33(Full Summary: Paladins Series 7: In the long war between Vasconia and Gascony, many people have made great sacrifices - both in battle and out of it. And now it is Sybille's turn to make her own sacrifice by marrying a man who will help rebuild Gwenael in return for her hand.
Sybille Alard is constantly working, never allowed to take a break for the sake of the kingdom's protection. However, her duty is not something she's ever begrudged. Even when her father tells her that she must marry for the sake of maintaining her family's status, she accepts the necessity. She doesn't care about her husband, only the children he will give her.
Darian Gage-Treherne always knew his parents wanted to marry him or his sister to Vasconian nobility to gain status that they could not within the caste system of their own country. While it was something he accepted, it wasn't something he looked forward to doing. Until he meets his guarded and overworked wife-to-be and protective instincts rear up in his heart.
But fighting against his wife's self-destructive tendencies is only a small part of the danger his new home presents when he is thrust into their war.)
That Ancient and Noble House
Sybille never ran.
There were a wealth of reasons why not. Firstly and most simply, it wasn't ladylike. Secondly, she was rarely dressed appropriately for even a quick jog. Typically, she was donned in heels and long, flowing gowns. It simply wasn't practical. More importantly, however, she was a paladin of rather high standing and a lady of an exalted, noble house. If people saw her running, if they saw her harried and panicked, they would be left uneasy. For that reason, more than any other, Sybille never ran.
Which was why she was walking quickly, not running, despite having been told that her brother needed to see her - urgently, according to the messenger. She moved with haste, but kept her face calm and clear of concern. Only her rigid spine and tense shoulders betrayed her true disquiet.
They were in the midst of war. At a time when people were wondering whether or not they were going to wake to an attack the next morning, it was vital that she never give them extra reason to worry. The common folk looked to people like her, to the ruling class, for security and guidance - whether they were aware of it or not. She had to be a pillar of strength for them, even when she was worried.
As she was now.
Her brother rarely called for her. He never called for her urgently. If he was summoning her, she could only imagine what was wrong.
Of course, with Raimond, it was hard to be certain. He wasn't particularly well versed at understanding proper social etiquette and what he considered dire didn't always equate with what would constitute an urgent need for others. But even if it wasn't actually an emergency, Sybille couldn't help but come rushing to his side – as fast as she dared anyway.
Since her family had moved into the palace, after the destruction of their home a few months ago, they had been closer to each other than usual. The relocation made it easier for Sybille to check on Raimond - which was more of a comfort to herself than him. Raimond was perfectly content to be left alone, only calling on others when he considered the occasion important.
Raimond's room was in the guest wing of the palace with the rest of the family. However, his private suite was situated at the far end of the hall, away from the others. He liked to tinker and his projects could be loud. Added to his aversion to people, and it was just more practical to put him away from them so that he could work by himself in a personal study allowing him to hide away in from the rest of the world. It was better for him overall as spending any extended time around people made him grumpy and unreasonable.
Sybille didn't bother knocking on his bedroom door, because she knew he wouldn't be able to hear her. She let herself into the outer room of his suite and immediately walked across the room towards the next door – his renovated study. It had originally been the bedroom, but he had requested the bed be moved into what had been the sitting room. The revised floor plan allowed him even more privacy and space so the noise he made wouldn't disturb others. It was upon this door that Sybille knocked.
"Rai?" She called out, lowering her hand, waiting. She didn't let herself in, knowing that Raimond hated when people invaded his space without permission.
After a few seconds – during which she wondered what could possibly make him call for her – the door finally cracked open and her older twin brother peeked through the crack. He glanced at her face only briefly - just long enough to identify her - before turning his gaze away.
"Oh, Sybille. It's you. What are you doing here?"
She frowned. "You summoned me. You said it was urgent."
"Oh! Right." He nodded, opening the door and stepping back, still not looking her in the face. Avoiding eye contact, in anyone else, Sybille would interpret as a sign of anxiety or falsehood or simple rudeness, but Raimond was different. Looking into her face would be atypical for him. He wasn't very comfortable looking people in the eyes. Not even her.
"What is it? Did something happen?" She followed after him into the transformed workroom, looking around for some sort of problem.
Raimond was fascinated with machinery. He was constantly tinkering with, building, and planning different machines. The walls were plastered over with plans and schematics – both those that he had reverse engineered and those that he had created himself. The workbenches, that had been brought in at his direction, were littered with cogs, cords, and tools. In the center of the room, a steam engine, partially gutted and broken apart, took pride of place.
All was as it had been the last time. Things had been moved around certainly, and there was more junk, but it didn't appear as though anything was wrong.
"I have something for you," Raimond was saying, shuffling over to one of the benches used for his drawings and calculations.
"So, there's nothing wrong?" Sybille asked cautiously, walking after him.
He hesitated, turning back towards her. His eyes didn't travel up past her waist, but that was as close as he ever came to looking at people.
"No... Should I not have said it was urgent? Was that wrong of me?"
The tension that had settled over her since hearing the message eased as Sybille smiled in relief. She shook her head gently, stepping forward. "It's all right. I'm just glad that you're safe. So? What was so urgent?"
"This." He turned and picked up a large roll of parchment off of the workbench. He turned, offering it out to her without actually looking at her. When she took it from his hand, he was quick to yank his arm back, worried she might accidentally touch him.
Sybille didn't let it bother her as she unrolled the parchment to look it over. The complicated design, covered in notes and mathematical equations, was recognizable to her only as a machine of some sort – she couldn't even tell what kind.
"What is it?" She asked, her eyes moving over it curiously.
"It's, er, an airship engine?" Raimond said cautiously, almost hiding in the corner. "I've only made a miniature prototype, but I think it should work."
Sybille looked up over the edge of the parchment - waiting for more. She knew that he had created airship engines before, and that, above all others, airship engines were his favorite machines. So, she knew that there had to be something specific about this engine, he had just forgotten to tell her what it was. Which often happened. He wasn't good at talking to people.
"Work for what, Rai?" She asked kindly after a moment. She couldn't be short with him. He didn't handle confrontation very well. She had to be patient.
He scratched awkwardly at his temple, desperate to do something with his hands. "Erm, it's an engine that should be strong enough to lift a ship over the barrier mountains."
"What?" Sybille started in surprise, looking back at the plans again. They offered her no further understanding. "Are you serious?"
He nodded. Her visible excitement made him shrink back. "It should. If my calculations are right. Are you mad?"
"Mad? No, of course, not!" She gave him a bright smile. "That was a happy reaction, Rai. If this can allow a ship to crest the barrier mountains, bypassing the low areas, this could very well turn the tide of the war!"
Instead of being pleased, he looked uncomfortable. "You think?"
"You did very well, Rai." She rolled up the plans. "Do you mind if I take these?"
He shook his head. "I made them for you. You like them?"
"I love them. It's the best gift you could give me. Thank you, Rai."
A tiny smile pulled at his lips. For all his inability to socialize, or even try to socialize, he did love his family and his sister especially. She was the one who looked after him, who allowed him to be comfortable and by himself. Anyone else would have tried to force him into society. Their parents had tried exactly that multiple times before Sybille had intervened. In the worst way possible. Raimond couldn't blame them for trying, but he was immensely grateful that Sybille had made it stop. Even if thinking of that moment filled him with guilt.
