We were lead inside by grandfather, my body was still drowning in adrenaline.
" There was no need to kill that many Stivanstin.." he said without looking back.
" There was no need to try and stop me either, yet here we are .. your GRACE. "
He looked older since my birthday. More tired, I was still angry about what just happened, but I was curious of his reasoning.
Over our way inside, I saw various groups of people all running around with papers or equipments I couldn't even begin to understand in their hands, on their back etc.
This place was chaotic as ever.
We made it inside his personal quarters. He sat and indicated to sit down as well.
" Let me start by saying this, I was never just gonna hand over my granddaughter to that boy he doesn't dare to even talk about her, I was the one contacted him in the first place..you jumped to conclusions. "
" Than why tell your guard captain not letting me in and to use force ' if need.. '? You could've guessed my actions considering the situation and the amount of information I had work with. "
" I can't have you around with the Rastor boy coming. He can't even say your name without pissing himself. You need to play along with my plans. " he said narrowing his eyes.
What is he thinking, is he dying from dementia? He just having a laugh. Tell me already ..
He was looking at me with amusement.
" Have you ever considered the future of our family? What will happen to you all, once me and your grandmother is gone and buried? " he asked.
He is afraid of the future?
" We lose most of our political power, and our support from overseas. Also Japan and all other vassal states our family is in charge of will reverting back to imperial control, and there's also the issue of the new hand. "
I recited what I been hearing since I was 10.
Early on he tried to make me understand that political power is limited and the only thing we can truly trust in this world is our family and our own power. That lesson largely responsible for our family unity.
Once he dies and my father becomes 2nd Duke of the Avesta family, we lose some our family prestige of being 1st Hand of Japan, after all that title dies with my grandfather.
We be exposed to all those who harbour hatred or envy in their hearts. Soon 20 years or so the first generation of hands die out and new the 4th 5th 6th hand will be selected from the most powerful Evolved, or those easy to control like the Rastors.
" I'm glad you remembered. We soon have a war on our hands little one, whether we ask for it or not. Seth was always good to me and I loved him as big brother long before I married his sister. But he was also the worst father I've ever met. He be gone soon, it's only a matter of time and our empire will be plunged into civil war whether we like to participate or not. "
He went into more detail.
" Viego is a vicious little shit who spent most of his childhood preparing to be emperor and torturing defenceless animals and believe or not his little brother is even worst. "
" Maliketh has a silver tongue and depraved mind, who longs for conquest and glory .. and women. He doesn't see the Portals as a threat. None of them do .. One would be a monster and another who could cause a war that will end the world before the Portals ever get a chance .. "
Everything he said I believed and it did make sense and I did feared the civil war, we all wanted to avoid might be inevitable when Sol talked about our involvement in the succession.
" So what is your plan? We kill my uncles and put Sisi on the throne because of legitimacy? No we need to kill hundreds more, everyone with black flames for starter and their families.. all their supporters, are we gonna kill all of them? "
" Yes .. "
He is serious.. he is so afraid for the future generations he is willing to kill .. 1000s some of them relatives. And yet the fear in my heart dissipated, he didn't want to betray our family it's quite the opposite and if it kept my family safe ..
" I see...so are you planning to unite the 3 hands and wait until the right moment to strike? " I asked.
" Almost .. honorable grandson, but the Rastors are enough they been thought by the court as loyal dogs and they were, that boy Shien he is changed and also to terrified of you to ever betray us. I been in talks with him and his father for weeks. "
So all we need is kill, all who could potentially be a threat to us. From their ashes my sister will rise as a Phoenix and rule this empire.
Oh Sisi .. I'll promise .. I won't end this until a single threat to your rule remains.
" Very well then... I talk to Sisi and I want you to involve me when our time arrives, before that if possible. I assume all this really came from Sol's mind? "
" Don't underestimate me brat, but yeah mostly. I didn't wanna tell anybody until tomorrow's meeting. I will publicly reject their proposal then we all lie low and wait. " he said with sadness in his eyes.
He took a moment and continued.
" We never know, it could be weeks or months Seth was never soft. The more time we gain the better our chances, we will train and you will have to make the leap. "
" The leap? " I asked a little confused.
He got up and picked up a picture from the mantel above the fire place .. It was a picture of him at his ceremony when the he was made 1st hand by Seth, he was 17 years old.
He sure lived a life, a prodigy with telekinesis able lift tons with his freaking mind. He also has my respect, he married Susana my grandmother who was 7 years older and one of the most beautiful women in the empire.
At 19 he was already a father and a leader of people. I always envied his story, not only be strong but respected and marry the emperor's baby sister .. happy ending. His life was well lived.
