*warning* Death, and torture.
Chapter 44: Revenge
Sigiswald: After the Royal Academy Battle Meeting
I walked back to my villa utterly humiliated. Both of them! Just remembering that upstart's smug smile at the engagement gift I had given, turned to gold dust. The bag still burned a whole in my pocket. How dare he! How dare she! I continued to fume all the way back to my villa, keeping up my noble mask as was expected of a prince though my mana roiled within.
Once I was safely back in my rooms, I dismissed my entourage even my guards and attendants. Then I entered my hidden the door seemed to catch on something. I grumbled to myself and opened it wider the shut it with more force than was; strictly speaking, polite. But I should be allowed this minor indiscretion.
"Losing my crown! Losing my status! All because that Drewanchel bitch was throwing a childish tantrum. And Rozemyne!" The name came out in a venomous hiss, just thinking that name rekindled my rage. "How dare she? After all I did for her!" Several feystones were powdered in my state. But it calmed me enough to think about the situation properly. "How indecent can a woman be to allow a bastard from the temple to touch her hair while she was my fiancée? Was she too stupid to understand?" He had been playing with that damn thing just to mock me. "Clearly their mana was close. She didn't even bat an eye at his touching her hair; something that should have been reserved for her husband." Me.
"It was almost as if…" I let that thought trail off out loud while I mentally followed the path it took. They had both been in the temple. Things were allowed there, and she was such a boon. Certain things would have been overlooked. She had fought so hard to get him a hidden room. And I did hear he gave her his estate. Had she changed it? No, I remember hearing whispers she had not. As if… I felt a genuine smile curl up my face.
"As if she were used to his touch. My, my, how shameless little Rozemyne." I laughed to myself. "I wonder what will happen when it comes out that your bastard Ewigeliebe laid claim to Geduldh while still in her spring?" I would have to be careful. Said Ewigeliebe guarded her well, but perhaps I can salvage what is left of my pride by taking this little envoy of the Gods down a peg or two. "Maybe I can smear the temple too. But what to do about my sister-in-law and soon to be ex-wife?" Those matters would take a bit more time. My attendants and scholars could do some digging. Heck, I could send some of my guards with to help move things along. "I will have to move quickly to take down that bastard."
I stepped out and summoned my head attendant, delegating tasks to my entourage. The willowy man tried to protest saying that I needed my people around me. My anger spiked. Despite that, I kept my noble smile in place as befitting of a prince.
"Do the subordinates refuse the will of Dark God?" His face paled and he offered the simplest amendment of at least allowing him to stay until I had my bath. The others could begin their work then. In this, I had to admit he was right. I had had a most trying day and a hot bath would help ease the rest of the tension. I graciously allowed him to complete this task, as well as giving me massage, and helping me dress in my bedclothes. Then he was dismissed with only a nominal guard outside my door. It was then that I had planned to go to my desk until I noticed my hidden room door was open. Odd. I thought I had closed that. I shut the door and then sat at my desk to review reports.
Details of the battle were scrawled out, including the infamous silver weapons and cloaks. "Could I get my hands on some of those silver weapons?" I wondered out loud. It would be useful to have, especially with so many enemies trying to strip me of my rightful place.
"Lord Sigiswald." A female voice called. My temper was instantly inflamed by her lack of respect, whoever she was, she was worse than Rozemyne in her disrespect.
"That is Prince Sigiswald!" I snapped and whirled to find an empty room.
"Identity verified." The voice reminded me vaguely of the library tools, but it was somehow less human. There was absolutely no emotion in this mechanical voice it even had a grainy sound to it. And whoever it was, was close. I scanned the room, but saw no one, even casting my mana revealed no one.
"Who's there?"
"Umbrasyl."
Silver flashed in the corner of my eye, clambering up the corner of my desk. I turned to was I thought was a silver serpent. Then it lunged for me. A sharp pain in my neck followed by an icy feeling spreading through my limbs. Its long body wrapped around my neck squeezing tight. The ice in my veins cut off my voice before I could shout my mana refused to obey me. I clawed weakly at the serpent and felt instead of scales, cloth. Curses, with my mana out of control I couldn't summon my schtappe or use enhancement magic.
Spots were exploding across my vision despite the fact that I could still breath. My voice refused to work. Where were my guards? Why weren't they doing anything? Had they betrayed me? Why weren't my charms activating? Then the serpent moved its head into my darkening vision. It wasn't a snake, more like a hybrid between snake and lizard. It was a black creature that wore a little silver cloak.
"Little princeling. In order to protect this world and my family from your arrogance, I need you to die. Be grateful I did not come in person to speak with you." This voice was different from the one that originally spoke, but I had no idea who this woman was or how I was a threat to her family. Those thoughts faded as my fingers lost purchase and darkness swallowed me.
Umbrasyl's escape
Umbrasyl waited as her creator's master had commanded. Her coils still wrapped around the throat of the man who was a threat. She waited long after the former prince had collapsed and ceased his struggling. The heart had stopped beating some moments ago. But it was only after she was certain that he would not be revived that she let go. There were still commands that needed to be completed before she could return to the house of her creator.
The wyvern automaton went to the villa's window and cracked it open so fleeing would be easy and unimpeded. Then she collected the four tiny devices set into the corner of the room meant to suppress sound. She swallowed them after deactivating them. Then her cloak followed after them into her stomach pouch. Preparations were nearly done. Now it was time for the final touches to the scene. She climbed back onto the desk and grabbed an ink well. Then she splattered a few drops on the prince's hand and finally she threw the bottle at the wall with her tail. The glass shattered on impact. Umbrasyl waited atop the cooling corpse.
"Prince Sigiswald?" The attendant came rushing into the room at a hurried pace. He took one look at the scene before him and immediately sent up a Rott. Then bands of light were sent reaching for her. Umbrasyl leapt and rolled away. She was small enough that dodging was relatively easy. Humans were used to catching other humans not small agile creatures such as her. With a hiss at the man Umbrasyl scampered out the open window and into the dark academy grounds. Already alarms were being raised, but that was no cause for concern. The tiny automaton ducked into dark corners and slithered up lattice wall up to the roof where a flock of crows perched. The little wyvern allowed one the birds to snatch her up and complete her get-away.
Soon-to-be Fromer Zent Trauerqual
Once again, one of my children proceeded me ascending the towering staircase. This time it was my eldest son and heir. Sigiswald had his faults, but he hadn't deserved to die like that. Purple marks marred his neck where the breath had been choked from him. A permeant shackle that stained his once pristine features. I shoved down another way of grief. Now was not the time. I had a meeting with my soon-to-be first wife's sister.
Another shock, that one. That ferocious woman and her future husband had been believed to have been murdered while in the final days of their academy time. If that wasn't a strange enough tale, Lady Minerva; Lady Magdolina's elder twin sister, still looked exactly as she did the day of her disappearance, all the way down to the clothing she had worn. Seeing her at that meeting standing behind the goddess cloaked Rozemyne and Lord Ferdinand had given me pause.
Beside me, my wife was walking slightly faster than was; strictly speaking, polite.
