"

If not for the strain in Rolf's voice, Bran would've told him to go away, but he paused to look at his little brother. He choked on his name, and Bran, though he knew Rolf had definitely thought about it, it hit him in the moment just how much.

"Well," he started. "There's a lot that he said that I still have to work through-"

"Don't talk to me like I'm fucking five, Bran," Rolf snapped. "I want to know what you as a wizard, and my fucking brother think about the probability of him being right."

There was a fierceness in Rolf's dark eyes, raising them to meet Bran's almost defiantly. He'd grown up, Bran thought bitterly, something he probably could've realized when he'd gotten married, but it was only hitting him now. Rolf had grown up, and Bran had missed it. He missed the milestones, bitter, painful milestones that had made him into a man. A man whom Rolf knew he was, but always tried to hide behind the mask of a boy. Perhaps, Bran realized, was how he coped all along; pretending to be a boy who knew nothing, who cared about shallow things, and bickered with his sisters. It was smart, Bran figured, it was a smart way to hide. A way to run from what lay ahead of him. What Rolf always knew lay ahead of him.

"Bran?"

Bran looked down at his brother again, who was awaiting an answer.

"I don't know, Rolf. I don't know."

"Kalys, darling, what do you think of this?" Queen Celina asked, holding up a silky fabric.

Kalys tried not to make a face, but it was hard not to question why during all of this, she was supposed to be picking out dress fabrics. She had grown up with two gowns her entire life besides her ribboned clothes, and she didn't really see why that had to change. She felt like she was always at fittings now. When she'd gotten betrothed she'd had to have so many new gowns, and then for the winter holidays, and now she needed new ones because she was pregnant. That seemed reasonable enough, she supposed, but the itchy, stiff fabric Queen Celina was trying to stuff her into did not.

"It just seems a little formal," she said, trying to be polite as possible. They had been working on her manners.

"Kalys, you're a princess now," Queen Celina explained. "And while this isn't Grath, you are expected to have some public image."

Kalys knew she shouldn't be offended, and she realized she was fighting over principle at this point, but it was still overwhelming. All of these decisions that seemed so pointless to her were becoming a lot, and she found she just wanted to hide.

"Maybe we could with something just a little more giving?" She suggested, forcing unwanted tears down. "Just so as I grow there will be more stretch."

Queen Celina subsided, and nodded, though Kalys could tell she really didn't want to.

"I'm not trying to be petulant," Kalys said softly. "I-I just don't want to lose all of myself."

The admission was much more vulnerable than what she wanted. Queen Celina looked up, her demeanor softening. Kalys didn't really want to be pitied, but understood was a completely different matter. The Glower family had been kind to her, more than she probably deserved or could have hoped, but she also missed the loneliness of the Found sometimes.

"I'm not going to lie to you and say that I am the same person I was when I married Owen," Queen Celina said, guiding her out of the seamstresses earshot. "I changed quite a bit since marrying and becoming a princess, and more so since becoming a mother, and then queen. But you'd be surprised at how much who you are comes into play when guiding and leading people. You are set out to be a queen, love, I think we both know it. And there are sacrifices that have to be made. You will change, but your heart, one the Castle knew that we needed, will not."

Kalys wiped the one stray tear that made it down her cheek, just trying to breathe. She felt rather helpless, a feeling that wouldn't be changed for a while, she knew. For months. Queen Celina squeezed her hand, and Kalys nodded her thanks, not really trusting her voice.

They had to attend a council meeting after that, something that Kalys found slightly interesting about her job, and one that she could sort of help in, if it came to griffins or agriculture. She had been quite the gardener on the Found, and that had been tough soil. She took her spot by Rolf, who sent her an odd look, and she wondered if she looked frazzled. Then he gave her a cheeky grin, and she found herself flushing about that.

"We're discussing when your absence from the Castle should take place, Princess Kalys," Lord Sefton explained, and Kalys tried to hide her disappointment that that idea was becoming a reality.

She found herself reaching for Rolf's hand under the table, something she really didn't often do. He kept listening to other council members, fingers coming to lace with hers. She admired the way he could look so natural at this, though she supposed it came with years of experience she didn't have.

"The baby is due in June," Rolf started, and Kalys was surprised how sure his voice was. He was always sure about the pregnancy in public settings, she thought, only a touch bitter. "A few weeks after Delilah's wedding. It would be soon before the baby is born, but her wedding is a perfect night to escape undetected."

King Glower nodded, his face thoughtful. Kalys watched the councillors; Rolf had often complained that the newer ones treated him as if he was a child, but Kalys could see the ones who had been there the longest, such as Lord Sefton or Lord Feen, respected his words enough. They'd seen enough to know, she supposed.

"I think that's too late," Queen Celina said. "I know you want to stay as long as you can, but you have to think of your safety. What if Kalys delivers early?"

