FOUR:

Pressing the gem retrieval button on her pewter necklace, she impatiently waited. The metallic beetle, crawled under her door then fluttered back into her milky palm. It was a dull chrome listening device Jared had sent to her through the dimensions between Incarceron and the Realm. He had designed and engineered an updated version –for her- when she began complaining about Finn's lack of communication. Since Finn's arrival to the Realm, she had to use it to get into his brain. She used it time and again.

People assumed King Giles spoke to her, confided in her. Though, that was furthest from the truth. He did not speak to her about a damn thing, not as one should entrust their future wife. He should be opening his heart, the way she had been. However, he only spoke with Keiro. Upon figuring this out, she used the steel beetle to listen in and spy on their conversations, but Giles merely voiced the basics. They spoke about food, about playing billiards and Keiro always managed to bring up Attia.

Knowing Finn was heading towards her room, she quickly pulled at her necklace. It was a dull metal of Incarceron -much like the beetle- with three topaz jewels, each of inconsistent sizes. Clicking the largest gemstone, Claudia observed as the beetle's elytra opened, it's hind wings flapping open after. Circuits and miniature gears, that still spun, were exposed. She prayed they'd slow, so she could remove the microchip and download the recorded conversation. The one drawback of Jared's invention, was this process and the resetting.

Abstracting the microchip, Claudia rushed over to her book shelf to remove a book. She loaded all of Giles' previous dialogues into the data processing machine posing as a Court Archives book. Cracking the book open, there was a screen and she pressed the microchip into the golden port. Instantly, the downloading process began.

The thundering sound at the door startled Claudia.

"Claudia?" Giles shouted impatiently. This was out of character. The usually timid boy was never so abrupt.

"One moment!"

"Hurry, hurry," she whispered to the computer. The screen showed it was only eighty percent complete. Taking in a breath, she growled to herself.

Giles, called to her again. "Claudia? Can I come in?"

The moment the information had been uploaded successfully, she shut the faux book and hurriedly, placed it on the sizable book shelf in the corner of her room. Clicking the topaz jewel on her necklace, the beetles wings and elytra closed. She went to tuck the listening device away but the drawer to her baroque dresser was stuck. She yanked at the gleaming brass knob, praying it would open. Finn's loud tapping footsteps neared her dressing room. Taking both her hands, she jerked at the drawer. Her heart sped. If Giles saw this beetle, he would surely be curious.

And what was she to say? It was a pet, a toy?

"I'm coming in," he declared.

Moving onto another drawer, she requested, "Please wait one moment!"

He did not care for her request. Barging in, he urgently breathed, "Claudia!"

"Giles?" she stammered, spinning on her heals, slamming the drawer shut. He met her gaze with an expression writhed in betrayal.

" Y-you," she stuttered, "you shouldn't be in here. We're to be married in half an hour."

"I know…"his voice trailed off as he gazed at her. Her lips were pinker than usual, her cheeks rouged and her big azure eyes gleamed behind her lengthy lashes. A jewel embroidered head band was set in the waves of her honey hair. The tresses draped down her shoulders, in a very un-era fashion and the veil draping her head appeared to be made of mist. It was so thin. The ivory dress cinched her waist, her chest and collarbone was displayed with an interesting necklace resting there. The gown was a bit flamboyant, with ribbons down the bodice and lace bunched at the elbow length sleeves, but she was gorgeous in it. She was beautiful in general, yet Finn felt nothing.

Why could he not love? Then he told himself, Incareron had made him incapable of love. He had not seen it in the wings, and he had yet to see it in the Realm. Sure, he loved his oath brother, but that was not enough to satisfy a soul. As far as true love, it did not exist.

Standing taller with arrogance, Claudia interrogated, "Did you need something?"

For a moment, his harsh glare fell. Claudia was enjoyable, at times, but she was cavalier. However, it was something Finn was accustomed to. He lived three years, going on four, with an egotistical half-man. Arrogance he could tolerate, but there was no love. How could he marry a women he did not love?

She snapped her fingers, catching his attention, " Giles? What do you need?"

Getting back to the topic, he said, "I must speak with you about Attia."

She stiffened further. Her head held higher. Without any true interest, she averted her eyes from Giles and asked, "What about her?"

He hesitated, but somberly replied almost cynically, " Keiro said she has gone."

"Gone?" Claudia imitated surprise. Finn did not catch on.

Automatically, he countered while fiddling with the ruffle sleeves of his, "She left yesterday."

His mind was lost. Where did Attia plan on going? What did she plan on doing?

"Oh," she responded sitting on a chair, upholstered in rich silk, "it must be about Andrew?"

"Andrew?" He stepped forward curiously gazing at her bloated wedding gown. It was oversized, and too large for such a small chair.

Tousling and fluffing her gown, Claudia strategized. She knew she was the blame for Attia's leaving. Truly, it was not her intention, but at least now, Attia was one less problem the future queen had to deal with. Not wanting to take any blame, she manipulated the conversation.

