“I know you better than you think, Hatan.”
She’d finished wrapping his arm but still held onto it, her fingers warm against his skin. “And you certainly make knowing you no secret at all.”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “You still have my ring?”
He’d tucked it away in his room somewhere. Unless somebody had stolen it while he was locked away, then it would still be in the same place he’d left it. “I do.”
A subtle smile crossed her lips. “Despite all of these exciting activities of late, I want you to understand that my interests have not changed. A merger of sorts between House Padarro and House Jenali would help solidify the throne and your standing with the entire city.”
Hatan stammered for a moment, unsure how to respond. “Uh, I’m… I’m sure there are benefits.”
Footsteps echoed from the throne room.
“Lord Padarro is speaking to somebody right now,” Rivar said from the door as Penym stepped into view, her gentle features glimmering in the dim candlelight.
“My apologies,” Penym said. “I did not mean to intrude.”
“Not at all, Penym,” Hatan said, rising to his feet. “I was even hoping for the chance to discuss some things with you.”
Penym smiled, tucking a bit of her black hair behind her ear. “Certainly, lord.”
Sinteya ran a finger across her lip before saying, “I’ll leave you to it then, Hatan. But do please eat. You’ll need your strength up, I’m sure.”
Hatan laughed. “Don’t worry, Sinteya, I can assure you that I will have no issues with eating plenty of food.”
Sinteya dipped her head with a smile and left the room.
Penym held up a loaf of bread as she entered. “It seems Lady Jenali and I had the same thing in mind.”
Hatan threw up his hands. “Is everyone so worried that I’ll starve?”
“Yes, lord,” Rivar said from outside.
Hatan looked down at himself. He had admittedly lost some weight. “Very well, then. Let me alleviate those concerns immediately.” He flopped into his seat and took a slurp of the soup before looking back at Penym. “My apologies,” he said, swallowing quickly.
“Don’t hesitate on my account,” Penym said. “We wouldn’t want to disparage a line of people hoping to see you fit and well again.”
Hatan dipped his head in acknowledgement, taking another bite. In truth, it was good to be eating something healthy again. Even though it wasn’t military rations, Migo would be proud of him.
Penym watched him as he continued to eat, waiting until he’d taken a few more bites before saying, “What was it you wanted to discuss with me?”
Hatan smiled. “Frankly, I was needing a good excuse to end my conversation with Lady Jenali.”
Penym tilted her head at that. “Is she really such terrible company?”
“No, no, she is amiable enough, and it’s thanks to her that we were able to oust Lord Kesten. I’m just not entirely sure how to respond to requests for courtship. It has been quite some time since I’ve entertained the idea of marriage at all.”
“Oh,” Penym said, fidgeting by picking at her fingernail. “You seek to marry her, then?”
Hatan shrugged. “I don’t know what I seek, but she’s not at all afraid of expressing her own ambitions.” He took a bite of the bread Penym brought, mulling over the idea. Marriage wouldn’t be a terrible thing, and certainly not if love were involved. Perhaps it was Sinteya’s presentation that was off-putting. It was too formal or obligatory in a way that almost dismissed the very concept of emotion.
“Marriage would have its benefits though, would it not?” Penym said, rousing Hatan from his thoughts.
“Oh, certainly,” Hatan said, sucking off a bit of soup that had gotten on his finger. “Wouldn’t a union between two houses strengthen my position both politically and financially?”
“Well, yes,” Penym said with a blink, “but marriage at all for a king is reassuring. It provides a sense of stability for a kingdom, especially if they are able to have children.”
Hatan sighed. “That makes sense. What about you? I suppose it makes things easier without such expectations on your shoulders.”
Penym leaned back in her seat. “Expectations, no, but it doesn’t mean I am without the desire.”
“For children?”
“A family.”
“Ah,” Hatan looked back down at his soup, which was nearly empty. “You… have no family?”
Penym bit her lip for a second before responding. “None. I have been alone for several years now.”
Hatan nodded. His own parents had died when he was away training. Their home had collapsed during a Maedari, killing his parents and his younger sister and brother. The Rikaydians had taken him in under obligation, since Tilayna was his last remaining blood relative. “I’m sorry. I understand,” he said. “Without Migo, I would feel rather lost.”
“I’m not lost, really, just… alone.”
“I see,” Hatan found himself without words once again.
She smiled at him. “At least it has afforded me plenty of opportunity to learn how to manage finances more effectively.”
“Ah, yes, finances. One of those things I seem to be lacking entirely.”
