Beauty's Gift by C. S. Johnson

Author:C. S. Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: teens and young adult, historical fantasy, fairy tale adaptions, teen and young adult, christian fantasy, historical romance
Publisher: C. S. Johnson
Published: 2017-08-13T16:00:00+00:00

*13*

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THEO IS BACK. HE IS finally back!

Despite their awkward reunion, Rose felt a surge of relieved happiness inside of her as she stood beside her best friend.

Rose watched as her father straightened up in his chair, listening as Theo began telling him of his journey to the Rhone-Aragonian border. She saw that the king was tired, and, likely overwhelmed, considering he had just had dinner with Isra and Philip to go over their wedding details.

He was probably irritated, too, Rose thought, knowing he had been happy to hear of Theo’s absence when Rose had arrived back at Havilah. He had never liked Theo.

“Your Majesty, while I was there, a small mercenary army was also there. They were waiting for their leader to send for them, and then they were to march on Rhone’s capital.”

King Stefanos narrowed his eyes at Theo. “What proof do you offer?”

“I saw it,” Theo said. “I saw it when I went to go and retrieve my aunt.”

“Your aunt?” Stefanos’ suspicion transformed into outrage. “What are you doing, consorting with that witch?”

Rose stepped forward. “Majesty, you can trust Theo,” she said. “He has always been loyal to the crown.”

“Your crown more than mine,” the king retorted.

“So?” Rose blushed. “He wouldn’t lie about something like this.”

“I’m not lying,” Theo insisted. From his tone, Rose knew he was trying to hide his frustration. She could not blame him for being insulted.

“I was able to find out that the army in question is acting under the orders of the Duke of Aragon,” Theo said.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Uncle Hebert is behind the mercenaries?”

“It seems so. He commissioned an order from Annalora, my aunt,” he said quietly. He turned back to the king. “You know of my family’s past, Your Majesty. You know that my own mother worked to save your life once. It should not surprise you that my aunt has a different opinion on the matter.”

Rose watched as he bowed his head down, waiting for the king to answer. He caught her eyes with his for just a second, and she felt the shock of his admission.

No wonder he never wanted to talk about his family that much, Rose thought.

“I didn’t know about my aunt’s involvement until we caught Ambassador Rolez of Einish,” Theo said. “but since then I am convinced of her treachery.” Rose saw his hands tighten as they gripped the Rose Ruby, and Rose stepped forward.

“If you want proof,” Rose said, “we have it.”

Theo glanced over at her. “We do?”

“Yes,” she said. She pointed to the ruby in his hand. “This is the Rose Ruby, isn’t it, Majesty?”

Rose watched as her father’s mouth dropped open, and she struggled not to laugh. There was nothing he would hate more, she thought, than to acknowledge he had been wrong about Theo.

As Theo handed the gem to the king, Rose smiled. “The queen told me that Hebert was the one who had taken the Rose Ruby when he had to leave for Aragon,” Rose said. “He had it in his possession for the past several years.

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