What’s more, the room was in shock as they took this in. A few people had silenced themselves as our conversation with the king went on, and now they were tapping those who were still talking on the shoulder, hurriedly whispering the news in their ears. There were only a few isolated murmured conversations happening as Quinten went to speak again.

“And Lady Eastoffe? Is your husband gone as well?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Him and all three of my boys.” Her voice cracked on the last word, but she held herself together beautifully.

He sat there, studying us, and I couldn’t tell if he was pleased to see us here, honoring his son as he’d wished, or if he was disappointed to find his work was unfinished. Genuinely, his face was a mask of surprise.

It was such a cruel manipulation that I couldn’t look at it anymore. I turned my eyes away, and I caught sight of a man with a short graying beard and a hairline falling into retreat. His lip was trembling as he took in the news. Beside him, a woman was shaking her head as she whispered to her husband in disbelief. I knew Lord Eastoffe to be a good man, and I knew his sons to be followers of his footsteps. Even for people as chilly as the Isoltens, the loss of such fine men was a hard one to take.

“You were right,” I whispered to Etan. “No one knew.”

He pursed his lips, seeming displeased with this, and, quite suddenly, King Quinten was back to business.

“Widow Eastoffe, I gave your former quarters away when you left for Coroa, as was fitting for your behavior. But the Northcotts’ apartments are unchanged, and I think they will suit your number just fine. You may leave us.”

I curtsied and looked up at Valentina one last time. She nodded, seeming to want to comfort me with absolutely no way to do so. Etan began to turn, so I followed, switching hands in the process.

Etan quickly led us from the room, only slowing once we were in the hallway. I turned at the heartbreaking sound of Mother weeping behind us.

“It’s all right, Mother. No one will call you that, I’m sure,” Scarlet said comfortingly. It did little good.

Mother had her head tilted backward at an angle that looked rather painful, resting on Aunt Jovana’s shoulder. “Widow Eastoffe. I can’t bear it. I can’t.”

“Excuse me? Lady Eastoffe?”

Our eyes traveled to a man rushing from the main room, trying to catch us.

“Lady Eastoffe,” he said again, his voice pained, taking her hand. “It can’t be true?”

She offered a sad smile to this man. “Lord Odvar. I’m afraid it is.”

He shook his head. “The boys, too? Silas?”

She nodded. Before, I might not have noted how he singled Silas out. Now that I knew people once had their hopes tied to him, it made sense. There might still be people who had been waiting for him to return.