Eavesdrop, of course.

As her brother rushed to the meeting with their father, Catrina sat down on her brother’s bed, caressing the green satin sheets and pondered what to do. She was not pleased that her father sent her to fetch her younger brother like some servant girl. It was always like that; her father did not take her seriously even though she was the elder child. Her little brother was being summoned to discuss important matters and she was left to do what? Her father’s blatant chauvinism made her blood boil. She was certain her father underestimated her intelligence and cunning, which was sometimes a boon and other times a curse. The fact that her father never ceased yearning for Mirantia’s throne was not lost on her and what he had to discuss with Alan had to involve that plot somehow, she was sure of that.

A mewing made her look to the doorway. It was her pet wildcat Luna. The beautifully striped cat slinked towards her and jumped onto the bed at her side. Catrina’s hand went to pet Luna automatically—a gesture long ingrained in her as they had known each other since Catrina was very young. Luna had grown unusually old for a cat yet did not seem any less lively as she was many years before. Catrina knew the reason, but it was a closely kept secret—even from Alan.

‘Hey, little moon, what’s up?’ she said.

As suddenly as Luna appeared, she jumped from the bed again and went towards the door but stopped at the threshold and looked back to her mistress. ‘You want me to follow you?’ Catrina wondered, tilting her head to the side slightly.

Catrina got up to follow her cat and Luna slowly made her way down the hall. They went along the corridors, the entrance hall and out towards the villa’s gardens. Around the side of the villa Luna halted at one of the rose bushes that lined the wall of the house and waited for Catrina to catch up. ‘What’s so interesting around here, Luna?’ she asked, more to herself than her companion.

Then she noticed that they were directly below one of the tall windows of the villa. It was her father’s study that lay beyond, and the window was open. ‘Huh, you want me to spy on father and Al?’ she said looking at her feline companion. Was Luna smiling? No, just a trick of the light surely.
Catrina crouched and got as close to the wall as she could. Why did they have to plant roses of all things at the wall?

She became silent, nearly holding her breath.

‘I don’t want to hear it, Alan. I’d punish you for being so slow to respond to my summons, but we have far more important things to discuss!’ her father’s low voice boomed from the window.

She overheard some introductions and pleasantries between an unknown voice and her brother—that must be the Obscurian visitor, she concluded.

She waited to hear important matters.
‘The good magistrate Ignacio just told me of a diplomatic mission to our native Mirantia, my boy,’ her father started.

‘Yes, precisely, Lord Robert. And I would request Alan to accompany me there. Surely, to see a familiar face alive and well would show Obscuria’s goodwill towards her neighbour,’ the Obscurian said, with far too much honey in his voice for Catrina’s liking.

‘O, I’m sure it would. My brother, the good King Malcom, was always very fond of Alan. What do you say, my boy?’ her father continued.

Catrina could not believe her ears. Her father being so friendly and even calling her uncle “good” was unknown to her. The fact that she was not even mentioned in this conversation was also making her angrier by the second.

‘A diplomatic mission? To Mirantia? Father, I’m not sure it is wise to send me—uncle Malcom surely did not forget why we are exiled. Sending a reminder of betrayal would only serve to jeopardise the endeavour. And besides, my sister Catrina is the senior, if anyone should go it would be her,’ her little brother spoke.

It was moments like those she was reminded why she loved her little brother so. He always a least tried to stand up for her when her father badmouthed or belittled her. Though, she could not thank him for defending her, lest she reveal her eavesdropping.

Her father let out a booming belly laughter at Alan’s concerns. ‘Catrina? We want to mend ties with Mirantia—not cause a scandal when the little whore beds every man in the palace!’ he bellowed.

‘She’s not a whore! She’s your only daughter, how could you say such things about her?!’ Alan protested.

Robert’s laughter died down slowly. And he took on a more threatening tone—one Catrina was all too familiar with. ‘Now listen here and listen well, boy. I will call her a whore, a strumpet, a slut whenever I like because that’s what she is. Do you think a noble girl like her should go to bed with low born men like guards or servants? I have failed in her upbringing, I won’t make the same mistake with you.’

