This story will tell of the events prior to the first game, and a trying explanation on how Corvo became the Royal Protector and Jessamine's secret boyfriend, with added incentive but keeping true to the lore. This story starts in the year 1816, about twenty-one years before the game. There are also a lot of OCs in this story, just to give you a heads up.
Most of this is just basically a big history lesson of the Isles, and I've been doing major research for this to keep it as accurate as possible: reading the timelines, solving for ages and dates, and brushing up on cultural ethics such as coronations and imperial politics, just to name a few.
Since this couldn't fit into the description: this story is rated M for strong language, slight sexual content, and bloody scenes with violent and mature themes.
Before we start, cool fact: did you know that it's possible for a Royal Protector to be female?
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Dishonored, but I do own the OCs in the story. Other than that, I do not claim ownership over the game or its characters.
AN AUDIOGRAPH RECORDING FROM EMPEROR EUHORN JACOB KALDWIN I TO EMPRESS CONSORT BEATRIX BLAYNE KALDWIN
Hello, Beatrix. I have no time to write you a letter, so I thought it would be easier for me to send an audiograph. Feel free to use my player.
Negotiations with Duke Theodanis Abele and the aristocrat Marko Nervetti are going rather well. I simply have to stay a few more days in Serkonos before we can seal the agreement together with his small council. We're currently securing trade routes along the seas and discussing problems on economic foundation, and perhaps subjects on immigration and the like. I'm sure we will come to the most satisfying of conclusions, but I know things like that aren't meant to pique your interest.
I've been long-time friends with old Theo. And Marko Nervetti himself is indeed an agreeable man and a good friend of the Duke. He's proven himself a good citizen and his hospitality is of immense value, even secured me a stay at his lavish estate in Karnaca. Security here isn't much of an issue, as the Duke has appointed to me several guards, and, with the accompaniment my own Royal Protector, you may consider me far from harm's way.
However, one cause of alarm may be this certain gang that lay a few ways from the gallows of Karnaca: the Cavyerli Gang, whose main purpose is said to be the usurpation of the government of Serkonos. Fear not, however; the Duke informs me that their latest activity was more than a few months ago, and he assured me that the Grand Serkonan Guard has been watching their every movement.
Send my regards to Jessamine, tell her I love her. My stay may prove very interesting yet, and I hope to see you soon. Oh, Beatrix, I miss you already.
Marko Nervetti, his daughter Gisella, the Duke Theodanis Abele, and the Emperor sat in a brightly lit hallway at a small and circular table in the Nervetti Residence. The view overlooked the grand landscape of Karnaca, with its birds flying overhead and its buildings stretching over to meet the waters of the sea. The sun was rather cold that day, covered with clouds, but its mild heat was still evenly spread throughout the city. Nervetti was busy sipping his tea as Euhorn looked at his own cup to see that was still full to the brim and growing rather chilly, while his Royal Protector Ivanna Varinox was standing behind him drinking her own cup, somewhat satisfied by the wisp and sugary taste of the drink. Gisella was mixing her second glass as the Duke was too busy trying to suppress his yawns.
"Does the tea not satisfy you, Your Majesty?" Nervetti frowned with concern. "I can call upon a servant to make another drink of your choosing, if you would like something else."
"No, the tea is fine, I was just…" the Emperor didn't complete his sentence and instead moved to another topic that was less awkward for the conversation. "Theo, I read the documents you gave me the other night."
With her nose to the rim of the teacup, Ivanna made a small frown.
"And?" the Duke grinned in anticipation, clasping his hands together. "What do you think of it, Your Majesty?"
Euhorn put a hand to his face and stroked his chin, running his fingers over the makings of a golden beard. "I…I'm not entirely confident over the subject of a Royal Protector for Jessamine; she's too young to be making the choice."
"Really, Your Majesty? Because I was thinking she's just about the right age," Ivanna suddenly spoke to the Emperor as she put down her teacup, her voice cold and intent. "Remember, you chose me as your Royal Protector when you were only a young man."
"Ah, yes…" Euhorn recalled with a straight face. "I was twenty-five, an unusual age. Maybe it was because I became Emperor so suddenly after the Olaskir line fell. But Jessamine is only twelve; I know she's in the right age, but she's not even the Empress yet."