"We do have to think about them leaving undetected," King Glower said. "This can't be met with public eye, and Casper really cannot know about this. I want a more thorough, exact date of the end of the term as soon as possible."

Lord Sefton spoke, his words tactful. "There is the public image to keep. With great respect, Your Highnesses, there had been quite the rumors going around about this marriage, and after William, I fear there is a touch of doubt on the wisdom of this decision. We have to be very careful about how we approach things. Your safety is the highest priority, of course, but we have to be delicate about how we go about it if Prince Rolf wants to keep his people's respect."

Rolf squeezed Kalys's hand tightly, and she could feel his knee begin to bounce beside her. She tried to appear like she wasn't upset, but she knew Lord Sefton was right. It was true; while she struggled to interact with the people due to her nature, she also realized that it was because they'd been starting rumors about her from the start. The people of the village were kind-hearted, but everyone still gossips.

"If we know exact dates," the councilor continued. "We can also determine a lot more. I think we all know if Kalys delivers the child early, there's not too much of a chance it will live."

Rolf visibly paled, and Kalys found herself clenching her fists.

"It's a valid point, though a morbid one," King Glower agreed. "But as of now, Sefton is right. We really can't be rash."

"The baby can be born healthy a couple weeks early," Queen Celina said coolly. "And I think we can much agree the Crown Prince's safety is much more important than rumors."

Rolf let go of her hand, coming to lace his own fingers on the table. His jaw was set, eyebrows knit, and the exact same expression on his face as his father.

"No one is saying that, Mother," he said, calm for the look on his face. "I think we just need to give it a few months to figure something out. If the situation gets worse-"

"Then we'll send Kalys out of the Castle," King Glower finished. "If Kalys is gone, what can Casper need with Rolf?"

"If Kalys goes, then I have to, too," Rolf argued, turning to his father. "That's what would cause a great many rumors."

Kalys pressed her lips together. She certainly had many rumors spread about her. She wondered if Rolf would go with her rumors aside; she would hope so.

King Glower rubbed his head. "You're right, I suppose."

Queen Celina opened her mouth, eyes flashing. She thought better of it, perhaps, because she closed it just as quickly. Kalys wondered if the king and Queen had fought about this before.

"I want to give it a month before making a final decision," King Glower said, his voice shaky. "I'm with Rolf, I think at this point Delilah's wedding is the best time to leave, but I want a more thorough examination done by a midwife to see if we can find an exact week. A month will give us enough time to study Casper, and try and figure out how much of a threat he really is."

It seemed reasonable enough to Kalys, and the rest of the council was nodding. Queen Celina looked a touch put out, but overall agreeing to the decision. Rolf sat back, running his hands through his hair. He looked satisfied enough, and he glanced over at her, and she shrugged.

"Alright, then," King Glower said, clapping his hands. "I'll dismiss you to your duties. Celina, love, a word?"

Rolf steered her by the shoulders out of the council room, into the hallway, and then into a closet and shut the door. There was a small window in the alcove, that let a touch of light in, but Kalys wondered what he was doing.

"I've barely seen you today," he said.

"You left before I woke up," she pointed out, remembering being a touch disappointed to feel the cold, empty side of the bed.

"Sorry," he apologized, grinning.

"You're happy today," she said, sliding her arms around his neck, him looking down at her, his mouth still turned up.

"I was happy yesterday, too," he responded, bending down to capture her lips with his.

His hands cradled her upper back, and Kalys suddenly felt at home. His lips felt natural, and suddenly she felt nervous. He pulled away for a second, resting his forehead on hers, eyes closed.

"This is what I imagined we'd do left to our own devices," he whispered. "Kiss in closets and try not to get caught."

She giggled, making him smile, and kiss her again, long and slow, hands moving up her sides. She got lost in him; his hands squeezing her hips, her bum, her waist, hers roaming his chest.

"Rolf, I have to go," she said finally, pulling herself away.

"It can't be too important," he said, lazily circling his thumbs on her shoulders.

"I have to help with the griffins," she protested, though she wanted something entirely different.

"See," he said, brushing her curls aside so he could kiss her neck.

"You can't leave a mark," Kalys gasped, Rolf nipping at her nape.

He smirked, his lips making their way up to her earlobe. He pressed into her, and Kalys squeaked, his hands coming to cup her backside.

"We should go to our rooms," he whispered. "Make up some excuse that you forgot something."

She sighed at the thought, her body wanting to buck against him. She had been full of want the past few days, and she had wondered why. She tried to think of way that they could stealthily make their way out of here and down three halls to their bed chambers. It could be done, she supposed, and she definitely wanted to just finish this. Rolf pulling softly at her skin with his teeth wasn't helping things.

"Oh, alright," she conceded with a moan, "but we have to be quick."

