“He does,” Silence confirmed. “A man who is like that, I do not know.” She shook her head sadly. “What I do know is that True needs to be needed. The only healing I suspect he can feel is to know he is helping someone. That they not only wish his presence but need it. Need him. Need True. Not Prince True of Wodell. True Axelsson, a good man, a kind man. And although, if it was in my power to give back to you what you have lost, I would do so, I suspect now, and it should be noted, every day in your futures together, you would be doing all you can simply needing him to be with you.”

“I suspected this too,” Farah said. “The weight of it seems to leave him when he feels useful.”

Silence gave her a small smile. “Your instinct is right. And as such, I would not question it in future. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

“It doesn’t seem like much,” Farah noted.

“Perhaps, but for True it would be everything,” Silence replied.

“Is he…Mars is…” Farah took in a deep breath and let it out, saying. “Mars is revered in Firenze, as his father was. He is strong, and he is sure in his vision for our realm. The improvements King Ares began, and Mars continues, have made life much better for those who had very little before. Which makes those who had very much not so happy. But I believe they are coming to understand that if Mars carries the hearts of the common, they must learn to adjust, for their number is much smaller. Every coup attempt against Mars has been taken quite badly by the people, and they have been hard to control in their desires to rise up against those who wish our realm taken back to tyranny. And the assassination of Ares caused such grief across the land, I do not think even now, years later, they have recovered. It is only Mars’s continued and resolute campaign to carry on his father’s work that heartens them. This land…Wilmer…his counsel…and, well…me, a Firenz. I do not know. It is much different here, and it troubles me. It troubles me for me, and it troubles me for True.”

When she was done, Silence gave her a bright smile and declared, “I am most pleased you travel our realm with True. For you will see.” Her smile got bigger. “You will see.”

“I’ll see what?” Farah asked.

“You will see he is not revered,” I chimed in.

Farah looked alarmed.

“He’s beloved,” Silence shared.

The alarm fled, and Farah’s lips parted.