Conviction, page 4
Like that the first half of their journey started and it passed in silence as the only interruption had been a few tier-5 bird monsters that Xeal’s wyvern had chased off. Though Xeal had ignored the few times Princess Bianca had brushed her hand across his back, or leaned forward as if to look down as her chest was pressed into Xeal’s back. This had of course been easier for him to do as his armor dulled any such sensations for him fairly well. Still, as they enjoyed lunch while letting the griffin rest, Xeal found it hard to keep a straight face as it was clear that Princess Bianca had been gearing up for a confrontation over it. Instead, Xeal just acted as if all of it had been truly coincidental while talking about safe topics, like how hers and Lorena’s training with Zylah had been going as of late. After that they returned to the air and while the moments of Princess Bianca making contact with him increased, the trip was completed without issue.
When they landed in the royal gardens of Habia just as the sun was setting, they were greeted by several royal guards and Queen Bridgette. The first thing that Xeal noticed was that Queen Bridgette looked far more energetic than the last time he had seen her and she wore a smile that seemed out of place given the state of the war. If Xeal had to guess, it was likely that for the first time since she had become queen she hadn’t been pregnant, or dealing with a child still in their first year of life. Even so, Xeal took note of it as he dismounted before making a show of letting Princess Bianca get down on her own. Though, beyond a slight frown on Queen Bridgette’s lips, you wouldn’t have known that she had been hopeful for a bit more familiarity between Xeal and her daughter as she greeted them.
“Welcome home, my daughter. It is so good to see you after so long, though I must ask what happened to your lovely hair? It used to be so long and beautiful, but now it’s so short and-”
“The word you are searching for is functional, as that has become my focus these days, Mother.”
“Yes, well, I had heard that you were taking lessons on defending yourself while under Xeal’s care, but I hadn’t expected the changes to be so drastic.”
“I have only become who I needed to be in order to survive. A lesson that was taught very well by you and the one thing that I will take with me no matter the circumstances I find myself in. Just as I hope you will remember when the time comes for you to once more adapt to survive.”
“I will do as I must, even if it means lying with the same man who is ultimately responsible for the death of my husband and eldest son, if it would save the rest. Daughter, you must remember that once you become a mother as I have, it is not yours, but your children’s survival that you adapt for. Now, let us leave such talks for tomorrow while your father meets with Xeal. Tonight should be more about catching up and reconnecting while we can. Xeal, please feel free to let me know if you need anything-”
“An assurance that you don’t plan to have your daughter and I share a room tonight is all that I care about.”
“Pity and here I had hoped this would be an occasion for a bit of celebration, as we have had so little to be happy about since you started to actively engage in battles.”
“Do not misunderstand, I do care for your daughter. I just refuse to be forced to marry her and therefore I will not entertain it any more than I have already until the war has ended. Were you or any others in this palace to try and bring harm to her, I would likely confront them and depending on the situation I may even take their life. Even if it were your husband the king, or the crown prince.”
Xeal ignored the blush on Princess Bianca’s face, and the slight frown on Queen Bridgette’s face struggled not to become a wide smile as she responded.
“I see. I suppose that is something to be grateful for and I will take that to mean that at the very least I can count on you to ensure that she is safe and happy.”
“Safe I can help with. Happy is on herself as we all get to decide that for ourselves. Even when some have everything in the world they can claim to be miserable, while others with nothing are as happy as can be.”
“True, yet those around us can have a very profound impact on our happiness as well,” replied Queen Bridgette. “Now, I assume that you would like a bath before your meal as you have been traveling all day.”
“If Princess Bianca would like one, she can take one, but sadly I am not allowed to put myself into such a vulnerable situation while in your care.”
“I see. Daughter, would you like a bath and perhaps to slip into something more ladylike?”
“A bath would be nice, but it can wait until after our meal, as I have long grown used to this level of sweat and much more since I was last here, Mother.”
Xeal once more saw the frown return to Queen Bridgette’s face as she led them to a table that was just big enough for two and after telling them that a meal would come shortly, left them be. Alone for a brief moment, Xeal gave the room a once over with his enhanced senses and after seeing that they were truly alone, he let a bit of his caution leave him as he spoke.
“I am surprised that they have left us alone so soon.”
“Don’t be,” replied Princess Bianca. “My family’s goal and likely main hope is that you will feel trusted by them and in return trust them. Also, my mother is likely hurrying to get our accommodations switched, as she likely had us in the grandest room after my father’s personal chambers. It really is a pity that you remembered to ask for separate quarters, as seeing the level of luxury that exists in it might help you actually prepare for what awaits you when your estate in Cielo city is complete.”
“Just how much of that is my wives and how much is the dragonoids?”
“The actual design is mostly your wives, though the scale of the project is something that the dragonoids are insistent on. Let’s just say that your children could have just as many spouses and children as you and it would still take over 20 generations for your estate to run out of room.”
“Oh, wonderful. At least they are planning for the future as I have a feeling that one day it will need that much room.”
