Chapter 14

Duty

After a long day of overseeing court proceedings in her father's absence, Aurelia visits the Thalmor headquarters under the guise of needing guidance related to a petition. In reality, Aurelia had been having a difficult week taking on so many responsibilities. Her father, king Torygg was traveling at the moment, visiting the other holds and jarls. Aurelia had found this unusual and couldn't help but wonder if this was because she had yet to show any interest in a suitor.

When Aurelia reached the door to Ondolemar's private office she hesitated, before knocking lightly on the door.

"Come in." Ondolemar called. He had known who it was before the door had even opened. As Aurelia pushed the door open, the justiciar's eyes flicked to her. Setting his quill down, he accessed her demeanor. Her posture was tense and she held an uncharacteristic uncertainty in her eyes.

"Your Highness," he greeted. "This is unexpected. Is something the matter?"

Aurelia hesitated before stepping inside and closing the door behind her. "I hope I'm not interrupting." She said, her voice steady but quieter than usual.

"You are never an interruption," he said smoothly gesturing to the chair across from his desk. "Please sit."

Aurelia moved towards the chair but stopped just behind it. She placed her hands on the back of it, curling her fingers against the wood. Suddenly she couldn't remember the petition she had made up in her mind as an excuse to be here. She didn't know want to admit it but something about Ondolemar's presence grounded her.

Ondolemar watched her closely, his eyes were sharp and calculating, but there was a glimmer of something softer beneath his composed exterior. "Sit, Your Highness. Whatever has brought you here, I am at your service."

Aurelia sighed and finally sat down. For a moment, she avoided Ondolemar's gaze.

"I…" she began, but faltered. "It's been a long week. Taking on so many of my father's responsibilities. It's been overwhelming."

Ondolemar leaned back slightly in his chair, his sharp eyes softened as he watched her. "A burden not easily carried, I'm sure. You've taken on much in his absence."

Aurelia glanced up at him, her lips curving into a smile. "You don't have to say it so diplomatically, you know."

Ondolemar lips quirked up, almost in a smile, "I find diplomacy is often preferable to… bluntness. In delicate matters."

Aurelia chuckled softly, "you mean like calling me a disaster waiting to happen?"

Ondolemar tilted his head slightly, regarding her with a hint of amusement. "Hardly. You're no disaster, your highness. Perhaps… frustrating and reckless at times. But no. Not a disaster."

Aurelia raised an eyebrow, "it almost sounds like you're starting to like me, justiciar."

Ondolemar's eyes flickered with a brief, barely noticeable shift in his expression, as if he was caught off guard by her words. He maintained his composure, but internally a feeling of unease had stirred within him.

"Your highness," he said, his voice smooth despite the underlying tension. "I have always respected you. You are a force to be reckoned with-reckless at times, but undeniably capable."

Aurelia sensing the change interrupted Ondolemar's thoughts, "you don't… have to say explain anything." She said, with a small smile but something in her eyes seemed disappointed. "I should be going. Elisif wanted to have tea this afternoon… Or something unnecessarily regal." She rolled her eyes, but then her expression shifted one more playful. "well, thank you for tolerating me, justiciar," a mischievous smile dancing on her lips as she got up to leave.

The Ondolemar's expression softened. As Aurelia rose to leave he found himself wanting to reach out to her, but resisted the impulse. Instead he stood, his eyes locked onto hers.

"Aurelia," he began, "it is never a matter of tolerating you."

Aurelia paused for a moment, the use of her first name making her heart skip a beat, then she met his gaze with a playful smile. "I know. But you do make it look like a challenge."

Ondolemar chuckled softly, "a challenge, indeed."

With that Aurelia stepped out of the room, the door shutting softly behind her.

"I cannot afford distractions," Ondolemar thought to himself as he sat back down running his hand through his hair. Though the thought of her lingering smile was hard to ignore.

King Torygg had been traveling in secrecy to the discreet meeting place he and Ulfric had agreed to, the Nightgate Inn.

He felt some guilt deceiving his daughter, but this conversation needed to be far from prying eyes. Torygg had always been a man of honor, but the stakes were higher now than they'd ever been. The situation in Skyrim was delicate, although he believed his daughter a capable leader, she still had much to learn, and there were certain things he could not reveal to her yet.

Torygg entered the Nightgate Inn, scanning the room briefly before his eyes landed on Ulfric, seated a table in a corner. The jarl gave a nod, acknowledging his arrival, and two exchanges a brief knowing look. There was no need for formalities here.

"King Torygg." Ulfric greeted him.

Torygg sat down across from him. "Jarl Ulfric, it's been too long."

Ulfric studied him, then leaned in slightly, "I trust you're still in good health, but we didn't come here for pleasantries did we?"

Torygg sighed. "No, we didn't. I'm here because we need to talk about Aurelia."

At the mention of the princess's name, Ulfric shifted slightly, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "Aurelia," he repeated. "What about her?"

"I'm here to ask you to marry her."