Chapter 26

Minho was not wrong when he said Newt and I were boring. After our tea arrived, we decided to go over our correspondence.

The letters addressed to both Newt and I, we placed in a pile on the table between us. We would take turns reading them. There weren't many of them. They were just letters of congratulations and invitations to different social events. Apparently, Newt would get to decide what we attended to and what we wouldn't attend. That didn't seem necessarily fair to me.

"We have an invitation to a coming of Age ball, I know its not necessarily what we like to do but its here in the city, it would make good publicity. Do you want to go?"

I looked up at Newt. He had placed the invitation on the table and was reading another one. He seemed slightly nervous, maybe he wanted to go.

"We can go if you want." I said, looking down at my own letter. I was trying to read a letter from Father. He was fearful of the winter. He said if some of the flat lands didn't get snow coverage all the good soil would get blown away.

On our short lived tripped, I had noticed the same issue in various places. It needed to snow, and soon. If not, Newt and I would have a very eventful year.

"Only if you want to," Newt said, "I'd hate to force you into something you don't want to do."

I looked up at him and gave him a small smile "I don't mind. We can go, after all its for the publicity."

Newt smiled back, our eyes had met, I felt my breath cut short. The air suddenly got heavy.

The undecipherable tension was promptly interrupted when Minho burst through the doors.

"There you two are! Thomas is off doing who knows what, I couldn't find him and boy did I look."

Minho jumped over the settee's and landed next to Newt. He took the letter out of Newts hand and began to read.

"Dear Newt, My heart clenches at the thought of your marriage…." Minho stopped for a minute before he set the letter down.

"I'm getting tired of Isabelle. She knew from the beginning what she was getting into. Besides, its not like you two were official or anything."

What?

Newt shot Minho a murderous look, he then took the letter from the table and threw it in the fire. I looked at the burning in paper.

Minho smirked "Well it seems like I have meddled enough here. By the way, the queen and Janson are eager to start coronation talks with you two. Poor old Zart isn't even cold in his grave and yet here we are, taking measurements."

Minho moved to stand but Newt pulled him back down.

"We need to discuss our strategy. First an attempt on Roan's life," Minho and I shared a look.

"Darling Roan, fancy finding you here."

I looked up from my tea. Minho sat across from me. He started to serve himself a tea.

"We have a bargain to complete. I will tell you the truth behind your botched assassination attempt as long as you repay your part of the deal whenever I am in the need of it."

I sat my cup down and leaned back on my chair. "Of course, I am a woman of my word."

"First of all, there was no way that assassin got in to your room without permission from the guards. The palace is impenetrable. Second of all, if they wanted you dead, you would be. Your attacker was rather clumsy wasn't he?"

I stared at the smirking and cocky face Minho was making.

He had a point, I had gotten away fairly easily. I had pinned it on luck but…

"In other words, the queen mother faked an attempt so you would marry darling Newt quicker."

Newt did not know about Minho's little revelation.

"I believe with your attempt Roan and Zarts murder, they are trying to leave the throne without any heirs."

My skin itched, I didn't like keeping things from Newt.

He kept talking and theorizing but I couldn't listen, I needed to get him to stop.

So I dropped my tea cup and spilled hot tea all over the floor.

"Oh clumsy me! I am so foolish!"

Minho rolled his eyes "I'll get a maid."

Newt helped me clean up the shards and he smiled slightly at me.

"Oh Roan…"

Once the maid arrived, Minho promptly dissapered like he intended. Newt and I weren't left alone with the maid for long, as soon as she left Antonietta and Janson walked in.

"Lets get down to business, Janson and I are very busy planning the coronation, when do you two plan to consummate your marriage?"

I looked at Newt, he gave me a quick glance and smirked.

"Don't worry mother, tonight your son will take care of it. I plan to fulfill my rightful duties as heir."

I felt my stomach in my throat.

Antonietta narrowed her eyes. "This is not a game Newt. I didn't want to start with you in the carriage but this needs to be done soon. The quicker the Roan gets pregnant the better. A boy, if you would be so kind."

"You pressuring us is not going to make it happen any quicker. When it happens, it happens." Newt stood from the settee and headed for the door. I wasn't sure if I was to follow him.

Antonietta gazed at me steadily. "You realize this is actually your responsibility. Your mother guaranteed me an heir."

