27 Yvaine
1661 Words
Janus spent the whole night managing everyone to get in, making sure they had enough space. The mansion was crowded from the bottom floor up to the large suites and chambers on the upper floors. They took off all the curtains and tapestries and used them as bed sheets and blankets for the workers. Every bit of furniture had someone sleeping on it, every floor of the mansion was crowded with workers while they were planning for a rebuild strategy. The mansion looked like a refugee area, which wasn't at all inaccurate.
The King would not like it if he knew about this, but Janus didn't care about that right now. The King had forced his hand, and now he had to improvise, or else they will lose everything they worked for in the past year.
He can't help but blame himself for this. He didn't know the extent to which the Holy See and his family were willing to do in order to control him. He found himself thinking of Yvaine, if only she kept her mouth shut about him being a good leader. Janus suspected that some of the King's actions towards him were due to the threat of his competence growing into something that could surpass him. It was either that or his brothers, he couldn't ignore having a member of the Crimson Blades inspect his manor.
Then there was the matter of the Holy See's opulence. Seeing him grow so quickly in wealth might have sparked the church to tax him even more.
By striving to make something out of a bad situation, he attracted envious and greedy eyes. Now everything was lost.
Well, not quite everything.
Master Ringo came to him that morning, the old man looked a little worse for wear. He had been managing the grounds for all the workers, making sure that no one was destroying property. Janus was quite aware that he was also endangering the old man's job, but the old man was irreplaceable. He could calculate seasonal yields in his head, he knew everyone working in the manor and what their daily tasks were without looking at his books and his books and predictions were always accurate. Without him, Gracewood would have been broken into ruins before Janus arrived.
"Your highness, a letter arrived from the capital. It's from the Princess."
Janus took the letter hastily, almost tearing away the paper before correctly breaking out the red floral seal.
Dear Janus,
I'm sorry I can't be there to help you. I can imagine how difficult it might be for you right now. I'm not sure how much of the manor will be left standing after Father's intervention but I trust that you can pick up the pieces enough to recover. I won't be able to trade you iron ore from my mines anymore, my supplies are already requisitioned for the war in the north.
Speaking of the war, there is something I've been meaning to tell you but didn't get the chance to. My trips to Mydir weren't just for diplomacy. The truth is, Father has arranged for me to be married to the emperor of Mydir. Emperor Isham Dorov is an old and cold-hearted man. A military leader in all sense of the word. His wife the former queen passed away in the last year, and Father suspects that his grief has led him to be more aggressive in his campaigns. I should have told you in person, and I regret that I couldn't. To tell you the truth I wasn't quite sure if I had the courage to go through with it. But I saw how brutal they can be, and in order to bring peace to Galedon, it is my duty as Princess to follow the command of my King.
As you read this letter I'll be journeying through Eastgate, probably with a tight military escort. Again I am sorry about what you're going through right now, and I am doubly sorry that I can't be there with you to help you.
I hope to see you again my dear brother, but I doubt that will happen any time soon. In any case, please remember that I love you and I will try my best to write when I get the chance.
Your best sibling,
Yvaine.
Janus' heart was racing. He remembered all his interactions with her in the past few months, all those times when she didn't look like her lively and cheerful self. Yvaine was the only ally left that he could be honest with. The only one that understands what he is going through.
She was going to be taken from her and judging from her actions and her letter, she didn't want to go. She was mired by obligation.
This wasn't right. Janus decided he would confront the King and stop it at all costs, perhaps he can make a different arrangement.
#
Janus arrived at the castle in record time. The coachman Mr. Arcas and his assistant Lan received a very large tip, and by brandishing the royal flag above their carriage they were able to arrive in less than three hours.
Sir Arthan couldn't accompany him this time, he was called in by the Royal Guards the day before. Perhaps he was there to help escort Yvaine. Janus was disappointed that the knight didn't tell him about this, but he understood the man's strong honor code.
Janus had prepared a few things that he could say to persuade the King to not give Yvaine away. Deep inside he had no idea what he was doing, but he had to try nevertheless.
Before leaving the manor, he arranged with Dulfo and Millen about a bargaining chip that could bail him out of trouble. It took him all night to prepare it himself. If in case anything unfortunate happened to him, this could serve as a failsafe or something he could negotiate with.
It was his best bet at surviving in this harsh land, he had no military force, no magical power, no influence apart from a small subsection of town. The one thing he had more than anyone was knowledge. And that knowledge is all that his plans were hinging on.
They arrived at noon. The time of lunch for the King, a few minutes after his usual schedule of planning and meetings with his lords and council members.
Janus barged in unannounced in the Great Hall. The King was surprised to find him there, Janus was out of breath, full of sweat and wearing clothes that looked worn out.
He couldn't lose Yvaine, not now.
"Janus. I didn't expect you here. Explain why you are barging in unannounced. You have the manor to attend to, or have you given up on it already?" the King said.
"First of all, my manor is fine. You can take everything you want from it, but you cannot make the determination of me and my men. We will rise up again from the dirt just as we did a year ago. But no, I'm not here for that. I'm here about Yvaine's arranged marriage to the Emperor of Mydir. I plead that you consider other options. Yvaine is much too young and she doesn't love the old man. It's an arrangement that's doomed to fail."
"Are you out of your mind? Has dealing with earthly creatures and dark magic truly clouded your judgment? I will not tolerate this insolence!"
"No I am not out of my mind, I am perfectly sane and I have perfectly good reasons for coming here. First of all, Yvaine is your best diplomat. What would our position with the other Kingdoms be after all of this? Are you willing to sever ties with every one of them, only to lick Mydirs boots?"
"Nonsense. The other kingdoms can rot in their old ways. Strong solidarity with Mydir through marriage is something we can use to forge a Galedon that is stronger and better than it has ever been."
"Stronger than it has ever been? As a puppet of a stronger and more oppressive militaristic order? Are the Blackfield's willing to stoop this low? I thought we were a stronger prouder name than that? Are you willing to be the first King since Ardon Gale to relinquish the throne of Galedon just for fear of being conquered?"
The King feels silent at that. Janus could see the strain in his face grow more taught. Just as he had taught, this was the right button to push him over.
It was his High Minister who spoke.
"Foolishness, allying with Mydir is the best for the Kingdom. Attempting to topple the Empire with our military force is suicidal, merging with superior forces is not unheard of in our history. Forbidding the Princess to marry just because she does not love the Emperor is such a childish notion thrown about by naive teenagers who know nothing of the dealings of court."
Janus recognized the man as Lord Dunir, a staunch ally of Lord Padron and the closest confidant of the King.
"Father, please listen. This is your daughter you're giving up."
"Silence, there is nothing more to discuss. Preparations are already done, and she is on her way to the Empire as we speak, with your brothers accompanying him."
"Very well then." Janus spat.
He stormed out of the hall, on the way he met Master Darius. The old man was walking in the opposite direction, but he was probably aware of what happened.
"Master Darius, can you tell me the time of Yvaine's departure?"
"Ahh Your Highness, she and her retinue left an hour ago. Pardon me sir, but you may need this."
The old man brandished a bottle of water towards him, splashing him in the face.
"Wha--"
"Holy water my dear boy, to protect you from harm and shade you from the evils of the dark. I cannot stop you, but I advise against this foolishness of stopping your sister from doing her duty. This is all that I can offer for your soul, and for your safety."
The old man formed a weird gesture with his hands. Janus didn't recognize it.
"Thanks... I guess."
Janus took off in a sprint.
- Writer
