the haunted kingdom by Charles E.J. Moulton (snow like ashes txt) 📕

/> “Check mate!”
Zeddy put back the pieces on the board while Patrick drank some more of his wine.
Patrick stood up and walked over to the window. He sighed, still facing the window. Patrick took a few steps toward him and leaned against the table. “My mother sent you?”
"I am an old friend." Zeddy said even calmer, almost in a whisper. "And I wouldn't be one if I let you drink yourself to death. All of us are so worried.”
He looked down. “I don't have to face having to prove being a good person.”
He sneered and turned around to face the window once again.
“Go to the parties, be promiscuous behind your wife’s back! I don’t have a problem living in times of peace, Son. I’ve done my job. What’s yours? Have you done your job? How many women do you have to disgrace to get your fill?”
Patrick looked at Zed with the eyes of a tiger, walked up and grabbed his glass, his knuckles whitening, and smashed the full crystal-mug against the wall with a bang. The wine ran down the wall of the bedroom and crystal lay scattered about the floor. "Out of my room... right now!"
Zedrick was startled. Patrick pointed at Zedrick, his black hair tousled and his brown eyes piercing sadistically at him. He chuckled and took another gulp of wine, this time from the bottle. He set the bottle down, walked to the corner and pushed the broken lead glass around with his foot on the marble floor, the red wine trickling down the wall like racing drops of nervous blood.
Pat walked to the window and looked out again. Zed always felt like Pat searched for something out there. He saw Morgana taking off on her horse and the chapel door close inside the side wing of the palace. "My Dad is on his way, right?"
Without a word, Zeddy left Patrick standing by the window alone.
“Peace.” Patrick said quietly to himself as Zeddy closed the door. “All I want is peace. When Father Alexander comes back, the only one receiving it will be my sister.”


A little later, Grand Entrance of Iuventus Sacrum

Alexander had been dreaming about that fatal night before her exile. The afternoon breeze from outside filled his nostrils with Clurafar air again. A mixture of country grass, fresh water, lilacs and newly baked bread from the royal bakery by the gates they were passing transported him back decades into the past. But he could still remember the smell of burning grass as if it had been yesterday. One could see at least three of the seven guesthouses from here. There was a statue of Simon the Great at the front pointing toward the palace. His expression was one of pride and the scroll he was holding in his right hand was the building contract for the royal palace Iuventus Sacrum.
The palace appeared in its new gothic, antique, glorious yet unassuming style; white, large, long, its two towers on each end and middle watchtowers greeting them and the courtyard with a garden and statues of Greek gods positioned on each side. Gardener Louis was working on a floral arrangement left of the mid path and waved as he saw the King pass. Marie-Louise was assisting one of the stable boys in fixing one of the six Roman fountains that surrounded it. Marcus stepped off his horse and opened the carriage door. Alexander walked up the path to the side-entrance, hearing chattering behind him. The coachmen stepped off their carriages and were met by the stable boys who unleashed the horses and walked them to the stable, gravel crunching under their hooves. Rolf began chattering with the ladies in waiting and an entourage of people wandered in through the gate. Basically, the courtiers, senators and their wives would accompany the king on trips and lodge in the royal guesthouses. They would drink themselves silly and then leave after a few days.
Alexander, happy about getting rid of the entourage, rushed into the foyer and up the mahogany staircase to the right marble landing. Rushing out from the dining room, her feet shuffling down the red carpet, passing the portraits of the ancestors through the long corridor was Geena.
"Your majesty. Welcome back!”
She was bowing and curtsying and rubbing her hands on her apron, a happy pink ball of enthusiasm, fidgeting with her hands and rubbing them together in glee, some graying blond curls falling down out of her woolen kitchen cap.
"Geena, my sweet! Everything in order?" Alexander asked.
She smiled at him, beaming, her face turning into a round, fleshy, pink flower.
“Yes. I keep things orderly, thank you very much. She started chuckling, her belly shaking so strong it might’ve knocked down the lobby table next to the staircase with the angels on it. She nodded. "Belinda is all right, sir! You needn't worry. She was very upset, but her temper keeps her healthy.” she whispered, happily: "How was Alliland?"
There was a slight pause when they looked at each other, Alex half-smiling.
"Mustafus held a grand gala opening ceremony with lots of courtesans.” He laughed. “We agreed on the signing of a treaty this summer. His drinking and sleeping habits leave me baffled."
The little chubby lady nodded. "They are a rare breed those people."
She smiled, respectfully, shaking her head and chuckling. She looked at the king from the side.
"But Mustafus might be able to benefit from an alliance, won't he?"
"Without question." Geena had always been interested in politics. He took her hand. "Something else, now. Is it true? Are they fighting?"
“The girls?” Alex nodded.
Geena shrugged. “Steven was apparently almost raped by Morgana a time ago and ever since she and Belinda have been fighting over him when she and Steven aren’t. Dearie me, I tell Belinda to keep her own, to be careful, to calm down. Somehow, Steven always gets in Morgana’s way."
Belinda was like her child. The jewel of her eye, she always claimed. She knew as well as Alex that they’d fought and made up countless times. Alexander knew why. Fourteen years ago her own daughter, who had worked as maid for Alexander and also worked for the Neapolonian Ambassador in Clurafar, disappeared out of sight. There were stories about her daughter Maren, and of course people thought the gentile, sweet, rather thin sickly girl had been kidnapped by the forest-gypsies. But they only kidnapped meaty, healthy girls. Not ones like Maren. Since then Belinda had been a substitute daughter. “This is such a stormy time, your majesty. Everyone seems to be having a problem of some kind.”
"Yes, Geena. I know.” He patted her on the back. “How is Patrick?”
“Pat had a fight with Zeddy today. He sits around on a workday and does nothing but drink and play chess. Belinda is having a conference with Steven about what to wear in the Senate!"
"Send them up, will you? I will do some work."
He embraced her. “Nice to be back home in Iuventus Sacrum,” he chirped.
“Nice to have you back.” she sang.
On the second landing, on his way to his own study, he met Zeddy. Zeddy threw his arms out to his sides and laughed. They embraced, slapping each other’s backs.
“How was Mustafus?”
”Drunk!” Alex nodded matter of fact. “Very drunk! Very uncooth!”
Zeddy laughed, every inch of his face a wrinkle.
“We reached agreements that were positive. There was some trouble on the way back.”
“Riders?”
Alex nodded as they began walking down the hall with the ebony carvings.
“Under Prosperanian seal now.”
There was a painful silence. Zeddy changed the subject. “I have been able to keep things fairly under control since you left. Belinda has been a very good partner in crime.”
“Only the quarrel with her sister has made us nervous. Now Patricia is learning the text for the speech like mad and praying that she does not have to read it. Morgana is out of the castle and …” Zeddy smiled. “I am furious.”
Alex nodded. “Belinda knows the importance of this merger. But when her Steven is threatened by female competition when she is out and about she forgets duty!”
Zeddy nodded. They had now arrived at the large ebony door, the entrance to the throne room and study. “It is good to have you back, friend!”
Alex grinned. “Take some weight off those old shoulders, huh?” Both chuckled.
“Oh, Alex. Patrick.”
”What about him?”
“Sieglinde sent me to play chess with him to keep him from drinking. I must’ve upset him.”
“I will talk to my wife.” Alex patted his shoulder. “Thank you for taking care of affairs.”
”What’s an old general supposed to do without a war?”
“Thank heavens that we have peace.” Alexander responded. “Govern and rule!” Zeddy nodded and Alex closed the door behind him and went to his large throne. The entire hall was already filled with torches, lit by Zeddy and Geena and Ruby, with a bottle of wine on the table. He must’ve sat there, drinking for a long time and looking out the window at the stars. When Rolf knocked on the door, Alex had already formed a speech in his head on how to reprimand his children.

