Controlling myself, I shrug, “Oskar will come here, and you will tell him exactly what you told me. That whole sad story you gave me about how none of this is really your fault.”
Doerr looks between me and Jellema, and signs before asking, “Remind me what I said to you. I was in shock and babbling a bit at the time.”
I suppress the urge to roll my eyes, “That story was about Basten blackmailing you because you’d been laundering money through the banks in Vupis. How he made you his accomplice in cheating Oskar at gambling to force him into debt. How he planned to use those debts to manipulate Oskar. How he planned to force Oskar to make decisions that favored him so that he could make even more money. How he made you issue the challenge to my marriage. All the other nasty business that he forced you into.”
Doerr has given me no such sad story. I made it my mission to uncover as much as I could about Nelis Doerr and Basten Pleiter. Once they set themselves against me, I was determined to find enough dirt on them to bring them to their knees. Some choice questions to my ladies’ relatives gave me the answers I needed. From there, it was a matter of pulling on a few threads. I’ve salted enough truth into it that Oskar will buy it. The only question that remains is what Oskar will do with Nelis Doerr and Basten Pleiter.
“Yes,” Nelis nods, “It really was all Basten Pleiter. He wanted Oskar to be personally indebted to him. He forced me to go along with it. I knew I should have used banks Codegor to launder the money, but the banks in Vupis gave us a much better rate.”
I’ve also salted enough truth into this that Nelis should be shaking in his boots, wondering just how much I actually know about his dealings. These are all things that Nelis never told me. Vellam certainly didn’t tell Kenric. That leaves them guessing at just how much I know.
Standing here, with Holke and Duke Jellema as witnesses, I’ve told Nelis exactly what to say to get his neck out of this noose without either Holke or Jellema realizing it. If he follows the script, he’ll be placing his head in my noose. I’m not ready to pull my noose tight, yet. If he behaves himself, I might not have to, but I’m certain that at some point, he’s going to try to test my limits. Now, he’s firmly bound to Kenric, to me, to Oskar, and to Duke Jellema. He’s now as much my creature as if I’d bought and paid for him. I hope he realizes it.
It's not like Nelis gets nothing out of this arrangement. Anything he’s done, he can blame on Basten for years to come. I’ve also handed him a free pass to cover all his prior crimes. Anything that happened before today is now Basten’s fault. Nelis gets his slate wiped clean. If he’s smart, he’ll confess everything and straighten himself up. If he’s not, he’ll be back here, locked in his rooms from the outside somewhere in the future. If I had to bet, I’d say that Nelis won’t be able to resist and he’ll be back here again.
My only real regret is that it also provides cover for that snake Vellam. If I could figure out how to pin this on Vellam and Basten, I would do it in a heartbeat. Perhaps Nelis should implicate Vellam as Basten’s loyal creature. I can’t really see a way to do that. Everything I can think of, I discard because it would implicate Nelis, and he’d never go along with the rest of it. No matter, I’ll find a way to get Vellam later.
Holke notarizes the document and files it away before quietly excusing himself. “I believe that my part is done here, uncle.”
Jellema nods.
With Holke gone, Nelis looks at us, “What happens now?”
“Now,” Jellema says, “I’m going to make a petition to Oskar to reinstate you with a long probationary period. You’ll be operating under my supervision.”
Nelis grimaces, but Duke Jellema waves him off. “Your head is remaining attached to your body, and you still have your title. Be happy. The time will pass quickly.”
“Why are you so interested in a gambling den?” Nelis asks me.
“It’s obvious that no one is going to stop Oskar from gambling,” I reply.
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“Oskar’s got an oversized appetite for everything,” Nelis mutters.
I ignore his comment and continue, “But between Kenric and me, we can make sure that Oskar doesn’t harm himself too much.”
Jellema smirks, “I suppose it’s a good thing for Centis that you’re so fond of Kenric.”
I give Jellema a small smile, “It’s a good thing for Centis that Kenric’s fond of it.”
Jellema laughs at this.
Nelis stares at me, “You orchestrated all of this for Kenric.”
I give Nelis a cold look, “I plan to keep my husband.”
I sniff, and Nelis is afraid.
I take a step closer, “Don’t ever interfere with that again.”
The fear smell intensifies. Good.
I look at Duke Jellema, “I’ll leave him in your capable hands.”
Jellema nods. I have been quite happy with Kenric. I’d be even happier if everyone would leave us alone, but they will not. These humans think of treating me as they would treat one of their females.