‘It’s not her fault! No man of proper standing would marry her. What is she supposed to do?’ Alan pleaded with his father.

‘Keep her legs shut like a proper lady, boy! Now cease this nonsense! I’ll not have the family laundry aired out in front of guests, you hear me?!’ Robert yelled.

Catrina was surprised at the intensity of the argument her “escapades” had caused between her father and brother. It seemed to her that despite the playful manner between them Alan was quite bothered with her sex-life—or at least how it was perceived by others. She knew no brother wanted to hear that his sister was slutty, but Alan understood she was. Why did he defend her against accusations that bore merit?

Her father’s tone turned unusually mellow once more. ‘Now, back to the task at hand. Alan, you will accompany magistrate Ignacio to Mirantia and do your best to help his efforts. And before you ask, no, your sister will not go with you. You must do this alone. Maybe if your mission is successful she can come on a second visit. Prepare your belongings and be ready to leave on the ‘morrow. That will be all,’ Robert concluded the meeting.

‘Thank you, Lord Robert, and young Alan. I’m sure we’ll do fine,’ the magistrate added on.

Catrina heard the door open and shut—Alan probably left the room.

‘Are you certain it is wise to include him in this?’ her father asked the Obscurian.

‘O, of course. In fact, he’s instrumental. If what you have told me about him is true, then he’ll have **** but to play right into our hands,’ the magistrate said with glee.

‘Just make sure he’s not harmed,’ Robert demanded.

‘My men are professionals, he’ll come to no great harm. Though a little blood might be necessary to make it convincing,’ Ignacio stated.

‘Fine, a few scars might do the runt some good,’ Robert scoffed.

Catrina was not surprised at what she heard. Just as she had suspected there was some plot in the making and her baby brother in the middle of it. The conversation ended there, and Catrina became aware of the uncomfortable position she was in. She crawled out from under the rose bushes and readjusted her gown.

‘Cat, what are you doing here?’ Alan called out to her.

Catrina startled, and hoped he had not seen her moments before. ‘Al, I am just having a walk with Luna and enjoying the sweet smell of the roses. What else would I be doing?’ she lied, and she was good at it. She slowly walked towards her brother and looked at him closely. ‘You look like something’s bothering you, Alan. Care to tell?’ she asked.

Alan turned his head to the side and sighed. ‘It’s just father. We had that meeting you fetched me for and well, he wants me to travel to Mirantia with that Obscurian magistrate,’ he said.

‘O, but that’s not so bad is it? Seeing home again, meeting our cousins again? That can’t have upset you that much. What’s really bothering you?’ she asked sweetly.

Her little brother turned to meet her gaze again. ‘Father called you unsavoury things again, Cat. You know I hate it when he does so. I got into an argument with him, but he just won’t stop. You’re supposed to be his little girl, sis! He shouldn’t be bad-mouthing you,’ he let off his chest.

Catrina cupped her brother’s face in her hand. ‘Al, you don’t have to defend me. I can stand up for myself,’ she said and then went to hug her brother. ‘But thank you, it means a lot to me that you do,’ she whispered in his embrace. After a few moments, just enjoying the warmth of her brother's body, she broke the hug. ‘Can I come with you?’ she asked innocently.

‘I wish you could, Cat, but father forbade it. “Maybe next time” is as much as he said,’ Alan informed her.

Her expression went solemn. Catrina was very adept at faking surprise, one could almost think she didn’t know all of this already. ‘That’s not fair! I want to see Adella and Stewart and Duncan, too! And I want to get out of this damn villa!’ she said as if a small girl again.

‘I feel your pain, sis. But there’s nothing I can do. It’s not like I can sneak you in the carriage or something like that,’ he tried to calm her, putting his hand on her arm.

His idea—though meant in jest—caught her interest.

Alan made to turn back to the villa. ‘Well, I better start packing. The journey to Mirantia will be long and boring—better find some books to read. I’ll see you later, Cat,’ he said.

Catrina grabbed his arm and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. ‘I’ll be sure to come by before you retire for the night,’ she said, ‘I want to talk to you again before you leave.’

Alan nodded and left his sister and Luna.
 ‘Come, Luna. We better make some preparations of our own,’ she told her companion.