Chapter 13: Connection

"Funny that we all seek connection, to the world, to the people in it, to our lives so we feel we are completing some purpose. We want it so badly, we sometimes don't consider it in the way we should, we take advantage at some times and at too few we are thankful for it. Most of all, we lament when we lose it…"

Emily –

"It is our great honor to host you your highness." The Duke, Christian Van Daken was going through the usual motions after we had greeted each other and he'd introduced his family. All the circumstance that I was taught to expect and often only tolerated. I felt more serious this time. It was my first real political exchange outside the capital since I'd regained my throne. I didn't want anyone to get the idea I didn't care. I was a bit curious as to why the Duke's wife hadn't come with his son and two daughters to greet me. Before I could ask however the Outsider had leaned forward to whisper to me. Reminding me of the soft echo my mother's voice had when it came from the heart.

"His wife has passed, during Delilah's reign…she was killed by an uprising of factory workers…" The soft hiss reminded me of the echo my mother's voice had when I carried the heart. But he couldn't exactly yell the information. And it wasn't strange for a guard or attendant to inform the person they worked for of various things quietly. I had to admit the Outsider was better at playing this part than I expected, just what did he think Corvo would do if he didn't hold up his end of the bargain? I wonder if he'd have been as helpful if we weren't as close now.

"I am honored to have your hospitality, Your Grace." I replied politely. I fell into step with him as we turned back toward the city, raising a hand to wave at the crowds that had gathered to see me here. Some looked happy to see me, others were more subdued. I glanced back to the second line of people behind us; The Outsider walked next to his children.

His children were a bit dour, so I supposed I should have guessed something negative had happened but they all wore their sadness well enough. It was hardest to tell with his oldest son; Anton Van Daken, he a year older than I was, but he hadn't married yet. He was considered one of the most eligible bachelors in the nobility almost anywhere in the Isles. However, from what I knew he never showed much interest in marriage and instead had already trained heavily to take over the Duchy, he could already run it in his father's stead if the need arose. Kiya Van Daken, the second born, was only twelve, she looked as though she were trying to keep a neutral face but was more obviously somber than the others. I couldn't blame her, I wasn't much younger than her when I'd lost my mother. Natalia was the youngest, a girl only seven who less sad and instead had been watching the Outsider intently since the introductions. She'd learned enough in her lessons to know that she shouldn't speak at events like this.

"You'll be staying with us for three days per the correspondence. Are you certain you can't stay longer your highness? We'd be happy to have you." The Duke asked as we walked, also offering a wave to the crowd as we walked for the large carriage that would take us to his estate from the docks.

"I would like to spend more time as well, however, I have many other cities I will need to visit as well. It's been too long since the crown stepped out of Dunwall to check on her sister cities." I replied with all the politeness expected of my refusal to stay longer. I glanced over the city, and honestly looking at it, I was a bit ashamed of how relieved I was Dunwall didn't look like Driscol. They were my people to…I had to be able to improve on this…

"The letter we received was sparse, what were your plans for this visit your highness? If you don't mind me asking?" It was Anton that spoke up. A bit of a breach of etiquette since he didn't have his father's rank but I didn't comment on it. However, it was while we were climbing into the carriage so it was at least an informal situation.

"I wish to discuss the general state of affairs, that much was put in the letter. Start to consider what we can do to improve the lives of the people here." I answered neutrally. I didn't want to commit to anything too specific but I knew I needed to say more than that when they remained silent. "I would like a general tour of the city's main districts, as well as some of the outskirts. I have heard that farms here have been suffering."

"I'm certain Anton will be happy to oblige you and your Royal Protector a tour." Christian took back over the conversation from his son smoothly. "If you don't mind me sitting out. Being out in the cold isn't as easy on my knees as it once was. How is Corvo? He is sitting in your place while you are on tour yes?"

We settled ourselves. I was on one side, with The Outsider and Anton sitting next to me. The Duke opposite me, Natalia opposite the Outsider, and Kiya opposite her older brother – though she just looked out the window and gave a small wave here or there to the people outside. It was clear she was trying to put on a brave face.
"He is, and he is well, thank you for asking." I stated, avoiding the subject of the Outsider as my new person in that position. At least during introductions, I hadn't hesitated to use his code name. "He regrets that he couldn't also come, but the council is sparse in Dunwall."

I hated to admit any faults, but there were some things I couldn't just pretend didn't exist. It was better to allow some appearance of weakness than try to deny it and convince people it was even worse than reality. I was about to ask about how Delilah's short control of the empire had affected Driscol when Natalia finally spoke up.

"Are you a witch?" The young voice was colored with equal parts fear and curiosity. She was still openly staring at the Outsider. I hope I kept my surprise at that question off my face, but certainly most of the car, even the all but depressed Kiya, turned to look at the youngest member.

Thankfully the Outsider hadn't done more than smile a little bit, before he could answer the young girl the Duke interjected, a small flush on his cheeks of embarrassment for his child's question. "Natalia, you don't ask people if they are witches, it's rude. Sir Wigmund is the Royal Protector, he is the guard for Empress Emily."

