Chapter 15

Guidance

"Marry her!?" Galmar bellowed through the Palace of the Kings, "by shor's bones, you can't be serious! That pompous bastard wants you to marry his little princess?"

Ulfric raised a hand, "enough Galmar, lower your voice."

Galmar began pacing, "Torygg thinks he can buy you with a pretty dress and some royal Nord blood? What kind of fools does he think-"

"Enough." Ulfric's voice cut through like a sword.

Galmar froze, "you're not actually considering this… are you?"

Ulfric didn't answer immediately, which only fueled Galmar's frustration. "Ulfric," he growled, "you'd be tying yourself to the empire through this marriage. To the Thalmor! What of the men and women who died fighting for our Skyrim? They'd see this marriage as a betrayal."

Ulfric's jaw tightened, "I haven't decided anything yet, Galmar."

"Why do you even consider it?" Galmar stopped for a moment, "is it the girl? You haven't even met her yet. How do you know she isn't just another pawn in their games? Raised under the Thalmor's thumb, no less."

Ulfric's expression darkened at the mention of the Thalmor. "I don't know what she is. But I won't dismiss the possibility that this could be… useful."

"And what if this 'usefulness' cost you your honor or the loyalty of your men? You're gambling, Ulfric, and Skyrim can't afford to lose."

Ulfric didn't respond immediately, instead his gaze focused on the hearth. "No we can't," he murmured to himself.

The sun had set over Solitude, as the night began to settle in. Aurelia made her way to Sybille's quarters to begin her destruction magic lessons. The past week had been very busy, but her father had returned home today. He greeted her with the same warmth he always had, but something was different. He seemed tense, Aurelia had been wondering for days what he was keeping from her. She worried it may have something to do with marriages and alliances.

Aurelia pushed the thought back, she had to focus on the here and now. "There's no point in worrying about these things right now," she tells herself. "The more I worry the less energy I'll have for anything else."

But she couldn't help but to let her mind wander as she walked through the palace corridors. She thought of the suitors that had shared their interest in her, but not a one had caught her interest. She thought of what qualities she would like in a potential partner, then she froze as her cheeks flushed. As she thought about her previous conversation with Ondolemar.

Her heart raced as the memory of their exchange replayed in her mind. The way his sharp gaze softened, the warmth she felt in his presence. This is absurd, she told herself.

But her mind continued to replay the way he had said her name-Aurelia, he had said without titles or formality.

What am I thinking? Ondolemar had been many things to her, a mentor, an advisor, possibly even an ally. But he was also a Thalmor Justiciar. His loyalties conflicted with her own. To entertain any thoughts beyond that was just… reckless.

Aurelia took a deep breath and forced herself to keep moving. She had lessons with Sybille to focus on.

Sybille observed her pupil as she casted a Flame Cloak around herself. Aurelia had learned much from the court mage. Soon she may surpass her teacher. But Sybille could tell something was on her mind. She had known Aurelia all her life, helped raise her since she was a newborn, it was clear as day. Aurelia had something she wanted to discuss.

Sybille was patient however and continued on with the lesson. Waiting for Aurelia to approach her when she was ready.

As they finished up the lesson, just as expected, Aurelia lingered in her quarters for longer than usual.

"If you have something you need to say, might I suggest sharing it before we run out of darkness." Sybille said, her tone clipped and sharp, but not without an undercurrent of care.

Aurelia familiar with Sybille's straightforward approach, did not waste any time. "Sybille, it's about Ondolemar." She blurted out before she could stop herself, but her ears turned red despite herself.

Sybille crossed her arms and arched a brow, "ondolemar," she repeated, though her tone carried no judgement. "Well out with it. You aren't one to stammer."

"It's just…" she begins, her fingers fidgeting with the end of her sleeve. "I can't tell if he respects me or if he just tolerates me. Sometimes I think-" she hesitated a moment before continuing, "I think he sees me as more than just the princess."

Sybille let out a soft chuckle, "ah, so the justiciar has managed to worm his way into that overthinking little head of yours, has he?" Her words were sharp, but there was a gentleness in her eyes. "Ondolemar is a hard man to read, I'll give you that. But you're asking the wrong questions, my dear."

Aurelia frowned, "what do you mean?"

Sybille's tone softened ever so slightly, "it does not matter how he sees you, not in the way you think it does. What matters is how you see yourself in his presence. Do you feel diminished? Or do you feel like his equal- or better yet, his better?"

Aurelia blinked, caught off guard by the implications of the question, "I-I don't know." She admitted. "He challenges me, makes me want to be better, but other times…" she trailed off unsure how to put her feelings into words.

Sybille gave a knowing nod, her lips curved into a small smile. "Then you already have your answer." She said cryptically. "But be careful, Aurelia. Men like Ondolemar-they don't give themselves freely, and they rarely do so without an agenda."

Aurelia's heart sank a little at the words, but she nodded. "Thank you Sybille," she said before quietly leaving the room.

Sybille watched her leave, shaking her head, "young hearts" she murmured as she left the room as well, making her way to the palace dungeons.