The Familiar of Zero: Home is Where the Hearth Is: (Short Stories) Part 2
(Before Reading this you need to watch the whole series so you have an idea what is going on. I found some of the first ones to be a little...they improved as the series went on.)
Characters:
Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière
Saito Hiraga
Tabitha-Charlotte Helene Orléans de Gallia
Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt Zerbst
Guiche de Grammont
Momorency Margarita la Fère de Momorency
Tiffania Westwood
Siesta
Henrietta de Tristain
Agnès Chevalier de Milan
Locations:
Halkeginia
Tristain
Germania
Gallia
Albion
Romalia
De Ornielle:
Electing to instead come to them to reduce a stress related headache that Princess Herrietta was suffering from, she stepped through the Mirror and immediately was introduced to Saito's Parents and Sister. Now as she sat at the Dinning Room table enjoying a soothing cup of Tea she had Siesta write down everything that Saito's Father relayed so that she could decide whether or not to take his suggestions. "From what Caito has told me the biggest problem you have is your Tax Collectors keeping the Lions share of the Taxes they collect. To stamp out this the best idea would be that the Tax Collectors from now on it would be mandatory to give those taxed a Receipt. Then appoint some reliable Agents that would ensure that the Tax Collectors are no longer dipping their fingers into the Money Collected." He took a sip of tea. "If discovered they are then I would severely punish those that are corrupt." The Princess smiled at that idea and she knew exactly who she could ask to be those Agents. Agnes and her Knights.
"Next. As per the Taxes that are collected. From now on I would suggest that instead of doing it at a set amount each week. You have the Tax Collectors collect them each month and it is based off their Monthly assets. Say eight percent. That would mean that the Collectors need to see the Records for each of those Taxed each month and make it clear to everyone that any withholding any assets would be punished severely as well. " What Chin was hinting at was possible foreclosure on Businesses and complete confiscation of all assets. Perhaps even a prison term. "Now those are long term gains. You need Money immediately. So what I propose is that you create a Kingdom Bond system that you would sell to other Nobles and..what did you call them Caito?" He looked over at his son.
"Money Lenders." Caito replied and his Father nodded.
"These Money Lenders. As I understand it they have a great deal of money that they keep stashed away in hiding. Always worrying that someone might steal it or find it. Offer them a Kingdom Bond with lets say two percent interest to be paid after five years. I would bet that most of them would jump at the chance to have something that only they can cash in later. You could even make it mandatory for them to purchase the Bonds." Chin said and Herrietta smiled even more, her headache beginning to subside.
"What amount would you suggest I have them pay for these Bonds?" Herrietta asked and Chin shrugged slightly.
"Say 100 Gold Coins for each Bond. Though really highlight that they would get back 110 Gold Coins after five years." Chin stated and then continued on with some other ideas he had. By the end of three house the Princess decided to follow all of his suggestions and asked if she could speak with him again later. Standing once more at the Mirror with the papers that held all of his suggestions she smiled pleasantly at them all.
"It is a real shame that you did not have another Son like Saito." Herrietta said with a large smile and stepped through the Mirror back into her Bedroom.
"She was quite lovely and delightful." Saito.'s Mother commented and then chuckled. "Louise you have told me that she was one of your Rivals for Saito's heart. I now can see why you had so many problems keeping Saito. from straying." She said and Louise produced her wand and then the Whip. Causing Caito to wince slightly.
"Yes I had to punish him several times for straying. Either blasting him with explosion or a more direct method." Louise smiled over at Saito. "Though I thankfully do not have to punish him anymore. Not unless he stops loving me that is." Her husband smiled at her.
"My dear Louise that will never happen." Saito said back and Keiko groaned.
"Way to sappy and lovey dovey. I think I might go take a walk. Want to come with me Siesta?" Keiko asked and the Maid nodded.
"Good idea. I think I will also join you. As will you Chin. So that these two can have a little privacy for the next few hours." His Mother then winked at Caito and Louise.
"Real subtle Mom." Saito growled though he noticed that Louise was smirking coyly and as soon as the others left. She grabbed his hand and maneuvered him over to the nearby bed. Not even wanting to instead to go to their bedroom. Shutting the door with a flick of her hand, she began to remove her clothes.
000
Three Months had passed and all of them, plus a few of the Residents of De Orneille watched anxiously as Saito pulled up one of the Potato Plants out of the Ground. Himiko his Mother was fidgeted nervously as she waited. This was all of her idea and if it failed then she would only have herself to blame. With a final grunt, Saito pulled up the entire plant and then smiled broadly. As did everyone else. The Plant had at least twelve Potatoes attached to it. One or two of them were small enough to replant. Taking those off, he put one in a nearby bucket and the other he replanted after placing another Horse Crap Ball in the hole. Covering it with dirt again. With that done, he pulled off the Remaining Potatoes and put them in another Bucket. "With over four months more until Winter. We should get another Harvest." Chin said as he went over to another Plant and pulled it up. Soon all the others began to harvest the Potatoes as well. Himiko laughed with delight as they finished harvesting the small test field across from the Mansion. Later all the other plantings would be harvested. With a good portion being stored away for those that lived on the land. The rest would be sold to a Produce Buyer. From that sale, Saito would pay the Princess the taxes he believed he owed her. Which he would give to her personally.
