Chapter Thirty Five

When Messallina was engaged to Tudur, people had been very quick with their gossips, as the way he initially acted was so different from his usual behaviour. However, it was not that difficult for Vayne as his disadvantage turned into an advantage.

People, including the bride and both sides of the family, were not surprised by the lack of sudden attention. The amount that he gave was enough and if there was too much, they would probably be shocked.

"It is not a bad match." Gramis commented. "The Cornelius family are a very prestigious family. The fact that the girl's father is adopted into the family has little effect."

"It is what will be." Vayne said simply "However, the arrival of my bride is certainly going to upset the current Lady Solidor."

"I do not think Messallina is hungry for power. If she was, then she would have done much a long ago." Gramis said. "That is if she will still be here. Unlike a mother-in-law, a widow sister-in-law can be rid of quite easily."

"And is House Cornelius going to be barbaric or civilised? Cautious or merciful?" Vayne commented, thinking of the various possibilities he had come up with.

"They are suggesting a marriage." Gramis answered. "With a younger brother of your future father-in-law. He is the third son as he is not going to inherit the family, but he is still fairly wealthy."

"Not being the eldest does not mean that they are out of the inheritance race." Vayne said, referring to their family. "I heard that this man lives outside of Archades."

"Yes, he looks after the family estate there. He is a widow with children. It seems a suitable enough marriage. If your mother is still alive, she might actually be happy."

"It might be a good dowry." Vayne said without any difficulty despite all the rapid and sudden emotions that this new was making him experience. "Hasn't this been what you have been thinking for quite a long time as well, sire? After all, Larsa is too attached to her."

Yet in short of making her disappear, there is no way to get rid of her. After all, this would certainly cause a huge scandal.

"The Cornelius family certainly wants her out of the way." Gramis said. "And perhaps she realised this herself, as that is why she suddenly decided to remarry."

"Has she actually agreed then?" Vayne asked.

What did this pawn want? Did it seek to be the empress? Or did it decide to exit the board by being replaced?

"She merely says that she is willing to meet and talk to the other. I heard that the other has decided to come immediately in order to visit her."

"What is the attraction for him? She is a widow of a family who her parent and husband sought to destroy, so they would most likely have little concern for her. Her maternal family barely acknowledge her." He pointed out reasonably. "In addition, a woman her age is not likely to be able to give her husband any more hires."

"But the man already has heirs, and has she not looked after Larsa very well?" regardless of whatever he felt for this daughter-in-law, this fact would never change.

Much to his surprise, Vayne actually felt a bit undignified on Messallina's behalf. This was all she was reduced to? To play the role of a governess and housekeeper?

Surely there can be no other reason for this remarriage.

She was, after all, a pawn that has the potential to be a queen, yet no one seemed to have realised this.

It was necessary for him to find out more about this. His father was a source, but there were at least two other sources.

Lucia was wearing make up, but it was different from Messallina. After all, Lucia was not a plain girl who had to compete with a very beautiful sister. However, what surprised Vayne was the fact that he was actually thinking of this.

Messallina made him learn of the numerous weapons that women used.

"My uncle? I've only seen him a few times." The young woman said as she linked her arms with his and smiled rather sweetly at him. She was a bit too close for his liking, but his reaction made her lean against him even more.

Yes, he decided, Messallina's description was not off. This was a girl who never doubted her charms since it usually worked.

"My family and Lady Messallina's family has fought often, just like some of the senate and your family." The young girl said as she looked at the fourth finger of her left hand, no doubt thinking of the most important ring that she would soon be wearing. "Therefore, isn't this really good because everyone will be happy?"

"Lady Messallina's reconciliation resulted in my brothers' death." Since she was to be his wife, it was necessary to add the next bit. "This caused their execution by my own hands."

The body beside him stiffed slightly. No doubt hearing about what happened was still very different upon hearing the said person saying it in such a casual fashion. All the more significant when the said person was going to be your husband.

