He Broke Our Betrothal at the Midwinter Ball, So I Wed the Grand Duke Before Dawn novel · Chapter 13 of 32
Chapter 13: The Spring Standing
Eskil received the Queen of Sunhallow's herald in the Great Hall with his stitches pulling at every breath.
The man wore red and gold, and he carried a rolled letter with a seal of crimson wax.
He did not kneel.
"By the word of her Majesty Queen of Sunhallow," the herald said, "to Eskil Varnhelm, Grand Duke of Frostmarch. The Empire has broken the truce."
A murmur ran through the lords.
"Ten years ago Sunhallow gave its word to Verrane, sealed by a betrothal between the Prince and the Queen's cousin's daughter."
"This winter the Empire's own Prince set that daughter aside in public, and by letter under the Prince's seal, the Empire has told her Majesty it will no longer honor the peace."
Eskil's hand tightened on the arm of his chair.
"I have read no such letter," he said.
"Her Majesty has."
"It is signed and sealed by the Crown Prince of Verrane."
The herald unrolled it and held it up.
"It states that the Orlanne girl is to be handed to the South as a prisoner, in surety, for the Empire's good faith."
"And that if the South will not accept her, the South may take Fort Hale."
Nobody in the Hall moved.
Thessaly sat in her chair at his right hand, white to the lips, with the mantle still around her shoulders.
"That is a lie," she said.
"I cannot know, my lady."
"I know only that my Queen asks for one of two things: the daughter of her blood, to be a guest in her court, or Fort Hale, which she will take."
"No," Eskil said.
The herald bowed.
"Her Majesty expected it. She has sent twelve thousand men to the Hale road to hear it from you in person."
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