"Magdolina." I said gently.
She looked slightly abashed and slowed her pace to match mine. We may only be royals for a few more days, but we still had to up hold our dignity. As much as I knew my wife desperately needed this, I wished I could avoid this meeting all together. Not just because I was freshly grieving, but I was plagued by fear. Fear of a promise I had long ago made and recently broken. No doubt Ferdinand would have told his former would-be friend all of my failings where her beloved twin sister was concerned. I shuddered to think what that rash woman would do. Could Magdolina hold her back? I didn't know.
We arrived at Dunkelfelger tea party room shortly. A table was set up on a plush embroidered rug that was new. Lady Minerva and a single female attendant stood waiting for us. The elder twin's greeting was polite, respectful even, though a little stilted. I got the impression she was reciting something from memory rather than something she knew by heart. My wife spoke tentatively after a brief moment.
"Sister." That one word conveyed all the emotions my wife was not allowed to show. Joy, relief, gratitude, grief, and even a hint of betrayal. My beautiful warrior wife was nearly to tears while her sister appeared…bored.
"Lady Magdolina, the trappings of royalty suit your noble elegance." Those words were said in the gentlest tones, much in the way an older relative would praise a young child for their pose and grace. So, why did Magdolina flinch subtly as if she were being rebuked sharply. Her hand moving to her decorative sash. "Ah, forgive my lack of manners. It has been too long since I was at a tea party, much less hosted one. Please, sit, enjoy the refreshing tea with me."
Her attendant poured the tea, then Lady Minerva tasted it as was customary. The tea was herbal blend that brought a small smile to my wife's lips as she sipped.
"This brings back memories."
Lady Minerva said nothing. She merely scanned her sister's face as if she was connecting the person in front of her to the young woman in her memories. The elder sister continued to sip her tea she watched my wife.
Minerva was thoughtful before replying, "That is right, we debuted this tea shortly after you won your task.
Magdolina latched onto the topic quickly sensing her sister's unwillingness to carry the conversation. She wanted; no needed, to keep her sister talking. My wife might as well have shouted to the room that she missed her sister.
"Yes, it became quite popular in winter. The smell is quite soothing. My time in social circles was greater eased thanks to it." It kept her safe and connected to Dunkelfelger when they might have turned their backs on my wife and I. Lady Minerva's piercing silver eyes missed nothing. Not her sister's desperation, nor my wariness of her.
"I am relieved something I gave you could be of use."
Magdolina paled, her fists clenched in her lap. The hair on the back of my neck rose. While her words were again, softly spoken, there was an underlying edge to them that I didn't understand.
"I still have them." Magdolina hurriedly said. "The fan, sash, the hair clip; I keep them safe in a draw-."
"For all the good they do protect you there." A gentle chiding by Lady Minerva's standards. Yet I couldn't help but wince along with my wife because I was partially blame for this. Those were hidden weapons; while without mana, were outdated. People would have criticized her if she continued to wear them. So, I had commissioned new accessories without realizing their true purpose. And after Magdolina nearly been killed fighting Raublut, I felt my guilt all the more keenly.
My wife fidgeted under her twin's piercing gaze. Something that was very out of character for her, especially how it betrayed her emotions. More than anything I wanted to shield her from more stress. The very least I could do was try and take my sister-in-law's attention away. I remembered what my wife said long ago about her sister having a spot for their family.
"Lady Minerva, I know you've missed quite a bit due to your hiatus from social scenes. But our son, Hildebrand, has always loved the stories my wife tells about your home." The moment I began speaking those silver eyes pinned me. Goose flesh crawled up my arms, back, and neck. Only my knight's training kept me seated while such murderous energy was directed at me. Though that face; my wife's younger face, was completely devoid of emotion. Until I mentioned my son.
The change was slight, a corner of her lip went up. Yet everything softened. Even the killing aura around the young female knight had gone away.
"Yes, he seemed like a darling little prince when I saw him." Her words invited more conversation, which Magdolina was swift to take up her gentle offer.
"He has started his knight's training. Quite earnest and diligent. He has grandfather's eyes. Hildebrand was always disappointed he wouldn't be able to meet you." My wife prattled on at her sister's encouragement. In any other situation it would be considered very rude, but the atmosphere around Lady Minerva softened the more Hildebrand was discussed. As if she were making up for the years long absence.
I wasn't sure how long the conversation went on, but at some point, Lady Minerva signaled for the blonde hair attendant to change the tea. Typically, anti-ease dropping tools would also be brought out. But my sister-in-law only smiled.
"You may speak freely. Our attendants believe we are still discussing your son."
I blinked at this admission. How? Nothing was put down. I glanced at the rug and saw symbols of light, water, and chaos were woven into a circle at outer corner. I supposed there were also circles for wind closer to the center of the rug hidden under the table.
"Sister, what happened? I was told you died." That she would be so blunt gave me pause. My wife was a model noblewoman with all the grace and dignity to match. To see her aside noble speech so easily was unsettling.
Minerva dropped her burning silver eyes to her teacup and ran her thumb over the rim idly. "I feel I could ask you the same thing. Did my sister, who was always a lady of her word die?"
Magdolina flinched.
"Lady Minerva, you speak above your-."
"And you, little princeling? Did the man who gave his word to me that my sister would be safe and protected, did that man climb the towering staircase?" She raised her gaze to meet my own. Absolute rage. I felt Schneerst's hand grab me and hold me fast. Even Magdolina let out a small squeak of surprise. Minerva reached down for something small in her lap. She placed a palm-sized square box onto the table. After she fed a small bit of mana into it.
"This is Trauerqual. If anyone gets the Grutrissheit, I believe that person is a true Zent. I wish for the birth of a new Zent." My words repeated two more times. Grammalatur did not dare bless me when Beelzebub and Schneerst were clearly prowling the room. Not even my brave wife could manage a sound.
"Tell me, False Zent, what do you think the first act this 'true' Zent would have been?" The words were calmly said. "I imagine it would be much like what you did when a useless crown was passed to you. The land would be bathed in the blood of your advisories." It was not lost on me that she hadn't said enemies.
"They couldn't be allowed to rise-."
"The most powerful and capable take the throne. Your foolishness chased the blessings of the Gods from this land, Chaos courted you and you drank down her flowered words as if they were life giving water." A blue mist surrounded Lady Minerva, and her eyes flashed a rainbow of colors.
"If that were not enough, it would seem the royal family went out of their way to trample over the young man who is like a younger brother to me." Her eyes cut to my wife. "Don't think I didn't notice you basically were bleeding him slowly so my nephew could just step over his corpse to be first husband."
This time Magdolina shot back, "He deserved nothing more."
The sensation of choked came suddenly. Even Magdolina gasped for breath. We could only stare at Minerva even as we struggled to bring air into our lungs.
"Sis-ack!"
My vision started to swim. For a brief moment I thought I saw another woman dressed in purple beside Minerva. Then she was gone and so was the crushing. The young woman across from us sighed in what could have been boredom if it weren't for the crushing moments before.
