“What will you do?” I asked quietly.
“Keep him. He is my brother. And my father’s son.” He poured himself more wine. “My father’s most cherished; youngest son. I have gone to my father, the King, and suggested that Regal might be more content with his lot if he had more to do with the running of the kingdom. King Shrewd has consented to this. I expect to be much occupied with defending our land from the Red-Ships. So to Regal will fall the task of raising the revenues we shall need, and he will also be dealing with any other internal crises that may arise. With a circle of nobles to assist him, of course. He is full welcome to deal with their bickering and dissensions.”
“And Regal is content with this?”
Verity smiled a thin smile. “He cannot say he is not. Not if he wishes to keep the image of a young man adept at ruling and but waiting for opportunity to prove himself.” He lifted his wineglass and turned to stare into the fire. The only sound in the room was the snapping of the flames as they consumed the wood. “When you come to me tomorrow,” he began.
“Tomorrow I must have for myself,” I told him.
He set down his wineglass and turned to look at me. “Must you?” he asked in an odd tone.
I looked up and met his eyes. I swallowed. I brought myself to my feet. “My prince,” I began formally. “I would ask your kind permission to be excused from duties tomorrow, that I might … pursue errands of my own.”
He let me stand for a moment. Then: “Oh, sit down, Fitz. Petty. I suppose that was petty of me. Thinking of Regal puts me in such a frame of mind. Certainly you can have the day, boy. If anyone asks, you are on my business. Might I ask what this urgent errand is?”