Raimond was a burden, and he knew it. Even if no one stated it outright. The way he treated his twin sister, his closest advocate, could be called cruel by those unused to him. He couldn't even offer an argument to that very accusation, made only in his own head. And for that, if nothing else, he was glad to finally be able to give her something back. After all, he was only able to follow his obsessions free from the worries of the world because of her.
"Was there anything else?"
He shook his head, still unable to look at her, but smiling because he was glad; glad he had made her happy with his designs.
"I'm going to get these to the right people. Thank you again, Rai."
"Oh! Er..."
"Yes?" She turned back when his call stopped her at the door.
"Erm, the engine... it's a bit big? It will require a big, er, bigger ship. Too big. It won't fit."
"Fit? In the docks, you mean?"
He nodded. "Just... thought you should know."
She smiled. "That's fine. I can work with that. I'll let you get back to work. I'll have Giselle deliver your dinner later, all right?"
He nodded quickly, grateful again. He didn't like dealing with people he didn't know, so Sybille had her own personal servants looking after him. It was another thing he was grateful for as he knew that doing so took them away from the far more important task of looking after her.
But Sybille never once complained. Even now as she left the room, she was only excited about the plans she was holding in her hands.
An airship that could cross the barrier mountains was an enormous feat. There was no doubt in her mind that Raimond's designs were successful. A few of his engine designs were already in use by the royal navy and he had been in charge of looking after the energy plant, back before it had been destroyed.
The moment she stepped out into the hall, a young woman with a slim, willowy frame stepped close to her. She wore a no-nonsense, unadorned gown with her fair hair tied back in a simple braid down her back and an unaffected scowl on her face. She rarely smiled, but she was impeccably polite and Sybille trusted her as she trusted only one other person.
Giselle was one half of the team that tended to Sybille's every need. Whereas her partner, Adelaide, made sure that Sybille stayed healthy by caring for her body and heart, Giselle was her greatest ally in work. She took care of Sybille's mind and spirit. Together, the two of them made sure that her schedule was followed, her duties were all fulfilled, and, no matter how busy she became, she never appeared overwhelmed.
"Was it good or bad news?" Giselle asked immediately, folding her arms in front of herself.
Sybille beamed, holding out the plans. "The best. Take these to my study. And summon the shipyard master. I must speak with him immediately."
Without asking any further questions, Giselle bowed her head and turned to walk away, the plans in hand. Sybille would have followed after her, but she had another meeting to attend to first. Her father had asked to meet with her before supper and she had been on her way to him when the messenger had interrupted to bring her Raimond's summons.
Taking a deep breath, sparing a couple seconds to feel hope, she allowed the idea of something good finally happening to sink in. The ship hadn't been built yet, and they would need to prove that it could do as Raimond promised, but it was the first time in too long that Sybille felt like things might actually be going her way.
After only a moment, she turned and walked deeper into the hall of guest rooms. She wasn't far from her father's study from here. Unlike her brother, he had accepted a regular room to work in while they lived in the palace. Admittedly, there wasn't as much work to be done since the loss of the energy plant. However her mother's connections to the coast and the Aqua Isles still remained strong and the two of them worked together to maintain those connections and they needed to work somewhere.
Since Sybille was far busier than her family, and often had to run off to see to an emergency – such as just now – meeting with her over something that didn't require her immediate attention usually involved a lot of waiting from the other person. Which was why even her father could only request to see her today anytime before supper.
When she knocked on the door to his and her mother's study, his deep voice immediately beckoned her inside. Open opening it, she caught sight of him at his desk, reading over a thick stack of documents. Surprise flitted quickly across his face as he got to his feet.
"Sybille? You're earlier than I expected."
"Is this a bad time?"
"No. No, not at all. Come on in. We have much to discuss and not that much time to do it. I'll be sharing my midday meal with his majesty in a bit."
Sybille wanted to offer to come back later, but she couldn't guarantee that she would have the free time, so she stepped inside and shut the door behind her. Her father rose from his desk and the two of them came together in the center of the room, at a pair of matching sofas facing each other over a low table. As they took their seats, he offered, and she accepted, wine from a pitcher.
Henri Alard looked years older than even since the last time Sybille had seen him - only a couple weeks ago. They didn't have much time to see each other as a family anymore. What with her part in the war effort and his trying to keep the family thriving, they were both incredibly busy.
Henri, however, could see no similar wear on his daughter's shoulders as he looked her over critically for a brief moment. He had shared his icy blue eyes with Sybille, but in all other aspects, she resembled her mother. A fact which made him stare just a bit harder. Margot had been the one to teach Sybille how to never appear weakened or tired. And his earnest daughter was a master of the craft. He worried for her health, but in a quick glance, he couldn't detect any flaws in her lovely appearance.
What the two of them did share, aside from his eyes, was their demeanor. Both had been raised as an Alard and taught that nothing else mattered but the continuation of their line. It was of paramount importance that they must always behave with the poise and elegance that such nobility demanded.
His dedication to his duties and his wife's flawless presentation had combined in their daughter creating a woman that would never show her weaknesses to another. He could see no signs of the exhaustion he was certain she had to be feeling after so long at her post.
After pouring the wine and sharing a drink, Henri asked about her health, trying to make certain that she was taking proper care of herself.
Normally, he wouldn't ask. He would just check and judge for himself. Sybille knew him well enough to recognize the attempt to postpone a subject he didn't want to broach. She allowed it, mostly for his comfort, only for a few moments before asking, a bit sharply-
"All right. What is this about?"
Henri made a face, staring into his goblet. To her surprise, her direct question didn't receive an equally direct answer. Ordinarily, her father would meet her frankness with his own. Neither of them was the type to mince words.
This time, however, he instead asked, "How goes things with the rebuilding of Gold?"
Sybille raised a brow, but didn't deny him the honest answer. "Not that well. The plans and blueprints for all the plates were within the family vault, and we haven't managed to unearth it yet."
"So, then, the energy plant...?"
"Little more than a twisted wreck. I can't imagine that much, if any of it, will be salvageable."
Henri closed his eyes, silently taking in the bad news. Sybille couldn't begrudge his need to take a moment. Looking after the plates that kept the city of Gwenael suspended off of their mountain, and running the energy plant that had once been beneath Gold, had always been the responsibility of the Alard family. Without the plans and schematics, they could only rely on the first-hand knowledge of the mechanics and engineers that maintained the plates normally. However, construction was not the same as maintenance, and their knowledge and experience could only provide but a little of what they would need to rebuild.
She hadn't even told him the worst of it. The fall of Gold had been traumatic for the entire city and the fall had affected more than just Gold itself. Damage had been sustained to all the other plates, those bordering Gold more than any other. They weren't in any imminent danger of falling, but they needed to be repaired.
But without the plans, they were working in both the proverbial and literal darkness. The mechanics were doing the best they could, but it was like applying a plain cotton bandage to a gaping sword wound. And without energy to power their lights, they had resorted to old fashioned flame lanterns which required a steady supply of oil, that the city did not have.
In an attempt to supplement what they had lost, the king had ordered the dedicated palace steam generator - a generator made to provide energy only to the palace - to run at full power, but it could only accomplish so much. That energy was being reserved for the ill and the infirm. But it was only a temporary measure and wasn't without consequences. The engine on the machine wasn't meant to run this hard for this long. Before long, and inevitably, it was going to wear out and break and they would be completely powerless.