"It seems I have coddled you for too long, Maggie." She sighed. "Ah, I forget my manners again. I brought you both a gift." The attendant passed a box as long as my forearm and fairly thin. Lady Minerva gracefully unlatched the richly carved box and opened it. A lone dagger sat on rich black velvet. The weapon was so at odds with the fine cloth it sat on. No jewels or fine metal working and it had flaking brownish red substances on it.
Magdolina gasped, "Where did you get this. All of them were supposed to be turned over."
For the first time since she was in school, I saw her smile. She liked like a Goltze about t to swallow a shumil whole. "That isn't all." She peeled back the glove on her left hand to show a long clean slice going from between her ring finger and middle finger down to her wrist. By some miracle; though the wound was deep, none of the veins had been cut. Then understanding crashed though me. That was blood on the knife; her blood. "As for where I got it, well, I got it from the Sovereignty Knight who tried to murder you while you fought your husband's guard." Lady Minerva dropped her gaze back to her glove as she pulled it on. "So, I am in a conundrum. I have two broken oaths. How shall Gebotordnung get her due?"
I finally found my voice, "You dare!? You who-."
"I would be very careful, Aub Sovereignty. Gebotordnung already knows you have broken your vows. Spurn her here and I will no longer be able to guarantee your blessings of Dauerleben. You have spat in the faces of the Gods. Will you heed Anhaltung and Gebotordnung now?"
My suspicion arose. "I will heed them. Will you answer me one question?"
Those silver eyes gave nothing away, but she dipped her head in the affirmative.
"Did you kill my son?" I could feel my wife's eyes on me, surprised.
Minerva however, snorted. "Be very grateful that I was not the one who killed him. If I had, either there would have been nothing left for you to mourn over. Or he would have just vanished. But now (*little princeling*), allow me to ask you something. Why would I seek to kill your son, a boy had never met before that one meeting. Has your son done something to warrant my wraith?"
I forgotten how foolishly blunt this woman was. It was tempting to use my position to just leave, but I had little doubt that I would live to see my son's funeral if that were the case. So, I swallowed my pride.
"I do not believe my son even knew of your existence."
Lady Minerva chuckled, a sound without mirth. "The dead don't matter." She sighed to herself. "So, now going back to my original problem. What do I do about these broken vows?" She tapped a nail on the table's smooth surface. Then she turned to Magdolina. "Sister, you will procure a Giftigfesseln for an adult archduke can-."
My wife stood up so fast, her chair toppled over with a thump against the carpet. "Absolutely not! I will not let you shackle my husband with one of those cursed things. How dare you ask that of me?!"
Her reaction had been so brazen and undignified that I hadn't really understood what was being asked of her. My wife continued to rip into her twin; who wasn't even batting an eye. Giftigfesseln, why did I know that term? It took me a moment to dredge up an old memory. Magdolina had panicked when Hildebrand had shown her a simple feystone bracelet that he had attempted to fashion. The design had been crude, but not terrible for a first attempt. My wife however, had swatted the item from my son's hand. Quite distressing for out son who struggled to hold back tears. Magdolina had immediately apologized and spent almost a bell consoling out son. Later, when I had asked about it under an anti-ease dropping tool, she had explained why she reacted so poorly. She told me about the venomous feybeast, she kept touching her wrist.
When I had asked if one had been used on her, she had shaken her head. This is where she revealed her sister had interfered with an attempt to place one on her. So, her elder twin had ended up touching the feybeast in order to stop Magdolina from being caught up by it. And judging from my wife's pale countenance back then, it had not been a pleasant process to remove the beast.
"At no point did I say it was for your husband."
I blinked at Lady Minerva who had answered her sister's rant when she had run out of breath. But if it wasn't for me, who was it for?
"If you will take a seat, I am sure you will be able to figure that out."
Magdolina turned to her attendant for help with her chair. Odd that the woman had not come sooner. Actually… I looked closer at our attendants, scholars, and knights. They were all watching us carefully, but none of them looked alarmed. Shouldn't they? Not only had my wife just toppled her chair, but a stranger had a weapon in close proximity to me. I turned back to Lady Minerva. She was watching me with an amused smile.
"Something wrong, professor?" She modulated her voice to sound as my wife had during her academy days. It was unsettling. More so when I considered what I noticed.
"They can't see or hear us?"
She chuckled darkly. "They certainly think they can."
Sweat dotted my brow. This just got a whole lot more dangerous. But would she kill her sister; her beloved twin? I wasn't certain I was willing to gamble this way. I was about to stand when Magdolina put a hand on my arm. Minerva's attendant helped right her chair.
"What else do you want?" She asked her sister.
Lady Minerva laced her fingers together and rested her chin on them. "Lord Trauerqual, two lives you owe me. One is my adorable nephew and dear little sister who's lives you endangered with your thoughtless actions. I can be generous and do not wish to overburden you. So, we will say your eldest son's death can pay for dear Hildebrand. But what about my sister? Who are you willing to sacrifice to save yourself from responsibility of your broken vow?"
Again, I had a sneaking suspicion. "You already have someone in mind?"
She smiled like a Zantze with a bird in its mouth. "Lady Detlinde."
That surprised me. What had that ostentatious fool done to bring my sister-in-law's wrath down on her head. Judging by the intense look Minerva was giving me; it was something terrible. "Why do you want her?"
"What does it matter to you, as long as your debt is paid?"
"I cannot authorize someone's death. The God's demanded as such." I tried to remind her of her own lady's words. I wasn't certain if allowing it would include me in the punishment from the Gods.
Lady Minerva cocked her head like a bird of prey. "What makes you think I want her dead?" She looked towards Magdolina. "Did you not explain Giftigfesseln to him? I thought you promised to have their use outlawed?" Once again, Minerva looked bored as if she were merely repeating a script. Intuition crawled across my skin. She was angry. Not just angry, Minerva was furious. At me, at my wife, and Detlinde. This was personal to her. "It is time the royal family truly looked at the consequences for the choices you made." She looked to me. "To that end, Lord Trauerqual, would you kindly join me in going to see the 'hopeful new' Zent?" There was complete contempt for Lady Detlinde in her words. And it was spoken like a request, but I knew there would be no escape. This was not something I could refuse. I wondered again maybe she had killed Sigiswald.
"We will need time."
"You have until the day before the coronation."
I ground my teeth in frustration at the gall of this woman, making demands of us. But then she turned to my wife.
"If you fail, I will procure two Giftigfesseln. Then we will see if you have the stomach to carve it off your husband's flesh." Maggie blanched at twin's ruthlessness. Those silver eyes were nothing but unyielding ice. Minerva held up her left arm, letting her sleeve fall down to her elbow as she ripped her glove back off. Her smooth skin was marred by a ring of white dots. Each dot was the size of a small silver coin and each was surround by a collection of smaller ones. It was rare a noble's body bore scars. Potions should have fixed that. The fact that she still carried them, was enough to tell me they weren't normal.
"I'm sure you remember the effects of their venom."
Magdolina's lips trembled. "Sister."
