Manhunt

Meddling mother dearest

Walking through the corridor, Valentianus wore a blank expression, not bothering to greet the people he passed by. 

Whatever the reason was for his mother to insist to meet him and Riss, Valentianus knew it wasn´t going to be a pleasant one.

It never was when their mother wanted something.

Approaching the meeting room at the end of the corridor, Valentianus could already hear his brother's unpleased tone of a voice echoing through the door.

Gritting his teeth, Valentianus braced himself for the confrontation, which probably was going to be messy.

Reaching for the handles of the double doors, he yanked the doors open and saw all too familiar scene in the middle of the room.

Riss stood on the other side of the coffee glaring their mother down who sat on the couch watching his outburst with a disappointed look on her face.

“You don´t have any right meddling in my life whenever it benefits you, mother!” Riss yelled at her. Anger was getting best of him and Riss didn´t hear when his brother stepped in. He was too angry to care if someone heard him.

Every muscle in his body tensed and he tried to control the urge to reach out and hit his mother in the face.

“My dear boy, it is time someone put reigns on you since you can´t bother to think what is best for this family. Your father didn´t raise you to be a prodigal son.” Niraya replied with an icy tone, her head held high as she met Riss´s fiery glare like a queen.

Her calmness exasperated Riss even more. He couldn’t believe his ears.

“Prodigal son?! Are you f*****g serious?” he growled, stepping forward, but a loud slam of doors being closed made Riss snap his focus on the doorway.

Valentianus stood still at the doorway, hands pocketed in his trousers as he gazed at his brother and mother. His lips formed a thin line and his nostrils flared. As Riss looked at his brother, he could tell Valentianus´s sour mood was getting worse because of his together knitted brows.

Valentianus was famous for his explosive nature when getting angry, and Riss often tried his best to soothe his brother's temper, but right now, he would not do that. In his mind, their mother deserved every bit of their anger and more. She had it coming for a long time.

“What is all this?” Valentianus asked, controlling his simmering anger while looking at his mother, waiting for an explanation.

“Your brother should start taking more responsibility in the family,” Niraya said.

Valentianus narrowed his eyes before shifting his gaze to Riss, who looked like a wounded animal preparing for defending itself. His chest rose and fell, his pupils dilated and hands fisted. His entire body was getting ready for a fight.

By his brother's reaction, Valentianus concluded that wasn´t all their mother had said.

Focusing on his mother again, Valentianus strolled toward her, keeping his eyes on her face.

“And?” He pressed.

Niraya tried to be discreet as she inhaled so she could stay calm under her older son's fuming gaze, but it didn’t go unnoticed.

“Mother,” Valentianus warned her as he stopped only a meter away from her. He towered over her and any other person would have cowered under the glare. But Niraya lifted her gaze to his face, meeting the fuming glare with such grace it baffled Valentianus for a second.

“And I suggested he should settle down and marry the daughter of Corvus and Ophelia Vearra, Arabelle Vearra.”

Valentianus´s eyes widened and looking at Riss he now understood why his brother was ready to lose his cool altogether.  

House of Vearra was a wealthy and powerful family living in Heruk, one of the four major capitals in Kyrre, but the history of Tharron and Vearra families wasn´t what anyone could call peaceful one.

Where Tharron was one of the oldest fountain families, history reaching over 500 years back, Vearra was a rather new family in Kyrre and the head of the family, Corvus, had always considered the Tharron family as a rival family.

Ancestors of Vearra family had lived in a continent called Ekera until one of Corvus´s forebears had travelled across the great sea Emernan to look for better fortune in Kyrre 250 years ago.

What possessed their mother to even suggest Riss should marry Arabelle Vearra, Valentianus did not know, but whatever the reason, it was an insane thought.

“See? Our mother has finally lost it. There is no way I´m going to marry that harpy!” Riss shouted, pointing at Niraya, who snapped her glare on her younger son.

“Riss Tharron! I won’t have you talk like that in my presence.”

“What you’re going to do about it? Ground me? There's nothing you can do to make me go through your lunatic plan.” Riss narrowed his eyes while leaning in, staring his mother down.

“Yes, I can. Your contract with the racing team is ending and you need to renew it if I´m not mistaken?” Niraya stood, ignoring the shocked expression Riss gave her when she mentioned the very thing he felt passionate about. The only thing he felt passionate about and now it would seem she planned on using it as leverage to get her way with him.

“You wouldn't dare….” Riss snarled, his body going rigid and his heart was pounding against his ribcage angrier he got.

“I only look out for you. Racing isn´t a suitable career in a family who has such a high reputation to think about. Riss, you are no longer a young boy who can run freely without a care in the world. As a man of this household, it is time to act like one.”

“Although you are my mother, you don´t get to tell me how to live my life!”