She forced herself to remember Raimond's plans. One good thing. Something to hope for. It wasn't the energy plant – which Raimond couldn't attempt to fix or replace until it was unearthed – but it was still the first good news she had heard since this war started.
Henri took in a deep breath, squaring his shoulders as he set his goblet down onto the small side table beside his sofa.
"So, this is where we are then..." He murmured, mostly to himself.
"Forgive me, father," Sybille bowed her head to him. "I did try to have the family vault reached, but it's in one of the more dangerous parts of the ruins. Any attempts at digging down to it has only resulted in injury to the laborers. I couldn't keep justifying it."
"I understand." He offered her a soft, if tired, smile. "You are a good daughter. A credit to the Alard name. I know you would do anything for your family."
The compliment was a high one to her, and she sat that much straighter to hear it. "Thank you, father."
"When we discovered your power as a paladin..." He trailed off, chuckling. "I couldn't believe it. You have always been too clever for your own good, and loyal to your duties to the people. But I thought you to be just that - a good woman, deserving of our noble blood. To be blessed by the Lord... It was a surprise at the time, but I can't say it was actually surprising, if that makes any sense."
"I'm not really that adept at speaking in metaphors," she grimaced apologetically.
"No. You are straightforward. And you are devoted to the family. Which is why I am hesitant to ask this of you, because I worry as to your reaction."
Finally, they came to the reason he had called her here. "You have a request for me? To help the family?" She imagined it had to be about that. He couldn't assist her in the war. Although her family was noble, they weren't involved in the war effort.
Unlike her.
Sybille was a paladin. A Lord blessed woman gifted with supernatural powers, chosen by His hand to be a leader, a warrior, a weapon, or a shield. The title and responsibility brought her standing above that of a simple noble, even one born into the Alard family.
Henri nodded, facing her directly. "You have been focused on the war, and everything it entails, so I did not want to worry you with this, but I'm afraid we are out of time and options. I will not honey coat this Sybille: we are impoverished."
She frowned. "I'm sorry?"
"Our family's fortune was within the family vault. The vault that cannot be retrieved. Without energy to provide, we cannot make any of it back, and we are having to spend what little we had left. What little we are able to earn is coming from your mother's connection to the coast. That gold is only enough to pay for the workers that are trying to repair the plates." The dark look that came across his face told Sybille that she hadn't been successful in keeping the extent of the plate damage from him.
"Then, we have no gold." She sighed. "I still have my stipend as a paladin, you may have full access to it."
He nodded his head in gratitude. "Thank you, but it's not enough. I mean, yes, it is enough to keep our family stable now, but we must think of future generations. The Alard family will continue even after your passing, and if there is no way to provide for our line, I am afraid that it will be the end of us."
She nodded, agreeing with the rather dim prediction. "Then, your suggestion is...?"
He took in a deep breath and said solemnly, "I have arranged a marriage for you."
A single brow rose on her face and he hastened to continue.
"He is from a Lloegyrian family. Quite wealthy. But bound by the chains of his caste. His family cannot raise any higher in nobility within their own country. We have no money, but we have our nobility. It is a trade that works well for both of us."
Sybille nodded slowly. "Understandable."
"You are not upset by this?"
"Why should I be?" She tilted her head curiously. "Your and mother's marriage was arranged."
"Yes, but we had already been close for years. You do not even know this man."
"True, but he has you to vouch for him. I trust that you would pick someone worthy of our family name. At the very least, a man without a negative reputation."
Henri nodded. "In truth, I haven't met him, only his parents. He's quite focused on his businesses within Lloegyr and I was not given the chance. But I was introduced to the family through Odilon. He personally attests to their integrity and character."
Lord Odilon Yvain may not be their equal in nobility, but he was the wealthiest man in Vasconia and himself of unquestioned moral standing. If he was willing to vouch for them, then Sybille was confident that they were trustworthy.
"Their names?" She asked.
"Otto and Diane. They have two children; a daughter, Christia, and, of course, their son, Darian. Both are of marriageable age and they weren't picky which of them married my children, but... well, you know how Raimond is."
Sybille nodded. Her reclusive brother couldn't look people in the eye. She doubted highly that he could handle the intimacy demanded by marriage. Which meant that the continuation of their family line would fall to her. She had always known that to be her fate and had accepted as her lot in life. Marriage was always something she would have needed to consider one day. An arranged marriage just meant that she had to do less work to find her groom.
"Their last name?"
"Gage-Traherne, I believe. But they wish for Darian to take your name when you wed. They're marrying you for that name, after all."
"Just Gage, father. Traherne is the name of their caste." She looked down at her hands even as she softly corrected him.
Darian Gage-Traherne. The name of her groom.
Taking a breath, she lifted her head high as she looked her father in the eye. "I will want to meet him in person before I agree, of course. Not that I don't trust your judgment, but I do need to make sure that he is not a brute or a fool or any such thing."
"Naturally. You are fully capable of saying no."
The future of her family was at stake. She doubted highly that she had such a choice, but her father wouldn't want to force her into this if the man was cruel or stupid – both personality crimes that she couldn't forgive, especially in a mate.
"I will negotiate the marriage deal myself."
Henri chuckled. "I wouldn't expect anything else from you, my daughter. I have been assured by his parents that he is a hard working young man. He almost single-handedly built his family's fortune and raised them as high as possible within their caste. I'm also led to believe that he is handsome and charming."
"I'm not particularly concerned with his looks. So long as he is worthy of our name, he could be as ugly as a turnip."
Henri shook his head, grinning. "Sometimes, I do believe that you might be entirely too devoted to your duty, daughter."
"Is that a flaw?"
"A virtue." He got to his feet, straightening his coat. Already, he looked more at ease at having seen her reaction to his news. "A great virtue, to be sure. I couldn't be more proud of you and if you find him lacking in any way, I will more than understand your rejection."
Sybille stood as well, shaking her head. "Unless there is a glaring character flaw in him, I can't imagine I would have reason to turn him away. You're right. We must secure the future of our family. This is a perfect way to do it."
Henri frowned curiously at the smirk that came over her face. "You're plotting, daughter?"
"Always. Thank you for the second-best news I've heard today."
"You're that excited to be married?"
Sybille chuckled, stepping around the table. "You've no idea. If there's nothing else, father, I really need to return to the war room."
He nodded his head. He couldn't very well claim much of her time. Though she was his offspring, he had long surrendered her to her role as a paladin. And it was one that he would never think to infringe upon, even for their family name.
"They are already on their way here; the entire family of four. They should be landing in Bronze in a couple days. I can arrange to have them brought here myself."
"Don't trouble yourself. I'll see to it."
"Surely, you're too busy to need to bother with such a thing?"
"Nonsense. This is my future husband. I want to make sure that I have full control over this situation from beginning to end."
He inclined his head. "If that's what you prefer. Thank you for your understanding, daughter."
She nodded to him once before walking from the room.
The moment the door shut behind her, a large grin pulled at her lips and she had to resist the urge to do something very unladylike – such as squeal in joy.
From the moment her father had said the word 'marriage', she had been near giddy. It had been incredibly difficult to contain herself and she wasn't one for outright displays of excitement. She had more control over a situation if she didn't react to it emotionally.
It wasn't the idea of matrimony that filled her with eager anticipation. Honestly, she didn't care one way or another about being married. A husband was someone she needed in order to continue the family line, a duty no different from reading the daily reports.