This time, my wife's pleading seemed to reach her twin who subtly flinched at the tears dripping down my wife's face. In that moment, I hated Minerva. This woman hurt my warrior wife with her very existence.
Minerva covered her scars. "Don't cry, Maggie." For the first time ever, I saw true exhaustion and something far more visceral in Lady Minerva's expression. "The choices I made were for your happiness too. Or were you unhappy with the princeling?"
"No!" Magdolina denied practically throwing up her arm to protect and shield me. "My husband and son are the Gods' greatest blessings in my life." I felt a tinge of warmth in my cheeks at my wife's admission. I had known she had loved me, but hearing those words spread warmth through me and gave me strength.
Minerva smiled softly; content. A true smile. "Good. Ah, I can't take down the barrier like this. May Heilschmerz blessings flow over my family." Her red ring glowed and a green light of a blessing settled over both myself and my wife. Magdolina's red puffy eyes were healed and the low headache that had been ignoring, disappeared. The rest of the tea party was a mere formality. One I wasn't sorry to be done with.
Walking back, Magdolina did her best not to slump, but when we had arrived back at her royal apartments, I dismissed our attendants. When they were out of sight, she slumped heavily against the sofa in the receiving room. I guided her to her seat. Today had been rough, I just wish I knew what to say to alleviate the stress.
"Maggie?" I used the same nickname her sister always had.
"I'm alright. I just-." She hesitated. "She changed; she seems so sad. I didn't mean to-. I wasn't trying to hurt her."
I snorted at that. "I think she did plenty of hurting you back there."
She grimaced at the memory. "No," she defended her sister. "She had every right to be angry with me, after all she did to help me, I didn't keep any of my promises to her."
I had thought Minerva might be exaggerating her claims of my wife not keeping her word. What promises had those two made?
"She wasn't bluffing?"
Magdolina sighed. "Sadly no. Sister, for all her brashness, is uniquely blessed Sehweit. When I started my move to become you wife, she asked that I work to stem the blood shed after the war. 'No good will come from vengeance that soaks the land in blood.' She wasn't wrong. The war left us gutted and weak. Perfect for his manipulation."
I frowned at the mention of my former guard knight. A wave of impotent rage washed through me as well. How many years had I merely been a puppet of that man? How much destruction did I cause to pave the way for someone else. A gentle hand pulled me from my dark musings. Maggie pulled me into the seat beside her.
"Maybe this can truly be our chance to start over and do better. Not as Zent and his third wife, but as an Aub and first wife. I think the lighter work load will also do you wonders."
Maybe. I just need to survive the next meeting with my sister-in-law.
Said meeting came swifter than I had hoped as if Dregarnuhr wove her tapestry faster the more I dreaded this. Magdolina had done as requested and gave me the box as well as a pair of embroidered gloves. She promised me they would protect me if Minerva decided not to keep her word.
I met Lady Minerva just outside the holding area. Really, I shouldn't have been surprised she knew the location of it. I shoved that thought aside, unlocked the door, and gave her permission to enter. My guard and attendant balked at being left behind, but I knew whatever happened in this cell, I would be safe.
"Did you bring it?" She asked when I stopped outside the correct cell.
I produced the box with a feystone looking bracelet inside showing her. Lady Minerva slipped on a pair of gloves similar to what my wife had given me. Though the ones she wore had far more embellishments on them. She tapped a small metal rod against the stones of the feybeasts listening to the sounds it made. Whatever she was listening for, she found because she smiled taking the box.
"Very nice." She closed the box and tucked it under her arm. I started to unlock the door when Lady Minerva stopped me. "You are a bit noticeable your majesty." She offered me a charm off her own personage. "This should make you less noticeable." I looked over the charm and could tell it would make me harder to focus on, but I was uncertain how. I knew this wasn't something I should accept without a scholar and attendant to look it over, but I doubted she would allow me to leave, much less have someone test. So, I took it and pinned it to my cloak. There was a faint tingling feeling, but nothing seemed to happen. In truth the chances of this woman poisoning me were very low. The fact that she had been wearing it proved that all the more so.
"What is this?"
"That would be a question for Peter. And he will be wanting it back."
So, I am not getting answers on what it is. Maybe Magdolina and my scholars can figure out what it is from a description., but that thought was cut off as the door creaked opened. We were immediately met with shrill demands and cursing. Everything was strung together so quickly that I was only able to catch a few things.
"How dare you! I am Aub Ahrensbach! Future Zent! I haven't eaten!"
I glanced back at Lady Minerva half expecting her to be horrified or even angry by this display. Instead, I found she looked positively delighted. That emotion was quickly schooled into something that resembled concern.
"My, my, Lady Detlinde! When they asked me to check on you, they didn't say you didn't have an attendant. How cruel!" Lady Minerva brushed past me and started tending to Detlinde. The blonde was definitely not in a proper condition. Her hair was half down, spilling out of her pins. The dress she wore was dirty and torn. And if I was not mistaken, there was a boot print on her chest. I wondered who had done that.
Lady Minerva cooed soft comforts to the prisoner and; much to my shock and horror, began fixing the girl's hair. It felt wrong, like watching a Ternisbefallen sit down for tea and make polite conversations with your guests. It made the feeling of impending doom that much starker.
"Lady Detlinde, I brought you something. Perhaps it will cheer you up while things are being sorted."
What things sorted, I wondered, but kept the question to myself sensing that Minerva was herding this girl.
"Ahrensbach is getting me out? I knew they needed. After everything I did for them. This was all Letizia's fault, I'm sure. She could never compare to me. The poor child was always terribly jealous. Can you believe she tried to come between me and Ferdinand. Well, after this, they can each other in the white tower. Then I'll make sure Ehrenfest deals with their Efflorelume from their wretched temple."
Lady Minerva cleared her throat. "It is just a little trinket, but I think it will suit someone of your standing. It is from a rare feybeast that is bred by upper duchies for just such rare ladies like you."
My skin crawled. Lady Magdolina had told me that her sister hated to lie. I could see it here. She wasn't lying to this woman; despite the fact she clearly hated her. Detlinde was a rare lady who this horrible thing was bred for, but she didn't realize Minerva was insulting her. In fact, Lady Detlinde was practically preening herself like some exotic bird. It was sickening.
Lady Minerva walked back around to the front of Lady Detlinde and presented the box. If I hadn't known exactly what it was, I might have thought Lady Minerva was being overly generous. Detlinde's green eyes sparkled when she beheld the jeweled bracelet. She cooed in delight.
"It is quite befitting of a lady of my status. I will remember this turn you have done me in my time of need." She plucked up with a soft laugh. Her laugh turned to a scream as the Giftigfesseln swiftly came to life and clamped down on her wrist. Blood seeped from where the various parts of the feybeast burrowed into her pale flesh. The fallen lady immediately began howling in pain. She swiped furiously at the feybeast, but was unable to pry it free. On and on she screamed and sobbed, clutching at her wrist. The pain was blocking out any coherences to her words. All the while, Lady Minerva watched on with the most delighted expression. It was some time before the lady's cries of agony quieted down to more guttural choking sobs.