"But please, Your Majesty, I recommend you take consideration in the offer, at least," Nervetti smiled, trying to hide the fact he was basically pleading. "The Duke says that this particular soldier is one of the best guardsmen that Serkonos has to offer, and I myself even saw him take down Cavyerli gang soldiers outnumbered four to one. His skill is absolutely impeccable, I promise you."
"He's also an Officer in the Grand Guard," his daughter Gisella added excitedly, her locks of blonde hair bouncing happily in their tight twist. "He won the Blade Verbena at sixteen years old, too; can you believe it, Your Majesty? You do know about the Blade Verbena…it's one of the most famous sword dueling competitions here in Karnaca. And in our entire history, he's the youngest one to ever win it!"
Ivanna raised an eyebrow curiously.
"Is there a chance that I can meet this man, perhaps?" Euhorn asked.
"Yes, of course, Your Majesty," Nervetti said jovially. "In fact, we've arranged for him to meet you today. I can assure you with the utmost confidence that he will not disappoint."
Ivanna crossed her arms. "You all certainly think the world of him. I hope he won't betray my expectations, and trust me, Master Nervetti, you've set them up rather high."
The Duke took a sip of his tea. "If you set your expectations even higher, Lady Varinox, he will still exceed them."
The Royal Protector bowed her head. "I do hope you're right, Your Grace."
"Don't take too personally Ivanna's behaviour," Euhorn said to his company as if his Royal Protector wasn't there, smirking as she frowned. "If she's acting coldly, that means you haven't done her wrong."
Ivanna rolled her eyes as Gisella gave off a laugh.
The rest of the conversation was casual chatter: society in Dunwall, traditions in Serkonos, the perks and advantages of being the Royal Protector, and so on. But at the back of the Emperor's mind, he was still very much curious over the identity of the soldier, and that was all he could think about during those moments accumulating to his visit. When he read over the documents that the Duke had given him the other night, it was letter upon letter of recommendation from Theodanis, regarding how well of a swordsman this soldier was, and how he could handle himself in a fight. It seemed he was very much impressed by this young man's abilities in combat, and he even recommended him to Euhorn as the future Royal Protector of his young daughter, the heiress Jessamine Kaldwin. Of course, Serkonan ethics took great importance to offering the best skills they had to anyone they felt would best benefit from it, and the Emperor took great interest to this cultural diplomatic gesture.
Euhorn had to admit, when he was waiting there at the table, enjoying tea with Nervetti and the Duke, waiting the soldier they believed to be Serkonos' best, he didn't know what to expect when one of the Grand Guard came through the large doors and announced clearly in a loud voice:
"Lord Marko Nervetti and his daughter Gisella, Duke Theodanis, Lady Varinox, and His Imperial Majesty Emperor Euhorn Kaldwin, I present to you Officer Corvo Attano."
And as the doors opened wider, two more figures walked in: one was clad in the uniform of a Grand Guard Captain, and the other was sporting the shabby and dirty attire of the Grand Guard Officer. But what caught Euhorn's attention was the latter one, the man he assumed to be Corvo Attano.
He looked young, at least eighteen years old, with his long brown hair in tangles and waves tied messily into a ponytail at the back of his head. His skin was touched a soft colour of tan, his eyebrows thick, and his face was gaunt even in youth while his uniform was much like the disposition he gave off; it was dirty and wrinkly and even had some splashes of dry blood on the sleeves and hem. His hands stood motionless at his side, and his eyes were the dullest yet most striking thing about him; from behind stray locks of hair that fell before his face, they were ringed with dark circles and were the colour of the blackest, darkest shadows in Dunwall. At a certain degree, he was handsome, attractive to some extent, but he was not in any way good-looking in the eyes of the Emperor.
"Hello, then, Corvo Attano," Euhorn began, his expectations both fulfilled and betrayed at the same time. "I've heard so many things about you, all of them praise, and it's certainly…well, interesting to make your acquaintance."
Corvo deeply bowed his head, his Serkonan accent heavy, his voice low and husky, almost like that of a man infected with disease. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Euhorn stood there silent as if expecting more from Corvo, but then Nervetti leaned in closer to his ear and whispered, "He's a man of few words."