No, what really interested her was the product of a marriage: Children.
Perhaps it was because she had always needed to help care for Raimond, or maybe nurturing and the urge to care for others was just part of her personality, but she had always looked forward to the day she could have children of her own.
Of course, she had planned for that day to be after the war was over and she could birth them safely without worry, but it was always important to be adaptable when it came to changes in plan. She wasn't the master strategist because her plans always came through perfectly, and there was no such thing as a perfect plan in the first place. Her real strength came from adaptability and the ease at which she accustomed herself to a new situation.
So, this day had come sooner than she planned? Well, that just meant she got to have her brood of babies sooner than she planned.
"Good news again, I take it?"
Her eyes turned to find Giselle had returned to her – hands empty after having dropped off the plans as ordered.
Despite Sybille's internal excitement, she had done her best to keep her grin easy and tame. But her lady's maids had been with her so long that they could read even the smallest changes in her expression – and the wide smile she actually displayed was hardly subtle.
"Very good news," she assured her, holding her head high. "I can't remember the last time I had a day this good."
Giselle raised an eyebrow, but she didn't ask. Despite being Sybille's personal attendant, she wasn't privy to everything that Sybille knew – most specifically, things that involved the war efforts. Often, Sybille was highly involved with spies and espionage. The fewer people that knew of such things, the better. And so, Giselle and Adelaide didn't ask for more than general information.
In this, however, Sybille could be open with her.
"I'm going to need you to prepare rooms in the guest wing for four, one couple and their grown children. From Lloegyr."
"Yes, my lady. Is it Lord Cy? I thought he wouldn't be returning to the country for some time."
"No, it's not. It is my future husband and his family."
Giselle's only reaction was a single blink. "Indeed? I shall see it done. Adelaide has your luncheon waiting for you outside of the War Room, my lady."
Enough with speaking to her family. These two pieces of news were the best she had received in months and the reprieve was a welcome one. However, it was time to return to much less happy tidings. She was sure that there would be nothing waiting in the reports that would give her even a modicum of relief from the constant barrage of sorrow and death that she had taken on as her duty.
Sybille was a paladin, which meant that she was a warrior of the Lord, meant to protect the people. But, while she did own a pair of twin short swords, she did not actually do much fighting. Her talents were better suited to scheming and planning – plotting, as her family called it. Which meant that she was unfortunate enough to learn every bit of bad news and tragedy. Every death, every loss, every misfortune crossed her desk.
Even before moving into the palace, before the destruction of the Paladin's Suite caused by the rocking of Gold before it fell, Sybille tended to spend all of her time here, in the War Room. These four walls were more familiar to her than her own bedroom. The enormous, wooden map table in the center of the chamber was as familiar as the back of her hand. As she walked past it, towards the desk which held her daily reports, tray of food in her hands, her eyes gazed across the map, disturbed by the marks of their enemies she had rearranged only this morning.
Only the few people allowed into this room knew just how far the tides of war had turned against them. The city of Gwenael, near the southern end of the table, was built off of the single, massive mountain in the center of the Great Plains, depicted all nine of the upper plates, but the one that represented Gold was covered with a scarlet handkerchief.
Across the map, along the barrier mountains to the north, the markers for their enemies – all of them dark red, Gascony's colors – reached far into their kingdom from two spots. It reminded her horribly of blood, seeping across their country.
Gy-Hamelin, the city that sat in a low valley in the mountains and was situated between all three kingdoms – Lloegyr, Gascony, and Vasconia – had once belonged to Vasconia. It was the source of the first front and the flood of enemy soldiers flowed down the border cities, taking over half the border between Vasconia and Lloegyr. Gascony's army didn't dare cross the border, because they couldn't afford to go to war with both countries, but they had taken over a dozen border cities, all the way down to Caieta. The only reason Gascony hadn't eaten further into the meat of the country was the Great Plains themselves. They were uninhabitable, providing a natural barrier between the capital and the enemy armies.
The second front had come in through one of the only other low points in the barrier mountains - Antonin Pass. It had spread out as far as it could in every direction through there, reaching out towards Jorives, the farming city. That front was similarly limited by the Great Plains, but they wouldn't be kept at bay forever. If Vasconia lost Jorives, they would be doomed. The uninhabitable Great Plains meant that most of the country's food came from Jorives. Gascony had already landed a sizable blow against them by burning half of Jorives' fields there just a few short weeks ago.
There were only two other areas where it was possible to cross the high barrier mountains. South Gate, which was being guarded by the paladin Colette, remained strong and unbroken. The other area was the city of Petrus Landebert. Although the mountains were too high to fly over there, a tunnel had been mined through the mountains connecting the two countries. It was possible to cross the border there as well.
But where South Gate was guarded, Petrus Landebert was abandoned. There was technically nothing stopping Queen Sabine from sending her armies through there aside from a single gate that, while strong, wasn't impenetrable. There was nothing else in the area, not even a nearby town. If they chose to cross there, there would be no stopping them. Yet, it remained unmolested.
Sybille wanted to think that it was because that was the place where this war began. King Robert, Queen Sabine of Gascony's husband, had met his untimely end there, at the hands of assassins. Some said that maybe there was something the deranged queen held sacred and that even she couldn't desecrate the place her husband had drawn his last breath. Others said the land was haunted by the ghost of the king, that his spirit scared away any that dared to come close – which was why it was abandoned now. But she was neither so emotional nor superstitious enough to believe either claim.
Whatever reason Sabine had for avoiding Petrus Landebert, it remained a mystery and, until something changed, Sybille could only be grateful she had only the two fronts to fight and not three.
Turning her eyes from the map, she took a seat at her desk, carelessly setting the food tray upon it without looking, and immediately began working without giving the meal even a passing glance. She began with the reports on Jorive's defenses. Keeping it, and Vasconia's food supply, safe was her number one priority at the moment.
The next report she read came from their best spy within Gascony, another paladin like herself. Sybille had a special mission for her and she was eager to see it to completion.
Apparently, the Lord thought she needed to have no further good news that day, because the report from the spy was merely that she had found nothing yet and would report again soon. Normally, Sybille didn't demand such constant contact with her as it could be too dangerous, but for this, she needed to know what was going on as soon as possible. There were two lives on the line – two very important lives.
Another paladin, and a close friend.
That report was followed by one from Elaine who was fighting on the front lines in Caieta, trying to retake it from Gascony. Then, there was another from Felicie who was policing the Great Plains to make sure that Gascony didn't attempt to cross it.
The rest of her day was lost in reading reports, sending out new orders, preparing for the arrival of her future husband, and meeting with the shipyard master to make plans for the new ship that would be built according to the plans that Raimond had gifted her.
It was long past dark by the time Adelaide finally managed to pry her away from her work and force her to go to bed. Her luncheon remained cold and forgotten on her desk.
The light, early autumn chill in Vasconia seemed a drastic change to the deep cold that had already settled over Lloegyr. Even just the difference in temperature from the border to the heart of the foreign country was quite drastic.
Still, despite the easing of the cold, Darian still wore his coat as he stood out on the bow of the airship that cruised at a comfortable altitude towards Gwenael. The city had come into view only an hour ago, peeking out from the horizon, and he couldn't tear his eyes away from it.
Somewhere, within that city, his future wife was waiting for him.
