Chapter 39: Corvo Feels His Age
Emily was hiding something. That was not particularly unusual, but usually he was able to discern what she was hiding. She tried to hide her relationship with Wyman, but he was able to piece that together in a matter of four days. She hid her nightly rooftop excursions, though it was easy enough to follow her, to keep an eye on her. Most often, she tried to hide when she was sick.
Corvo never could pinpoint just exactly why Emily hated visiting doctors, but she always did. Even when she was a baby she kicked up a fuss, wriggling out of their hands and screeching like a seagull. Thank goodness she was rarely in poor health. But the Void forbid she fall ill. Not only did it cause him great worry, Emily almost always refused to see the doctor until she had become too ill to protest.
He hoped this was not one of those times.
Truly, he would have to be spectacularly awful at his job to not notice the abnormal ebb and flow of her appetites. Just last week, while the Queen of Morley dined with them, she ate nothing but variations of toast one day, then the next it was almost anything bland on the table. This had been lasting for nearly a month if he was doing his math right. Corvo was certainly tempted to wrangle Emily in for a checkup if this continued for one more week.
He was pondering what Emily had asked Greta to bring that had prompted the Sister to lug in a large sack when a cleared throat pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Is this where we meet for dinner?"
It was Billie, a small folder tucked under her arm and a touch of apprehension on her face.
"Lurk," Corvo greeted, lifting his head off of his folded hands and turning slightly towards the woman. "I did not realize you were invited to dinner."
"Emily said that she had something to discuss with me and that I should come to dinner," replied Billie with a small shrug. "I am not too early, am I?"
He gestured to the empty chair next to him. "Only as early as I am. Take a seat."
She placed the folder on the empty tabletop, pulling out the chair and taking her seat. The clock in the corner chimed six times. Only ten minutes left, give or take.
"What is in the folder?" Corvo tapped the stiff paper.
"Updated information on the Threshers, kindly given to us by the assassins," there was a wry smirk at the words 'kindly given'. "I figured Emily as well as yourself would like to hear about it."
"You figured correctly, at least on my end," he replied, leaning again on his folded hands. "Emily seems to be rather distracted as of late, not wishing to discuss the fallout of King Seamus' death."
A sigh came from Billie. "I can understand that. I think she is hoping that I am able to do most of the cleaning up; after all, this mess came from my miscalculations."
Corvo hummed, raising his eyebrows. "A miscalculation endorsed by the Outsider."
"He does not see it as a miscalculation," she sounded mystified. "A setback for Emily, but other than that, he is satisfied with how things have gone. I cannot imagine why."
The hinges of the door creaked, and there was a pair of footsteps. Corvo did not have to turn around to know it was Emily, Eulalia upon her shoulder. And it seemed she saw fit to bring the Outsider with her.
"Perhaps you could ask him over dinner," he murmured to Billie.
"Ask me what?" The Outsider raised an eyebrow as he slid into his seat across from Billie. Emily took the remaining one somewhat stiffly. Corvo greeted her with a smile, which she returned, but there was an air of nervousness around her. What could be going on?
Billie locked eyes with the deity, a bold move. "Why are you so untroubled by King Seamus' assassination?"
Emily rang a bell to summon a maid, who darted into the room and began to set the table. The Outsider leaned back into the chair, a small smile crossing his face.
"Because Morley is returning to their roots. No longer will their rulers ascend through primogenitor, rather they are returning to tanistry."
Everyone turned to look at him, utterly confused.
"Tanistry?" Emily sounded just as lost as he felt. The Outsider shifted to face her, clearly surprised.
"You do not know about it? It is an old custom, one that was discontinued in the 1500s. All men within a paternal bloodline are candidates for succession, whether or not they are the son of the current or deceased ruler. And the ruler themselves may favor a candidate but not choose him themselves."
The door creaked open again, this time to allow the first part of dinner to be wheeled in and served. Corvo was mildly amused to see Eulalia given her own small bowl of seeds, which she dove into with great relish. Billie frowned over the leek and potato soup.
"So who chooses?" she asked.
"In the past, it was all the males of the family of age. They would choose among themselves who the successor will be," as soon as the servant left the Outsider picked up the bowl and began to sip from it. Corvo could not contain a sigh at his behavior. "Now, it is council of the highest lords and ladies of Morley, and-" he took a large gulp from the bowl. "Women are eligible for election."
There was a beat of silence as they digested both the information and the soup.
"How are you certain that this will happen?" Corvo asked, doubtful.
The Outsider put down his soup bowl with a clunk, his mouth thankfully closed as he chewed. He held up his wrist and flicked it. Between his fingers were two audiograph cards, a folder, and a letter.
"There were already talks about it among the Connells, Gilroys, Cassidys, Mahons, Fitzpatricks, Kerrys, and Abernathys before his death. Seamus spelled it out in his will." The items floated out of his hand and neatly arranged themselves on the table. "It will take a full year to set up, which is time we could use."
"Wait, Seamus spelt it out in his will?" Emily leaned across him and picked up the folder, opening it and leafing through, her soup abandoned. The Outsider promptly switched his empty bowl for her half-eaten one.