Crossing her legs, she started, "The Equerry." Gliding her fingertips across the three dimensional flower edging the seat, she pondered what to say. Her eyes evaded his, as she fingered the indentation of the chair, but she did not speak.

Finn watched as her pale fingers picked at the floral carvings, wonderfully sheened in gold.

"What about him?"

"They spent much time together. It's obvious she loves him and…" with a quirked brow, she thought over her reply, then proceeded, "I thought he liked her? But she said he's courting the postmaster's daughter. That must why she left. He broke her heart."

Finn shook his head, seriously contemplating that, that might have been the reason. After brief thought, he disagreed, "That's not why she left."

"Why else would she leave?"

His blank expression twisted reproachfully. He lifted his hand, to point a finger. The thick index finger was directed at her, however, Finn didn't want to be harsh. What Keiro said, may have been misinterpreted by his own ear. Or perhaps, Keiro misunderstood what Attia had told him.

Lowering his hand, he wondered, "You told her she was to become a lady in waiting?"

"Yes," she nodded, leaning further back into the chair loftily.

She didn't want him to be upset with her, this was not how a marriage should be starting, with a conversation concerning another woman. It maddened her how he had a sudden interest in Attia.

Folding her arms she retorted critically, "I thought we agreed to give her a title so she could stay here. So the public would not detest her. So the crats wouldn't turn against us?"

Finn grumbled. The crats, had become unruly.

In the beginning Finn assumed he only had to worry about the court, but the court consisted of burocrats and sapients. Both well trained in the fields of war, government and . Then there was the other Crats whom were called aristocrats. They were the noble. They were the privileged. And in this never changing time, they followed King Endor's ideals like a religion. Nothing with them had been earned, but exploited. With their wealth, and what they claimed as a birthright- gained them access to court meeting and constantly prevent change from ever happening in the Realm.

The way they manipulated Claudia, with feeding into her worry for Jared, was unreal. Finn felt as though the Havaarna monarchy was preparing to collapse.

Claudia persisted with speaking about the crats. "You know they resent her, even the servants resent her"

It was true, but all the intelligence, nobility and privilege did not give the Crats the right to spread false gossip and control his kingdom. It did not give them the right to judge a person from Incarceron. He was from Incarceron. Not born bu that hell made him the man he was today. Sadly, he thought, It made me a coward, but Attia is strong and is nothing to be resented. By me or the Crats.

"Even if they do," Giles began pointing a finger to his chest, " I am king. Who stays here and for what length of time, is up to me. And, yes, we agreed to giving Keiro and Attia a title, they shouldn't feel as outsiders any longer but we never agreed on a title. Lady in waiting is not a title I would have given Attia. Lady of Incarceron, Duchess of Incarceron, Baroness, Countess, all of those are better titles than what you've given."

Claudia hid her shock by deterring her sight. She wanted to reply, to say something back to shut him down but she had no words and he only continued. "She was a dog slave in Incarceron, Claudia, do you think she'd want to be a slave here? Do you think that's what she deserves after what she has done for us?'

"I didn't- I-I," she stuttered uncrossing her legs. Her entire body jolted up straight, she grabbed ahold of the thing arms of the chair, And once she found the wording in her mind, she proceeded arogantly, "I told her she would only be needed in formal situations, she'd be more of a personal assistant. I didn't mean for her to feel low, I made it clear she was not a servant. But if she wanted to misconstrue what I told her, then she's stupid! We had to give her a title, otherwise the crats and the public would-"

Finn interrupted her speech. "Why Attia and Keiro are here, does not concern the public nor the damn crats. I want her and Keiro to be happy here, but you had to reduce her to nothing."

" I did not think she's be upset."

"You didn't think at all Claudia!" his voice escalated higher, angrier, "You knew she's been to hell and back, and you tell her she's the help."

Jumping off the chair, she came to her feet as quickly as she could with the pounds of fabric weighing her down. Swatting at the veil framing her face, she exclaimed back, "I don't know a thing about her besides she was a dog slave, that's it. How am I supposed to know her feelings would get hurt? I cannot control her emotions, any more than I can control the weather or you seizures."

Finn did not know how to reply. With the tone in that statement, he realized how much she coveted him. She spoke to him as if he were Caspar.

His blank stare bore into her. She hated it. She despised when he went absent minded. She called his name a few times. Rolling her eyes, she wondered if was about to have another seizure. Truly, they were becoming a nuisance.

She enquired rhetorically, "Can we handle this later?" Striding closer to Finn, she petted her palm against his cheek. "We're getting married Giles."

He removed her hand and lifted the back of it to his lips. Hurriedly, he pecked it and set it back at her side. "Yes we will continue this conversation later," he informed walking toward the exit, "but we have to go after her, or wait until she comes back. She already missed my coronation."

"You didn't even notice."

