“What do you want me to do?”
He breathed out through his nose. “Nothing.”
“But …”
“Absolutely nothing. Remember this at all times. King-in-Waiting Verity is dead. Live that belief. Believe that Regal has the right to claim his spot, believe he has the right to do all the things he does. Placate him for now, give him nothing to fear. We must make him believe he has won.”
I thought for a moment. Then I stood and drew my belt knife.
“What are you doing?” Chade demanded.
“What Regal would expect me to do, did I truly believe Verity was dead.” I reached in back of my head, to where a leather thong bound my hair back in a warrior’s tail.
“I have shears,” Chade pointed out in annoyance. He went and got them and stood behind me. “How much?”
I considered. “As extreme as I can be, short of mourning him as a crowned King.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s what Regal would expect of me.”
“That’s true, I suppose.” With a single clip, Chade took off my hair at the knot. It felt strange to have it suddenly fall forward, short, not even to my jaw. As if I were a page again. I reached up and felt its shortness as I asked him, “What will you be doing?” ‘
“Trying to find a safe place for Kettricken and the King. I must make all things ready for their flight. When they go, they must vanish like shadows when the light comes.”
“Are you sure this is necessary?”
“What else is left for us? They are no more than hostages now. Powerless. The Inland Dukes have turned to Regal, the Coastal Dukes have lost faith in King Shrewd. Kettricken has made herself allies amongst them, however. I must tug at the strings she has spun and see what I can arrange. At least we can see them placed where their safety cannot be used against Verity when he comes back to reclaim his crown.”