"Oh my, quite the image of a lady. You should learn to keep your emotions in check. No man wants to listen to that." Minerva giggled.
"YOU!" Detlinde's eyes flashed with fury and shame. That immediately was transformed back into pain.
"You are very dimwitted. So, let me spell it out for you the predicament you find yourself in. That," She gestured to the bracelet. "Is a feybeasts that is wrapped around your wrist. It sends a light poison directly into your body any time your mana is disturbed. If you get too angry, pain. Too happy? Pain." Minerva leered. "Try to remove it? A lot of pain. By the way, it can be removed. You just have to figure out which one is the head, rip it off, then rip out all of its barbed legs before its poison stops your heart." All throughout this description Minerva was positively gleeful at Detlinde's worsening pallor.
"YOU LOWBORN SAAAAAAAAAH!" Her tirade was cut short by another ear-piercing cry of agony. Those green eyes looked at Lady Minerva with such hate. Then the life seemed to be suddenly drained from the younger woman. She slumped sideways and fell out of her chair.
"Hmmm, well this is inconvenient." Lady Minerva pouted like a child who had a beloved toy taken away. She summoned her schtappe and cast a small healing spell. Just enough to arose her from the state she was in. The would-be Aub Ahrensbach came to slowly. Her green eyes fluttered open and struggled to focus for a moment, until she caught sight of her tormentor. Then she began screaming anew. She swung wildly from cursing at Minerva to pleading with me to save her, peppered with howls of agony in between. It wasn't long before she ran out of steam and simply withered on the floor.
"Why. Are. You. Doing. This?" Her words came out in small gasps. Her eyes were puffy and red from all the tears.
"Why?" Minerva repeated and sighed in disappointment. "And people say I was a waste of beauty?" Detlinde didn't even seem to have the energy to be upset by the insults. "You nearly killed someone who is very dear to me."
Detlinde shook her head to deny it. "I didn't mean-."
"Be silent!" Minerva growled sending a shudder down both Detlinde's and my back. She took a deep breath and got her grin back in place. "You really do not want me to lose my temper." Minerva's voice was soft almost congenial. Yet it felt like we were in the room with a very dangerous predator. "There are far worse things that I can do than place a Giftigfesseln on you. Now, as I was saying, you did very much mean to kill him. Lord Ferdinand. And what was it you said to him after you poisoned him, sealed his schtappe, dragged him to the offering circle, and then turned it on." She listed each act that Detlinde did as if they were ingredients for a potion. It was deceptively bland and bored. "Something about him being a stone and having no value?" The façade of boredom fell leaving icy death in its wake.
She hissed in a low menacing voice. "What right do you have to say the value of another's life."
Detlinde trembled from head to toe. She violently shook her head no. "I didn't! I didn't! That Ehrenfest bit-." Her words were cut off by Minerva's hand clamped around her face. Her fingers dug into Detlinde's cheeks forcing her lips to pucker in a fish like expression. She made a small gasp of fear.
"Do not insult the lady who I have given me name to. It is through her kindness that you are not left to my tender mercies for the rest of your miserable life. Because I have a very long memory and a gift for inflicting pain to those who hurt my family."
Detlinde could only stare up at those pitiless silver eyes. If I hadn't known some of this foolish girl's plans for my own family, I might have felt sorry for her. Another shudder went down my spine when I remembered her comment about my son.
'Be very grateful that I was not the one who killed him. If I had, either there would have been nothing left for you to mourn over. Or he would have just vanished.' Yes, I did not want this woman anywhere near the rest of my children. And I would do anything to prevent further harm from coming to them. Ah, that's why she wanted me here. This wasn't just about punishing Detlinde, this was a threat to me. Lady Minerva glanced at me with a slight smile on her face. A small part of me wondered if she knew what my thoughts were.
"I think we are done here." She waved to Lady Detlinde. "I look forward to getting to know you properly. We are going to have so much fun together." Then she walked out. With nothing else to do I followed to find Minerva waiting for me leaning against the opposite wall. Minerva held out a sound blocker. I took it.
"I have a request." It was not actually a request and we both knew it. This must be part of the reason she brought me along for this meeting, to make a demand I could not refuse. Not if I wanted to sleep easy ever again. My stomach churned uncomfortably.
"What is your request?"
"You'll use the last days as Zent to order the archnobles Minerva and Peter to Lady Rozemyne's duchy to watch over the Ahrensbach population. "
"Dunkelfelger would never allow this."
She snorted. "Dunkelfelger already has."
I really had no choice. "Alright, have it your way."
Werdecraft
It was all I could do not to tap the table impatiently. My Goddess of Light was giving me a hard look. Really, it was hardly fair. I had only just found out that my little sister was alive. When I had a meeting with father, I had another shock. He had known Minerva and her husband were alive. Or; probably more accurately, he suspected they had been alive. Not only was she alive, but she had even been in the battle with me, but I hadn't seen her.
Minerva was led into the room and several things were made clear. Even Sieglinde could not stop herself from making a soft sound of surprise when Minerva was presented to us. It was definitely her, but what was so surprising was, she had been missing for over a decade, yet the young woman before us looked no different than the day she disappeared. Down to the clothes she wore the day she had disappeared. I could see where the cloth had been worn down and even repaired. Was this a prank by Dregarnuhr?
My sister knelt before us, crossing her arms in respect. She greeted me with a proper greeting, but it didn't flow off her tongue with the ease that had been drilled into us. Almost like it had been a long time since she had spoken to anyone. If she had; by some miracle, been inside a jureve for so long, she would not have felt Dregarnuhr's spinning. Though it would explain her lack of ageing. Whatever happened, my sister felt the passage of time even if her body had not.
"You look well, Aub Dunkelfelger, Lady Sieglinde. Your roles suit you both." It was not idle flattery; she meant those words. There was clear pride in her eyes when she looked at me. She was also pleased to see Sieglinde as my first wife. Minerva had always liked my goddess of light. Yet, her praise and pride sent a pang through me. When we had parted, we had been the same rank. She should have been here as my knight Commander. She should have seen the birth of her future archduke and been here to help guide not only him, but all of my children. So much was missed out. So much would be different.
"Dregarnuhr has either played a trick on me or been extraordinarily kind to you." I said after a moment.
"It certainly appears that way." Acknowledgement of the fact, but not confirmation or denial. Sister was honest to a fault. She had never liked lying, but she was surprisingly good at camouflaging her intentions. I let the silence drag on. In truth, I had no idea where to begin. Thankfully, Sieglinde took over.
"Sister-in-law, there were reports of a boy riding your highbeast. But now I take it that was bit a boy, but you?"
"Yes."
"And your fiancée?"
"Alive and recovering."
I could feel a headache coming on. This would cause rumors to flare up. While it would be goof to have them both back, their long absences were liable to cause strife. Especially for my dear wife.
"And what happened to keep you for so long?" My wife asked with a twitching eyebrow.
Minerva was no fool, she would not male an enemy of Sieglinde. "Lady Isabella of Werkestock and her people ambushed Peter and myself." She reached into her pouch and our guards were on her, pinning her to the carpeted floor. A large feystone rolled away from her, and Minerva didn't the guards. A sign she had initially acted without thought, but knew she been in the wrong.