The Emperor kept this in mind and nodded absentmindedly.
"Finally good to see another renowned soldier on this side of the world," Ivanna walked towards Corvo and held out a hand for him to shake. "My name is Ivanna Raye Varinox, Royal Protector to His Majesty Emperor Euhorn Kaldwin. It's finally good to meet you, Corvo."
Corvo frowned and looked at her hand like it was a foreign object he had never seen before, but reluctantly shook it. Ivanna nearly flinched under his touch, for his hands were rough and callous, true hands of any lower-class Serkonan. As she retracted her palm, she tried to discreetly wipe the dirt she may have accumulated from him on her coat as she made her way back to the Emperor.
"Hello again, my darling Corvo!" Gisella exclaimed coyly, walking over to him before offering her hand for him to kiss. He bent and put his lips to her palm quite briskly before standing upright again. "Do you fare well? Did you miss me?"
"I fare just fine, my Lady," Corvo said, giving her a ghost of a smile. "It's a pleasure to be in your father's house again."
Gisella tiptoed and pressed a kiss to his cheek before giggling and skipping back to her seat; Ivanna was busy cleaning her hands to notice the young lady's infatuation.
"Would you like some tea?" the Duke asked Corvo.
Corvo shook his head. "No thank you, Your Grace."
The Duke put aside the kettle and silence reigned over the table for a very uncomfortable moment.
"Well, Corvo, I assume you know of the correspondence Duke Theodanis Abele sent to me about you," the Emperor said matter-of-factly, breaking the silence. "He wrote quite a lot, actually; he said your skills with a blade are absolutely outstanding, and it's quite impressive that you managed to impress such a starch individual like old Theo. He even says that your abilities in combat match that of Ivanna here."
The Duke frowned while Ivanna gave a vain scoff in response.
Corvo glanced emotionlessly at the Royal Protector's disgusted face before replying. "The Duke exaggerates my skills, Your Majesty; I don't believe I'm anywhere near the abilities of the Royal Protector herself."
Ivanna smirked, as if to say: 'At least you know your place, Serkonan worm.'
"Come on, Corvo, don't be such a sombre fellow," the Duke encouraged him. "There's a reason I recommended you to His Majesty, and it was certainly for good reason."
"There are ways to prove it," and the Emperor turned to his Royal Protector. "Ivanna, I'd like you to spar with Master Corvo here, will that be alright?"
Ivanna's eyes were wide with surprise and her brows were knitted in disdain more than confusion, but if her Emperor ordered anything of her, she would do it without hesitation. She bowed her head and took a glove from her coat pocket. "Anything His Majesty commands, I will do."
Corvo looked as bewildered as she did, but he was in no position to deny the Emperor's request and walked a few steps away from their small table. Ivanna stood at the end of the hall, putting on the single glove on her left hand as she drew what seemed to be a scabbard from her belt. With the flick of it, a sharp, single-edged solid red blade smoothly emerged and she held it out, readying her stance. Corvo, meanwhile, pulled out the simple steel blade of an Officer from his belt.
"Am I allowed to wound him, Your Majesty?" Ivanna asked the Emperor calmly, as if she asked the question on a daily basis.
"To a minimal amount, Ivanna," Euhorn replied. "I don't want any more accidents happening again."
Accidents? Corvo let out a nervous breath.
"Begin."
Corvo didn't even catch the Emperor's signal when he saw Ivanna rushing towards him. He only parried just in time before pushing her off; as he swung his blade to try and hit her cleanly in the shoulder, she moved back, dodging his hit and while she thrusted. Their spar was a series of blocks, failed counter attacks, and swings, but no one laid a scratch; it was almost as if they were equal in strength. Corvo had to find a hole in her defence if he wanted to turn the tide of the battle in his favour and luckily, there was a time he did. Corvo waited until the Royal Protector pushed him back as to counter attack; when she lunged, he ducked, making her miss, then landed a hard, clean kick on her calf. She grunted in pain, but spun backwards and pushed his sword upwards to catch him off-guard. When they both finally regained their balance, she had her blade against his neck, while he pointed his blade towards her sternum.