“Yes, I can and I will. I am your mother! I need to protect this family's reputation. Your father worked hard to get this company where it is now…..” Niraya, at last, lost her cool as she raised her voice, cold gaze focused on Riss, who was at his last nerve.

“Enough!!” Valentianus bellowed.

He had listened to their shouting game long enough, and he had had it.

Both Niraya and Riss turned to look at Valentianus.

“I know you want to protect father's legacy and you are proud of Tharron's company. But this isn’t the correct way to ensure Riss’s involvement in the family business.” Valentianus´s voice was lower than usual as he lectured his mother. 

A tone he tried not to use when addressing the matriarch of the family made Niraya gasp while looking at him in shock.

But Valentianus wasn´t going to apologize for using it. 

His mother needed to hear their opinion in all this and to accomplish that Valentianus forced himself to be hard on her.

“Watch your tone with me, young man.” Niraya scowled, but it did little to make Valentianus regret his manners.

“No mother. It is time for you to think about how you address me and my brother. Father entrusted the company to me for a reason, the same reason as he let my brother find his lifestyle without pushing him in the direction he wanted Riss to go.” Valentianus sat down on the couch motioning Niraya to sit with him and Riss to sit on the armchair.

“Would it be that bad to have a professional racer in the family?” Valentianus asked, using gentler tone now as he looked at his mother, who sat back down next to him. Valentianus could see how stiff her posture still was, she wasn’t happy how he had spoken to her. 

“Yes, but it is not the profession itself. It is the lifestyle and rumours that come with it. I have watched too many families being torn apart because the papers watch every mistake they make and write about it destroying everything. Family members of a racer are under the microscope regularly.”

Valentianus had difficulties understand the explanation because Tharron family had always been under the microscope because of their history and their relationship with the House of Valor. 

So, Niraya’s worries didn´t make sense.

“We have always been the major interest of the public, one way or another we are always on the spotlight. My brother's profession as a racer isn´t the issue here, is it?” Valentianus tilted his head as he raised one brow, seeing Niraya flinched at his statement. He was on to her. Whatever her real reason was, Niraya was reluctant to reveal it.

“The reason has something to do with the Vearra family, am I right?” Valentianus pressed on while Riss was biting his tongue until he tasted blood.

“I received a letter from Kathrynne Vearra a few days ago.” Niraya huffed and Valentianus´s brows shot up. Kathrynne Vearra? Corvus’s grandmother?

Valentianus rested his right arm on the backrest while crossing his legs, his curiosity piqued.

It was a well-known fact that Corvus Vearran respected his grandmother and often sought counsel with her when something turned difficult for him to handle, but for what reason Kathrynne Vearran had to contact Niraya and suggest something so ludicrous.

“Go on.” Valentianus urged while Riss sat on his chair, tapping his foot.

“Kathrynne's concern lies in her granddaughter. Arabelle's parents wish her to get married, and so does she. Ophelia has an incurable illness, and she wants to see her only daughter married before she dies.”

Brothers exchanged glances before Valentianus settled his gaze back to his mother, pondering her words. 

He failed to understand why Kathrynne was so desperate to see Arabelle married before her mother, Ophelia would lose the fight for her illness.

They weren’t living the dark age anymore, where daughters had to marry before their 25th birthday and their husbands would provide them. Otherwise, they would remain an old maid for the rest of their lives.

 And something told him Arabelle´s father didn´t know about this, although Niraya used the word parents.

Riss scoffed, not impressed even the slightest. If the woman wanted to see her granddaughter married, all by means, let her, but he wasn´t going to put a ring to his finger to help her mother's wish to come true. 

He glanced at Valentianus who seemed to think about it much to his horror.

“Val, I hope you’re not considering helping her!” Riss shouted.

Valentianus glanced at Riss and smirked.

“I am tempted, but there are a few questions I need answering before I agree to it.”

Riss whined like a little boy hearing that.

“Try to remember you’re messing with my future! I am not marrying that woman!” Riss barked. 

“Yes, I remember it's your future, but something is bugging me with this. All this time all I have heard is Ophelia and Kathrynne wants Arabelle to get married in a hurry.” Valentianus chuckled, shifting his curious gaze on his mother, who kept her face neutral.

“You’re saying…?” Riss rose his brows leaning forward, eager to hear his brother's thoughts.

“I´m saying it is possible her father doesn´t know anything about this.”

At that Riss´s face lit up in hopes he wouldn´t have to marry that girl after all.

“I suspect neither of the matriarchs doesn’t want Corvus to know about this, since he isn’t a fan of our family.”

“Don´t try to make this sound like some sort of conspiracy. Arabelle's mother wants her daughter to settle down as well, and what could be a better choice than a union between two powerful families.” Niraya defended herself, offended of the thought how her sons seemed to think of her and her attentions.