It took a week to complete the Harvest and now with all of the Storehouses full of Potatoes. Saito did not worry about the Residents of his Domain not having enough food for the upcoming Winter. There was also three Wagons full of Potatoes that were being sold with a promise of more to be sold later. As he watched as Louise finish the negotiations with the Produce Buyer, he could not help but smile. At first the Merchant was only going to give three coppers for every hundred pounds. She got him up to five. He folded as soon as he realized that she was a holder of the Royal Mantle and married to the Hero of Tristain. "She can be hell on wheels when she wants to or has to be." His Father commented as he too watched her negotiate with the much older Man.
"Yeah she can be. That is one of the reasons I love her so much." Saito said over to his Father. "Tomorrow some of my fellow Undine Knights are coming for a visit. Along with Momorency and Tiffania. He suspected the Half Elf would be joined by her now best friend Beatrice Yvonne von Guldenhorf. He did not know if Kirche was coming. For she spent most of her time with Tabitha. The Young Queen of Gallia needed her best friend to keep her company. "I want you and Mom to meet them. Though I don't know if we should expose Keiko to Guiche and the others." Wanting to have a preventive measure against any of the Boys making advances. He had not noticed until after Keiko regained some of her vigor. That she could be considered pretty. His family was not expecting the Princess to arrive with the others. Along with a heavy Guard of Agnès Chevalier de Milan special Bodyguard Troops. After some introductions, the Princess asked to speak with Saito and Louise alone.
Inside one of the Bedrooms, Henrietta exhaled with a deep sigh. "I hate to do this to you Louise. But I must send your Husband on a mission. Though I can personally guarantee that it is not a dangerous mission." Just then the Ostland set down five hundred meters away. "Myself and Tabitha want you Saito to go to the Elvin Lands as our Ambassador." Louise stomped her foot hard onto the floor.
"NO! I will not allow it! He and Tiffa were kidnapped and taken there! They were to be executed by those fanatics and you want him to go there! NO! I will not let him!" Louise declared sternly and Henrietta turned to look out the window.
"I and Tabitha feel the same. But he was requested to be the Ambassador by Vitartial. Also he will not be going unprotected. I have decided to send not only the Undine Knights but also Ten of my personal Guard and Tabitha will be sending ten of her own to oversee his protection. He will also be under the banner of protection from Romalia and Germania. I doubt the Elves would be stupid enough to do anything..otherwise they would be facing an all out War against us all." Henrietta said reassuringly and Louise still did not like it.
"Then I will go with him as well." Louise said and Henrietta shook her head.
"You cannot. That was the only concession they asked that you and Tiffania not be allowed to enter their Lands. They still fear you and her as Void Mages." Henrietta stated and Louise frowned even more. Then slowly conceded. Taking his hand in hers and headed for the door.
"He is not leaving until I spend some time alone with him." Louise said then led him to their bedroom. Hours later after explaining to his Parents and Sisters, Saito walked towards the Ostland. He stopped briefly to turn and look up at the upstairs window where he saw Louise standing. She waved to him and he blew her a kiss. Then before he could change his mind, he continued to walk. Inside their Bedroom, Louise began to cry. She hated this with all of her being. But he was needed and as the Chevalier he had a responsibility. So this one time she would allow him to go. She had decided to tell the Princess there would not be a next time.
000
"We are arriving at the border." Colbert said as he steered his Ship onward. All of the Undine Knights were on the Deck just in case the Elves decided to attack them. With Saito standing behind Colbert on the Bridge of the Ship. The rest of the Soldiers including the five Dragon Riders were all set for anything. Saito had ordered one of the Riders to fly a hundred meters behind them. If they were attacked the Rider's Orders was to fly back and report it to Henrietta. "The last time I was here, I flew the Ostland at top speed. Now I am just ambling along." He nervously stared straight ahead. Swallowing dryly.
"THERE BELOW US! AN ELF SHIP IS RISING OUT OF THE DESERT!" Guiche yelled pointing down at the Desert floor and all watched as a Warship rose to the port.
"THERE IS ANOTHER TO STARBOARD!" Malicorne announced then saw something in the distance. "Another is rising before us." He pointed to the front of them. Both Colbert and Saito saw it. Having a hunch, the latter opened the door and looked behind him and sure enough he had been right.
