The granddaughter relaxed, a smile flashing. “Grandmother, I told you that’s what Father would have said if he had been here.” The smile shifted from relief to one of sour amusement. “Instead of out hunting, as usual.”

“Worvua! Do not interrupt.” Genia inclined her head to the prince. “As you wish, Your Highness. That is my preference, regardless.”

“You did not feel able to refuse outright?” asked the haunt with a smile meant to coax out more information.

“Naturally, Lord Duenn’s overture was unwelcome since Duenn Manor is only a meritorious Manor and shouldn’t expect to marry into a noble Manor like ours. It would have been easy to refuse outright had Prince Nwelin been in residence instead of out hunting. I could simply have forwarded his princely edict. No one can contest that! However, for myself, as newly appointed lord of a small branch Manor that was only established fifteen years ago, it is not so simple to summarily reject the offer, given the wealth and power Lord Duenn wields here in Woodfall Province. Since I had no princely edict to offer, I chose for the time being to hedge my bets, if you will forgive such a common turn of phrase.”

“A hedge acts as a fence,” the haunt murmured. Elen could practically see his mind turning over the phrase, trying to grasp its meaning.

Genia had gone on, however, her emotions running in a high simmer. “Besides that, I have received gossip from my brethren in the heartland that Duenn Manor is hitching its carriage to horses pulled by Prince Astaylin. It is said Prince Astaylin has spoken critical words about the crown prince.”

“Is it said thus!” the haunt exclaimed, with a sardonic smile.

“The emperor cannot look kindly upon those who criticize her child and heir.”

“One would think not,” he agreed.

“Well, your firm answer gives me the means to decline the Duenn offer at once. I’ll send a messenger with appropriately dismissive gifts. My thanks, Your Highness.”

“What a relief!” breathed Worvua, pressing a hand to her heart.

Genia smiled dotingly on the young woman, then addressed the haunt again. “As for the morning, I can assemble a force of militia to send onward with you.”

“No, we shall continue on as we have done. I intend to move without alerting the countryside. A troop of soldiers will slow us down if they cannot change out their mounts at every stop, as we can. That is, if the road’s services are being maintained here.”

“Your Highness!” It was clear she took offense at the suggestion but could not say so. “All will be in order as you proceed. The road that lies within the purview of Pelis Manor is well-guarded and maintained.”

As he rose, he smiled as if in jest, but his hand again brushed his pocket as he said, “I shall remember you said so.”