"He had no desire to split up the Empire of the Isles, however his eldest has been jockeying for Morlean independence for years. This was the best way to ensure it would end up in the hands of one of his sons that is friendlier to the crown."
Billie made a face at that. "Why not name one of his other sons then?"
"Dáire is a strong leader with many supporters," Emily answered somewhat absently. "He worked his way up Morley's fleet. If Seamus shunned him for Fintan then there would be danger of revolt."
"Dáire also has the support of the Abbey through his twin Abbán," Corvo added, before turning to the Outsider. "What makes you think they will accept this departure in tradition?"
A very toothy smile crossed the deity's face. "Abbán might not like it, but Dáire? How could he not like a call to the past, when Morley was free of Gristol's control? Besides, he is a very popular choice. There is little risk of playing a game you are sure to win."
A maid swept in from the corner of the room and took the empty bowls from the table. Moments later, the main meal itself was ushered onto their plates. Emily carefully put the copy of the will to the side and gave the Outsider a shrewd look.
"You have been whispering in Dáire's ear, haven't you?"
He affected a look of innocence. "Dear Empress, I am only fulfilling my role as one of your Spymaster's assistants!"
"One who terrible at informing their superior of their activities," Billie chided before neatly digging into the trout. "Not that I disapprove."
Emily's gaze turned towards her, surprised. Corvo silently ate his greens. As much as he wished he could say he disapproved, having a deity manipulate their opponents was sorely needed advantage in this situation. Emily seemed to realize that with a short sigh. She slowly picked at her food, not looking exceptionally hungry. The Outsider too was not eating, rather staring at Emily with concern.
"You really should try to eat," he murmured.
She rolled her eyes at him. "Alright, mother," Emily rather aggressively stabbed the fish with her fork and yanked out a piece before shoving it into her mouth.
Billie sucked in air between her teeth, looking rather uncomfortable. She picked up her forgotten file and tucked it away, clearly not keen on discussing it. The Outsider seemed none too bothered, simply turning to his plate. In spite of the somewhat tense air, Corvo sensed an opening.
"Emily, I have noticed that your appetite has been rather irregular," he began. "Are you alright?"
His daughter shot him an irritated glare. "I am fine Corvo!"
"Are you sure about that?" Corvo raised an eyebrow. "It seems that the Outsider is also concerned about you."
The Outsider stopped halfway between shoving half of the fillet in his mouth, wide-eyed and a touch nervous.
"He is merely overprotective," Emily dismissed, cutting her vegetables.
Corvo shifted his gaze over to the deity, who slowly resumed eating. He was moving as little as possible, as if to avoid getting spotted.
"Overprotective? Why is that?" He questioned the Outsider.
"Emily is pregnant!" Billie blurted out.
Silence filled the room. Emily slowly put down her silverware, while the Outsider quickly swallowed the food in his mouth. Even Eulalia paused in her eating, standing still. On Corvo's end, he felt like his thoughts came to an abrupt stop, like a broken audiograph.
"How?" the question tumbled from his mouth.
The Outsider cleared his throat. "You see Corvo, when a man and a woman love each other very much-"
"Shut, up," Corvo snarled, cutting off the deity. "I do not need your sass right now."
This was not good, not good at all. He began to rub his temples. What a mess.
"I am so sorry Emily," said Billie, her tone utterly contrite.
"That was not your news to share, Lurk," Emily replied curtly. She shifted her gaze from Billie to him; it was stubborn and a touch defiant. "I knew you would not be thrilled, but I am surprised that you are so displeased."
Corvo let out a long sigh and reached across the table, offering his hand to her. Emily did not hesitate in taking it, a flicker of relief crossing her face.
"I wish it was simple," he started, a small smile coming onto his face. "In the simple aspects of it, so long as this brings you joy I will celebrate in it. No matter what I will always love and support you, and I will come to love and support you child too."
"But it is not simple," Emily's tone was wary.
"And you have your mother and I to blame for that," the words prompted a sardonic chuckle from him. "As you know, your mother refused to name who the father of her child was in order for you to be named heir. It worked, but only just.
All eyes were on him, he could feel it. But all he cared about right now was Emily.
"Her Cabinet and members of Parliament passed a mandate upon Jessamine. You, Emily, are to be her heir only until she married someone respectable and provided a legitimate heir."
"But she never did," whispered Emily, a bittersweet smile on her lips and pain in her voice.
Emotion tightened Corvo's throat. "She never wanted to. She loved you too much, loved me too much."
"And so the mandate was passed down to you."
The moment was broken. Corvo pulled his gaze from Emily to the Outsider. The deity was staring off into the middle distance, an expression of disgust on his face.
"What do you know of this?" Corvo asked harshly. He was not keen to have Jessamine judged by that black-eyed bastard.
"Nothing but what you have said and what I have inferred," the Outsider spat back. "I was foolish to not expect such a thing. I was foolish to think that they would simply accept an insult to high society, simply out of political convenience."
"An insult!" Corvo found himself on his feet, anger uncontained. "How dare you!"
