Page 6 of The Infernal Battalion

“Debt, piled on more debt.” Cora made a face. “The old Crown had debts to everyone—​the nobles, the Borels, the League cities, even the churches. The first Deputies-​General declared all of that void, but then we started issuing scrip, especially when Janus’ armies were fighting the League. Now nobody knows what the status of all of that is, and the people who held the old debt are petitioning for some kind of settlement, which we definitely can’t afford.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Get the Deputies to reaffirm their commitment to honor the scrip we paid to Desland and the other League cities,” Cora said.

“If we have too much debt, wouldn’t it be better not to pay them?”

“No, because if we can convince them we will honor the scrip, then I can borrow in the Hamvelt market, and the rates there are better than anything we can get internally. And then I can use that to pay off some of the most expensive liabilities, and that will give us more room to—” She stopped again. “It would help, basically.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Raesinia smiled. “I’ll do what I can, though trying to get the Deputies to do anything is like wrestling a sack of cats.”

“I know.” Cora leaned back against the desk, studying Raesinia more closely. “You look tired.”

“I am,” Raesinia admitted. Not physically—​she couldn’t sleep, much less get tired—​but there were other kinds of weariness. She sat down heavily on the bed, which creaked. “It’s just... it never ends, you know? While we were fighting a war it was hard for everyone, but it felt... worthwhile, I guess. If we could get to peace. Now we’re there, almost, and...” And I can see the rest of my life stretching out in front of me, formal dresses and balls and arguing with the Deputies. Until I have to fake my own death and leave forever.

“I wish I could help.” Cora looked haunted.

“You are helping,” Raesinia said. “This place would have fallen apart without you. Honestly. You’re a hero, Cora.”

“I’m...” Cora flushed, pale face turning a brilliant scarlet. She changed the subject, her smile turning wicked. “Speaking of heroes. Have you seen Marcus?”

“We’re having dinner tonight. Assuming nothing comes up.”

“You sound worried. What happened?”

“Nothing.” Raesinia sighed. “That’s the problem, really.”

Cora was the only one Raesinia had thus far told about what she and Marcus had shared. For Cora, it was storybook romance, plain and simple, the queen and heroic general and a love for the ages. Sometimes Raesinia agreed with her. When she looked back on that night, the horrible moment when she’d thought he’d turned her down, the first, tentative kiss, it made her feel warm and giddy both at once. The feeling of having done something unspeakably dangerous and survived. And there were times, looking at Marcus, when she wanted to grab hold of him and never let go.

Somehow, when they actually met, things were always more complicated. Marcus was... polite. Always polite, always courteous, and always just the slightest bit distant. Even when they managed to get out of sight for a few moments to steal a kiss, it was so careful. It was as though, having admitted their love for each other, they were each waiting for the other to make the next move.

“It’s Ohnlei,” Raesinia said. “Something about this place. I grew up here, and being back makes me... remember who I am. And I think it reminds Marcus of the same thing.”

“You need to tell everyone,” Cora said. “You don’t have to sneak around behind your parents’ backs. You’re the queen.”

“It’s not that simple,” Raesinia said. “Things are fragile right now. Marcus is a hero, and he’s the highest-​ranking officer in the army. If I announce that we’re—​engaged, the Deputies-​General might think I’m trying to secure my authority and displace them.”

“You love him, and you’re worried about what the Deputies will think?”

“And the people. The press. Other countries.” Raesinia gave a wan smile. “That’s what it means, being queen.”

Besides, she thought, it isn’t like he’s pushing to take things further. It wasn’t as though she wanted Marcus to toss her on the bed and tear her dress off—​not really, I suppose—​but she had to admit she would have appreciated a little more evidence of... interest. Maybe it’s that I look closer to Cora’s age than his. She always pushed that thought away, but it came back every time she saw herself in the mirror.

Cora flopped down next to her on the narrow bed and put an arm around her shoulders. Raesinia felt faintly ridiculous—​here’s the Queen of Vordan, weighed down with boy troubles, being comforted by the Deputy Minister of Finance—​but she leaned against Cora’s shoulder nonetheless.

“It’ll be all right,” Cora said. “Things will calm down eventually.”

“How long do I have, though?” Raesinia’s voice was a whisper. “Before someone starts asking questions. Five years? Ten?”

“You’ll deal with it when they do,” Cora said. “I’ll help, and so will Marcus.”

“Thanks.” Raesinia took a deep breath. “And you’re right. Once the treaty is signed, Marcus and I will have to... move forward.”

“Or,” Cora said, “when he comes over tonight, you could—”

She whispered the rest, like a guilty schoolgirl, and Raesinia laughed out loud. “Can you imagine the look on his face?”

“All too easily,” Cora said. She puffed out her cheeks and lowered her voice. “Hum, hum. I hardly think that’s appropriate, Your Highness.”