“Though there is still the issue of staff as you don’t have any house pledged to your family’s service yet. While you have been making do with a few from the families pledged to your wives’ families, or commoners looking for a better life, eventually you will want to establish houses who serve yours for generations.”
“Is that what you wish your family to become? Servants to mine?”
“And Lorena’s, though if you don’t take me as a wife, I wouldn’t mind joining them, so long as I could remain as your personal maid.”
Xeal took note of the blush on Princess Bianca’s face as she talked about being his personal maid and couldn’t help but think of a particular type of book as she continued to speak.
“Of course, I would still prefer it if you were my dashing knight who-”
“Stop right there. Just what have you been reading of late and who gave them to you?”
“I am not sure what you mean.”
“You sound like you have been reading romance novels and are picturing me as a lusty master of a hero who saves you before making you mine. Last I checked such books aren’t common in this world, so who gave them to you?”
“I am sorry, but I have been sworn to secrecy on the matter, but yes, I have been enjoying the wonderful works those from your world create. There are so few in this one who have the luxury to pursue the passions of crafting such tales and I find that they help me cope with the reality of my circumstances.”
“Now your request for picking one member of Lorena’s family as a maid makes more sense. Just make sure you remember that such stories aren’t reality.”
“Xeal, the same could be said of this world to you. After all, am I not something simply created by your kind for the purpose of enjoyment?”
“No, at least not in my view. You may not have a true physical body, but you are as real as I am in my mind. We simply exist in our truest forms on separate planes that can interact with each other through the miracle of technology. Though from talking with my wives you would already know that. Did you just want to hear it directly from my mouth?”
“Yes, knowing that you believe I really exist makes me happy and seeing the passion in your words almost makes me feel loved. Now, I think it would be best to shift topics as the food will be here in the next 30 seconds.”
“Nice to know that I am not the only one keeping an eye on things.”
“Habits are hard to break and my master has ensured that all of her disciples have all the skills needed to be just as effective as an infiltrator as she is.”
Before Xeal could respond the server arrived with two plates, one of which was piled high with meats and various sides, while the other seemed to have around a third as much on it. When the full plate was placed in front of Xeal and the smaller one Princess Bianca, he frowned as he knew that her plate had only enough to be considered a snack on it. Even so, he said nothing until it was once again just them.
“Tell me, does me offering you food from my plate have any significance here?”
“Noticed that one. The short answer is yes, but it is an obscure reference and one that only those who, like my father, see everything as theirs and what all others have as the scraps that he has given them. So, if you offer to allow me to eat part of what is on your plate, my parents may view it as that you have taken full responsibility and in a way ownership of me. And yes, before you ask, to my father my mother is little more than his property, even if she is one of the most valuable things he owns.”
“I kind of figured that from the way you were when I first met you.”
“For the record, I wouldn’t mind others seeing me as belonging to you, even if you never married me.”
“And there you go, saying a bit more than you should. Now let’s just eat and get some rest in before what is going to be an intense morning, if things go the way I am expecting.”
As Xeal said that, he started to portion out about a third of what was on his plate as he added it to Princess Bianca’s plate, making it such that she had about 75% of what he did. The smile she gave him as he did this wasn’t missed, nor was the one on her mother’s face when she returned a few minutes into their meal. As Xeal was mid chew, he missed any opportunity to speak before Queen Bridgette did.
“I hope that you both are enjoying your meal. I just wanted to let you know that you will both be staying in the south wing of the place. I am sure my Bianca can guide you there and your rooms are the two that are connected to the baths there. With that I will excuse myself and trust that you will both be ready when you’re summoned in the morning.”
Just like that they were left alone and Xeal wanted to groan as Princess Bianca looked like she wanted to laugh her head off at the situation. In the end, Xeal just left things be as they finished eating and retired to the quarters that had been set aside for them. Though the fact that his bed was large enough for 30 to easily fit and the other room felt more like a lounge for many to relax in, Xeal felt like it was a poor fit for what they needed. Especially as the baths made what he had in Hardt Burgh look modest by comparison. Still, he just put it all to the side as he turned in for the night, as Princess Bianca found a particularly comfortable daybed-like couch for herself. Part of Xeal wanted to give her the massive bed, but for their plan to move forward that wasn’t an option.
So it was that just after the first light of the morning could be seen through the window, Xeal found himself opening the door to a knock. There stood a messenger, who after delivering the location of breakfast turned and left, and Xeal made his way to the other room and knocked. All he got from the other end was a “come in,” so he continued to knock until finally Princess Bianca opened the door looking disappointed. The fact that all she wore was a night gown that could easily be thrown on, spoke to other possibilities that Xeal decided that he needed to address before breakfast.
“Princess Bianca, I am not going to assume that you are doing anything but having a bit of fun teasing me, as I am aware that you do not often get the chance to do so. However, I would appreciate it if you would keep it within the bounds of what we agreed was appropriate for our intentions on this trip.”