A husband that would kill his brothers without any hesitation would surely not be affected by his wife's disappearance. Especially when this was a wife that was chose by his enemies.

"What is wrong, Lady Lucia?" Vayne asked with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

"Nothing!" the girl said quickly. After all, she was the granddaughter of a senator, one who was taught to advance her family in whatever way she could. "But Lord Vayne, I am really happy about our marriage. My father has been talking about how skilled you are in both the army and politics. In addition, he tells me that he really wants grandson. I imagine that Lord Gramis is the same. I am sure that you must want a son too. I know that you love Lord Larsa, but a son is very different from your brother."

"Speaking of Larsa, you must spend some time with him." Vayne said pleasantly. "After all, you will be his sister-in-law, and when my sister-in-law is gone, someone needs to fulfil her role."

"But I am your wife!" unlike before, this wide eyes innocence was not an act, but a genuine surprise. "Shouldn't I be helping you?"

"And what greater act is more helpful then you helping my favourite brother?" this was said with a smile as he kissed her hand. "Pleasant as our conversation is, I must attend to other businesses. However, I am sure that we will have many more opportunities to talk in the future."

It was a friendly reminder as well, that things were not going to be so easy and he was not a man to just be taken lightly. Even though he was sure that Larsa was not going to be affected by House Cornelius in anyway, it was probably still better to wait a bit before he goes to talk to Larsa, so that it would not be so obvious.

When he was able to talk to Larsa, it was at one of the gardens. Unlike his two elder brothers, he was more accurate in choosing places that would not be overheard.

It was a place he has seen Larsa and Messallina now and then, when they were doing certain lessons with contexts that she wanted to hide from others. However, it was Gabranth that was there. Since Gabranth was a servant, he would naturally not be sitting beside Larsa. Instead, he stood behind the young boy.

Gabranth was a little bit harder to deal with Drace, but the two were still rather similar. In Vayne's opinion, this choice of bodyguard might have been a mistake, because it means that the two would focus on the same sort of danger. But then, Messallina would be able to notice the other type.

"Lord Brother!" the boy's smile made him automatically do so in return and he actually wonder whether he should discuss such a grim topic with him.

"I thought that Messallina is usually with you at this time." he commented as he looked at the judge before he speaks. A signal to Larsa.

"I don't mind Gabranth being here, but if Lord Brother wish to, then I will ask him to go away." Larsa began, but was stopped by his elder brother, who shook his head with a smile.

"If Larsa is certain then I will not object. But as I was saying, I thought that this is a time where you tend to have lessons with Messallina."

"She has to meet…to meet the man they say she might marry." Larsa said. "She and Drace actually spend sometime preparing."

"Drace?" they were both women, but their weapons were completely different. He really couldn't imagine the other woman brushing Messallina's hair or painting her face.

"Well, Drace was there and she was talking to Messallina, and I actually heard them talking by accident. Drace is not very happy because…" At this, the young boy stopped and it took him a while before he resumed speaking. "Drace actually does not think that Messallina should go."

"But what do you think?" Vayne asked gently. This was said with real concern, but he was sure that the others would suspect it as being something else.

"Gabranth, I think it is best for you to leave." Larsa said and the other left with a look of worry, which was not uncommon.

"They were actually fighting…arguing." Larsa said softly. "Drace think that Messallina should not accept the invitation because what the senate intend is obvious. However, Messallina says that she has to, at the very least, meet the other, or it would be an insult."

"Why would it be insulting?" he asked innocently. "Has she not always said that she will not remarry?"

"Messallina says that Lord Cornelius does this in goodness so it is rude to reject it." Larsa then clearly become awkward. "Drace then got angry. She says that Messallina must know what is going on and is ignoring it. She says…that Messallina is abandoning me."

"Once again, what is it that you think?"

"I don't think she is abandoning me at all." Larsa said quickly. "But I am worried that I have caused her to be here. She promised Mother to look after me and I even made her promise me to not leave. It is not fair on her. When she talked about how it is ten years…there was something very strange."