"That is all that is left of the lady after her trap removed one of Peter's arms and one of his legs, and left burns across most of his skin. She intended to kill him for rejecting her and a bonus of hurting me." I couldn't see her eyes, but the room felt far too small and freezing. Minerva was enraged. There was a faint blue arura around her. "I was careless." The hair on the back of my neck rose up. "It will not happen again."
My scholar collected the feystone from the ground and began inspecting it for any traps or poisons. Eventually, he brought it to me, meaning he couldn't find anything wrong with it; much to his disappointment. I inspected the stone. It was the size of my wife's clenched fist. A beautiful mix of green and yellow. Which meant it could have been Isabella's, but we would have no way to prove it unless I was willing to search my sister's memories. I wasn't, though I had a sneaking suspicion she would cheerfully submit to the search. She was always an odd one.
"Sister, please do not be difficult. You are not a child to throw a tantrum." But my wife waved off the guards allowing Minerva to rise. She had deliberately let her mana run wild as a way to intimidate the guards. Sadly, it was working, they were shake. But she was kind enough not to push it, instead taking control of her mana. She dusted herself off before taking a seat in a chair an attendant pulled out.
"Were you unable to contact us?" Sieglinde didn't bother to dress up her words in noble speech. She learned long ago Minerva didn't really understand the finer points of it. Instead, she gleaned information from tone, posture, expression, even a person's scent, and no small amount of intuition. Which had resulted in some hilarious conversations in our youth. I fought the urge to chuckle at the memory.
Minerva considered my wife's question carefully. "There might have been, but if there was, I couldn't find it. Peter would have been able to, but he was not in a state that would have made that possible." The truth. My sister was no fool, but by that same token, she was no scholar either.
"And there was no way for you to return?"
"Not without risking both Peter and my deaths." Something she would not have done. Sieglinde would have remembered or at the very least have heard the rumors concerning those two.
"And what is you want, coming back here no in such disgrace?" I did my best not to wince at the harsh words, but it was the truth. Everyone here knew it.
"I wish to make a connection to the new power, get rid of a problem to your son's rule, and make up for broken promises."
Both Sieglinde and I narrowed our eyes at the mention of our son. "And what problem do you see in my son's future?"
"Me."
That brought us up short. I recalled a fight from so long ago. Magdolina had revealed her plan to father, mother, Minerva, and myself at our weekly private dinner meeting. In my fury at her recklessness, I had snapped at her.
"How dare you use ditter to take the easy route?" It had been such an affront to everything we held dear. But then the response had not come from the sister I had been censoring. Minerva's smile had dropped from her face. Her expression became bored are she set aside her cutlery. She had picked up a plump grape with her thumb and forefinger, rolling it between her finger. Then she had repeated my words.
"The easy route?" The flesh on the grape grew taunt as the pressure from her fingers gradually increased. "I think I would be very careful where I threw accusations like that around, brother dearest. After all, I am deliberately sabotaging myself to ensure your rise. But perhaps I am no longer satisfied with letting you take first place unchallenged."
In my arrogance back then I had scoffed, "A girl cannot be Sword of the Zent."
She had rolled her eyes at my admittedly childish response. "With the Lord of Evil as my first husband, I doubt even you could compete with me." That had brought me up short. With Ferdinand, she could easily gain the favor of the elders. And I was already graduated. It would be child's play to get the younger generation to back her claim. It didn't matter that she didn't have the personality or even the actual desire for the job. With Ferdinand, and Peter beside her... Then her bored expression became a sharp smile. "I'm sure Lord Ferdinand would not mind changing brides, Maggie and I are 'basically interchangeable in appearances' anyway." My blood ran cold as she smiled a toothy grin at me scholar; who had made such comments in private where she should not have been able to gain access. A threat. Even our parents recognized it.
"Regardless, Dunkelfelger honors its word." She had looked at everyone and added, "That goes for all of us." So, in the end, to avoid internal strife while war swept through the land, we agreed to Magdolina's request.
Yes, it was not arrogance that my sister now said she would bring trouble. In my bones I knew even back then she did not want to threaten me. She had been angry and she always had a bit of a temper. People would use that to push for her to potentially take the seat. But her long absences with a man who was not yet her husband would be a stain. A black mark on the family as a whole. Fodder to take myself and my son down with.
"And how do you plan on mitigating the damage your presence will bring?"
"By building a connection and paying Dunkelfelger's long overdue debt."
"We are listening."
"Demote me."
Say what?!
But she was seemingly oblivious to everyone's shock. "I was going to be demoted anyway when I married Peter. Then send me to Ahrensbach as a way to watch for more traitors and serve the man and woman we owe."
"Ferdinand will never take you as a wife." I said bluntly.
Her lip curled in disgust. "(*For fuck's sake*) Good! I have no interest in being his wife or mistress. Frankly, the idea is one I cannot stomach. Yet fools from here and there seem so intent on perpetuating it!"
Excuse me? Does she not realize all her teasing of that poor man makes her look love sick? And she plans to follow him to another Duchy? The worst part of this whole mess was, I could tell she was speaking the full and honest truth. By the Gods I have a headache. I rubbed my temples. Fine, she could have it her way.
"If you say so."
"Sister-in-law, how does this help Dunkelfelger?"
"Simple, I have sworn myself to Lady Rozemyne's service, and she has agreed to take me as a guard knight. While Peter has been accepted into Lord Ferdinand's retinue on the condition, we are able to leave and live in Ahrensbach."
That caught our attention. If Peter were in Lord Ferdinand's office, we might actually have a leg up in dealing with that ruthless man. Minerva smiled, pleased that we had taken her meaning. Yet I couldn't shake the feeling we had stepped into a trap of her own making. But she made no further move. The rest of the discussion was mere formalities. My sister wanted Lina and her husband to come with her. She also wanted her glass craftsmen, their families, her personal blacksmith, his family, and two stone smiths. Minor things. She also had a list of things she wanted Lina to bring tonight. All were things one would expect. New clothing, soap, but there was also a rug.
Later that night, I invited my sister for drinks in my office. Since I had something, I wished to discuss in private with her. Minerva settled into the seat across from my desk. A stiff drink was brought out for both of us. Once it was tested and it was clear that there was no poison, I dismissed my entourage. They were all disgruntled by this turn of events and all of them made their protests known. But this was something that needed to stay within the Archducal clan. We drank in relative silence for a bit, finishing our drinks and refilling.
"You know, it was unpleasant taking over with my siter as my knight commander."
She snorted. "Whoever took the position seems to be doing fine. Those guards jumped me as soon as I moved. One of them was going for my hidden weapon."
"You wouldn't have allowed someone to get that close with a hidden weapon."
She shrugged in a rude, but non-committal response.
"Father said there were somethings I had to learn on my own."
Her gaze wandered the room as she sipped her drink. I noticed her gaze traveled to the registration feystones. Hers was still there. How long had it taken me to notice? I hadn't until the report of a highbeast that looked like Minerva's in the battle for Ahrensbach. I had then confronted father only to receive a disappointed look from him. Then I remembered Minerva's funeral. Her medal had not been produced. Neither had Peter's.