"But, he could be a witch and be a guard." Natalia remarked. I sort of wanted to laugh at the distressed expression on the Duke's face but I stopped myself. If they only knew just how observant the girl was…The Outsider looked as though he was amused by the conversation as well. I let them discuss, a bit curious where the Duke would take this conversation. Though before he could speak up it was Kiya that interjected.

"Natalia, the crown supports the Abbey, do you really think the Empress would have a witch as a guard?" Her tone was slightly insulting, a bit tired, I suppose that's what siblings were for. I wouldn't know, I never had the luxury.

"Oh…I guess not. I'm sorry Sir Wigmund." The girl looked a little dejected as she said it.

The Outsider shook his head lightly, silently dismissing the exchange and not looking insulted. I expect he was probably quite entertained by that little exchange. It could have gone worse I suppose. If anything, I felt as much outsider to them as he was to everyone. The small family exchange…it was endearing in a way I hadn't expected. Nobles or not, they were still a family with all the tiny social aspects any family would have.

"I will speak to our attendants so briefings can be made in regards to the city and what is going on economically." The Duke changed the subject directly, moving past his daughter's 'insult' to my 'Royal Protector'. I nodded along and allowed things to become formal again, it was why I was here after all. Once the subject changed back to politics it took up the rest of the trip to the manor.

The Outsider –

None of them were excited to meet Emily, the introductions, the political dance they'd learned to perform, they were all too wounded for it to be more than a painful routine. The mother had adored it all, all the political details and the niceties of high society, she would have made certain that all of the dress ties were perfect, that Kiya's hair was still pretty but without it hurting her the way it did when her attendants did it up. She would have smiled and made it less about political exchange and somehow polite but more comfortable. As it was, the exchange was correct as far as etiquette was concerned but as chilled as the waters beneath the group meeting on the docks.

I leaned over after the introductions were made to let Emily know the reason behind the missing bride. "His wife has passed, during Delilah's reign…she was killed by an uprising of factory workers…"

Delilah had demanded more industry immediately when she took over. She wanted a fleet of ships with which to sail across the long sea to the Pandyssian Continent and take over the world. Driscol was key to that. With the demand for work high, the safety and health had gone down swiftly. Greed had led to men being abused and taking out their anger on the only reasonable source, the cities leaders. Lady Van Daken's death was the result…

I didn't pay close attention to the conversation, instead I was considering the family and the various impressions I got from them. How they felt about what had happened was very varied despite having all been raised similarly. I allowed myself to get so distracted in my observations while we walked and got onto the carriage that it wasn't until I was asked a question by the youngest that I made note of how much she'd been staring at me. Children were always so interesting, they always saw so much more than those that had created them…

Was I a witch?

No. I could honestly tell her I was not that. I didn't get the chance however.

"Natalia, you don't ask people if they are witches, it's rude. Sir Wigmund is the Royal Protector, he is the guard for Empress Emily." The Duke was quick to admonish his daughter, it was strained in politeness. Clearly he hadn't predicted she would ask me something so direct any more than I had…

"But, he could be a witch and be a guard." She answered in the reasonable way children often thought. I had to admit, I liked her for the logic. It was obviously true. I knew I had to seem as if I found the question humorous but I kept myself from smiling outright. I didn't move to correct her though, I wanted to see what the man would do. Yet, before the father could step in it was the bitter older sister that shook her head at the younger.

"Natalia, the crown supports the Abbey, do you really think the Empress would have a witch as a guard?" Her tone indicated she was all but calling her sister unintelligent. I wonder what she would think if she knew how much closer to the truth the youngest sibling was compared to the rest.

"Oh…I guess not. I'm sorry Sir Wigmund." Natalia sad sadly.

I shook my head lightly, to indicate I was not insulted by her question. If anything, I had to admire her skill at picking out the truth of what was happening around her. Emily hadn't spoken up either, and seemed to find it all almost as entertaining as I did. Though her own eyes were softer, she was watching them with more empathy than I was…

"I will speak to our attendants so briefings can be made in regards to the city and what is going on economically." The Duke changed the subject directly, moving past his daughter's 'insult' as quickly as he could. Emily took up the conversation as well, turning it toward the far less interesting politics. I meanwhile was plotting when I would be able to go and get Bethany with the busy schedule they were all setting up.

I understood the need for such a cover but it was not something I delighted in going along with, this was slowing down getting the ritual completed. Even if it was by days here time didn't work the same way in the void. What would be left by the time we kidnapped this girl and returned her to the capital? I could still recall Delilah's frantic begging, the lack of sanity in her rambles…if she lost enough of it would she change her mind on wanting to return the power to me?

Once we arrived I couldn't spend time fretting over what wasn't changeable. Instead as we exited the vehicle I took a moment to whisper to Natalia. "I'm not mad, I like the idea of magic too."