Of Course she did.

"Well if my mother guaranteed you an heir, I would take it up with her."

Janson sighed. "Antonietta, this is going to go nowhere. I advise we move on to the next matter at hand."

Antonietta kept looking down at me. "You don't seem to understand…things are at a precarious state, shall I remind you of your assassination attempt."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I wanted to tell her to bugger off but I caught the calculating glance from Janson.

Diplomacy

I had heard the term enough times that the word snaked around my ears.

"I do understand our state, what you don't seem to understand is that what you're asking for is not an easy task. To start off, I am not schooled on how one goes about having children," I wasn't lying "Second of all, I just met your son, it will take time."

I watched Janson's face change from narrowed eyes, to a gaze of approval.

Antonietta had a different response "What do you mean you don't know how?"

I shrugged "All I know is that, its supposed to hurt and you're supposed to bleed, quite a worrisome concept, apart from that, I am rather ignorant."

"As if we didn't need anymore complications….I will have Newt deal with this. Just make sure to play your part."

I nodded my head. I really hoped they would leave me alone.

"Now that, that's been taken care of. We need to make sure you public opinion is quite high come coronation. I would hate any complications during this time. Another public banquet or some charitable act would be helpful. Letting the people see you, would really help." Janson took a seat and poured himself some tea.

Looks like they would be here a while.

"That is rather wise. Perhaps…since its winter… some clothing would be helpful. I realize this is the last month of winter but some of the chill still lingers at night." I said, pouring myself my own cup of tea.

Antonietta shook her head. "No. Winter is ending early this year, which is good. None of the fields were being protected and the winds cause too much damage. Two more weeks and spring will be here."

I took a deep breath. I had forgotten. It had been almost two months since I left home.

How could it almost be spring? It seemed like just yesterday I was bawling my eyes out over my betrothal.

"Well perhaps, a dance, to celebrate spring, for the royals we host it here, and a festivity in the street for the commoners."

I hoped that was a good idea, I was still unsure of my abilities to handle the public.

"Brilliant. That's all we wanted from you."

The two schemers stood up and left the room. They had become as think as thief's.

I wondered what would happen when Janson had to go back home.

I saw Newt again at dinner. He was almost late. He smiled at me as he sat.

"I was hoping you would follow me earlier today."

Well you should have said so. I didn't have the ability to read minds.

"Oh bugger, it would have been a nice escape."

Our conversation was cut short by the gong.

Gerogios seat was empty. Which was perfectly reasonable, with the death of his son no one expected him to.

However, his chair wasn't the only empty one. Thomas was nowhere to be found.

A missing Thomas was the last thing we needed.

Dinner went by without any issues, well until, I realized who had decided to join us.

Isabelle Winchester sat on the far end of the table. It felt almost disrespectful to have her there, eating in the same room I was in.

The burnt letter from earlier came to mind. I glanced at Newt. He seemed concentrated on talking to his sister.

I wasn't exactly sure what had gone on between them and I wasn't sure that I wanted to know.

Besides, its not like it should bother me. Or at least, that's what I told myself as I stabbed the vegetables on my plate.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

It was Newt.

"You look tense Ronnie, is everything all right?"

I wasn't sure what had made me blush. The nickname or the contact.

"Just worried about Thomas, is all." I lied. It slightly worried me how easy lying was coming to me.

"I actually found him. An old friend of sorts is here and Thomas is helping them get around the city."

"Well he could at least have said something."

"My thoughts exactly."

I looked back at my plate and concentrated on my food and Newt went back to his conversation with Rosemary.

As soon as dinner was over, I headed for bed.

I pushed down the feeling of annoyance I felt.

What did it matter if Isabelle was here? I didn't care one bit. Its not as if….as if there was any underlying reason for me to be bothered.

I still wanted her gone, she posed an inconvenience for Teresa and it was my duty to protect my ladies.

That was probably it. She was a danger to us all, that's the real reason as to why I didn't like her.

The halls were mostly empty and dark. Nearly everyone was headed for a drawing room.

I made it back to the room where Agnes was waiting for me.

"Oh dear Agnes, you have no idea how I miss home." I said, plopping myself down in front of the vanity.

It was always easier to remove the pins from my hair first. That way the gown wouldn't get stuck on them.

I felt tension leave my body as soon as Agnes started to brush my hair.