The thought brought a small, resigned sigh from his lips.
He wasn't unhappy about the prospect of being married. In fact, this woman, Sybille Alard, was apparently everything he wanted in a wife. A woman of fine breeding with an impeccable character who busied herself with worthwhile work. Not just any worthwhile work either. She was a numen with impenetrable skin.
A paladin, he corrected himself quickly. A numen was what women like her were called within Lloegyr. The Vasconians called them paladins.
And that fact was part of the reason he was sighing. He couldn't very well complain at such a good match for a wife, but, of all things, she had to be a numen. A paladin.
He wasn't bothered by the fact that she possessed a numen. In Lloegyr, such women were considered sacred, spiritual, but they weren't held to the same high standard as a paladin within Vasconia. That difference was what bothered him.
Paladins were crafted for war. Paladins put themselves in danger.
He was marrying a woman that had sworn herself to a deity he didn't recognize and was sworn to fight in His service. Every day, she would be at risk and every day, he would need to worry for her. He couldn't possibly ask for a better wife, but that prospect was an unpleasant one.
There was no hoping that they would get a better chance, however. His parents had already tried – and failed – to set up his younger sister with Lord Odilon. Since he had fallen for another woman, a paladin as well, their efforts had been in vein. They had thought the wealthy lord to eb a great match, noble and wealthy, but now Darian had been granted an ever greater opportunity. Their intentions had always been to marry at least one of their children to Vasconian nobility and there was no other noble family in Vasconia, or even probably Lloegyr, that had the same pedigree and history as the Alard family.
Even better, they were desperate for wealth. Wealth that Darian had earned aplenty. He didn't like to think that he was buying a wife – that was distasteful. No, he was trading his money for a title and getting a wife in the process.
"You're brooding again."
A sweet, amused voice made him turn to watch as his sister approached him. Christia was a perfect copy of their mother. Beautiful, with ringlet blonde curls, wearing a sky blue gown that he had purchased for her birthday.
"I'm not brooding," he corrected, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "I'm watching Gwenael as it approaches. Look, you can see the walls between the districts from here."
Christia chuckled, stopping by his side at the rail, taking a deep breath of the air that brushed against her face, tossing back her hair. "It's really a fantastic city."
"I can't wait to get a chance to get a look at the architecture of those plates. It's a marvel."
"Of course, you're thinking of your work at this moment. Aren't you at all excited about your wife?"
"I'm sure she's a wonderful woman."
Although he had never met her, she was spoken of highly by Lord Odilon, according to his parents. He hadn't actually met Lord Odilon either. Darian was far more concerned with his businesses - with earning the wealth that had granted them this opportunity - to worry about meeting random nobles. Which, he knew, would be the worst part about being one of the nobles. It was his family's goal to elevate themselves, and he certainly didn't mind being instrumental in that, but he also knew what nobles were like. They did nothing but party, socialize, and gossip. He had no interest in such shallow pastimes.
Which was why he was pleased his wife was a busy woman with a purpose. But, of all things, she had to be a numen? A paladin...
"You're brooding again."
Darian glared at his mouthy little sister, only succeeding in making her laugh.
"Are you sure you want to do this? I don't mind being the sacrifice," she said, smiling sweetly. She was a kind hearted girl, and he was sure that she really wouldn't mind being married for their parents' schemes.
"It's not such an ordeal. I don't care about being married." He shook his head. "We're not going to get a better offer. And once I'm married, you can choose any husband you wish from the Vasconian nobility. You'll have your pick without needing to worry about pleasing mother and father."
Christia frowned. "You really don't care about being married? Even a little?"
"I'm just ready to get it over with." He chose not to care about being married. It was just something that he needed to do, he told himself firmly. And once he got his wife with child, he wouldn't have to worry about spending much time with her at all. He could turn his attention to expanding his businesses here.
Christia shook her head. "I wonder if you have any emotions at all sometimes, Darian."
"A wife is just more family to take care of. One more person I need to look after. It's not that big of a deal." At least, that was what he was telling himself.
Christia made a face but didn't press the subject. Instead, she started wondering aloud about the construction of the city plates of Gwenael. As she knew he would, Darian immediately jumped on the subject. He was extremely interested in engineering, construction, and architecture and he took to the topic eagerly, wondering out loud how those things must have been built and maintained. He was far more interested in buildings and structures than he was his impending nuptials.
As their family airship came around the city, it offered them an unequal view of the districts that made Gwenael famous. There were ten in total, nine upper, and one beneath all of them. However, one of the upper districts, Gold, was now only a gaping void leading down into the lower district. It had once been the wealthiest district of Gwenael, but was now only a pile of rubble on the mountain face.
As they passed by, Darian's eyes moved up past the maw that had been Gold and onto the famous palace of Vasconia, Grosamadour Palace. An architectural marvel, beautiful and massive. The structure raised the peak of the entire mountain higher; too high for a ship to fly over. The palace was not a fortified castle but instead a feast for the eyes. It had no need to be concerned about an attack as warships couldn't hope to fire upon it. Its very height was a defensive measure.
Darian had to admire how much appreciation the Vasconians had for beauty. He was eager to immerse himself in their styles and designs - far more than the marriage.
The airship came around to the lowest of the districts, Bronze. Below the plate, hanging off of the bottom, was a massive shipyard that housed large vessels and public ships for the city. It was the only place their family ship could land. To direct them where to go, red flags had been raised and workers stood around, gesturing with similar flags to tell the helmsmen where to dock.
The docks weren't ornate, as they were designed more for function than fashion. It was the workplace of the lower class, but they were still impressive and incredible. Low tech, admittedly, but the people within it worked together like a well constructed machine.
Since it was his first time docking here, it was taking the helmsman longer than it usually would for him. Darian and Christia weren't bothered as they admired the people rushing about below to tie down the ship and prepare for those aboard to disembark.
The two of them had far more in common with these humble dock workers than the nobles they had come to marry into. In Lloegyr, the Traherne caste wasn't considered one of the upper castes. It was only his wealth, earned with his own two hands, that separated him from them.
"Isn't this exciting?"
Both siblings turned towards the eager voice that had interrupted their banal chatter to see their parents walking their way. Both of them had wide smiles on their faces. Diane, their mother, had been the one that had spoken.
Their father, Otto, stood at her side and was nodding eagerly in agreement. "Our new home. It's gorgeous, isn't it?"
"A bit premature to declare that, don't you think?" Darian asked. "She hasn't agreed to marry me yet."
"But she will." Otto assured him confidently. "You are a good man. She would be foolish not to agree to you."
Darian expected that he would receive a positive response, but he didn't like to count his eggs before they hatched. He was planning on her saying yes, but he was also planning on what he would do if she said no. It was always possible.
Otto and Diane were already trying to decide the first thing they would do once they were joined to the famed Alard family. Top of the list, at the moment, seemed to be throwing Christia at as many eligible bachelors as possible. And they were hatching their schemes in loud voices, not even trying to be subtle about it.
Darian loved his parents, he really did, but they could be completely inappropriate at times. A result of being born in the lowest levels of their caste, he was sure. But he had worked hard to pick his family up and he was going to keep up that streak today.
"Now, remember, Sybille Alard is a woman of refined breeding," Otto told him seriously, oblivious to the irony of him advising his son on etiquette. As the gangplanks were being lowered to the docks, he continued, "I've also heard tell that she's incredibly intelligent and elegant. It's going to be difficult holding a conversation with her."
