The Paper Crown

50. A Murder

Mariusz still isn't talking to me the next morning. I had hoped he would be the one to break the silence, but I can see it will have to be me. All the same, I won't break it with an apology.

After breakfast, I get dressed in walking clothes and choose a pair of leather riding gloves. Then I go to Mariusz's room. He's writing a letter at his desk, but he looks up when I come in.

"Can I have your pistols?" I say.

"What?"

"You said I could use your pistols to go target shooting. I would like to go target shooting this morning. Can I have your pistols?"

Mariusz stares at me. For a moment, I think he's going to change his mind, but then he gets up and goes into his dressing room and when he comes out again he has the pistol box under one arm.

"I bought more powder and bullets," he says. "They're in there."

"Thank you. Where are the targets kept?"

"In the stables. You might want to ask a footman to carry them for you. They're heavy."

It makes it easier that he doesn't offer to carry them himself and come with me, but it stings too.

"Thank you for the pistols." I take the box from him. "I'll probably be out all morning."

"Alright." Mariusz follows me to the door. "Mother and I had an argument about this."

"An argument?"

"Yes." His gaze lingers on the scar on my cheek. "Be careful. They are weapons, remember."

"I'm aware." It's the point of bringing them. "Don't worry. If I shoot anyone, it will be you."

He's still too angry to even pretend to smile.

Besides, I'm not quite sure I was joking.

On my way outside, I send a footman for the target. It snowed a little overnight, and the lawns are thinly frosted in white. I leave a trail of dark green footprints behind me on my way to the granary. The footman adds to them when he comes to set up the target. He hovers for a moment afterwards to watch me load the pistol. I'm not quite sure if he thinks I might need his help or if he's merely curious, but when I make my first shot and take a chip out of the granary wall with it, he leaves in rather a hurry.

Last time, I did better than this. Perhaps it's because my hands are shaking a little with nerves at the thought of Konrad arriving. Perhaps it's because I didn't have the chance to watch others try it before me this time. I reload the gun and line up my second shot. This time, I remember to put my weight on my back leg and breathe slowly until the heft of the pistol settles in my hands. I shoot.

I get the target this time, the fourth ring, but almost dead centre. Not bad, but I know I can do better.

I shoot six more times, getting closer to the centre of the target with each shot, until Konrad's tall dark figure blots the edge of the white expanse of lawn. As he crosses towards me, I reload the pistol. He stops some twelve feet away, smiling rather uncertainly. I hold the pistol down by my side and keep my thumb on the hammer.

"It is a strange hobby for a woman," he says.

"I like it. It's satisfying."

"Demonstrate it to me then."

He wants me to spend the bullet in my pistol. I shake my head. "I do this for my amusement, not yours."

"My apologies, your highness. I did not mean to intrude."

"You did, or else you would not have had your wife arrange this meeting."

Konrad looks around, as though fearing someone will overhear us, but there is no one in sight across the whole lawn, and even if there is some spy hiding in the shadow of the trees, they would not be able to hear us from so far away.