The banners of House Lopez were hanging in the formal dining room. At the head of the large hall, two posts had been set up to display the blue and gold banner of House Anderson, and the green and chocolate brown banner of House Hudson, as a sign of welcome.
Santana may not have liked the oaf much, but she was going to do the thing properly. She nodded to her chaplain, who welcomed everyone once they were seated. As the man prayed to the Higher Ones, she looked around and scowled. Blaine had insisted that Rachel sat by him, effectively putting her out of reach of Santana.
"Ah-men!" the chaplain's voice rang.
Waiters and waitresses rushed in and began laying down dishes piled high with food.
Music played as the feast was laid out, and Santana couldn't help but keep glancing over at Rachel. She was talking with the Heir Apparent, smiling, though nervously, and seeming to overall be enjoying the conversation.
Finn sat a few chairs down from her, eating his food halfheartedly and looking at a sheet of parchment, jaw set and expression unreadable.
It made Santana suspicious, and her eyes narrowed a touch at him. The Baron remained oblivious to her gaze, however, and before long she was back to eating and glancing at her songbird.
That was how the meal passed, and as the servants came to clear the table, Blaine stood up, quieting the chatter with a gesture of his hands.
"My friends, the evening is late, and I've an important matter to discuss with our esteemed host and Baron Finn. I ask you all to return to your sleeping quarters, and rest easy thanks to the generous hospitality of the Archduchess Lopez. We shall remain here for three days, and right out the morning of the fourth day."
There was a chorus of "Yes, Your Highness," and then the scraping of chairs and the sounds of heavy footsteps exiting the room and moving down the grand halls.
When the dining hall was cleared and only a few servants remained to clean, Blaine nodded to Finn, who stood.
The man looked altogether different than he had the afternoon Santana had seen him. Nervous, fidgety, and lacking in any air of nobility. Mentally she scoffed, because how was this idiot a noble at all?
When Finn cleared his throat, hands holding the parchment he had been reading all evening over and over again, he spoke with a strong voice, but tinged with anxiousness. "Your Highness," he started, bowing his head, "and m'ladies," another small bow to Santana and Rachel. "I… It has…" He stumbled over his words, clearing his throat again, glancing down at the paper, then straightening his back.
"A season ago Doctor Berry of this territory was in one of the large taverns in my homeland. He looked troubled, and he was drinking heavily. I sat with him, and he told me of his ails." Finns grip on the parchment tightened a bit, and he met no one's eyes but Blaine's, and then only just. "He spoke of how he had lost his wife, how his daughters were ashamed of him and how he had fallen into heavy debt. Then…" His jaw worked, and he swallowed thickly. "He offered to me his oldest daughter in marriage, if I would renounce his debts and pay them with the bride price. I spoke to my adviser, and he convinced me that it was a good course of action. So I agreed, and the date was set."
Santana's grip on the table tightened, and Rachel looked down, while Blaine continued to listen, face unreadable.
Finn continued. "However, it seems that I… That I have…" He took a deep breath, clearly trying to keep himself calm. "That I have been found… in error."
"So he does have a brain…" mumbled Santana.
"Santana," spoke Blaine sharply, and the Baroness snapped her mouth shut, though continued to glare at Finn.
"As- As I was saying, I did not… I was… I was hasty, in my… My dealings. And I did not consider that perhaps the wishes of this woman's father did not suit her. And… And while I do not understand that, I am…" His grip on the letter became so tight that it threatened to tear, and this time he looked down at the table. "I am willing to enact a formal dual for the lady's hand, if that pleases His Highness and her."
It was the best he could think of. The only idea that had come to him, in a way that he could… let Rachel go and still retain some amount of honor. He knew he would most likely lose, but he didn't know what else to do, and truthfully he wanted this to be over with. It had caused him lack of sleep and many headaches, and the sooner he could continue on his way, the better.
Santana gave him a piercing look, and finally nodded. "I accept," she said. "Though custom decrees that the challenged party choose the weapon, I shall be perfectly happy to let you choose."
"Thank you," Finn said.
"Tomorrow, then," Blaine said. "We shall take care of this matter in the afternoon. Rachel, I wonder would you like to join me for a walk after breakfast?"
She smiled. "I would love to, Your Highness."
"Wonderful! Now, I must bid you ladies a good night. Finn, shall we discuss the new transit routes before we retire?"
"Aye, Your Highness."
Rachel finally looked over at Santana when they'd swept from the hall. "That was…."
"Unexpected," Santana supplied. "But good."
"Why good? This just draws it out longer," Rachel said anxiously. She rose as Santana came around the table and offered an arm.
"True. But it means he's willing to bow out graciously when he loses. And I expect Blaine wanted a chance to talk to you properly before anything transpires."
They walked through the manor, which seemed oddly still compared to the flurry of activity that had taken place earlier that day. Rachel said nothing, too occupied with the various outcomes of tomorrow's duel.
Santana, picking up on her distress, pulled them into a small alcove and hugged her close. "Please don't worry," she said, pulling away only slightly so that she could look at Rachel.
"I don't want him to hurt you," Rachel huffed.
Santana grinned. "My little songbird is worried for me," she said, kissing Rachel's forehead. "I promise, I've been in more duels than I care to remember. And with many different weapons. Unless he chooses some sort of foreign magical object, I shall be perfectly fine. And so will he," she added with a meaningful look. "This is mostly for show - a facade so his servants can go back and say he fought bravely and lost, but with honor. All royalty is a facade."
"Should that worry me?" Rachel asked with a small smile.
Santana laughed. "At times? Yes. But for now, no. You will learn the ways of the court, little songbird. And now," she said, leading them back into the hall. "I must bid you goodnight. We won't share a bed again until they leave, I'm afraid," she added in an undertone.
They came to the door to Rachel's quarters and Santana kissed her cheek.
"Good night, m'lady," Rachel said.
"Sweet dreams, Rachel."
