“Oh,” I say, put out. “Well, what was that all about?” I gesture toward the angry nobles who left in a huff.
Kallias rubs at his temple. “Even more of the nobility who have been relieved of their valuables by our masked bandit.”
“Have you put a heavier patrol on the roads?”
“That and more. We’ve done everything we can think of. Lady Tasoula has personally questioned the merchants living in the areas where these thefts have taken place. None of the people will speak against the bandit. He’s their hero. They won’t turn on him. I suspect, however, that none of them knows his real identity anyway.
“Ampelios has … questioned many of the peasants. But we haven’t caught any who have accepted the bandit’s charity. Without the merchants cooperating by telling us which peasants suddenly have more coin to spare, we have no way of knowing who is receiving the stolen coins.
“We’ve tried staging attacks to catch him, to no avail. We’ve issued a reward for his capture, but not a soul is tempted by it. This man is making me look a fool. When I get my hands on him—” Kallias cuts off suddenly, remembering who he’s talking to. “I’m sorry. I’m letting my temper get the best of me. You shouldn’t be here to deal with this.”
The council members are silent, eavesdropping on our conversation without bothering to pretend otherwise. Lord Vasco looks between Kallias and me, waiting to see how I’ll respond.
“Your Majesty, I have an idea for dealing with the bandit, if you’d care to hear it. Since you were so appreciative of my advice in dealing with the rebels in Pegai, I hope you will trust me enough to let me speak on this matter as well.” The flowery words are for the council’s benefit, of course.
Kallias blinks slowly. “Please continue.”
“If attempts to trap the bandit have proved unsuccessful, then perhaps a trap for those whom he’s giving his stolen goods to would help? Then you could find the right individuals to question as to the thief’s identity.”
“What would you propose?” Kallias asks.
“Melt down some coins. Create a new seal to stamp them with, something that varies only slightly from the current seal. When the money is stolen and used to purchase things in the market, you can arrest whoever is found carrying them.”
The room goes silent.
“That’s … a lot of work to put into a simple plan,” Lady Terzi, the kingdom’s treasurer, says. She has a large ledger held out in front of her. “If something should go wrong and we were to lose that money—”
Kallias turns to stare the woman down. “We should put this plan into action. Immediately. It’s the best idea to ever come out of this room. Unless anyone else has any other objections?” His teeth clench as he tacks on the question. Until he’s twenty-one, he doesn’t get the final say, I remember. He has to rely on the council’s vote.
When no one speaks, Kallias repeats the order, before returning back to me. He rubs the back of his neck, turning it until a faint crack sounds.
“Now that that’s underway, will you be free to join me at the Demetrio ball?” I ask hopefully.
“I’m sorry, dearest. I rule six different kingdoms. There’s always more to be discussed. I haven’t the time for parties or balls or plays. I barely have time to eat and sleep.”
I dare to take a step closer, and lavender and mint washes over me. “Just remember, Kallias. If we’re to be convincing, we need to have the appearance of a courting couple. Courting couples do things. They attend festivities together.”
He looks at me a moment longer. “I will send you more gifts.”
What? Is that supposed to appease me? Or make the facade more convincing?
“Epaphras!” Kallias yells.
I jump as the appointment keeper scurries over.
“Kindly see Lady Stathos out of the meeting room.”
I’m escorted away without another word.
CHAPTER
11
I can’t decide if that went well or not.
On the one hand, I think I just impressed the council. On the other, I’m no closer to getting Kallias to spend more time with me. Perhaps at least my little bit of wisdom will get me invited to future meetings?
That’s probably far too much to hope for.
Still, I’ll need to wait and see how it plays out, and I have other problems to deal with.
After searching everywhere for Rhouben, a servant finally directs me to one of the billiards rooms in the palace. Ladies don’t usually enter gaming rooms, but I’m not about to let that stop me.
He’s of course accompanied by Leandros and Petros.
“Alessandra!” Leandros exclaims. “You’ve sought me out twice in one day. You really are a terrible tease.”
“I haven’t sought you out at all. I’ll remind you I was looking for the king earlier. And now, I’m actually here to see Rhouben.”
“He’s taken, my lady. You really do like to set your sights on the unattainable, don’t you?”
“Not at all, though that does seem to be your strategy.”
Petros laughs as he applies chalk to his billiards stick. “She’s got you there.”
“Why do you need to see me?” Rhouben asks as he leans over the table, sizing up the cue ball and its intended trajectory.
“I have an unwanted suitor I want to get rid of.”
“Ouch,” Petros says on Leandros’s behalf.
I roll my eyes. “I’m of course speaking of Myron Calligaris.”
“I thought it was Eliades who was giving you trouble,” Leandros states.
“Him too. Actually, my plan should rid me of both of them.”
Rhouben hits the cue ball, and a series of clacks results as other colored balls bounce off one another.
“I’m the wrong person to come to,” he says as he stands. “If I knew how to get rid of unwanted attention, I wouldn’t be engaged to Melita. But my father has threatened me with disinheritance if I don’t comply with his wishes.”
“Just tell the king about these fops,” Petros says to me. “A threat from the most powerful man in the world is sure to get them to back off.”
I absolutely cannot do that. If Kallias confronts Myron, then Myron will run his mouth.
“I hope to do this without involving Kallias,” I say. “I don’t need him fighting my battles for me.”
“Want me to challenge him to a duel?” Leandros asks, as he bends over the billiards table for his turn. “This Myron fellow can’t seek your favor if he has a sword stuck in his gut.”
“I don’t need you fighting my battles, either,” I say.
“Then you challenge him to a duel,” Leandros says, a smile in his eyes. He rises from his move, and the play goes to Petros.
“I battle with my mind. Not weapons. Which is why I’m here. I need Rhouben to help me put a plan into action.”
“I think we just discussed how abysmal I am at getting rid of unwanted attention,” Rhouben says. “The only thing that works with Melita is hiding, like I’m doing now.”
“What if I told you I have a plan to free you from Melita?”