Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 622

Argrave finished explaining what had happened with Durran and Garm to Anneliese, and leaned back in his chair with quite the sigh. She sat on the edge of his desk, listening patiently for her chance to interject.

“I would be very interested to know what kind of person Llewellen was,” Anneliese commented. “Garm… I suppose we might change the name of our first son, if he’s returned.”

Argrave laughed. “I already said that.”

“If it’s any consolation, I got Artur to agree,” she said with a subdued brightness. “Given the trouble with Durran and the fact the research team assembles tomorrow morning, I suggested that he hold off from consuming it. Still, he’s ready, and he has conviction.”

“Thank you.” He looked up at her, nodding with a smile. “Thanks.”

Quiet set in between the two of them, and then there came a knock at the door. Argrave came to focus, then asked, “Who is it?”

“Knight-commander Orion, Your Majesty.”

“You don’t need to knock,” he called out. “It’s an office, not a bedroom. Come on in.”

Orion opened the door. From the way he carried himself, and the strangely formal greeting he had offered, Argrave could tell that this was something that warranted close focus. He stood up from the chair.

“What’s bothering you, Orion?” He asked intuitively.

Orion shut the door, then walked up to Argrave’s desk. “When were you going to tell me?”

“About the lottery?” Argrave guessed. “I’m sorry, but a lot came up today. I was intending on letting everyone know as soon as possible.”

“I know.” Orion nodded seriously. “I spoke to Elenore. She told me everything that came up today.” He leaned in and placed his arms on the desk. “Did Your Majesty even ever seriously consider my offer?”

Argrave’s jaw tightened uneasily. “Of course I did.” He nodded.

“Then why did you decide against, Your Majesty?” Orion’s voice was calm, but it still unsettled Argrave.

“Orion…” He softened his eyes as he looked upon his brother. Orion remained firm and unshaking in waiting for an answer. After casting a glance at Anneliese, he looked back at Orion. “It was my judgment that requests made in the throes of grief might not reflect the true desires of, or the best option for, the parties involved.”

any grief, Your Majesty? Or rather, do

was considerably less affected than you and Elenore. I

do, then why do I hear word that, rather than Vasquer’s attacker, you would continue to

can build up our defenses, if this was a distraction intended to divert our intention away from Traugott, we might miss our opportunity. Then, everything could be lost. I have to

was a preferrable method to distributing the Fruit of Being than listening to my request born of heavy-hearted conviction? Regardless of the enemy we were fighting, you

confrontation. “It was done in such a way that I allowed the Fruit of Being itself to choose who best it

gray eyes fixed forward, right

request a weeklong leave of absence from my duties as knight-commander of the royal

Argrave repeated.

will stay and perform my duties as best as I am able. However, I desire a

that Argrave needed of him while expressing his desire to be granted a break. He was demonstrating his displeasure without displaying any intent to jeopardize their common

your leave, then.” Argrave

turned on his heel and walked toward the

from behind the desk.

door and walked out. He nearly bumped into someone, but gave her a nod and walked by.

Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent.

requested a leave of absence,” Argrave explained, shaking his head and scratching his forehead. “If you could, it would ease my mind if you

enough are.” Elenore also

from the look on her face that she had

were there when I gave it to

I only ever voiced protest at the idea.” She walked into the room.

her. “Garm is already thinking of

on your mind? Did you give the fruit to Durran knowing this would happen?” She shook her head. “I know you didn’t. You put on this little display to avoid the responsibility of the choice being yours, because

because this all came out of left field, or perhaps it was because he couldn’t deny what was

forward. “You’re intended to guide and direct us. These difficult decisions are left upon you to make. And if you make the choice and some of us feel wronged,

“Without the die, I probably wouldn’t have chosen Durran, if I’m being frank. And if I hadn’t, we might’ve never had access to the sort of knowledge that Garm opens

know what Vasquer thought in her last moments, to grant us some peace.” She stepped forward, staring up at Argrave boldly. “But you didn’t make the

do you mean?”

draw numbers. You didn’t need to make up these ridiculous excuses to each of us. You could’ve done it in peace, then acted like it was your own choice.” She shook her head slowly. “But you had to do this show, had to let everyone know what you were doing. You didn’t want anyone to think less of you. You didn’t want anyone to think you had chosen others before them. But

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