The girl brightened considerably at my small remark, giving me a huge smile on our way up to the house. As it was already late in the day we were provided small meals in our shared rooms and allowed to retire. I was a bit relieved for it, while Emily had to participate in the finite details of political planning, I had never found it overly entertaining. Though, neither did I want to run an empire as she did…

"What did you think of them all?" Emily asked once the attendants had left us.

"They are in pain." I answered honestly. "By no fault of their own. Their mother's death has left a rift in the family."

"Do you know what happened?" She seemed curious of what I knew.

"When Delilah took over she demanded high levels of production from Driscol. One of the councilmen over the cities factory district thought it was a good idea to lock workers inside so they were unable to leave during most hours. Families and other workers panicked, they blamed the cities rulers and though the Lady Van Daken had no knowledge of what was happening she was killed when she was out in the city. A causality of a war she had nothing to do with…" I explained the tale in short terms. "Once the duke found out the practices were undone and the councilman ejected from his position but the damage had already been done. The Duke and his son both have cracked down on security and haven't been overly kind to the workers since then even if they don't completely blame them all. Contrary to them, the oldest daughter wishes she could put them all in one of the factories and light it on fire. The youngest doesn't fully understand, she misses her mother but she's recovered the best thus far."

"So, it'll be even more difficult to deal in a way to make the average citizens life a bit easier." Emily noted after a long moment to digest all I'd told her. "At least the Duke and his son seem reasonable."
"The Duke is going to ask you to consider his son for engagement." I stated. Emily choked on the wine she was drinking at my comment. Perhaps I should only tell her things when she is not in a position to asphyxiate herself.

"What? Why?" Her voice had gone a bit higher. Why was she more surprised by this than the description I'd given earlier about the wife's death?

"He is concerned about his son's position after his wife's death." I stated, figuring she must need more information on the topic if she didn't understand.

"Yes…I guess that makes sense…but doesn't that bother you?" Emily had stopped eating to focus more on our conversation.

"No. It is a logical course in the eyes of the father. There is little better position in the realm than as a paramour of the Empress herself." I answered, pausing my own meal as she frowned.

"Doesn't that bother you?" She wanted me to say yes.

"Why should it bother me?" I knew that answer would irritate her but I wouldn't lie to her.

"Oh, I don't know…cause being engaged implies a certain emotional attachment." The sarcasm that leaked into her voice was just another sign that she was more frustrated than she would say with my reaction. She wanted me to be jealous of such a concept…

"There are countless social ties made by marriage that are not emotional in nature." I answered with a shrug, unable to fathom why this would anger her. Had she not thought about it before? "I didn't assume that you would care about the youth, or even that you would accept the proposal. I simply thought it wise to let you know that it was probably going to be made."

That at least seemed to placate her momentarily as she returned to her meal, albeit grudgingly compared to before. She was quiet a short time before speaking after a few bites. "I…don't want to get married. My life has never been like other girls, and there is no reason to start now."

"However," I could tell she wanted to say something else and I let the single word hang as an invitation. She'd gotten quiet toward the end of her statement. She always did that when she wanted to say more on a subject but also didn't want to say more. I wasn't offended by her admission, if anything I had to enjoy that she wouldn't want to keep appearances up even if it might weaken her position in her empire. I assumed my presence in her life had influenced these words…

"I don't know how long it'll work. Before my councilors or other nobles try to work against me if I don't provide some sort of heir. Or at the very least claim some other noble family as next in line." She explained in a soft voice. "Mother never married, but she at least had me so people couldn't use a lack of an heir against her. What I want, and what I need to do for the Empire are different things. I'll at least need to have a child eventually."

She was food around on her plate, seeming more like a child who didn't want to talk about having gotten in trouble than an adult discussing responsibilities. For as much as she'd grown up from Delilah's coup she was still, at times, the little girl whose mother had died in front of her

I nodded at her observations. All of them were logical enough. She was fretting over her future in ways she hadn't prior to Delilah and the Duke's coup. "These aren't incorrect thoughts or poor things to consider when you consider that you want to be the Empress of Dunwall."

"Yes but…" She frowned at me more. "I realize this might be quickly to discuss this but…my having a child. That doesn't bother you? Can you have children? Would you even want to?"

She was hoping for answers I couldn't give her…was this our future then, her fretting over all the minute details of a mundane life I couldn't offer her. I sighed and set down my silverware. I didn't want to feel particularly mortal for this conversation. It was better if I didn't.

End Chapter

Way to jump the gun there Emily…from kissing and being close for a few days to kids… Delilah left Emily with a condition about being Empress properly didn't she? Somehow writing it, even though it is serious, made me chuckle. We're frozen over here in the mid-west but at least that gave me time to catch up on school for the week and write for a while!

-Aura

To my reviewers:

The Whispering Sage – Heh more drama planned but in the hopes it'll make them closer in the end. Depends on what my muse decides usually.

Tigerfur – LOL, I tried to make him seem like a decent guy. Void mind tricks lol. Pretty sure Disney would still sue somebody. Awesome, hope you continue to enjoy it.