Valentianus wasn´t that convinced but nodded anyway to pacify his mother. It didn´t any good to start a war with her.

“There are plenty of other powerful families in Kyrre, hell, even in Ekela. Why us?” Riss intervened. 

He didn’t believe a single word Niraya told him.

“Indeed. And the fact Vearra and Tharron have been rivals as long as I can remember, it’s a little hard to believe they would out of the blue have a change of hearts.” Valentianus hummed.

“We are one of the four founding families. The three others have died, leaving only us, and it makes us the most powerful family in Kyrre. Many women would be more than happy to tie the knot with Tharron family, ensuring their heritage in the bloodline. Sometimes we need to bury our disagreements and battle-axes for the greater good.” Niraya looked right at Riss while educating her son.

Valentianus remained silent, wondering what was this greater good his mother mentioned. 

If there was a reason Kathrynne and Ophelia wanted to bury the battle-axes, Valentianus wanted to know about it. 

Valentianus knew very well Corvus resented Tharron's family the most. There was no way he would allow his daughter to get married to Riss if he knew about this.

Valentianus let out a sigh. He would need to contact the Vearra family and sort this out. He didn´t trust his mother's storytelling.

“Outstanding,” Riss muttered and flopped back on his seat, rolling his eyes. 

Valentianus couldn’t help but chuckle at his brother's mutter.

“Do you know the privilege you gain by living in this family?” Niraya narrowed her eyes, not appreciating the reaction Riss offered her.

“No, not really, but I´m sure you'll tell me.” Riss motioned vaguely at her way, not interested in a slightest.

As Niraya was about to open her mouth and tell what was on her mind, there was a knock on the door.

Valentianus frowned, turning in his seat while permitting the person to enter.

“Come in.”

The door opened and Bernand walked in, bowing his head.

“I apologize for being late. There were some issues earlier in the House of Valor.”

“What sort of issues?” Valentianus asked, hoping nothing too serious. He wasn´t in the mood for meeting Father Silverius. That man tested his patient way too many times.

“There was an intruder in the archive this morning, and although I almost caught that person, someone interrupted me. I have been looking at the security footage to find out more.” Bernand explained, making Valentianus groan.

“And did you find something more?” Niraya asked. 

Bernand looked surprised as he glanced at the elderly woman sitting next to Valentianus.

“Yes, and no. The footage wasn´t clear enough to see their faces, but one person stood out the most.” Bernand told, shifting his gaze back on Valentianus. He didn´t want to tell what he knew, but because the security guards had to report Tharron family and Father Silverius, he reckoned Valentianus would find out about this by the end of this day.

“And that person would be?” Valentianus asked, tiring of pulling one answer at a time from Bernand.

Bernand wetted his lips, trying to keep his voice steady as he answered.

“Your wife, sir.”

Valentianus´s face turned into a stony expression at the mention of his wife.

“My wife?” he repeated, his tone quiet. Too quiet for Bernand´s liking. It told him Valentianus was on the verge of losing his temper altogether.

“Yes, sir.” Bernand bowed, avoiding direct eye contact.

“How does my wife fit in the situation with someone breaking in our archive?”

“She was with a man when the person exits the corridor. The person has a severe injury on their leg, but your wife seemed to help these two people to get away. How far did she go with them I do not know.”

Valentianus brows pressed together and his eyes flashed with anger as he tilted his head down while glaring at Bernand. The intense glare caused Bernand to squirm in his spot, and he was sure he would have a hole in his forehead in no time.

“Who was this man she was with?”

“He is the same person who she was flirting with earlier.”

“Well well, it would seem not only I need to help Riss, but your wife also needs some guidance too.” Niraya hummed, but Valentianus couldn’t hear her. The rage he had so hard tried to reign in clouded his mind.

“I´m done playing nice with her,” Valentianus growled to himself.

Riss and Bernand looked worried. The tone and demeanour of Valentianus were as dark and murderous as it could be.

“Find out everything about that couple. After that, make sure they arrive at my dinner party.” Valentianus spoke, glancing at Bernand who froze on the spot. He had forgotten about that.

“Is it a good idea to allow those kinds of people in your home?” Bernand dared to ask, but the glare Valentianus sent his way made Bernand nip his lip and averting his gaze.

“It is the best idea. My house is my domain, I control everything under my roof. And I have special plans for their heads.”

“Everything except your wife,” Riss snickered, but the intense glare from Valentianus silenced him. 

Valentianus wasn´t in a mood for lame jokes.

Niraya hummed at her seat. This day turned out to be quite entertaining after all for her.

But she wasn´t done yet.

She had plans of her own for Theia, and this news just sweetened the pot.