"I'm sure I can speak to her just like any other person." Darian wasn't intimidated by her nobility or her lofty status as a paladin, which was beneath only the king and the Master of the Sacellum – the central church – within Vasconia.
In his time, Darian had rubbed elbows with the ruling caste in Lloegyr. They paid him a great deal of money to build for them. Now, he was wealthier than most of them. He may have initially been low class, but he had forced himself to learn their ways and he had made himself better. And while he managed to teach Christia the same things, he had only been partially successful with his parents.
Having made himself into one of them, capable of walking amongst them, he was no longer intimidated by them. Even considering that Sybille Alard and her family were the most noble blooded nobles he will have ever met, he still wasn't anxious.
After all, if he was successful in marrying her, their children would be significantly diluted by his low caste blood. Yet they would still somehow be of that most noble house.
In the end, no matter how impressive a woman she was, her noble blood was the same shade of crimson as his common blood.
"You didn't get to meet the paladins last year," Otto said, grinning. "They're very strong minded women. Quite amazing. And you've got yourself one that's both a paladin and a noble. She'll be better than even the ones I've met."
"Are you trying to say something, father?"
"Well, just..." Otto hesitated, his hands making some strange, vague motions in the air. "Try not to act so much like... you."
Darian raised a single brow. "Sorry?"
His father grimaced. "You're very... intense, sometimes. It can be a bit off-putting. Especially to the fairer sex."
Darian crossed his arms again, doing his best to keep a biting comment to himself.
He could speak like a gentleman. He could act like a genteel. But, at the end of the day, he wasn't. He could be foul mouthed, crude, and impolite. It wasn't something that he considered a flaw. But he could see why a delicate woman of noble birth wouldn't appreciate it.
"You have to be nice to her," Diane added, wrapping her arm through his. She stood half a head shorter than him, but still managed to smile down at him somehow. "She'll be elegant and refined. You can't act like a barbarian."
"Or a soldier," Otto added quickly. "Sometimes, you still act like you're in the service."
Darian looked quickly between his critical parents, frowning. "What kind of brute do you think I am?"
While it was true that he had picked up a few bad habits during his required years of military service – something all men had to perform in Lloegyr, regardless of caste – he had long since trained himself to act like a normal person again. Mostly.
"Just try not to be too base, dear," Diane fixed his coat collar. "A woman like her is too good for you, so treat her that way."
"Hey..."
"Indeed," Otto nodded seriously in agreement. "Did you remember her gift? Girls love gifts."
"I have it, but I don't think that-"
"But be polite when you hand it to her," Diane cut in. "Don't just shove it in her hands and walk away."
"I do not-"
"You do," Christa said, giggling behind her hand.
He glared at her before shaking off his parents' touch. "I am sure that I am capable of dealing with her without your exalted opinions."
His gruff voice made his mother frown and she looked to her husband. "Maybe we should have insisted on Christia marrying their son after all."
Otto shrugged. "Henri wouldn't hear of it, I'm afraid. We're just going to have to trust Darian on this... I think I need a drink."
"Thank you for that stunning vote of confidence," Darian growled, turning to walk away from them, running a hand through the wind tousled locks of his pale brown hair.
"That's exactly what we're talking about!" Diane called out after him but he didn't turn back around.
An aggravated sigh left his throat as he tried not to stomp to the gangplank. His bags and his possessions would be taken off the ship by his servants. He had been informed that they would be staying in the palace while they were here. Since he had never even been inside the royal palace in Lloegyr, he couldn't deny that he was eager for the opportunity.
However, his family's little comments made him angry more than anything else. As he started down towards the docks, he focused on his current objective. He only wanted to meet his future wife already. He was sure that once he had her word that she would marry him, they would get off his back. And the sooner he made his vows and got her with child, the sooner he could return to his own business. He was certain that his wife would appreciate the distance. It's not like there was any love between them.
His annoyed march was halted when, halfway down the docks, he spotted a young woman in a fine gown waiting for him. She had her hands folded neatly in front of her, unknowingly emphasizing the wide roundness of her rather generous bust. Long, perfectly styled chestnut hair was set into tidy ringlets all the way down her back, held out of her face by a bright green ribbon.
Sybille?
"Master Darian?" She called to him, smiling brightly. She was just a bit round, but the extra softness of her frame only managed to make her look more adorable. The kind of woman that he wouldn't mind holding in his arms.
"Lady Sybille?" He asked, offering his hand. Seeing her quickly banished his temper, replacing it with curiosity.
A soft, girly giggle escaped her throat as she allowed him to kiss her knuckles. "I'm afraid not, master. I am Adelaide Maugier, one of Lady Sybille's personal attendants. She's sent me here to meet you and bring you up to the palace."
"She didn't come herself?" Christia's curious voice turned Darian from the lady's maid as she descended from the ship after him.
"I'm sorry to say no," Adelaide said apologetically, holding a hand to her heart. "My lady is quite busy and, I regret to have to inform you, she was called away to attend to an urgent matter. She wishes to extend her apologies that she couldn't meet you herself, but is quite eager to meet with you all later."
"Which will be when?" Darian asked, crossing his arms. He couldn't help but feel slighted that his bride-to-be couldn't be bothered to meet him herself.
"I cannot say." Adelaide bowed her head. "Lady Sybille has a great many responsibilities to attend to as a paladin and I cannot guarantee that she will even be free for supper this afternoon."
"That's quite all right," Otto said quickly, stepping to Darian's side. "We understand completely. She is an impressive woman, I'm sure that she has a great many things to see to in the course of her day. This whole war business is wretchedly distasteful."
"I agree, and I thank you for your understanding." Adelaide gestured. "If you would be so kind, Lady Sybille has sent her personal airship to take all of you to the Royal Complex. Your servants will be directed there separately, but I'm sure you're eager for the chance to rest and relax after your journey here."
"Thank you, Mademoiselle Maugier," Darian said shortly, nodding his head once.
"Adelaide, please. I am your servant so long as you are here. If you have a need for anything, feel free to ask. I wish only to make your stay more comfortable."
She gestured for them to follow her as she walked down the docks. She pointed to a different dock – much smaller and higher within the shipyard – where the smaller, personal airship was waiting for them. It might have been a bit small, but it was obviously only meant to travel about the city, not to be taken beyond its borders.
"Rooms have been prepared for you in the guest wing of the palace," she was saying as she walked. "I do hope that you enjoy them. Erm, I'm sorry to inconvenience you, but you will need to use candles and lanterns for light while you're there."
"You don't have proper lights?" Darian asked, surprised. Vasconia was renowned for their airship technology, but he didn't think that meant they had fallen behind in other areas.
"We do, but I'm afraid we try not to use them much anymore. Not since the energy plant beneath Gold was destroyed." She looked back at him, smiling hopefully. "It is something that my lady hopes to discuss with you, master. I'm sure she'll tell you more. But, while you're here, we would appreciate you not use too much energy unnecessarily."
"This war..." Diane murmured, shaking her head sadly as she took hold of Otto's arm. "We, er, don't have to worry about it coming here, do we?"
Darian looked quickly to Adelaide, curious himself about the answer to the question.
"I'm afraid that I'm just a lady's maid," Adelaide answered him regretfully. "I may help my lady with her duties, but I don't involve myself with the war. As well, I'm sorry, my lord, but without permission, I cannot disclose such information."