I spin on my heel and leave with my honor guard clustered around me. I return to our rooms in the palace. I start rummaging in one of the trunks, appearing as if I’m looking for something. In reality, I’m making a few things that Kenric will need to be the safest, most charming, and indispensable companion for Oskar to go gambling with. One is a small stone that will block anyone but me from spying on the games. All Kenric has to do is put it in his pocket.
The idea is not to win much or lose much while spending time with Oskar. Another thing I’m looking for is something that Kenric can set on the table so I can use my sense of smell to help him. I finally find it. It’s a tiny, toy strongbox, less than half the size of Kenric’s fist. I fill it with some toy coins and a few fake gems so that it looks like a proper little treasure chest. I set that aside and begin fishing through my jewelry.
I’m looking for anything with tourmaline, and I know I have something. It’s a brooch. It’s not large enough to be a man’s brooch, but I have a diamond backer that should fit it. With the backer behind it, it seems large enough. I’m told that lots of gamblers wear tourmalines because they think they’re lucky.
Duke Hedde Jellema takes the petition to the audience hall and steps forward to request a private audience with Oskar. Phrasing with Oskar is everything. Demand something, and the man will do the opposite. Couch it so that it seems enticing, and Oskar will accept it. While he waits for Oskar to acknowledge him, Hedde runs through what he wants to say to Oskar because phrasing will be tricky at best. Finally, Oskar is done with the petty matter over some mule cart blocking an alley during deliveries.
Oskar gestures to Jellema, and Jellema bows before stepping forward. “Your Majesty, a matter has recently come to my attention. For the sake of privacy, I’d prefer not to have to state it in open court.”
Oskar frowns at Duke Jellema for a long moment. “Does it pertain to the events this morning?” Oskar asks.
“Yes, Your Majesty, it does.” Jellema replies.
Oskar considers this for a moment, “Very well. I’ll allow it. We’ll retire to the Privy Council chambers.”
Duke Jellema nods and sighs inwardly with relief.
Oskar postures for the rest of the court, but in private, he’s a bit easier to deal with. It’s also not going to help his cause if he makes Oskar’s gambling debts public.
Oskar closes the open court, “I assume that something of this nature will take some time to resolve.”
Duke Jellema bows his head, acknowledging this is the case. Oskar stands up and steps off the dais, striding toward the meeting room where his advisors gather. Duke Jellema follows dutifully behind him. This is another show of Oskar’s power.
He forces the dukes to trail after him, like a puppy chasing a toy. Duke Jellema obliges him because challenging Oskar now is counterproductive. Víl? has hatched an excellent plan that neutralizes the most potent forces ranged against her and Kenric. It also boosts Duke Jellema’s own power and helps to shore up Oskar’s, while protecting him from some of his worst habits. Oskar enters the chamber and orders the guards to see to it that they are not disturbed.
Duke Jellema pauses for a moment, gathering his thoughts. “Nelis Doerr and Leiv Vellam were not alone in this plot to usurp your authority, Your Majesty. They were, in fact, unwilling participants. The real culprit in all of this is another of the dukes, but I think you should hear the rest from Nelis directly.”
Oskar frowns at this and nods, “I had suspected this, but if there’s proof of it, then let us find it.” Oskar looks at one of the guards, “Bring Nelis Doerr here.” The man slips out, and another guard takes his place.
“How did you become aware of this?” Oskar asks.
“It was Princess Víl?,” Duke Jellema replies, “Doerr begged her forgiveness and begged for her help in rectifying the problem. She, wisely, came to me. I told her to let me handle it. Having spoken to him, I tend to believe him.”
Oskar nods and sits, considering this until the guard raps on the door, “Duke Nelis Doerr, as you requested, Your Majesty.”
Oskar waves at the guards to let them in. Oskar, still seated, radiates fury.
Nelis Doerr is propelled more into the room by the guard than he steps in, but the guard follows him.
Oskar eyes Nelis coldly, “Duke. I dismissed your petition for treason. Do not mistake that dismissal for my mercy. You have questioned my authority, attempted to challenge a Royal Contract, and you thought to humiliate me before the entire court. Speak quickly. Why should I not have your head placed atop the postern gate?”
Nelis looks around the room, hesitantly.
- What do you think happens next? Who’s walking away—and who’s not?
- If you could write the next line, what would it be?