lucia della rovere:
“It is funny how the mind forgets.” The words were idle, a courtesy and little more. Lucia forgot nothing of those she had lost. Their names and faces constantly lurked in the shadows of her mind, spurring her on when she needed it the most. Perhaps that was something Princess Helen felt too. “He was killed to place your brother on the throne. Even if you do not accept her claims, which you should not, one cannot deny she has a right to seek justice for the perpetrators.” Anybody could see Helen was acting out of a thirst for vengeance, but if Poland would do nothing to avenge their fallen heir, perhaps she had a right to it. “I confess, I know little about your ways. But if the circumstances are as you say, your brother has nothing to fear. Helen will fail on her own with time, maybe.” She smiled, though she personally would not have left it up to chance. “It is certainly one way to handle the situation. And it would avoid wasting the blood of Polish men.”
Frown mars her features as the woman spoke. Helen did have a right to seek justice, but not for the late King, but rather for her mother - she had heard the tale of the late Queen, her brother’s wife, and how it was said that she had been removed from this world in her sleep. “Perhaps, but not my brother. I know for a fact that there was no foul play in his death - well, unless you count in God and nature as foul. But, her mother... yes, I have heard about that. I too would have sought justice for that, but it should not be at the expense of her uncle’s and cousins’ lives - or their futures.” Helen should not yearn for removing Sigismund from the throne, or to remove Wład from succeeding it. “Yes, I suppose you are right. She will fail - but, I hope will be smart and dignified enough to know when to quit - and not to take down the kingdom with her.” The Church will never allow for a woman to be queen in her own right - not with a male heir present and healthy. “It would be great if it would also protect my nephew - lest she might get an idea to dispose of him, to rid herself of the competition. I would not put it past her.”