" Your ability is unparalleled what it needs be done, which is to kill .. but you need practice so I want you to participate in games this year and dedicated your self to training. Both your eyes and most importantly your mothers family swordsmanship. "
I was honestly surprised, not a lot of people knew about my mother family. They never approved her marriage and never seeking contact since, never visited their grandchildren either.
All I knew is that they are somewhere in Japan and they are an old and traditional family.
" My mother already thought me, I mastered her style of the sword. " I said sounding disinterested.
The man laughed so long and much, it made me annoyed. Mother herself told me I did it.
" I'm sorry it's just sometime you do think like a kid. " he sat back down picking his drink back up. " Your mother learned what she could but don't forget she left for school at 15 and married by 17 and haven't seen her family since. How much she could possibly mastered in that short amount of time? "
He was right, how could I possibly interpret her words like that.
She must've meant, I mastered everything she knew.
I honestly didn't even knew my other grandparents names. I knew they weren't Evolved but mother didn't like to talk about them, it always made her sad and we never brought it up.
" Alright so tell me how to go about it? "
" Slow down all will be revealed in time. For now it's too late and I'm tired. Go do what you promised and inform the family about our plan. Come back in a few days. "
" No, no I never said I talk to the family .. I did only promised to talk to Sisi and if need convince her. The family part, I leave to the mastermind of this, talk to Sol. By the way where is he? "
" Most likely saw your little senseless killing in the yard and hiding somewhere after calculating his chance of survival. "
I felt a little bad about it, but there's plenty of killing to be had.
" I do apologise, I did jump to conclusions my .. my got...anyway .. I'm sorry. "
" Now that we got that out of the way, talk to me. How's school.? " he asked even though he said he was tired just moments ago.
We talked until deep into the night. Now that I knew his plans and mostly agreed with them, I was able to unload.
School, friends and girls.
" That Ranni, sounds like she struck an accord with you, but your attention is divided.. you pay to much to small details liking to many girls, like the mysterious girl and your goofy friend sister, the one you keep head patting and now this Ranni.. and why the hell did you eat that poison? "
He is too old, he doesn't get it at all.
" Times have changed, not everyone has legendary tier women thrown at them so young, some of us have to chew poison in front of those we like. "
" Condescending little .. you do understand, I came from nothing right? You know Moria now? Well it was like a fishing village when I was young, and when I tell your grandmother about your legendary nonsense she'll deep fry you. "
" As much as I enjoy silly banter, I'm gonna go now, me and Remy should leave to make it home and I don't have to miss school tomorrow. "
" Yes you should, I call later this week. I will also talk to Sol. Try not kill any of our own soldiers on your way out. " he said standing up embraced me.
" Next time let me in...thanks for the advice oldman. "
Overall it was a fruitful trip to Edo.
---
I had a lot to explain my sister and it was past midnight but I was confident she was up. It just it wasn't Sisi who picked it up.
" It's you..."
" Is there anyway...anyway we can just forget the hole thing Sicily? " I asked the screen and hoped my words reach her.
She looked teary eyed, I felt bad for blocking her calls for selfish reasons. I should've called her before.
She the only one who didn't warm up to me when I arrived 6 years ago. For years she was somewhat cold, while my brothers fearful at first, we slowly became accustomed to each other.
Sicily however kept her distance and we often didn't speak for weeks, Sistine however acted big sister from day one I was a little overwhelmed, I remember my mother saying to give her time she end up loving me more than any other.
" Cily please don't cry, I'm so sorry, I promise .. I will never ever do that again. Please? Talk to me. "
Her eyes softened and it made me remember the little 12 year old hiding behind mother looking at me with distrust and suspicion and how she is now a charming beautiful woman.
" Fine but as a better apology you let me and Sisi both move to Moira. "
" Why? There's nothing to do here, you be bored. " I said protesting.
Then start mothering me .. all those poking questions.
" I'll hear none of this. It's my price. "
She was so angry, I mean .. I do feel better if they near and also miss them a lot.
" Very well, to be honest, I missed you two and it will be fun having you two around. I accept. "
There were a lot things in this world I consider beautiful but my sisters smiles were among the most.
" Hmm .. we fly out tomorrow, by the way why you called Sisi this late? " she asked.
" Good question.. Cily our parents, are they there with you? And why do you have Sisi's phone? "
" Sistine is in the shower, we only arrived a few hours ago, there were terrible delays because a yellow portal ripped in Philadelphia, mother is off at one her ice cream socials and father went with. "
Good.. I would've told my parents as well if here, but why not let Sol deal with it or my sisters. Now that they moving here, it's the least they can do.
"...fine let's just wait for Sisi and then, I got a bit of story to tell. "