"Another is rising behind us." Saito said calmly to Colbert, who paled.
"They are not taking any chances of a repeat performance. Are they?" Colbert commented reducing speed to almost nothing. "They have effectively surrounded us."
The Elves boarded and at first the Royal Soldiers were about to repel them, but Saito ordered them to submit. He had orders from Princess Henrietta and Charlotte to not instigate anything. That he was supposed to be the Ambassador. "Ah so we meet again, Devil." Madart said as he stepped forward with a huge smile on his face. His hands near his blades almost hoping that Saito would do something.
"That is a bit rude isn't it, Madart. Especially since I am the appointed Ambassador for not only Tristain but also Gallia. Along under the protection of Romalia and Germania." Saito gestured up at the Banner that hung from upper deck. The Elf snickered and moved his hands away from his daggers.
"Good manners are wasted upon you Savages. But I have been ordered by the Council to escort you to the Capital." Madart glanced over to the Captain of the Task Force and the Elf stepped forward. With a nod, the Elf Soldiers went back to their own Ships.
"The Wreathwind will escort you. I am Captain Ryde." The Elf bowed slightly and smiled politely as Madart returned to the Elf Ship to the Port. Saito bowed back.
"I remember you, Captain and I thank you for escorting us." Saito said and smiled just as politely. The trip to the Capital went without incident as the Ostland followed the Wreathwind. Though everyone on the Ostland could not help buy feel anxious and nervous. Landing at the Port and before he left. Saito gave a suggestion. "I would keep the Ostland ready to leave in a hurry. Just in case."
"That might be a good idea. Are you sure you don't want to take more Soldiers with you? Besides just Guiche and Malicorne." Colbert asked and Saito shook his head.
"No. Two of the Princesses Guard and those two should be enough. I want them to know that I am not afraid of them." Saito said with a smile. Putting on his Belt with the Sheathed Sword that he had commissioned a Blacksmith to make. It had a special addition added. "Delf the Sword is ready. Want to try to see if you can...?" Without another word, Delf moved from his Brand on the back of his hand into the Sword.
"Not bad Partner. Not bad at all. I feel like I am reborn in a much stronger Sword." Delf commented, the addition clanking slightly as he spoke. "Though my mouth could use some oiling." Saito smiled.
"I will later. Well that is about it. Hope to see you soon Sir." Saito said to Colbert who gave him a slight nod of encouragement.
De Ornielle:
Watching the Ostland depart, Louise hung her head as she once more cried. Thankfully Siesta had come to console her and after some moments her new Mother in Law and Sister in Law had joined her. To also console her. "I take it this is a common occurrence. Where Saito goes off on some mission for the Queen." Himiko asked and Louise shook her head.
"No. Generally I go with him. But the Elves...they are afraid of me and Tiffa. The last time Tiffa was there, they were talking about executing her." Louise told them, still wishing she could have gone regardless. A week or more would be a long time for him not being in their bed at night. Looking back out the window, she sobbed when she could no longer see the Ostland. An hour or so later, she was once more summoned by Henrietta.
"I have been considering reconstituting a past law that had been in effect a century ago and I want to run it by you Louise." Henrietta said as she and Louise sipped tea across from each other.
"What law was it?" Louise asked and Henrietta smiled slightly.
"The one that made it legal for Polygamy Marriages." Henrietta replied softly and Louise growled.
"I know why you want to get that one reconstituted! You want it so you too can marry my Saito!" Louise stated accusingly and Henrietta blushed. Lowering her gaze towards the table.
"Please Louise. It is getting harder and harder for me. I have tried not to falter. But there are times I believe that I would not care if you hated me if I...I had an affair with him. If you cannot bring yourself to share him...then I would understand and not pass the law." Henrietta looked at her sadly and Louise found herself understanding.
"If I agree...then what are you proposing as to how many a person can have?" Louise asked and Henrietta brightened slightly.
"No more then two Wives or Two Husbands. Are you going to...?" Henrietta began to ask and Louise raised her right hand towards her.
"I will think about it and I will ask Saito. If he is not too excited about it. Then I might agree. But one stipulation...I want another six months where it is just me and him." Louise said and Henrietta almost threw herself across the table hugging her friend in excitement. "You know he might not agree." She said and the Princess still hugged her.
"It at least gives me hope that he will." Henrietta said smiling happily. Louise already suspected on how Henrietta would work this. With the Mirror in the Basement, she would just simply join Saito and her each night and then return in the Morning. "Thank you Louise." She whispered and continued to hug her.
The Elvin Council:
Standing proudly in the center of the Room, Saito did not even deem to look at the Elves that insulted him. Instead he just stood there and waited. "So you are the one the Savages sent to be the Ambassador?" Esmail said glaring at him with utter disgust.