Darian was annoyed that she wasn't giving him an answer, but he couldn't actually begrudge her the silence.
He had been out of the military for a couple years, but he hadn't yet lost the skills in combat, self defense, or strategy they had instilled in him. He wasn't married to the woman yet, and giving out sensitive information about their war to a foreigner would have been foolish at best, dangerous at worst.
Still, he didn't like not being in charge of a situation. He bit back the urge to demand more information at the moment. He couldn't very well come in and start trying to bark out orders when he didn't actually have any power here.
This was their war. Lady Sybille's war. He had no right to be putting his nose into their business, no matter how much he might want to do so. If he was going to be marrying into this country, he was going to be marrying into their war as well.
And though he wanted the nobility, he didn't want the war. Unfortunately, they were inextricably linked in this woman. In this paladin. She was everything he wanted in a wife, but she was deeply involved in the war. He knew he couldn't get better, but she did come with a great deal of baggage which could, potentially, affect his family.
Although Darian hadn't lost his skills from the military, his father certainly had. His mother and sister were of a delicate constitution, unable to defend themselves at all. He didn't want to risk them getting roped into battle.
Not again.
The last time his parents had gotten wrapped up with the paladins of Vasconia, he had nearly lost his mother and sister. He hadn't been with his family then. As usual, he had been more concerned with his businesses. He wouldn't make that mistake again.
When he started his businesses here, that would be his to control. He would have his work teams, and he would be back to where he was comfortable. He would be a wealthy nobleman with the power and position to protect his family.
But, for now, he silently followed after Adelaide.
The small airship seemed bigger on the inside than it had any right to be. There was wine waiting for their enjoyment. A deep, blood red wine that wasn't too sweet but was rich and full. There were also some delightful finger cakes that Adelaide offered around with a smile.
She was a very warm and kind young lady that immediately warmed to his family. She served them with impeccable manners and managed to get both of his parents laughing. They were easily won over by the fancy foods and expensive wine and the servant's sparkling personality.
Darian was more interested in looking forward towards the palace. The smaller boat could rise higher than the bigger ship, but it still couldn't fully crest the tops of the towers. It could really only bring them up past the walls of the Royal Complex – the central district of the city. The Complex played host to the palace, the guard's quarters, the paladin's quarters, and the knight's quarters. It was also incredibly beautiful with wide courtyards covered in bright, emerald green grass.
However, as they aimed towards the small docks – made especially for smaller boats like this – he couldn't help but notice the damage. It was mostly well concealed, but his trained eyes could pick out the abnormalities.
The were strange marks in the vibrant grass that he recognized as being from broken ground that had been filled and replanted. A dark area that must have been a small building for viewing or relaxing for some reason had been torn down and taken away leaving a scar on the land where nothing was yet growing. At a few spots in the garden, plinths sat empty that he imagined had to have held something at some point.
Most glaringly of all, however, was a beautiful manor that they flew past that was broken clean in half clear down to the foundation. He couldn't see if the foundation itself was cracked, but at least half of the building would need to be torn down, if not all of it.
He had seen the gaping maw where Gold had fallen, but it was clear that the damage had extended far beyond the borders of that one district. His fingers itched to get under the plates and check out the structural integrity of everything.
From what he had learned of the Alard family, upkeep of the district plates was part of their duties. It was, he decided, the best part of joining this family. Lloegyrians created structures in the sky like the Vasconians, but nothing in Lloegyr had the same longevity, integrity, and sheer power embodied in the district plates. They had endured beyond living memory, extending past generations to the founding of Gwenael. From what he had been able to research before coming here, the plates had taken centuries to erect and the falling of Gold was the first time there had been such a large scale catastrophe. There had been some documented segment falls, but nothing terrible. He couldn't wait to get his hands on the plans.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Christia asked, looking past him out the window at the palace. She wasn't distracted by anything on the ground.
"It truly is." His eyes turned up from the structurally damaged buildings to the palace. Was it only just because it was so massive that it didn't seem to have suffered any damage? Or was there something about it that he didn't know? He was excited to find out.
"You're such a charming girl, Adelaide!" Diane cried, catching Darian's attention.
Adelaide beamed under the compliment as the boat gently touched down onto the docks. "I try to maintain a positive attitude. I find that it helps relations, don't you?"
"You're an absolute darling. How long have you been working for Sybille?"
"About ten years soon. I was hired right after her power as a paladin was discovered, when it was determined that she needed more than just a single lady's maid."
"Are you from the servant caste?" Otto asked, then grimaced. "Or the equivalent. Sorry, I know your people don't have castes."
"It's all right. Actually, no. I'm a noblewoman myself." Adelaide beamed as the pilot opened the door for them.
"You are?" Diane asked, surprised as she climbed out. "Sybille is so noble that she is served by other nobles? My goodness..."
Adelaide chuckled as the pilot helped the others out of the boat. "She is a fine woman and I owe her a great deal. She saved my life and I will always be indebted to her for that."
"From the war?" Darian asked, finding his interest piqued about the woman who would be his wife. Not as interested as he was in the architecture, but he wouldn't be marrying the architecture, so he did have some incentive to learn about her.
"No, nothing so incredible as that." Adelaide chuckled. "She saved me by hiring me. I can only be myself because of her. She didn't save me physically, but she saw me for who I was and allowed me to be that without judgment. She gave me freedom."
"So, you would say that she's a kind person?"
"There is no one greater. She is kind, giving, nurturing, understanding, hard working-"
"All right." Darian cut her off with a small gesture, giving her half a grin. It looked as though she was eager to keep listing all of Sybille's attributes and would have continued as long as he would have allowed. Her eyes shone with near worshipful devotion. He didn't know how much stock he could put in the young woman's assessment, but it was clear that Sybille had earned her unerring loyalty somehow.
Adelaide chuckled, turning to gesture them forward. "You truly are getting a wonderful bride, master. If she approves of you."
"Has she made a decision on that?" He asked, falling in step beside her as she led them down off the docks and out onto the paths. He hadn't been able to receive word while on the ship and he wondered if she had come to choose yet while he was en route or not.
Adelaide only gave him a beguiling smile. "She wishes to meet you in person before she makes such a large and permanent decision."
He nodded, accepting that as reasonable. "And when will that be, approximately? No sooner than tomorrow, I'm guessing."
Adelaide nodded. "She intended to meet you tonight over supper, but, unfortunately, there are some... extenuating circumstances. Currently, she intends to meet you over her morning meal tomorrow. Provided, of course, there are no more, er..."
"Extenuating circumstances?"
She chuckled, nodding. "She is a very busy woman."
"Will it always be like this? Making plans to meet and being postponed?"
"I can only say that while the war is ongoing, she is going to be quite busy. I, er... Well, I shouldn't say."
"No, please, say it. She's not the only one that needs to judge if this marriage should continue." He raised an eyebrow. "I need to make sure that she's suitable for me as well."
Adelaide nodded once. "It's nothing bad. Well, it's not precisely good, but it is part of her virtues-"
"Adelaide."
"She works a bit too hard." Adelaide sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I often have to be a bit insistent in order to get her to take care of herself."
Darian hummed thoughtfully. He appreciated people who worked hard, but there was a limit. If she worked herself to exhaustion and ill health, then he would have different problems.
