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Commander Helgrant’s insistence, she had sent riders with orders recalling the Royal Guard to the city, but it had taken days for most of the Guardsmen to return. Meanwhile, the soldiers and clerics had spent that time scouring the city, both above ground and in the sewers, rooting out any holdouts of Lord Marcellas’ men and ensuring that no demons were hiding, waiting to strike.
    Assured that the fighting was indeed done, the nobles had slowly returned and pledged to support her.  Lord Genela, who had been displaced at her father’s side when Lord Marcellas arrived, quickly sought to regain that closeness to the throne.  He was a constant presence in the palace, always appearing whenever she left her quarters.  She had never really liked the man, even though he had seemed to get along with her father, but palace politics now required her to suffer his presence.
    Jonas, after he recovered from his battle in the dungeons, had made himself available to her as she adjusted to the reality of ruling.  He had gently pointed out that Genela wielded great influence with the other nobles.  “To offend him before the nobles confirm you as Queen would be unwise,” he had said.
    She knew that Genela could have set off a political crisis if he chose to oppose her as Queen.  To secure her throne and ensure that the nobles supported her, she smiled and politely listened to him as he offered his opinion on what he thought she should or should not do. 
    Currying the favor of the nobles had prevented her from directly intervening to stop the gossip and innuendo being spread about Marcus.  Their relationship was not a secret, but the role his family had played in the attempted coup had made him the subject of baseless charges.  There was an organized effort to cast the disgrace of his mother and brother on him.  Aspersions of his loyalty to the crown circulated amongst the gathered nobles.
    To make matters worse, he had made no effort to respond to these attacks.  “As long as you know what is in my heart, I am content,” he had told her when they were alone.  “I cannot ignore what my family wrought, so I will not attempt to defend our name.”  She had argued that he was now the rightful lord over a large and wealthy holding and must protect those that served him, but he rejected that notion.  “If I am seen as needing to respond, as if my actions have not proved my loyalty, it will give credence to these accusations.  Due to our relationship, that could also undermine you with some of the nobles.  That is something I will never do.  It is better if I simply keep my peace.  The truth will always win out in the end.”  Despite her misgivings, knowing his stubbornness, she had let the matter drop.
    Even if Marcus was unwilling to respond, only the intervention of Jonas had stopped her from confronting his critics during court.  She was not blind to the fact that certain families were trying to make Marcus suspect in an effort to prevent her from marrying him.  She endured a constant stream of would-be suitors, each pointedly proclaiming their loyalty to her.  It made her seethe inside, but as with Genela’s presence, Jonas had counseled patience and calm, so she allowed it to continue.
    Jonas had suggested another way to deal with Marcus’ situation.  With Marcus’ consent, she had appointed Sir Alleon as the Crown’s Regent over Marcus’ holdings.  Alleon and the Guardsmen that had left the city with him were tasked with confirming the loyalties of the men-at-arms that had remained at the holdings.  Jonas made the point that an investigation by a respected outsider like Alleon would reassure all that the plot had died with Lady Arelia.
    “My Queen,” a voice called over to her, interrupting her thoughts.  She glanced over at the doors that led to the main hall and saw Commander Helgrant standing just inside the open door.  He was dressed in ceremonial Royal Guard armor, which gleamed in the