"I requested it to be him." Vitartial stated stepping next to Saito. "To prove that there is no animosity towards him for what he did against the Great Catastrophe." The one seated stood and now openly glared at his enemy.
"You do realize that the Council directive that this...this Savage be executed is still in effect." Esmail said with a sneer and Saito chuckled, shaking his head.
"And you dare to call us Savage." Saito stated and Esmail returned to glare at him. Stepping down to stand before him. "Sentencing someone to death just because you are afraid of them. No real evidence or even a trail. From where I am from that is actually considered immoral, unethical and...Savage." He said the last word with a huge smile. Especially when most of the Elves there growled angrily.
"You dare to call us Savage!" Esmail declared barely able to contain his anger. Saito nodded.
"Yes I do." Saito said with a huge smile. "Because you are acting like you are so superior to others that you have the right to dictate who lives and who dies. You would think that a superior Race would...I don't know. Be more enlightened. But what I have seen you are nothing more then a Race of egotistical assholes that believe that they have a right to do whatever they want. Because they are afraid of something that happened centuries before any of us Humans were even born." He said and several of the Elves on the Council no longer glared at him. But Esmail still did.
"Enough. Go back to your...lands and tell your Leaders that War is going to be declar..." Esmail was about to say declared, but one of the Elves on the Council cut him off.
"Hold Esmail. I believe you have misspoken, for I do not support us going to War." The Elf said and he was soon joined by most of the others.
"Yes I agree. Perhaps we are acting like the Savages too much. We have strayed from being an Enlightened Race that we claim we are. Too many time Esmail we let your hatred of the Humans manipulate our fear. As for me, I would like to hear more of what this Ambassador has to say." Another Elf said and Esmail inhaled sharply. Noticing that he no longer had almost complete support of the Council.
Four and a half hours later, Saito tiredly walked back towards the Ostland. Vitartail was escorting him, along with a dozen or so Elf Soldiers. "You did well in there. I actually was surprised to learn that you could be so diplomatic." The Elf said with a small chuckle. Saito chuckled as well.
"I was pissed off. Luckily I controlled myself, because I so wanted to deck Esmail. Though when I saw Madart earlier, I wanted to deck him too. Both of them are huge assholes that need a serious beat down." Saito commented believing it would improve their manners a lot. It would also feel really good to punch both of them.
"It maybe savage...but I also have the same impulse. Though you should know Lutshana had beat you to it with striking Madart. As I understand it my Niece upon her and Ali's return had struck him and broke out two of Madart's front teeth and his nose." Vitartail said to him and Saito laughed.
"I wish I could have seen that." Saito said and as they neared the ramp, Vitartail stopped waving off the Elf Soldiers who took position with their comrades around the Ship.
"I will see you tomorrow then. Have a good nights rest." Vitartail bowed slightly and with the same sentiment returned from Saito. He left and Saito stepped onto the Ostland's Ramp and onto the Ship. Letting out a sigh of relief.
"So how did it go?" Colbert asked and Guichi spoke up before Saito.
"He insulted them a couple of times and got someone called Esmail so pissed off that he wanted to attack Saito." Guichi said slumping onto the deck shaking his head.
"Just as I thought it might go then." Colbert said with a chuckle.
After another meeting that went just as well, it was time for Saito to depart. The Elvin Council needed to debate some more before anything official could be decided. So under the same Escort from the Weathwind. They left Elvin Territory. On the two day trip back, Saito could not wait to see Louise again. He also wanted to see his Family, but mainly Louise. To hold her in his arms and promise never to leave her again. He was determined to tell the Two Rulers this was a one time thing. He had no intention of ever being a Diplomat ever again.
000
Stepping down off the Ostland, Saito was tackled by Louise and fell over as she hugged and kissed him. Several moments later, she dragged him inside the Mansion and straight to their bedroom. Promising his Mother, Father and Sister that they can see him the next day.
Six Months four days later, Louise stood off to one side within the Throne Room watching as her Husband took his Second Wife Henrietta Princess Ruler of Tristain. She was actually pleased with the whole situation for now she did not have to worry about someday her friend trying to seduce Saito into an affair. She also was willing to share him with Henrietta. Who now would use the Mirror each night to sleep in the bed with them. Louise was actually used to that, since she had to endure it when Siesta would be on the other side of him at night. Laying her hand on her stomach, she winced slightly. It had grown into a rounded bulge that she could no longer hide from others. Who now knew like her Family and his that she was Pregnant. With the Vows completed and after Saito kissed Henrietta. Louise stepped forward to hug in congratulations Henrietta and then kissed Saito as well. "I am giving you tonight as a gift." She told Henrietta who smiled at her with delight.
"Thank you Louise." Henrietta said hugging her one more time. Then with a flourish grabbed Saito's hand and led him towards her Bedroom. Where they used the Mirror to return to De Ornielle to have the short Honeymoon.
The End.
