Alxinfield, Venningham Hall, Year 079 Y.D.
The purpose has been achieved, so, with a hint from the Duke, Lady Esmeralda dismisses the messenger after he has enjoyed his refreshments, bidding him goodbye with a gracious smile and an envelope containing a banknote.
As the herald exits, the atmosphere changes. To the news, everyone should have an opinion, and Ilayan is certain, his father will not remain impassive if not constrained by his well-maintained dignified façade in front of outsiders. And for a reason that must be related to nothing but the benefit of the house, he for sure has words to speak. Yet, they both perceive the need to transfer the conversation away from the uneasy lodgings. The air inside weighs heavy with unspoken tension caused by the news, of which, Ilayan suspects a move unforeseen by the Admiral and his wife; not even bothering to hide the gloom in their frowning faces. That is not surprising, since to him, they appear rather impatient, but, coming unexpectedly is the fluctuations of the usually composed, prim-faced, pretentious Duchess. Perhaps, she has long been wary of her son's inheritance, the legitimate and lawful heir of the household, yet it is not within her capacity to interfere. His union with the Prince, who has status higher than them, possessing the royal Ylandreaz bloodline, will cement his position as the next patriarch of Valquistine. And, as a proud Lady that she is, Ilayan doubts that she will remain uninvolved with the matter, be it upright or underhanded.
As he mounts the stairs together with the Duke, his mind also drifts to how complicated the situation must be, and his father, the Duke of Venningham, fails not to speak it on him, being the one to speak first, inviting him for a word in the study.
"I know they won't let it be so simple," he snaps, his voice deep and aggressive.
There is nothing to reply, for even Ilayan is uncertain, he did not expect Lady Michelle to be this cunning. But if he takes a moment to ponder, it was indeed strange for Rionne, the eldest seith Prince to be in the Royal Estate instead of being in Khie'lal's temple, the deity of seiths, leading the worship on His feast day. And also, he reckons his father was not deeply opposed to his matching with the seventh Prince, he still remembers, of course, the moment he arrived, Duke Hugo personally dragged him to attend a banquet, arranged by Rionne's half-brother, at the royal estate with no other intentions but find him a pair. Yet, it appears that the Duke does not favor the union; confusing him.
And then an answer comes to him as he continues to hear his father's venting.
"I would rather you be uninvolved with the royal family," he says sternly. "Although the seventh Prince is a seith, he is under the knees of the noble concubine Michelle, of who you should be aware, is the mother of Prince Philippe, a contender to the throne. Directly attaching with them would be a course fraught with dangers. The Emperor is a sharp-witted, suspicious man, perhaps, he has long sensed his descendants' and concubines' covetous minds. And this scheme will likely offend him, thinking he is reduced to a dead man's shoes. I need not remind you that it is treason to predict his death. And there exist the other Princes too, they would not allow the third Prince to capture an advantage, this will only incur more risks to this house than benefits."
"It seems that you are too fearful, father," Ilayan tells him sarcastically. For all the considerations he mentioned, none was even for his welfare, he who is a son of him. Deep inside, he cares not for the house, and if the situation allows, he won't even think of inheriting the title of the Patriarch, but it will only keep him and his family vulnerable as he realized his position is no different from the battleground where he must keep himself vigilant and armored. "The reputation of unmarried seiths and ladies are delicate to taint, their purity must be protected for them to earn a well-born marriage, and to add, he is a Prince. You say these, yet, do you, somehow, have a resolve in mind?"
Duke Hugo regards him keenly; his eyes seem to measure him. "It appears to me that you have no qualms." There is disapproval in his tone, of which Ilayan thinks, and quite rightly, that he, at least, expects him to bridle at his rumored affair.
How could he not? But, perhaps, Rionne is not someone he can consider an enemy, they had known each other for long, although not intimate, still, enough for him to tell that underneath Rionne's cold and apathetic exterior is a Prince that is genuinely concerned for the people, and a person that yearns nothing else but a company in life, be it a husband or a friend. And might it be that he finds satisfaction in the Duke's opposition, he wanted to deter his father's smooth calculations, the least he can compensate for his inability to resist his demand of forcing him a mate. "I will be honest, father," Ilayan ventures. "You have demanded me a marriage, and I have also pondered about it. Now, I see no better match than the seventh Prince, he is a renowned beauty, virtuous in his manner, possessing a calm temperament. And we both know that he came from the royal family, so as his rearing in both household management and method in intrigues are better than most nobles if not elite."
Hugo responds with no words but a touch on his chin, it is clear that his thoughts run beyond Ilayan's grasp, but Ilayan is certain that he is weighing the severity of the matter. The seventh Prince is a coveted consort for most, of course, Ilayan can tell that his father may lean to oppose a direct association with a royal due to his years of experience and cautiousness as a Duke, but he is also a General, adventurous and high-spirited, what he faces often if not but risk? Ilayan still grievously remembers, that his father is a man with a heart of stone whose methods are cruder than his gentlemanly appearance. Given that he has managed the Valquistine household for years, for sure, he had also considered the feasibility of the union, and most importantly, the profit he'll gain if he decides to gamble.
"I'll leave this matter for you to decide. Only that I need to know you are aware of the implications of your actions?"
"Of course," Ilayan replies decisively. "Do you not think I would take my family and my army trivial? I am a General, father. Unlike you, I desire no pursuit for influence in the court, my concern is the protection of this realm. With the virtue of the seventh Prince and your caution, I doubt there could be that much to lose."
Already, the Duke's stiff body relaxes, the idea seems no longer a menace to the household. In fact, he must have realized that he has taken it more negatively. High rewards are born from high risks; he is yet too young not to venture one. "Very well," he tells him. "If your aim is the seventh Prince then you'll have the Emperor nod his head. Do you have a plan?"
His question startles Ilayan, in all honesty, he had made none. The underhand calculations are, unfortunately, not his expertise. But he is not troubled. "Do I still need to have one?" he asks. "If Lady Michelle can start a fire, I am certain that she can make more of her schemes." She and the third Prince is the most in need of this marriage.
"I suppose. Yet, you are too careless," he tells him. "You underestimate the Emperor too much, in front of him, you must keep your eyes and ears open, and if the situation requires, I'll still suggest you drop the idea of this marriage."
"I have my measures, father."
The Duke nods his head. "When you present yourself in the court later, be mindful of your actions. Be not an open to book to his Highness. He had remained ambiguous about the seventh prince, therefore, I am quite certain, that the Emperor's Majesty is also considering you a groom for his seith son. Conduct yourself properly."
Ilayan replies that he does not need to be reminded of his manners. He is born in a noble household and had been trained in etiquette, he would, in all certainty, dare not embarrass himself in front of the Emperor.
"Then this will be the end of this matter.", there is nothing more to speak, so he beckons to Ilayan his retreat, but before he proceeds to open the door, the Duke's voice re-emerges. "I am glad that you are now using your mind, Ilayan. From here on, you'll encounter more of these circumstances."
Ilayan pauses and he impulsively looks back, it seems to be his delusion, but there was a gentleness of a father coming in the Duke's voice. And to his surprise, the Duke's eyes are not on him, but on a painting hanging by the wall near the book-filled cupboards. It is a picture of a lady in a white velvet dress, only her back and long, raven hair visible, standing in a sea of colorful tulips; mostly in purple, peach, and sapphire. His gaze is no longer indifferent.
"It is not to everyone's knowledge, but a life of a noble is far from fancy ideals, in thrall to duties and machinations. Sometimes, you have to make a compromise in order to survive."
---End of Chapter---
—noir_alois—