Saturday evening, April 11th, 1422 A.D.,
King Alexander’s Throne Room

"Princess Belinda and Princess Morgana, Your Majesty!"
He nodded, daydreaming.
“Send them in!”
Belinda came in half-smiling, wearing a white dress with blue flowers, her light-brown hair falling down in curls across her chest. Morgana had her standard house dress on, which essentially showed off her heaving bosom more than a housedress should, looking like a standard brothel mistress. She should’ve had a flower in her cleavage. It was the only thing lacking. Belinda ran in first.
"Father ... oh, I have missed you,” she mused. “How was Alliland?"
"Just fine." he grinned. “You know Mustafus.”
"Mustafus?" Belinda felt coldness. “Uh-oh, he is mad because of the quarrel,” she thought. "The lover and drinker?”
“Yes, but I think we are going to join forces, thanks to his political skills!"
Belinda clapped her hands like a child, jumping up and down. She was trying too hard and Alex knew that she only did this because she knew her father’s sense of duty.
"Great!" Belinda professed.
Morgana beamed, a curl falling down across her forehead. "Hello, Father!"
"Hello, Morgy love!" They embraced. "Sit down." The two girls sat down on the chairs that were positioned in front of the throne. "Lovely to see you two again!"
Alex sat down again on his gilded blue satin and gave his daughters a friendly smile, however official. "Tell me how you’ve been.”
Both started at once, but embarrassed gave each other permission to speak.
“Oh, dandy.” Morgana faked. “Harbour agreements, receptions, bureaucracy, parties.”
Belinda continued whilst Alex just listened. “I have managed the rebuilding of the royal stables, met with Cretan concerning the summer festivals. Wedding plans continue.” Belinda smiled.
She knew that her father was just killing time, no matter how happy he was to see her.
“Oh, and Steve lit a candle for our love in the chapel this morning.” There was a pause. “And you, Father?”
“Well, dears, as I said Mustafus was as much a grand host as ever. They treated me well.” He smiled at them and they nodded. “As much as I would like to gossip I feel that we maybe should get down to business. I have a meeting that will officially decide a few things this evening and I believe you both know why I hurried back early."
Alex waited. They swallowed hard. They would have to admit everything now.
"Theo warned me of another attack and I could've