"Was today difficult miss?"

"I am exhausted Agnes. Funerals always leave me tired. Oh and dinner was dreadful. And lets not forget how Antonietta wants a grandson made and delivered by tomorrow."

"Everything will be all right miss. All in due time."

I loved Agnes gentle and calm manner, her tone always helped relax.

"Indeed." I said, before standing and heading for the dressing screen.

Agnes removed my gown and then my corset. She handed me my nightgown but paused once she realized her mistake.

"Oh how silly of me! I had forgotten how the button in the front had fallen off on the trip here. I'll go get another one."

I looked down at my chest. "Oh just leave it Agnes. You cant see a thing…well…I'll just be careful and I'm tired. Just remember for tomorrow."

Agnes wished me a Goodnight and headed out. As she headed out, Newt walked in.

"Goodnight Agnes," Newt unbuttoned his vest coat and threw it on a settee. "You left early. I handled some matters with Minho and decided to come find you. No point on being there without my wife, people would talk. "

I shook my head at Newt.

Despite Antonietta's assertions, I felt some cold. I took the poker and started to stir up the fire.

"Roan, I sent Alby away early to take care of something. Do you think you could untieme?"

Why did he need my help? He had hands.

Despite my grievances, I complied.

I put the poker back in the stand and turned towards Newt. He had come towards me.

I wasn't sure how much "help" he wanted. I united his cravat and then undid the buckles on the sides.

When I looked up at him to signal I was done, I noticed the uncomfortable situation I was in.

Newt wasn't acting like the perfect gentlemen. His eyes were focused on the opening in the front of my nightgown. All the fire poking had made the cloth shift, revealing more flesh than was appropriate. Not enough that I should run for cover but enough for alarm.

I nearly fainted when he reached out to touch my hair.

"You hair is quite pretty." He said, however his focus hadn't shifted. His voice had been quiet, trembling almost.

"Thank you…Agnes takes good care of it."

He put his hand on my shoulder and slid it down to right above my elbow and stepped closer.

My ability to breathe had been heavily impaired but now it was non-existent.

I should have moved away but for the life of me I couldn't.

"Would it be all right if-"

Newt was interrupted when our door flew open. In that instant, all the air I was missing seemed to enter the room.

Minho had burst in.

I backed away and Newt removed his hand.

The unspeakable tension had been broken by the annoying maze guard and I was thankful for it.

"You are not going to believe what I found out!" Minho paused once he saw some obvious signs of distress. My cheeks were scorching in flames and Newt was having a hard time composing himself.

"Did I interrupt something?" He gave us a cheeky smile. His eyes immediately went to my ripped nightgown.

I wasn't a very curvy person but my chest had always been a little more full.

A smirk over took his features.

"Newt you dog! Did you do that?" In that case I should really take my leave." Minho turned around and headed for the door.

"No, I did not. Now what did you want?"

Minho ignored Newt. "Even if you didn't. I certainly interrupted something. Make sure to lock the door next time."

The door slammed shut and I watched Newt go to lock it. The latching made things a little more unnerving.

I hadn't moved from my spot. I watched Newt keeps his eyes well controlled and off to the side as he walked back.

He addressed me while looking at the top of my head.

"I cant quite reach the back buckle could you please get that one."

Newt turned and I diligently worked on the buckle. Once his under vest was off, I quickly untied the laces on his wrist and forearms.

"Thank You Roan."

At that point he should have walked towards the screen to finish changing , instead, Newt lingered.

It was visible the stress he was under. His eyes flickered down but he forced them back up. Newt did this four more times until he grew tired.

"We should go to bed."

I nodded along and we headed in separate directions.

I wasn't sure what had just transpired. What term would best define the moments that had just transpired.

I climbed into bed and pulled the covers over my head. The gap on the nightgown hadn't been that extreme. But I couldn't deny there was more flesh than usual.

Newts reaction made no sense to me. I understood how men were drawn to…certain female attributes but I couldn't comprehend why he would get so bent out of sorts.

It was just me.

Once Newt climbed in to bed, an awkwardness ensued. We were both very aware of our spacing. An accidental brush would have been disastrous.

"Goodnight Roan."

"Goodnight Newt"

I know its been a long time! But I have so many ideas its hard to work them all out. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE PEOPLE THAT REVIEWED I REALLY APPREICATE IT!