"What did you do?"
Minerva's gaze came back to mine. Her eyebrows raised in obvious question. "What do you mean, brother dearest?"
"I get a headache whenever I look at the registration feystones. You wouldn't happen to know why that is?"
Her lips twitched up at the corners of her mouth. Then her expression became bored. "Are you asking if I tampered with registration stones even thought I have effectively been in prison for the last few years? Or perhaps you are implying that an underage me, managed to trick father?" Both had implications on our family. None of them were good for me or the rest of the archducal family. Minerva's expression softened at my dilemma.
"No, I did not." Truth.
She always did have a way of putting her finger on the pulse of the problem.
"A gifted you were, but I doubt you would have been able to fool father. Not for years."
She relaxed ever so slightly. "Perhaps. But maybe I can fix your problem. If I may?" She set aside her glass and waited for me to give permission.
I nodded. Minerva stood, leaving her glass on my desk. I watched her walk over to the registration stones that were set into the wall. They were in a fancy portrait of a battle from long ago. She ran her fingers over the image until her fingers reached her own stone. For a moment her hand lingered there before her fingers curled around the edges of the stone and a soft click echoed through the room. She palmed the stone and returned to her seat, placing the stone on the desk between us. Then she peeled off a thin layer from her stone. The low-grade headache that I had been feeling vanished. Then she picked up her drink and gulped it down, shaking it when it was emptied. I topped her glass off and didn't bother rebuking her for her rudeness, she would soon be Lord Ferdinand's problem. My little sister had always been like this. Small miracle the princes had had her executed.
"How long have you been planning this whole mess?"
She glanced at me from over her drink smiling, "Even an Aub shouldn't pry into all of a woman's secrets." Basically, she had no intention of speaking further on this matter. It didn't matter that I was her Aub and brother. No amount of Vantole's blessing would sway her either, more likely I would end up spilling my own secrets. Yet she was also refusing to lie to me and telling me as such. I always wondered where her strange aversion to lying had come from. Mother had certainly attempted to iron out that particular flaw. But it stubbornly remained.
"Father knew, but mother didn't." It was more a guess than a question.
There was a flash of guilt across her face before she returned to her drink.
"Mother cried." If threats and bribing didn't work, guilt could also be a strong motivator. Especially since it was true. We had all grieved. Even if she didn't answer, I could get my own petty revenge twisting the knife and making her squirm.
Silence.
"Fine, keep your secrets, but perhaps you could dain to do one small favor. You owe me that much."
Her shoulders stiffened; her eyes were wary of me. "I suppose, that depends on whether or not it will hurt my future home."
I had to fight the urge to smile. "It won't. I simply want you to see mother. It would ease her heart to lay eyes on you."
Her expression instantly soured. "And you say I'm cruel?"
I gave her wicked grin. "But if you aren't so inclined, I will happily wait until you have left to inform her."
Minerva paled and shuddered. That would be so much worse. There wasn't even a guarantee I could keep our current meeting from mother. She may be retired, but she was still a force to be reckon with when it came to gathering information. If she found out that Minerva had been given a chance to see her and hadn't taken it, Minerva would have never lived it down. Mother would extract a 'appropriate' recompense for all her suffering, effectively punishing her far more harshly than anything I could have reasonably imposed.
"Have it your way." She conceded, not at all pleased.
I had never witnessed such a dressing down as the one Minerva received upon the arrival of our mother. It was well worth the pain she caused. Though I pretended not to notice the rueful smile on my sister's lips or the moisture that magically appeared near both women's eyes.
Ferdinand: Right before Transferences Ceremony
I made my way back to the hidden villa. It had been a pain dealing with the fault from the sudden death of that fool prince. Thankfully, Lady Adolphine was technically still married to the witless excuse of a man. She had easily taken up the offer to be the new archduchess of the land Sigiswald would have taken over; on the condition she could marry a man she choose. All around, it was probably better for that duchy and the country that she was taking power. Though it would be unfortunate to not have an easily manipulated man in the seat.
Now my concerns were for our future knight commander. I moved to enter the villa. It was a force of will not to grimace at the memories that rose. Even the scent churned my stomach. I suppressed it all, and nodded a greeting to the guards.
"Where is Lady Minerva?"
The younger man took me to a room that had once been a parlor not far from the entrance. All the furnishings had been damaged in the siege of this place. Yet somehow, they had managed to scrounge up a desk and mostly intact chair; most of the back was missing. Already she was writing up reports on the various battles. I wondered how she managed to get plant paper. Something to ask Peter later. Speaking of the man, Peter stepped out of a closet door. So, that's where he had placed the charm that connected to the safe room.
"What do you want?" Minerva grumbled. She didn't even look up from her work.
"I have work for you."
"Shove it where the sun don't shine or give it to a scholar." I nearly chuckled. I had touched a nerve which was rare that she let me know I was getting to her. Now that I think about it, it had been a while since this woman had to do work. Even at the academy she managed to pawn off a lot of her work onto me. I recalled her laughing when I demanded to know why she set all of the Dunkelfelger apprentice knights on me. She had said, 'So much the better if I throw these fools at you. You get training, they get training and a crash course on thinking, and I don't have to deal with them.' To make things even better, her soon-to-be husband was now on my side. When I had asked for his thoughts on the plan I had, he had agreed emphatically. Despite her nerving actually serving such a position and her disappearance, she was truly the best candidate.
"Have you considered what role you will play in the future archduchess' reign?"
She paused in her work for only a moment. "I am her guard knight. I will be my lady's left hand and protector. What else is there to know?" There was an odd phrase again, 'left hand.' It brought to mind another incident from our school days. She had been holding the clip that father and Sylvester had given me. I remembered the distinct feeling that she wanted to crush it in her bare hands. Instead, she merely muttered, 'The left, huh?'. Then she had tossed it to Justus. She had been in a foul mood after that. But now, I got the feeling she meant it with more reverence. A vow maybe? I would have to set that thought aside until I had more information.
"Have you considered anything else?"
Minerva set aside her reports and gave me her full and undivided attention. Impatience thrummed around her like a swarm of feywasps. "What do you want, Little Flower?" Her usual smile crept across her lips when she used that nickname. While I on the other hand, had to fight to urge to frown harder.
"Lady Rozemyne has few archnoble guards. The few she does have are still young and inexperienced."
"I noticed."
Was she being dense on purpose or just to spite me? I couldn't tell, but I suspected the latter. If so, this would be even sweeter. I would finally get to one up her and dump work on her while also keeping her busy.
"Lady Minerva, you were trained to be knight commander, yes?"
Her eyes narrowed at me. "Only the archduke or archduchess can appoint a knight commander."
For all intents and purposes, I was the archduke. A fact, she was well aware of, but wouldn't voice to protect Rozemyne. So, I continued as if I had not heard her. "You gave up your position to follow Lady Rozemyne. You have the most skill, and training. Not to mention, you know many of the Ahrensbach knights. They have seen you battle and lead in the fighting. You are completely loyal to Lady Rozemyne. It is truly best for everyone that you take up this position."
