Chapter 130: The Eyes That Now Watch
Chapter 129: The Eyes That Now Watch
Mirelle did not rush.
She gathered the parchments before her with quiet precision, aligning their edges before lifting the topmost sheet and sliding it across the polished blackwood table toward the Queen.
The faint sound it made—paper against lacquer—seemed louder than it should have been.
"Firstly," she said, her tone measured, "the commoners are requesting clarity."
The Queen’s gaze lowered, though she did not yet touch the document.
"Clarity?" she repeated.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Mirelle’s hands folded neatly before her.
"They wish to know who the suitor candidates are."
A small pause followed.
"After last evening," she continued, "interest in the competition has increased... significantly."
That was, perhaps, the gentlest way it could have been phrased.
"The entire kingdom is now observing," she added, "not in passing curiosity, but with active attention. And it is not contained within our borders. Requests have begun arriving from neighbouring territories as well."
At that, the King’s gaze sharpened slightly.
Mirelle inclined her head.
"My office has been... overwhelmed since dawn."
"The Veilward Bureau"—she gestured faintly to the parchments—"has received letters in quantities that exceed anything recorded during previous royal events."
Durnham gave a low, unimpressed hum.
"That," he said, leaning back in his chair, rings glinting, "was the intention of the competition, was it not? To draw attention. To engage the kingdom."
His moustache shifted as he spoke.
"To involve the masses—within reason."
Mirelle did not so much as glance at him.
"The commoners wish to know the candidates," she continued, as though he had not spoken at all. "Not merely their names."
Halverton frowned slightly.
"And why," he asked, "would that be necessary? These men are not unknown. Their titles alone carry sufficient recognition. Those curious enough may learn through ordinary discourse."
"Gossip," Mirelle said, finally lifting her gaze.
Halverton inclined his head once.
"If one prefers the word."
Mirelle gave a small nod.
"Yes. They could."
She paused.
"But they are not asking for gossip. They are asking for understanding."
Silence followed.
Mirelle turned a page.
"Take, for example, the Duke of Blackmere," she said.
There was a subtle stillness at that name.
"Very little is known of him beyond fragments," she continued. "That his lands accept rogues. That his gates remain open to those without allegiance—provided they are not criminals. That his territory is the wealthiest within the kingdom."
Her fingers rested lightly against the parchment.
"But the man himself?" she added. "A shadow, by all accounts."
Durnham scoffed faintly.
"A cultivated mystery," he said. "Some nobles find such theatrics... appealing."
"Perhaps," Mirelle allowed. "But mystery does not inspire trust."
She continued.
"And Baron Redwick of Stoneford," she said. "His lands have suffered loss. Territory diminished. Influence strained."
A brief glance passed between some of those seated.
"Yet he has maintained stability where collapse might have been expected," she went on. "His methods are... not widely understood."
She let that sit as well.
"Most candidates are known in reputation," she concluded. "Few are known in substance."
Halverton leaned back slightly.
"And you believe the commoners are requesting... substance?"
"I do."
There was no hesitation in her answer.
"They wish to know who these men are beyond their titles," she said. "What they intend. What they stand for."
Her gaze moved across the table.
"What they would become."
Silence followed.
"They are not merely watching a spectacle," Mirelle added. "They are forming allegiances."
That, more than anything, drew attention.
"Allegiances?" Durnham repeated, his tone sharpening.
"Yes."
Her voice did not rise.
"They wish to choose favourites, to support, to believe that the one who stands beside the Moon will not be distant from them."
Durnham’s expression darkened.
"They will see enough of that through the competition itself."
"Eventually," Mirelle said. "But they are asking now."
Halverton tapped a finger lightly against the table.
"It is not an unreasonable request," he admitted slowly.
Durnham turned toward him sharply.
"You cannot be serious."
Halverton did not flinch.
"It presents an opportunity," he said.
Durnham’s eyes narrowed.
"For what?" he demanded.
Halverton’s expression remained composed.
"For favour."
That word shifted the air.
"The royal family’s position," he continued, "is... delicate, at present."
No one disputed that.
"To meet the commoners’ request directly," he added, "would demonstrate attentiveness, perhaps even consideration."
The King, who had remained silent thus far, spoke.
"It would remind them," he said, his voice low and even, "that they are not forgotten."
All eyes turned to him.
He leaned forward slightly.
"They may observe the competition and draw conclusions in time," he continued. "But to offer them insight willingly—before they must seek it—would strengthen trust."
Durnham exhaled sharply.
"This is not a public forum, Your Majesty," he said. "It is a royal selection."
"And yet," the King replied calmly, "it has become a public matter."
That ended that line of argument for the moment.
The King’s gaze shifted to Mirelle.
"You have brought us the concern," he said. "What solution do you propose?"
Mirelle inclined her head.
"There are several approaches," she said.
She reached for another parchment.
"The most direct would be formal introductions."
She paused before adding again.
"Not merely names announced in passing," she clarified, "but structured presentations. Each candidate would be given the opportunity to speak."
Durnham frowned.
"To whom?" he asked.
"To the kingdom," Mirelle replied. "It will be like an interview."
"An interview..." Alaric said in thought.
"We are now interviewing spouses because of commoners?" Durnham asked.
"It would seem so. It is an opportunity to give the people what they want, after all. And I was of the opinion that we could do the interview before the main competition starts. It will be formal questions put together by my team from what the commoners have requested," Mirelle said firmly.
The Queen observed her quietly.
"You are certain of this?" she asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty. It will work in favour of the royal family too," she said.
"I vote for it," Alaric said, raising his hand.
"Me too," Halverton said, raising his hand.
Mirelle followed suit.
"It is in favour. Lord Durnham, the King and I are in support as well," the Queen said calmly.
