At the reception held after the ceremony, music was played, drinks were stirred, and conversation was exchanged. On each occasion that Artemis was put in a position where he had to speak, it was in meeting with a new Nobleman or woman, offering their congratulations and extending a hand of friendship.
Of course, some were too proud to do such a thing, a trait of sin that didn't necessarily extend to just the Runebranded Faction. Lightseekers, such as those from the Pendragon, Elric, and Cassius families. He did not know why they simply wouldn't swallow that pride? He could understand the perspective of the Runebranded, it was prejudice, it was basic human hatred. But why wouldn't the families from his own Faction approach him?
"Cercival, can you fetch me a drink?" He spoke towards the elderly attendant, glancing to his right as he spotted a familiar face, smiling.
Cercival bowed towards Artemis, soon disappearing into the crowd to complete the request as Artemis approached this figure. He had a head of shoulder-length white hair intermingled with gold, and wore his House's colours- stark-black and prussian-blue.
"My Lord." Artemis spoke as he approached.
The boy before him bowed slightly, smiling. "Your Grace."
"I'm glad you were able to make time to attend, brother." Artemis smiled. This was Willow, his younger brother he had relinquished Lordship to. He had left him behind what seemed like so long ago, although it had only been a few weeks since they had last seen each other- not even a full month!
"You were speaking in truth, the Capital is really a beautiful place... it makes Margraves look so small, the Lirae District even smaller...
"How is your District faring?"
"You're too quick to call it 'mine' and not 'ours'. Margraves... Lirae, it will always be a home you can return to, brother." Willow spoke in a slightly more callous tone of voice. This wasn't arrogance, it wasn't a slight, it was nobleship. It was brotherhood.
"I appreciate your kind gesture. Perhaps I'll have to pay you a visit in the future as well."
"Send a raven, and we'll prepare a feast. Bring his Grace, and we'll prepare three."
Artemis let out joyous, unabashed laughter. He covered his mouth with his hand in a polite manner, smiling. "I'll be sure to bring August, then."
Willow's face suddenly flushed, glancing away. "Brother, with your Grace... have you already... done... such things?"
Artemis's eyebrows furrowed, trying desperately to withhold an exclamation.
"Eh? Why do you ask?"
"Steward Lias wishes for me to marry the only daughter of House Harrino... I know it would be a good match, they preside over two of the three Districts in Launach. Because House Harrino's eldest and only son has been banished, this would establish a claim in our House's name... if the Head of House Harrino dies, we would gain retain control of one District in Margraves, and two Districts in Launach. This would propel us into the middle-ranks of the Lightseeker faction, competing with House Orsini and House Fafnir in terms of power."
Then, Artemis had to try desperately to withhold laughter. The corners of his lips twitched, but he quickly suppressed his humorous mood and replied genially, "and you have an ally in the Crown. Although I should act without bias, it wouldn't surprise anyone if I held a soft spot for my own blood. What is it that worries you about marrying the daughter of House Harrino?"
So House Harrino did have a daughter after all... Artemis chided inwardly. It's good I didn't send an inquiry... I would have stepped on Willow's toes...
"Such things... intimacy, romance... it's quite a... nervous topic." His blushed countenance hadn't faded, and rather, he began to fidget with his hands.
Artemis glanced away worriedly, sweat beginning to trickle down his forehead. Mother died before giving him such a talk...
He nervously replied, "you should consult the Archivist on such things. This is how I learned in the past..."
Willow's expression seemed to brighten up. "Of course! I should have thought of that! Archivist Rilas would definitely know of things like this! He seemingly knows everything there is to know about the world, about people, about existence... I was stupid not to consult him, thank you!"
I feel that I've doomed him... but I can't bear this conversation... Artemis chided inwardly. If only I were a stronger man... now he must learn of such things from a decrepit old man... I wish you luck, brother...
Soon, Willow was pulled away by his attendants, seeking to speak with the other Lightseeker Houses in order to establish relations as a new Head of House, leaving Artemis to his own devices.
August stood at the edge of the courtyard, drinking alongside many of the high-brow Heads of House from the Runebranded Faction, those of Lightseeker Nobility sheltering and conversing within their own, far smaller circles. They spread out in fragments, pockets of one or two families who had allied themselves or cultivated good relations, which was few and far between.
Has he acquired the ire of the Lightseeker Houses? Our marriage isn't enough to unify, it may even be more divisive... the other Houses see me as a threat! I'm a Lunastre now, but a Starke by blood... my House, that lowly family, in the position of a Crown... they'll surely hate us for it. Will this implicate Willow? I'll have to work quickly to try and repair relations...
"Congratulations, your Grace. You seem quite happy, I'm glad." A man walked up behind him. As Artemis turned his head, he raised an eyebrow. This man was unfamiliar. He had a head of dark-brown hair, and eyes as green as the fields of grass outside of Margraves. But his colours, red and white... he immediately gathered who the man before him was.
"Your Grace, my name is Lieger Sequoia. I'm the acting Head of my House, so I hoped we could establish a basis of relations here." Lieger spoke in a calm, professional manner as he bowed slightly towards Artemis, his crimson-red and white cloak fluttering behind him as he did so.
The Sequoia House... this is one of the people Cercival told me to establish contact with!
"Certainly, it's wonderful to meet you. I appreciate you coming all this way for a simple ceremony, Lord Sequoia."
"It was no matter. One of my Knights has a certain Spirit Ability that allows for... quick travel."
"That's quite convenient." Artemis chuckled. "But you certainly miss out on all of the beautiful sights you would see otherwise."
"Indeed." Lieger nodded his head, smiling.
Suddenly, a thought came to Artemis's head.
"You're a man who knows things, right?"
Lieger's eyebrow raised, grinning. "Indeed, I have many circles from which information is gleaned. Is there something you need to know, your Grace?"
He nodded his head.
"There's a matter that's been puzzling me for some time. It's of no importance, I'm just very intrigued. Why is it that the Corvo family has shut themselves away, forgoing their ancestral home and hiding within the shadows?"
The Corvo family had long retained control of the Adebeuren District in Launach, a region not too far North from Margraves. While it was not close enough in proximity to visit often, Artemis knew a bit about this region. It was harsh, with clay-heavy soil that was hard to cultivate within. Most agricultural efforts in the region were the blessing of previous installments of the throne, of Jehellius and his predecessors.
But at the same time, it was quite prevalent in its manufacturing of goods, pottery especially. To think it had been completely abandoned by the Corvo family-- both main and subsidiary branches-- it was too out of the ordinary!
"Well, I'm not sure what their intentions are, but the Corvo family has always been a lesser of the Lunastre family. If there are two factions, then despite their allegiance to the Lightseekers on paper, they sit directly in-between both." Lieger scoffed, letting out a slight chuckle. "If every Noble House has a role, they are the guard dogs of the Blackbaast. They sit in the shadows, and bark when danger is near. Their leader- well, it's been so long that we have no idea of knowing who their leader is. The only people capable of ascertaining their situation might very well be Sir Gwennaude and Sir Lysia... as well as your new husband, his Grace."
That's right. August might know something about their current situation, but I'm loathe to pester him with foolish questions. It's not as if anything will come about of my curiosity. Now that I've established a basis with Lieger, I can introduce him to Willow, and our family might prosper. I don't need the help of the Corvo House, or any other Lightseeker family for that matter...
Slowly, but surely, Artemis had begun to realise that he had been unconsciously working in favour of others, chasing their desires, their dreams, their benefit.
He was slipping into his role as a dog, a servant, a Crowned Consort.