Stopping dead in his tracks, he realized he did not. With yesterdays coronation and banquet, he was much too preoccupied with his responsibilities and drowning thoughts. Against his wishes, Attia tasted his food, and unless she was riding or he was at a court meeting, she was always nearby. Though yesterday she was absent, and he did not eat a bite, or even put a plate of food in his sight for the anxiety of his new responsibilities consumed him.

Picoting on his heals, Finn asked, "And you did?"

Claudia turned to a gold framed three way mirror and observed herself. She never took her eyes from the looking glass as she said, "I assumed she was mad at me. We did quarrel."

"About?"

"Nothing, we had a misunderstanding," Claudia edified, then decided to completely change the topic. "There were riots in Wingrade."

Leaning against the large door, made of rich mahogany, he sighed, "Another?"

"The Crats were withholding bread, and over taxing."

"When was this?"

"Three days ago," she responded spinning around to observe the back of the bell shaped dress. It was puffy, almost making her immobile, and she hadn't even put on the panniers.

"And Wingrade is how far from here?"

"A two day carriage ride."

"Why am I only hearing about this now?"

"You were in the rowboat. I thought it best not to bother you while the Court held a meeting."

He sort of wanted to be involved, or at least better informed, to his kingdoms happenings.

"I always want to be informed about such matters. This is my kingdom Claudia, not yours,"

"But you had this mindless look about you,"

"So? Next time you will inform me." He ordered turning back to the door. Clasping the door handle, he informed, "Once we find Attia, then the ceremony can begin."

Rushing after him, she stumbled over her dress once. After finding her footing she tripped over the oriental rug. It slowed her, but she grabbed his wrist just as he took one step from her bedroom. Yanking him back in, she twirled him about in a dance. Slamming her door shut, she pushed him against the door.

Grabbing at his hand she said, "She's gone Giles."

With her head lowered, she became lost in the inked scar of his wrist. Mindlessly, she ran her index finger across the subtle protuberance of his tattoo. The majestic eagle held power, it showed his nobility. This was proof that he was heir to the Havaarna throne. And although –in her heart- she did not want to be queen, it had to be done. She needed to guide him, for he was lost and confused. Thanks to Incarceron. And she must make Jared proud. He offered his life to teach her when he could have easily lived a normal Era life- with a business, a family, and a wife. At some point, before she was born, he must have been in love. He must have wanted those things.

Jared gave Claudia his life, he sacrificed his life and his health for Claudia. Because of that, she would do as he asked her, as he taught her. She would be queen.

Claudia, clasped his hand tightly, and almost pleaded, "She left, we can't wait for her."

"But we have to go after her, she, she's like, like my …" he lifelessly held Claudia's hand and squeezed when he said, "We stick together. Keiro, she and I stick together. We're like a family."

Removing her hand from his, she shook her head. "She's no your family, you hardly know her and you never talk about her. Understand, she wanted to leave. She could have spoken to me or you about whatever had been bothering her but instead she chose to leave and Keiro knew. He knew. He could have stopped her."

Finn enlightened Claudia. "She held a firelock to his head."

Claudia was not surprised. Attia was the type. "The bitch is still crooked."

Claudia glanced over to Finn. He was in a far off gaze again. She spoke loudly hoping it would catch his attention. "Giles I know you feel accountable for her but she left, that's her choice. We cannot force her to remain here, only wish her well in her new life."

Lifting a hand, her pushed back the netting of her veil, and tucked her hair behind an ear. "I suppose you're right."

"I am." She grinned, liking the words he had spoken. "She is no longer our concern. I will see you at the alter my prince."

"Excuse me." She curtsied, then corrected herself, "my king."

Finn bowed back, then opened the door.

"Finn?"

Looking at Claudia over his shoulder, he waited for her to speak.

"Did Jared come?" she wondered.

"I'm not sure who has come. Only I know that Attia is not here, and Keiro is angry."

Keiro was always angry, but she questioned, "With you?"

Finn shrugged. "I'm not sure."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Okay, I have a question to you faithful Incarceron readers. What exactly was "Era" or what century was it based on? I assumed it was eighteenth century, (the time of Marie Antoinette) but I read somewhere it is a steampunk theme. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used, usually Victorian era (1837-1901) and technology is interwoven in the time. If it is eighteenth century I guess there's a whole new category of sci-fi. I think it's called Teslapunk. I don't know. just a thought.

ALSO, I have corrections. In previous chapters, I said that Attia was eldest and had a thriving business. I have to retract that. In Incarceron –I've skimmed through it again- she was youngest and lived in shanties in back alleys. SO, yeah. I guess I can say that they had a business but still lived in an alley.

One more thing. On Page 64 of Incarceron Maestra speaks about how she found a key. She said they found clothes, jewelry, the skeleton of a man and the key. Who was this man? Does anyone know? It makes me wonder if Finn was ever really the prince to begin with. I mean, maybe that body was the true prince? I don't know, just a thought. But it definantley sparked some great ideas!

Ah, thanks to all my readers! Remember, I will give previews to those of you who review. Much love and happy reading!