Chapter Text
As the sun sank below the horizon, King Steinar of Verglas sank into his favorite overstuffed chair and became simply Steinar. His wife entered the room and took the chair next to his, leaning in close to kiss him.
“What are you thinking about, Love?” she asked as she settled into her own overstuffed chair, a twin to his, though newer and less worn. Lucy had loved his chair so much that he had had one made for her so she wouldn’t steal his.
He smiled. “I’m trying hard not to think.”
“Did your day go well? Except for breakfast, I haven’t even seen you.”
He opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by the entrance of his older sister and his brother-in-law.
Lucy smiled. “Come in! Have a seat.”
Over the years since he and Lucy had been married, they had made it a point to spend time with Farrin and Rakel at least once a week—Lucy called it family time—but rarely did they get to do so without the children.
Rakel smiled softly. “Good evening, Steinar. Good evening, Lucy.”
Farrin bowed very slightly—a habit Steinar wished the man would break at least for informal occasions. Tonight, however, he felt too tired to bother addressing it.
“Good evening,” Farrin said.
The newcomers took their accustomed places with Farrin sitting at the end of the settee closest to the fire and Rakel leaning against his chest. Steinar guessed that by now it was habit for Rakel to be so close to her husband, but he knew that originally it had been more about Rakel’s need for human touch after so many years without it.
“How are you, Steinar?” Rakel asked, accepting a cup of tea from the servant.
“Exhausted. Aren’t you?”
“I suppose so, but I have not been in as many meetings with the Zancaran delegation as you have.”
“You’ve still had quite a lot of dealings with them.”
Farrin said, “I’m guessing it will be a relief when they leave tomorrow?”
Steinar said, “I am looking forward to their departure. It’s been a good two weeks, however.”
“I don’t know,” Lucy said thoughtfully. “I don’t think Helene is too interested in further interactions with Prince Alfonso. She seems to think he’s spoiled.”
Farrin scoffed. “He is. I would be surprised if he’d ever been told no about anything in his entire life.”
“Why wouldn’t he? Children need guidance,” Rakel said.
“He’s royal. Often royal children, and noble children for that matter, are shown entirely too much deference,” Lucy said.
Rakel nodded. “That explains some of the noble children I've met who seem to feel quite entitled. I am glad that the two of you have treated your children more practically.”
“Many of the nobles think we are entirely too harsh," Steinar said.
Lucy shook her head. “Some of them think even saying the word ‘no’ to a child of noble birth is too harsh. It’s ridiculous. I wasn’t raised that way.”
“There is nothing harsh about your parenting, Steinar,” Farrin said. “I’m not sure you have it in you.”
“What made you feel like a bad parent today, My Love?” Lucy asked.
Steinar sighed. “Alfonso and Helene were planning to ride in the countryside this afternoon with her cousins. Louis wanted to join them, but I refused because he had not written his literature assignment yet. Duke Buyt overheard the conversation.”
“He didn’t scold you?” Rakel asked, sounding horrified.
“Oh, of course not. He’s too proper for that. He simply spoke to one of his cronies in a tone loud enough so that I would be sure to overhear. He said something about those in charge needing to teach the next generation to show mercy. The comment was quite obviously meant for me.”
“Letting Louis out of his assignment would not have been showing mercy, it would have been teaching him to shirk his responsibilities,” Lucy said. “You did the right thing, Love.”
“I’m sorry,” Steinar said, patting his wife’s hand. “I’ve derailed the evening with my self-pity. We should talk about something happier.”
Farrin said flatly, “Phile’s back.”
“And she’s brought some interesting inventions she found in the markets in Ringstead,” Rakel added.
“Did she pay for them this time?” Steinar asked.
“I’ve learned not to ask,” Farrin said.
Lucy grinned. “What trinkets did she find, Rakel?”
“Erik’s favorite is a game with a stick topped by a tiny basket. It has a ball attached by a string to the stick. One is supposed to get the ball into the basket without touching the ball.”
“He’s played it for hours without success,” Farrin said. “His sister took it from him and made it on her second try.”
Steinar puffed a laugh. “Being shown up by your sister is a difficult position to be in. I should know.” He winked at Rakel, trying to ensure she knew he was teasing.
“I’m guessing Korsa has not been nearly so gracious about it as Rakel,” Lucy said.
Farrin chuckled. “No. I can’t tell you how many verbal sparring matches I’ve had to break up over that stupid game. I was tempted to take it away, but I want Erik to at least succeed once with it or he’ll never live it down.”
“So,” Lucy drew out the word, turning her gaze on Rakel, “Alfonso seems quite taken with Korsa. Our treaty may involve a different marriage of alliance than we had envisioned.”
Rakel nodded. “He has followed her around any time he has not been acting in some official capacity.”
“What does Korsa think of him?” Lucy asked.
“Unimpressed,” Farrin said curtly.
“As is her father,” Rakel added, smiling at him. “I doubt Korsa will pursue any friendship with Alfonso after he leaves Verglas.” Rakel glanced at her brother. “Unless instructed otherwise.”
“I hate to require any of our children to make political matches,” Steinar said. “But it may be necessary at some point.”
“It worked out for the two of you,” Rakel pointed out.
“Yes, it did,” Lucy agreed. “And I know you, My Love, you will ensure that any match will be not only good for Verglas, but good for our children as well.” She reached over and kissed his cheek. “You have a good heart. You’re a good king and a good father, no matter what Duke Buyt thinks.”
Steinar allowed himself to smile a little. Having the approval of his family—at least for tonight—was all he really needed.