A draw.
Nervetti, Gisella and Euhorn stood with mouths ajar. It was only until the Duke started clapping vigorously that any sound came from anyone. Corvo sheathed his sword and offered a hand as a gesture of respect, but she ignored his action and began wiping the dust from the back of her coat.
"Unbelievable," Euhorn was surprised that he managed to make the words come out of his mouth.
"Unbelievable indeed," Ivanna muttered under her breath, sheathing her own blade.
"Perhaps my own Royal Protector has lost touch of her skill," Euhorn teased her.
"Perhaps I'm simply too tired from the journey here, Your Majesty," Ivanna breathed, with an undertone of anger.
"So, the verdict?" the Duke asked the Emperor.
"Well, just as I expected: you're never wrong," Euhorn waggled a finger at the Duke, but the latter's smile began to fade as the Emperor continued. "Although, I'm not fully confident into putting the life of my daughter into the hands of a…foreigner—forgive my mistrust, it's nothing personal—so I'll keep an eye on Corvo for a few days, and by the end of my stay, I'll see if he leaves to Dunwall with me or stays here in Karnaca."
The Duke nodded, his tone slightly sombre, try as he might to hide it. "Of course, Your Majesty, we understand."
Corvo, still devoid of any expression whatsoever, bowed his head. "Thank you, Your Grace, Your Majesty," —a glance at Ivanna— "and apologies for any harm that I inflicted upon the Royal Protector, physical or otherwise."
Ivanna didn't even look at him and simply wrinkled her nose in disdain.
"Corvo," the Duke called, standing up from his chair. "A private word with you, please. And Marko, if you'd come with me."
Corvo nodded obediently. He, the Duke, the nobleman, and the nobleman's daughter walked outside of the hallway and into a separate room as Ivanna's eyes followed them out the door. Once the guards shut the Emperor and the Royal Protector in, she poured herself another cup of tea as Euhorn was trying to read her blank expression. She had been his bodyguard for longer than he ought to remember, and she was the closest he could ever get to having a second daughter. She was not just the shield of Dunwall; she was family. And just like any family, he knew exactly when she was upset.
"What's wrong, Ivanna?" Euhorn asked.
Ivanna stayed silent, trying to find the words as she picked up her cup. "That…that couldn't happen…it's impossible."
"What, you having a draw with a common Serkonan?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, exactly that!" Ivanna retorted then took a sip of hot tea. "A Royal Protector can't just…lose like that. It's undeserving of the title given to me. If I can't defeat a simple guard like him, how can I…?"
Euhorn heard her falter and paused to look at the pained face of his Royal Protector. "You feel ashamed, don't you?"
Ivanna bit her lip, closed her eyes, and nodded with such little effort, Euhorn barely saw it.
"Come, now, don't be," Euhorn tried to comfort her. "You have to accept that sometimes, there will be people better than you, and that's alright."
"But there can be no one better than me, Your Majesty," Ivanna protested, gazing intently at him. "I'm your Royal Protector, I'm supposed to act as the sword and shield of the Empire itself! How can I do that now knowing anyone as simple as this Serk can defeat me at a sword fight?"
The Emperor looked at Ivanna straight in the eye. "Remember, dear, he isn't a common Serkonan; look, he's even caught the attention of a meticulous fellow like Theo, and you know how hard it is to impress him. Besides, have I even thought of stripping you of your rank? You're still my Royal Protector, aren't you?"
Ivanna looked like she was going to swallow her tears. "Yes, Your Majesty, but I…I lost…"
Euhorn sighed patiently and his tone changed to that of a parent comforting a crying child. "You treat it like you lost. Oh, Ivanna, if there's always one thing about you, it's that you always let your title get to your head. It's always 'Royal Protector' this, 'Royal Protector' that. Your position is one of skill and right, but it's also of personal business. I wouldn't have chosen you if you weren't prepared of the things to come when I finally became Emperor. Plus, you've been my bodyguard for nearly two decades; you think a mere draw in a spar will change all that?"
Ivanna shook her head and gave her Emperor a smile. Euhorn stood up and offered her a hug, and she found comfort and happiness in facing the draw only when she was wrapped up in the Emperor's arms.