"Leave us." The butler bowed, hearing Catherine's command, leaving her alone with William. He stood faced away, looking out the window towards the sea. "What brings you here, William? You know we can't meet so openly like this." Her eyes were squinted, and her voice powerful, albeit with a hint of nervousness.
William didn't turn back to face her, continuing to stare out the window. As the seconds passed, she couldn't help but get more nervous. Despite his age, the authority he commanded was real, and the aura his body gave off was intimidating. "What do you think is beyond the sea?" He turned around to stare into her eyes as he walked slowly closer towards her. "The edge of the world. The land of the dragons? Or more humans?"
Her mind spun as she was confused by the questions thrown at her. She tried to find the deeper meaning behind his words. She walked past him to look out the window herself. Gently touching the glass, her eyes became nostalgic as she thought about her past dreams before becoming Duchess. "I don't know. No human would, only the Lord. But I wish one day, in my lifetime, that it will be answered."
William walked behind her, towering above. "Your ancestors are said to be descendants of sirens, ones who accepted god light and were graced to walk on Earth. What do your stories say?"
"What do you want, William? I'm sure you didn't come here to tell stories to one another." She pushed past him, sitting on the chair and sipping a glass of tea. "Frankly, I'm busy right now, so if you have nothing to say, please leave."
"The King believes that a new world exists beyond, one separate from our lands and those in the East." He didn't drop the act but walked towards the seat opposite Catherine. She looked at him with scepticism, wondering why Alfred had been brought up.
"Well, he is a big dreamer. If it existed, it would be the greatest find in history."
"But don't you also wish to see if it exists? How many times did you run up to me as a child and share your wishes to explore the oceans?"
Her cheeks blushed as embarrassing childhood moments surfaced of her clinging to the teenage William. She quickly gulped tea to calm herself. "That was a long time ago, William. I'm not a child anymore. Dreams are reserved for them."
"But it is true they existed. What if he can make them come true, Catherine?" His eyes glowed with a hint of worship as he stared deep into her eyes. It shook her a little to see this man like this. Nothing had caused such an emotion within him for years she had known the man.
"What happened in the war last month? You're different."
"Answer the question first." His voice was stern but not threatening.
"Well..." She put her hand on her chin and thought for a while. Alfred had accomplished a lot for his age and how little time he had been in power. "I can't believe I'm even humouring this. But if he could make it true, then he would have my utmost respect and would allow me to die peacefully." She saw William was about to talk but stopped him, "But, it's a dream, William. I've accepted that it won't happen now. Even if he could bring it about, I'll probably be dead by then. I'm old." Her last words were tired, slumping in her chair as she finished. "Now my question, answer it."
"A path. A future that I can build even if I don't live to see finished." He leant forward and took out a small box from his pocket, sliding it across the table. Catherine looked at it suspiciously but opened it, revealing a black and red gem. She quickly dropped and looked at the man in fright.
"Are you crazy? Black jewels are for the royal family only." She paused and looked at him in immense fright. "Do you wish to commit treason? If so, leave my manor; I want no part in your plots. You saw how he destroyed Aragon and how that zealous creep would jump into flames if ordered. Crazy, it's too crazy." Her voice was frightful, mainly directed at the thought of Raven.
His voice rose in anger as he lashed back. "Do be foolish, Catherine. Flanders will live by our pact with the Royal family made all those years ago." He took off one of his gloves, showing a small ring- black with hints of blue. "This isn't rebellion but a new future led by our King." He got up and walked beside her, putting his hand on her shoulder and gripping it slightly. "Make your choice soon, Catherine. I know your abilities; that's why I came. But know if you delay, then that 'Zelous Creep' will be the one to visit next." He gripped slightly harder at the mention of Raven before walking out of the room, leaving Catherine alone, staring at the ring with her back drenched in sweat.
"fuck." She quietly muttered under her breath as her head fell into her hands. "Butler!" She shouted with an old man walking into the room. "Bring me my wine. And find out what's happened in the capital this past month." She picked up the box and brought it towards her face, "William, what have you got involved with." Her voice was sad seeing such a radical change in her long friend.