"Remember when we found the Ship figurehead?" Celie asked, flopping in the chair in her mother's solar. "That was just over a year ago, now."

"It did help us find the unicorns," Lilah responded, flipping her hand. "Which you two denied."

"It helped us find Kalys," Celie argued. "And she's much more useful then the unicorns."

"Yes, yes," Lilah said, waving her hand. "She's the future Queen."

"I like her more than the unicorns," Celie said pointedly, though she regretted it when Lilah scowled at her.

"Do you not like Kalys? Really, Delilah, if this is about her being pregnant," Queen Celina warned.

"You don't like it either," Lilah accused.

"Of course I don't like it. I don't like that Rolf is married at sixteen, and now he's having a baby. It's all too much for him," Queen Celina burst out, her hands coming to her hair in a very Lilah-like fashion. "Owen won't stop brushing me off every time I say anything about it. Rolf is in far too deep now, and I'm worried."

Celie felt herself bristle. She was very loyal to Rolf, mostly because he always had been a loving brother, and would usually take her along for things inside the Castle. But he was also very serious, and if Celie was being honest, she thought he'd make a wonderful father. He wasn't nearly as clueless as his joking made him seem.

This was the exact sort of thing that made Celie dislike the teas the Queen had insisted on since they returned from Grath. Lilah would get very caught up in shallow things, and Celie would get bored. She wanted to talk about Casper, and she was starting to grow bored with her mother's worries. She tried not to be insensitive, but she had no doubts on her mind that if Rolf could still somehow be king when he was fourteen, while dodging assassination attempts, a baby would be ease. The really problem was Casper and if he was going to take over the Castle.

"And now Kalys hates us!"

Celie looked up and realized that she had zoned out for most of the conversation. Lilah was looking at her expectantly, and Celie didn't really know what to do.

"Kalys doesn't hate us," Celie said slowly, wondering why her mother couldn't answer her distraught sister. She was the one who spent the most time with her now. "I think she's just overwhelmed."

"Celie's quite right," Queen Celina said, shaking off her funk. "Casper besides, she's learning how to be a Queen, and a mother. A wife too, and that's not easy. Something you, Delilah, should understand."

Celie was bored again. She hoped she would never get married, if Queen Celina would give her speeches like this. Then again, she wasn't going to complain that Rolf had married before her all of the time.

"Considering the nature of her and Rolf's relationship, I'd say they seem close," Lilah grumbled, and Celie watched as their mother winced. She wondered if the Queen had ever apologized to Kalys for saying nearly the same thing to her the day of the tournament.

"I heard that, Delilah," Rolf announced, barging in without knocking. His hair was tousled, as if he was running his fingers through it, his hand rubbing the side of his neck. "Sorry to interrupt, but Arkwright's back."

By the time Celie made it to the throne room where her father was shouting orders and Bran and Thalia were nervously scribbling and chattering, Arkwright had already been arrested. Rolf took his spot next to their father, and King Glower had a hand on his younger son's shoulder.

"Now we have two evil wizards in our dungeons," Lilah wailed, all thoughts of the scandalous pregnancy forgotten.

Lulath gathered his betrothed into his arms, and Lilah let out sobs. Celie felt too numb to sob, or really do anything as she watched the busy scene before her. Again?

"We should just execute him," Rolf was saying, something their mother was strongly objecting too. King Glower seemed open to the idea, and Pogue, who had always been of that opinion, was nodding. Celie didn't really know what to say.

How many things could happen this year? Rolf's wedding, the assassination attempt, Kalys being pregnant, Casper, and now Arkwright? It was getting absurd.

"Maybe we should put them in the same cell, and they'll kill each other," Pogue said, his joke grim.

He'd let Rolf and Celie's parents argue without him, coming to stand beside her.

"What happened?" Celie asked, feeling a bit light-headed.

"He just came into the throne room, apparently," Pogue said. "He said the Castle was in danger from the Hathelockes, and then King Glower called for his arrest. And now we're here."

"Is he here because of Casper or Kalys?"

"I don't know."

Celie crossed her arms over her chest, trying desperately not to cry. She wondered if there was more despair coming to their family, or if it would just end with two old wizards fighting over the Castle. That's how this all started, wasn't it? She watched, her brother and parents continue to argue about something, Bran finally walking over to them. Bran said something, and Rolf put his hands over his face, slumping down into a chair. He looked utterly defeated, and Celie had to agree.

Celie was at the point where she didn't even want to be included in the conversation, because then it would make it so much more real. She wanted to be pinched and wake up to all of this being a dream. Her heart ached for all of it to end; to not have to be worried if her family was going to be alive after all of this.

"One day, Celie, things will be normal," Pogue promised. "We'll sit back and enjoy life without worrying for death."

She could only hope.