"Face the facts Attano," the Outsider replied coldly. "While Emily is a delight and no empress could be better, your background is still seen as a stain. Powerful people still judge others by their blood. Get the Inchmouths in the right crowd, gather Paul Bunting and Christoph Ryswell, Barons Griess and Sturgess out of royal earshot. They bemoan the fact that you are her father. She is considered great in spite of you, not because you are part of her."
"And do you think you will escape that?" Corvo snarled.
"We perhaps could have, if you saw fit to tell us," Emily replied gently.
Those words were like cold water on his temper. He stared dumbly at his daughter.
"None of us predicted this happening," Emily continued. "But it would have been wise to know that I was expected to fix my mother's supposed wrong. I guess you never told me before because I was with Wyman, a perfectly acceptable partner for high society. But you never said a word when chose to be with the Outsider, when you knew we were sexually involved. Why?"
Corvo ran a hand through his hair, wincing. "Why? I did not think it would be so… permanent."
The Outsider slammed his hands onto the table as he stood, prompting a yelp out of the silent Billie and a squawk from Eulalia.
"Gods damn you Corvo!" he shouted, furious. "How could you still think I am so fickle? What have I done to deserve this judgment?"
"Sit down!" Emily snapped, her gaze as commanding as her tone. "Please do not curse my father."
The Outsider slowly sat down, grumbling something under his breath as he folded his arms. Satisfied, she returned her eyes to Corvo.
"Is that it? That was the only reason you though not to tell me?"
He shook his head. "No. The other reason, which is in a way part of the first reason, is that I did not think the two of you could have children together."
Emily nodded slowly. "Alright. Please, sit Corvo."
Suddenly aware he was standing, he awkwardly took his seat. Billie held up a finger, a frown on her face.
"I am somewhat lost. What does this mean for the child?"
Corvo placed his face in his hands for a moment. Void, he really did not want to say this to Emily. But she was looking at him expectantly; he had to do this.
"The child is illegitimate, and thus cannot be heir to the throne," he murmured with a groan in his voice. "Marriage alone will not fix it; the mandate specifies that the child's father must be of noble blood, and you must be married to him."
Emily hummed. "So, who other than you knows about this?"
That gave Corvo pause. Those who insisted on the mandate were an old lot, a dead lot. Only one other person still in Parliament knew about this quiet legal decree, a very unlikely person too.
"Harold Baldwin," he answered.
A sudden sharp bark came from Billie. "Well, that makes things easy. The man will believe anything we tell him."
A sudden, brilliant smile crossed Emily's face. "You're right! I think I know what we could do now."
Feeling lost, Corvo found himself exchanging a look with the Outsider, who glared sharply at him while shrugging.
"Yes, but will Abele agree to it?" Billie asked thoughtfully, a hushed quality to her voice.
"I believe so, if we request it in person and offer a couple incentives," Emily replied eagerly.
"Wait, wait!" the Outsider leaned forward, leaning his elbow. "Think about this, do we really, I mean really want to make Duke Abele… our child's grandfather? The Duke who still has the stain of allowing his "mad double" to orchestrate your coup? Not to mention that he and I look nothing alike?"
Billie rolled her eyes. "You'll simply take after your mother in looks."
"No, he has a point," Corvo said. "His mother can be Serkonan, but we should think outside of Serkonos for noble lineage."
"Why is that?" Emily frowned. "It would be easiest to convince the duke to claim him as his bastard; he has the right age for it, the right place as well. He is nobility without question."
"So is the Voronin family," the Outsider added with a toothy grin.
Once again Corvo's thought process slowed to a halt. The Voronins of Pradym, exiled to Bastillian, drinkers of blood and keepers of crows. Those whose elders gouged out their eyes and went to live their final days in the cold ancestral lands. Of course the Outsider would choose this family to adopt him.
"You truly want to associate yourself with those crazy Tyvians?" Corvo cried.
Emily frowned. "Are they not princes in exile? The Tyvian government will not approve."
"They might still be princes in exile but they are exceedingly popular in their region of Tyvia and tolerated by the government," Billie added. "Largely because they choose not question it, return whenever there is an election to participate in it, and generously lobby on Tyvia's behalf in the court of Duke Abele. What is giving me pause is Attano here calling them… crazy."
"Trust me when I tell you that dealing with them is a mistake," he insisted. No way was touching that bucket of Void-inspired crazy going to end well. "Please, just choose another family."
"Come now Attano, would you not mistake me for one of them?" the Outsider crooned, his smile abnormally wide and sharp.
"Yes," he replied flatly. "But that does not mean you should drag Emily into dealing with them."
Emily folded her hands and rested her chin upon them. "Perhaps I should meet them first, and then we could decide what to do."
"It would take a month to plan, and that is if the Voronins accept the invitation," Billie
"And if they do not, we can always go to Duke Abele," Emily declared with some finality.
So it seemed that this was happening. Corvo could not suppress a long sigh. This was for the greater good. In the long run it would make Emily and his grandchild happy. Oh void he was going to be a grandparent! Where had all the time gone?
"Are you sure that you can convince them, Outsider?" he asked tiredly.
"Of course I can," the deity replied confidently. "After all, they do worship me."