Chapter 436: A False Witness

Chapter 435: A False Witness

Corvin drew himself up, a small, satisfied smile playing at the corners of his mouth, though it appeared a rather ugly thing given the bruises marking his face — some from the ice that had struck him, the others from Jacinta’s own hand.

"I observed suitor candidates," he said, "disporting themselves with women they had smuggled in from beyond the palace walls."

"And how is that possible?" Jacinta asked. "No soul departs this place without the guards being made aware of it."

"I cannot say how they contrived it, Your Highness," Corvin replied. "I know only what I witnessed with my own eyes. They were moving through the abandoned garden."

"The garden," she said, with pointed emphasis.

"The portion of it no longer maintained," he clarified.

Jacinta’s smile tightened. His speaking of the garden’s abandoned quarter was precisely the matter she wished put a stop to, and yet the man before her seemed altogether incapable of receiving so plain a hint.

"Proceed," she said, having quite abandoned her earlier purpose.

Corvin inclined his head.

"I have it upon good authority that their servants smuggled the women in for them," he said.

Jacinta regarded him a long moment.

"And how do you know this to be so?" she asked. "Did you behold their faces plainly? For surely what you describe should mean they have broken the rules of the competition entirely — yes. But surely you do not speak without evidence to support you? You must have looked upon their faces, for otherwise no investigation can properly be held."

Corvin paused.

He had not thought so far ahead, and now perceived, rather too late, that he ought to have laid his plans with greater care, rather than proceeding in such haste.

Jacinta watched him, waiting.

"Do you not, then, know precisely what it was you saw?" she asked.

Corvin swallowed.

"I must confess," he said, slowly, "that I did not observe their faces with any great clarity. But I did perceive one who appeared to be Earl Hawthorne, or so I believe. He was not alone, however, for I counted five gentlemen, and a greater number of women still."

He paused, then added, with practised affectation:

"I did glimpse a touch of green hair, which I suspect belonged to the Baron. Though for certainty upon that point, we should require further investigation."

Jacinta’s brow lifted slightly.

"The Baron, you say?"

"Indeed. I saw him kissing a woman. I could not determine precisely which woman, but still — the rules of this competition allow no scope whatsoever for such conduct."

Jacinta nodded slowly.

"And the others?" she asked. "Name them to me."

Corvin considered a moment.

"Duke Frostmere," he said. "Duke Thorncrest. And Duke Valenridge, who had two women upon his very arms."

He paused, then added:

"I suspect that, owing to the hail storm, they were compelled to hasten quickly to safety which means this is precisely the moment to apprehend them, while evidence yet remains upon their persons."

Jacinta stared at him.

She must confess to herself that she did not place entire credence in everything this man uttered. But several among those he had named posed genuine threats to her family’s interests.

Should there prove any truth whatsoever in Corvin’s claims, the matter was worth the investigating.

She smiled upon him.

"You shall accompany me," she said, "that we might report this matter to the King and Queen."

---

The Crown granted Corvin his leave, though not without conditions attached.

He should conduct the investigation, certainly, but only under the supervision of the Captain of the Royal Guards. The King himself furnished a parchment, stamped and affixed with the royal seal, signifying proper authority for the undertaking. The Captain was to lead the investigation entire, with Corvin accompanying him merely as a witness to the proceedings.

Corvin, upon receiving this intelligence, was very nearly giddy with satisfaction.

He could scarcely contain his excitement, and fairly bounced upon his heels as they proceeded through the corridors. Yes — should this scheme succeed, he might rid himself entirely of these gentlemen. Four among them were amongst his greatest competitors, though, if he was honest with himself, he harboured also a rather more personal grievance against each.

Baron Redwick had made him appear the fool that night in the kitchens, when the two of them had gone in search of a late supper. Duke Thorncrest had treated his very garments as though they were nothing better than a napkin. Earl Hawthorne had intervened when he had attempted to teach that false princess her proper lesson. And Duke Valenridge had made a fool of him before the whole of the kingdom assembled.

What Corvin did not know was that the sole reason the royal family had granted permission for this investigation was that any opportunity presenting itself to demonstrate their authority, and to bring low such candidates as they held in disfavour, was one they seized without hesitation. It was not justice they sought in this matter. It was power. It was mastery. It was the chance to remind every one — the candidates, the court, the kingdom entire — precisely who held the reins of governance.

The Captain of the Royal Guards was a gentleman named Sir Aldous Greaves.

He was tall, broad of shoulder, and weathered by long service, grey threading through his dark hair, his countenance that of a man who had witnessed too many years in the King’s employ to be easily astonished by anything. His eyes were a pale, steady grey.

They made their way first towards Duke Valenridge’s chambers.

The King had sent a further message to the Captain — a private communication, delivered by a servant who intercepted them within the corridor.

Investigate the Duke of Blackmere first, the message read. He is cunning. We must not permit him to escape our notice.

Sir Aldous read the message, folded it, and tucked it within his coat. He offered no remark upon it whatsoever, merely gesturing for his men to follow, and continued upon his way.

Upon reaching Duke Valenridge’s door, two men stood posted without.

One was lean of build; the other, considerably larger, bore a scar across his forearm. For some reason, Corvin felt certain this larger man had been among those he had encountered that very night — though he need feel no fear of him now, for he held power of his own at present.

Sir Aldous opened his mouth to speak, but Corvin did not grant him the opportunity.

"Open the doors," he said. "The Duke is to be searched."