His family, who had been being helped out by the dock workers, caught up to them and took over the conversation – eagerly asking Adelaide about things to do in the city – but he retreated into his thoughts.
Since the palace was trying to conserve energy, Adelaide had to take them up multiple flights of stairs instead of using the lift. Even as they climbed, she continued to apologize for the inconvenience. It was a long walk up multiple stories, which only meant that Darian had plenty of time to look around at everything, taking in the beauty of the interior of the palace.
When they finally reached their floor, they had to take a break for Otto and Diane's sake. The older couple were breathing hard. Christia also took a chance to rest her legs, though she didn't need one as badly. Darian remained standing, still staring around, as Adelaide told his family about the Pleasure District and all the delightful diversions that could be found within.
After they caught their breath, they continued onward. The guest wing wasn't far from the top of the steps. Adelaide showed his parents to their suite first so that they could take a more proper rest then afterwards showed Christia to her quarters. Darian was taken to his private suite last.
"Your bedroom is through this door here," Adelaide said, walking through the front sitting room. A servant had already pulled the drapes, allowing bright sunlight to illuminate the area. Fresh flowers were resting on various surfaces and a steaming pot of Lloegyrian style tea – which he could recognize by scent – was resting on a side table by the long sofa that sat before the fireplace. "You have a private bathing and dressing chamber through your bedroom. Have you a scent preference for your soap?"
"Not particularly," he murmured, looking around the fine room. As wealthy as his family was, he had never been in such an elegant and spacious room as this simple guest suite in the palace. Were all palace rooms like this, or just this one? And if this was just a guest area, what did the truly impressive suites look like?
Adelaide smiled at him. "Then, shall I pick a scent that Lady Sybille prefers?"
Darian grinned. "Sure, why not?"
"Her favorite color is maroon." She added. "And she appreciates good manners."
"I am Lloegyrian. We are a very polite people." He smirked at her. "Am I to take it then that you are rooting for my success?"
She chuckled. "Impressing Lady Sybille is quite difficult. I'm only trying to give you a fighting chance. Even if you wear her favorite color and favorite scent, it will only help so much."
"If that's all it took to please her, then she might not be the woman for me."
"You seem to be of the same strong personality as her." Adelaide smiled. "You're not very talkative and you carry yourself with confidence. I like you so far. Of course, she has until the vows themselves to change her mind. And, really, if she is displeased with you after the wedding, I have no doubts that she will handle herself appropriately."
Darian took a seat onto one of the sofas, pouring himself some strong, Lloegyrian tea. "Have a seat, Adelaide. Can I ask you some questions about her?"
"You may, although I cannot promise to answer everything. I am in her confidence." Adelaide assured him, stepping closer though not taking a seat.
"Is it true that her numen makes her skin impenetrable?"
"It is." She nodded once. "She can't even pierce her ears."
"Then, she's invulnerable?"
"No, she can still bruise. Her bones can still be broken. It is only her skin that cannot be cut into. In all the time I've known her, I've never seen her bleed."
"But she doesn't participate in battle? I was told that she handled logistics and strategy from here in the capital."
Adelaide nodded. "Lady Sybille doesn't participate in battle."
"Is she capable of fighting?"
"Yes. She practices every morning to keep her skills sharp, but she does not belong on a battlefield."
Darian nodded, appreciative of that. "I would rather not risk my wife's life if I can avoid it."
"I cannot promise that she will never be in danger. She is a paladin and her duty must always come first. If things become... bad, then she must do what must be done."
Darian said nothing for a moment as he took a sip of tea. Adelaide, a devoted and well-trained servant, remained still and patient. She wouldn't leave until she was dismissed and didn't appear at all bothered by being made to wait.
Darian lowered his cup, crossing his leg over the other. "I prefer floral scents and my favorite color is blue and I appreciate hard workers."
A smile grew across her face. "Noted, my lord."
"Will I be taking my supper here or..."
"There will be a small dining room for your family. I will come back then to escort you there myself. Have you any food allergies or preferences I should know of?"
"No, that's fine. Thank you, Adelaide."
She curtsied to him before turning and leaving the room. The door shut behind her, leaving him in silence. He stared out of the window as he continued to sip at his tea. He appreciated the provision of a familiar blend rather than a Vasconian brew, which he usually found to be too weak for his tastes. He supposed if he stayed here, he would need to learn to appreciate it.
Now that there was no more beautiful architecture to look at and his family wasn't chattering in his ear to distract him, he could focus on his bride-to-be. She could clearly inspire incredible loyalty in at least one person, but she was also too busy to greet him today. He had already been informed of her high position and how much work she did in order to fulfill that role, but the lack of her direct attention told him how she valued him.
Or maybe this was a head game. Maybe she was forcing him to wait in order to see how he reacted to her manipulation. She was a master of strategy. He couldn't help but wonder how far that extended into her daily life.
No one had yet to tell him of her beauty. They spoke only to her great intelligence and ability. Which led him to believe that she must be plain. He didn't think she would be ugly but if she were a beauty, surely that would be mentioned in her list of attributes.
He didn't particularly care. Looks faded for everyone eventually, but it would make their marriage more difficult if he wasn't sexually attracted to her. He supposed he could just close his eyes or turn her onto her belly. So long as she gave him a single heir, he didn't care.
Part of him did mourn, for a brief instant, the idea of having a loving, caring wife. A partner. A woman to share himself with completely. The sort of thing most people desired in a partner, even if they didn't actively dream of romance or marriage. If you were going to have to be married, wouldn't you prefer to have the sort of perfect, loving marriage they spoke of in tales?
It was a brief dream. One that he forcibly pushed down.
He was getting a wife that worked hard, devoted herself to her duties, brought him a noble title, and was content to extend that title to his family. His only complaint was her numen, her job as a paladin.
The risk that she faced.
He supposed, however, if there was a possibility that he could lose his wife to a war that he was inheriting when he joined this kingdom, then maybe it was for the best that he wasn't trying to fall in love with her.
He knew little about the war between Vasconia and Gascony. Since he had lived on the border, it was important to him that he knew something, but Lloegyrian's Queen Eleonore had chosen to remain neutral in the conflict. The Vasconian King Cyrille was content to receive aid only in the form of supplies from her. Gascony's Queen Sabine wasn't foolish enough to attempt to wage two wars at the same time, so their people were safe. And there wasn't a barrier mountain range to protect Gascony from Lloegyr's superior army.
But choosing to come here, which was their only chance to attain nobility, meant that they would no longer benefit from that neutrality. Though Darian had served in the military, it had only been his required service and he had left immediately after his time had been served.
He didn't think that he would be called into service here, but he had to think about any future possibility, including the possibility that Gwenael itself would come under attack. If such a thing were to happen, it meant he would need to get his family, including his wife, to safety. And the idea wasn't a crazy one. Gold's ruins stood as a harsh reminder that it was only too possible for their enemies to reach them here in the heart of their country. He was also well aware of how far down the border Gascony had managed to conquer.
And these were the things his future wife worried about daily. He had the sneaking suspicion that, if it came to it, she wouldn't let him take her from the city if it was attacked.
No. He wouldn't love her. He couldn't take that risk. He would care for her. He would be kind to her and take care of her. But he couldn't risk loving her.
Closing his eyes, he allowed the dream of a loving marriage to fade away. This was a business deal and they were business partners. They would be nothing more.