Глава 11

Twenty-six Years Ago...

5:11 P.M. \ Overcast

Residence of the Duke of Cumberland, Auchterigg District of Londinium

Your Majesty... I've just received word. Those two pitiful Members have died in their cells.

An end they deserve. It's time Parliament understood they serve Victoria, and not the businessmen stuffing their pockets with coin.

I understand your eagerness. Still, some are worried. Your pressure on the Court has terrified a great deal of Members who had been observing the situation. They may act with impropriety in days to come.

They should be fearful! They'll better know their places.

This unbroken succession of wars whiles away the riches our forebears accumulated over the ages, yet certain greedy condorwings have been reared—fattened by them.

I'm not looking for you to back down, but if we could just go a little slower...

A little slower! As if the condorwings know when to stop. Why don't you look for <i>them</i> to <i>feed</i> a little slower?

If we don't put our new tax policies in place, then once the enemy sees fit to pounce on Victoria and tear her flesh apart, even the mercenaries will leave us without a second thought!

If they consider themselves soldiers clear of mind and honorable of heart, they will stand by your side.

I'm afraid the Red Dragon thought as much too, before he was forced to share half his crown.

We all saw the end that befell him.

I promise you, no matter the hour, you will have Cumberland's loyalty.

Of course, 'Cumberland the Ever on High'—how could I doubt where you stand?

But you see, Robert, Victoria is in her hour of need, this very moment. The right of kings is waning upon this swathe of soil.

Why does Your Majesty think so?

It's your birthday the day after. Everyone is hoping to catch a glimpse of your visage. The servicemen are impatient to pay their respects to you, and the populace's cheers are sure to drown out the parade in turn.

This year, perhaps. But what of next year? And when it comes time for my Alexandrina to succeed the throne?

Robert, we <i>will</i> make our exit, sooner or later.

Your Majesty! You—

Your Majesty, Your Grace.

Pardon me for bothering you without permission, but I've just had a report—

There has been an intrusion in the Palace underground. The Sighs of Kings is unaccounted for.

...What?

And... so is Her Highness Alexandrina.

The Guard have sealed off all areas of connection, and the search is underway, but no leads have surfaced for the time being.

Her Highness Alexandrina and the Victorian Realmblade have gone missing at once, in this sensitive a situation?

No. No noble would be this brazen. But...

Your Majesty, I assure you, I will personally handle this affair, straight away. I'll...

Don't be flustered, my old friend. Alexandrina's long-time mentor accompanies her. I trust no one will pose a threat to her safety.

Her mentor? As in...?

He treats Alexandrina very well. I can't recall if he's ever even shown me the same level of concern.

As for our Sighs of Kings, no matter where it is, it will play its role.

You mean... the role of a Realmblade?

Hah. It'll be grasped by a righteous ruler before those academics conduct their endless research on it. <i>That</i> is what a Realmblade stands for.

And we all look forward to the coming of that day.

I understand.

Robert. For your daughter, and for mine.

Yes, Your Majesty... and for Victoria.

Hold on, Miss, don't run so fast—

I have to, Ailshie! I need to see my father!

I know he's at home today! If I'm not quick enough, he'll be off God-knows-where again!

The Duke's been up to his ears in business recently, but if he knows you want to meet him, I'm sure he'd be willing to spend the time with you.

I don't want him to spend time with me!

Then what are you in such a hurry to see him for?

I... I need to tell him, loud and clear, how I don't want to go to County York.

Don't you like the country? The manor out there's a lot more land than it is here. You used to love playing in the meadow, and you always had the farmers' kids there play cricket with you.

I love it there!

But it's hardly even summer yet—this time of year, we usually stay in Londinium. Plus, isn't it strange to you how it's just me and Mum going this time?

Calm down for now. I hear from the Manchesters' butler how a lot of the noble houses' Masters and Mistresses are summering in the country early this year. It might just be one of those new trends in society, you know?

Don't give me that.

Ailshie, Dad's hiding from me. He wants me out of here. Why? Because I keep asking him to teach me swordsmanship, or because I can never get any Gaulish into my head? Is that why he has a temper at me?

Miss Allerdale, maybe it's not my place to say this, but...

Well, my manners tutor isn't here right now, and I don't give two tosses what you should be saying or not.

...I can only offer my own opinion.

Miss, His Grace loves you very much. No matter what his decision is, it's going to be for the good of you and the Madam.

If he wants good for me, that's more reason he shouldn't be sending me off.

I... I'll miss him. I'll miss him a lot, you know.

Ha, ha... Oh, come on, you. What's the blushing for?

Because that's the kind of thing only little kids say!

I don't want Dad to think I'm attached to him! I need to be stronger, and then I can become a Steam Knight sooner, just like my great-great-great-great-grandmother—

But, you know, you <i>are</i> a child still.

You should try telling him everything you've been feeling. He's a gentle, generous Duke, and a kind and caring father. I'm sure he'll understand you.

So you'll let me see him?

I always support you in your decisions.

But you'd best be a little slower, so's you don't trip on the plants, or else Mr. Jim the gardener'll skip dinner again out of shame for getting you hurt.

Tell Jim it's his fault if his plants hurt me!

*sigh* Really, what do we do with you?

And make sure you mind your skirt, Miss Allerdale... You've got an audience with His Majesty at the dinner tonight!

Have you seen Charles Lynch anywhere?

The newly appointed Steam Knight, was it...? Incredible achievement at his age. I'm sure plenty came here just to mob him.

Shame he rushed off not long after he arrived. I hear every Steam Knight garrisoned in Londinium got orders to move.

...Is it Sargon or Leithanien this time?

God save Victoria, no more wars. Every time one happens, I have to sell off a few more of my grandfather's paintings, rest his soul.

It's an order direct from Parliament this time.

...Parliament?

Oh, of course... the Steam Knights sit under Parliament, don't they? You always get word so quick.

The more you're informed, the better you invest, especially in these times. This goes far further than how much pound sterling we make or lose.

We're deciding the nation's future, and that's precisely why we need to be in touch with more of the wisest.

Major Lynch is...

I think the proper title is Sir Charles now.

Sir Charles is a diligent and upstanding knight, loyal to our nation, to Victoria.

He's been aboard his high-speed warship defending us at the northern border for close to ten years, now. Countless meritorious deeds. Selected to be a Steam Knight, even at his young age. There's no telling how far he'll go.

I hear he used to live in Londinium, I think right here in Auchterigg? Come to think, I've never heard anything about his family.

No matter his family, he's a pillar of Victoria.

Those with the honor of joining the Steam Knights are much different stuff than in times past. You know the type, the court suck-up playing sycophant to the monarch.

Do I hear you ribbing at someone?

No, no, no, I would hardly. All I'm saying is, you see how His Majesty is surrounded by such fine company like Sir Charles, while there are people out there who've done nothing but rest their own laurels on their ancestry's honors. They're a pale shadow in—

Oh, dear... whose child is this? What are you barging about a dining hall for? You'll be dragged off forthwith if you bother His Majesty or His Grace!

The dress... the hair color... Richard, she's...

The Cumberlands are NOT suck-ups!

We deserve steam armor! We'll charge enemy lines and give our lives for His Majesty and Victoria!

Miss Allerdale!

Sir Lord, Lady Martha, dreadfully sorry... the Miss is just feeling unwell right now, she doesn't mean to be rude to the guests. I should have put her to bed, the blame is mine.

What do you mean the blame is yours, Ailshie?!

No one is allowed to sully the Cumberlands' honor!

I'll become a brilliant steam knight, like my ancestors were!

Just wait until I grow up... I—I'll prove it to all of you!