She snorted. "Lady Rozemyne is the only one who can make that order."
"I can call her now; I am sure she would whole-heartedly agree with my stance." She already had.
Minerva's eyes narrowed again. She was fighting this a lot harder than I expected her to. A glance at Peter was enough to tell me that he was also surprised by her resistance.
"Oh? You would have my lady come here, with no preparations, and while she is still vulnerable?"
No, but I hadn't guessed I would have so much push back to this. Something wasn't right. "Why are you so opposed to taking up this position?"
She was all but rolling her eyes. It didn't take any great intelligence to tell she was calling me all kinds of names. "The position of knight commander is by its nature, a political appointment."
As if I didn't know that. "I am aware, having served as knight commander myself." A polite way of saying so what, suck it up and do it. Yet for some reason she was practically smirking at me. I did not like that.
"Oh, and how long were you knight commander?"
What did that have to do with anything, I wanted to shout at her. Instead, I said, "A brief time." Something I was certain she was aware of considering her penchant for snooping. Another glance At Peter showed he was just as mystified as to what she was getting at, but he wasn't on guard. Wherever she was taking this, it didn't seem dangerous.
"And you took up that position while maintaining your status as an archducal family member?"
Obviously. "Your point being?"
Her smirk grew. "I will be an archnoble, head of my household, and entering a new duchy." I narrowed my eyes at her. It was unlike her to repeat the obvious and around the bush. That smirk however, I knew well. It warned that there was danger ahead for my plans. I remained silent confirming what she said as true. Minerva looked like she was going to laugh. Then she glanced at her husband, her eyebrows rose fractionally as if to ask, 'are you sure you want to do this'. My scholar was confused, but bobbed his head once. Minerva shrugged as if to say, 'suit yourself' and turned back to me.
"As an archnoble, head of my house, and in position long term, I will be expected to take on a husband from an opposing faction. So, you are asking me to take a second husband before I am properly married to my first, in front of said man who is your retainer."
I froze for several moments.
It was true Karstedt had been forced to take a second wife, but that had been Veronica's doing, right? I glanced at Peter for confirmation. My scholar looked shellshocked. His orange eyes had a distant look in his eyes. That expression was enough to confirm Minerva's words. I had just stepped in it.
Minerva looked torn between mirth and sympathy. But now I was stuck. I stilled needed her to fill this position. Yet it was beyond the pale and much like 'that woman' to force someone to take on another spouse like this.
She chuckled. "Answer me this, is this appointment entirely out of necessity for my lady?" There was a wicked look on her face. She knew! I wanted to growl my frustration, but I remained impassive. A confirmation. She cackled. "You really do have a long memory. You know, women don't like a petty man, Little Flower." Then she was thoughtful, a rueful smile spreading across her face. "Though I suppose your pettiness is equal."
Damn her! I came here to get a bit of revenge only to have her make a fool of me. How frustrating.
"I'll do it." I was surprised by Minerva's sudden agreement. She had gone back to her work, writing a list which she handed to Peter once she was done. He checked it and brought it to me. "I'll need these from you."
-A list of knights and their level, age, family, specialty, faction
-A list of the dead from the war
-A small feystone for each of the dead
-Time for Peter to screen potential second husband
-Hold on finding a second husband until 2 years after 1st child is born.
-House layout as provided (Peter has blue prints)
-Pay for 2 country wide contracts
"I am not paying for your house."
Minerva snorted. "You are remodeling the layout of the city. I simply ask that the knight commander's villa follows the blue prints Peter will provide."
That was fine. Most of these were things Minerva would need to do her job anyway. But the fourth and fifth gave me pause. "You want Peter to find your second husband?"
She shrugged. "Why not? They be the ones that have to work together the most. I just have to have kids with the man." I was deeply uncomfortable with where this conversation had gone. "Besides, Peter is more likely to gather more intelligence than I can get on them. So, long as my lady and my family aren't in danger, I don't care." That was not what she had said earlier, but I was too uncomfortable to call her on it.
"I can have the lists by the week's end, the feystones may take a week or two longer, the contact will have to wait until the archduke conference, and the rest is acceptable." Since I was going to have Rozemyne remake the city as part as her exam. Remodeling or even adding a new house wouldn't be difficult. And it was my miscalculation that had led to this particular mess anyway.
"That will do." She stopped her work again and shot me a smirk. "Anything else you need?" Then she mouthed, 'Future Aub Consort.'
I felt my spine straighten as if the thunder Verdränner had struck. My ears heated to the point I wondered if my hair might catch fire. Minerva chuckled.
"Do look after our Aub 'properly', Little Flower."
I left quickly and took out much of my frustration on Rozemyne's cheeks.
Peter: directly after Ferdinand's point of view.
My wife had finally been able to relax. She hadn't been able to shake off the battle energy and had been pretty quickly set behind a desk where she was basically waiting to explode. I should have felt bad that it took teasing my lord to shake it off, but I feel in this case she had every right. Ferdinand had pushed her to be knight commander; a position she was more than qualified for. However, both of us overlooked the fact that Minerva was taking up this position not as an archducal clan member, but an archnoble and as a result, she would be under different rules. So, she had foisted the job of finding another husband onto me and called Lord Ferdinand shameless in a blatant way. And of course, she followed it up with mercilessly teasing of my lord who promptly fled.
She was still giggling. Minerva put her head down on the desk while her shoulders shook. I was going to leave her to it, but she called me back,
"Wait."
"Yes?"
"What are you up to?" She managed to squash her laughter.
"My lord has me assisting his brother."
"(*You'll be protecting her family?*)"
"(*Yes*)"
She took a deep breath. "(*Are you sure you wanna do this?*)"
I felt my expression harden. She was offering me an out for what she considered a dirty task. But I wanted revenge too. And it was time I did something to avenge my lord. "(*I am sure. She is my enemy too.*)"
"(*There won't be any going back.*)" The voice of experience.
"(*I know. It helps that I won't have to look at her.*)" I felt like a coward admitting that to this woman. She had killed to protect and avenge in two different lives. Yet there was no judgement in her silver eyes.
"(*Nothing to be ashamed of. So long as you can live with yourself afterwards.*)" She meant those words too, and in our old world they would have been unthinkable. But as I looked inward, I felt I could live with this. Our target had been a slight on Gebotordnung, Istus, Persephone, and Wiegemilch for far too long.
"(*It will be done before our lady and lord are appointed Aub and Aub consort.*)"
Minerva sighed, for a long time she was silent. "Alright." Then after a moment a smile spread across her face as a wicked thought occurred to her. "(*Make sure he knows what to do on the night of his star binding.*)" I nearly choked. There was no doubt who she was talking about. My lord's response to Minerva's teasing had made his innocence quite clear. But we both knew he would not take it well if he accidently harmed Lady Rozemyne. Or heaven forbid he did not uphold the expectations of position while he was so vulnerable.
"(*I'll see to it.*)"