"Larsa, do you actually think that Messallina will stay here if she does not care for you or our family? Do you really think it is just because of a promise to our mother and you? She is a part of our family."

Yet as he said these words, he knew that he was lying to his precious brother. It was true that Larsa was important, but he was merely one of her excuses.

What was the real reason though?

Would he be too arrogant by saying that it could very well be he himself? He has no prove, but he felt this could very well be why.

He was surprised at her decision of meeting this possible suitor, but he realised that he shouldn't be at all. After all, Messallina was not a fool at all, so she would naturally be thinking about how to pave her own paths, especially when no one else was doing it for her. He ought to think less of her if she was not doing it, as she was giving up on a possible chance without even looking at it properly.

If she wanted to, then he was sure that she could find a very convincing reason for remarriage.

If she was to remarry.

The thought was not pleasing at all. Their interaction was already limited and if she was to remarry, it would probably severe completely. One of the most annoying part was that this was only limited to him.

Larsa would miss her, but he would still be able to meet her now and then. In time, he knew that Larsa would be able to deal with her absence quite well.

It would not be so easy for himself.

Unless he abandons all that he has done. He was not able to immediately calculate all the affect and consequences, but it would not be advantageous, that he could be certain of.

He did not like the thought of that, yet he did not like the thought of losing her.

Ten years was a long time, even for a pair like them. Yet the last two years seemed to do very little for them, as it had been nothing but rare meetings until their latest discussions: which was that of their marriage.

He needed to make a decision, but he needed to see what Messallina was going to do. It was ironic, he knew that this was going to happen, yet the result still seemed to surprise him. Instead of just waiting patiently for this, he was irritated at this happening.

Messallina's two decisions should have the same weight, but they did not. He had to admit the truth to himself.

He did not want her to remarry.

However, things could not just stay like this.

All that he did was to sleep with her for a single night, yet he continued to think of her. Not of what happened, but the thoughts of wanting more. Not lust, but trust and want. A sense of peace.

What she would be able to give was different then what Larsa gave him, and he wanted both.

If he wanted this, then he was sure that he was able to think of something. However, it had to wait until he learnt of what she would do.

He loved Larsa, yet he was aware that it was what he felt for Larsa that could often make his life difficult and even painful. This was because he wanted himself to be seen in a certain way as he was concerned with what his brother thought. To care and love someone that way meant that there was much he had to give up.

Perhaps he was starting to understand his own feelings due to what he was doing. This slight sacrifice that he was making.

He was going to let her decide.

Author's Note: I think what Vayne said about Messallina is a very accurate description. We have someone who is actually very capable, but so far, has been mostly ignored and even regarded as incapable.

I think this chapter shows a bit more of Lucia's character. She is a spoiled girl who think too much of herself, but she is not just spoilt and arrogant. What Vayne said about his brother is actually quite scary, as he said it as if he does not cared, yet she was still able to continue smiling and talk about how glad she is at marrying him.

When Vayne goes to talk to Larsa in the garden, he point out how he was good at finding places that would not be overheard. This is a reference to the front, where Vayne overheard Messallina and Tudur arguing about his mistress. His brother had a spot that he thought was quite good, when the truth was that Vayne was able to overhear his conversation there quite often.

Larsa really is such a sweet person, and I believe that the reason that he can be like this is due to Vayne, who sheltered him from a lot of the nasty things. I think he made it that Larsa would learn about these things in a way that would not hurt him. Therefore, Larsa is not ignorant, but can remain idealistic. Yet because of this, I feel that Vayne's love for Larsa is also a burden. After all, he is careful to present a certain persona in front of Larsa, and he is concerned with protecting Larsa. In addition, I think he knows that he would have to lose Larsa.

Finally, Vayne is actually waiting for Messallina to make her choice: is she going to remarry, or is she going to stay here. I believe that this is actually a way for him to show his love (although he denies this himself). If she decided to go, then he would just let her go. Likewise, if she is going to be beside him, he wants her to be certain of this being what she wants.