“I am. It is just that I am acting how I wish and taking the assumption of what has been implied as you truly will consider accepting me as a wife one day in the future, even if that isn’t for ten or more years. Knowing that you have an ample supply of the waters of youth and that even if things between us fail, you will at least allow me to remain fertile an extra decade or so is a rather freeing experience. After all, part of my conditioning has been screaming at me for not already having two children as that is one of my main points of value, or at least that was what I was taught.”
“I am aware. I am just making sure that you don’t cross a line that would cost you any chance of your assumption being correct. Now, please get ready as we are expected at breakfast with your parents shortly and I would rather not have you looking so defenseless.”
“The word you are looking for is underdressed and if I were you, I would lose the armor and go with one of the suits that Queen Aila has given you. I know you wish to be seen as on guard, even now as we chat, but my father will only see it as weakness and an insult. Considering that you already plan to upset him, it may be best that you rely on your quick equip skill for when he goes to run you through with his sword.”
“Be out here in ten minutes.”
Xeal just sighed as he returned to his room and after selecting the outfit that would boost his charisma the most, put it on. Feeling exposed due to the sudden drop in his physical stats, Xeal moved around a bit to make sure he was aware of his capabilities while dressed in his current attire, before returning to the hall. Right at the 11-minute mark after telling her to get dressed, Princess Bianca emerged as well while wearing what could be considered a battle dress. While it looked elegant and among the finer things that he had ever seen her in, the chain mail and leather armor woven into the vulnerable areas spoke to its ability to guard her life should it need to. What annoyed Xeal though, was how it was almost perfectly tailored to his taste as he suspected that one or more of his ladies was behind its design. Seeing Xeal not comment on her dress, Princess Bianca smiled as she spoke.
“I had hoped to show this piece off to you as Lorena wore her matching one, as Queen Aila was so kind as to have them made for us once you had finished the mandatory time you had with us. I believe her words were, ‘now is when your real attempt begins,’ or something like that. Regardless, looking back on it she must have known that we weren’t simply going to fade away and figured that-”
“Aila has always been one to make sure those around me have the right attire for every situation, at least as much as can be reasonably expected. And, it does look good on you. I just hope that it isn’t needed today.”
“As do I, but I would rather not cost you another drop of phoenix blood.”
Xeal just nodded as he turned and offered her his arm, and they walked to breakfast looking like a couple to most who would see them from a distance. As Xeal thought about it, in a way they were as Princess Bianca was committed to waiting for him to accept her, even if it took him ten or more years to do so. While his feelings were still more pity than anything towards her, he was willing to reevaluate things once everything had calmed down and he had time to take the time to give her the attention any lady deserved. He also knew even Enye would be more or less fine with them being allowed in, once Xeal stepped back from the constant conflict and grinding if they proved committed for the long run. It was with these thoughts passing through his head that they arrived at the King’s private dining area which while lavish, was a smaller room that only had a few bookcases, a table and four chairs in it. Already seated was King Ulfert Uladzimir wearing a casual tunic and pants, as Queen Bridgette stood in a dress that was also on the more casual side of things as she greeted them.
“You two do look quite nice like that, though you seem to be a bit over dressed for a casual breakfast.”
“Mother, there is nothing casual about any of this and you know that. Yours and Father’s desires to believe otherwise is either a hope beyond hope, or willful ignorance.”
“I had heard reports that the little Tannenbay girl had rebuked and captured her father after the whole mess with those demonic weapons in Paidhia,” commented King Ulfert Uladzimir. “What I hadn’t expected was that my daughter would show me defiance without any provocation on our end. Now tell me, daughter, why is it that you wish to start today on such a hostile note as to feel that wearing armor here was necessary?”
“I know you, Father, and I know that you can’t be happy about the future that you see and I don’t have the luxury of being powerful enough to casually approach what this meeting will entail, at least yet.”
“I see, then why do we not get right to it. Xeal, what is it that you came here to say to me that will cause me to consider attacking my own daughter?”
“It is not what I came to tell you, but what has not as of yet occurred, nor will occur so long as your crown exists,” replied Xeal. “I came here to attempt to avoid a situation like what occurred in Paidhia towards the end and if possible, convince you to simply surrender now.”
“I take it that you and her walking arm in arm was just for show?”
“No.” “Yes.”
As Xeal said no while Princess Bianca said yes, both were surprised by Xeal’s response as King Ulfert Uladzimir looked at him as if waiting for an explanation, while a bit of hope shone in Princess Bianca’s eyes.
“While I have no intention of marrying your daughter as of yet, the possibility does exist and if I am honest, the level of our relationship is such that walking arm in arm feels appropriate. Yet that is about as far as I would go with physical intimacy with her, or Lady Lorena. As I am sure has reached your ears, she is to become the steward of Paidhia’s old capital and as things look, it would reason that Princess Bianca will become the steward here. Both would serve in that capacity until one of my sons is deemed ready to rule and worthy to found his own house. King Victor’s hope is that I give in to Lady Lorena and likely your daughter, and it is a son between them and I that is chosen. While I can’t say that will be what happens, nor will I say that your daughter’s odds of capturing my heart are in her favor, I can at least say that the possibility exists.”
