ALTGS 32

There were too many things happening in places where she could not access, and therefore, could not control.

Celestria glided down the hallway, the carpet muffling the sounds of her footsteps. She walked quickly, using her left hand to hold the skirt of her aquamarine bilaut. Behind her, two maids kept pace, quiet and poker-faced. She, however, was not. Her face was unconsciously twisting in frustration. What was happening outside in the world right now was something she did not know. Heck, she barely knew what was happening IN Fortane intimately. She could no longer feel the flow of power in society because her own position in it had shifted too suddenly. Going from an Earl’s daughter to the only human who could converse with the King. That made gatherings something that she had become unsure of attending.

But that wasn’t the only thing that she was worrying about. The previous king had a daughter. Princess Adalise Marie of Fortane. She had been there on that night her father had been slaughtered before her very eyes. But she had mysteriously disappeared immediately after. That was something that she had to keep tabs on, but investigating it was proving difficult. Where was Adalise? What was she doing? It was entirely possible that she was arranging to reclaim the throne that was stolen from her. The power vacuum left by the dukes within Fortane had to be filled as well, but it had to be filled correctly, with people interested in Fortane’s future stability. For Celestria, it was more or less simple to see what someone truly wanted. It was easier when what they wanted catered to their base human desires. Wealth, fame, power, all the usual contenders. It was a little harder when people genuinely wanted something considered “good”. Much like the Duke of Enteford, Erich Enteford. Yes. He was one Celestria would have a little more trouble with in regards to discerning intentions.

She and the two maids finally came to a large wooden door, tastefully carved with intricate leaves and sweeping patters. Celestria’s mother had had this door installed not too long ago. Only three years ago, to keep up with the fashion. It was something her father was not concerned with. Well, less a matter of him not being concerned and more a matter of him being confused as to why a door was so important when it came to how others perceived and judged the family. The maid to her right stepped up silently, opening the door for her and gently waving her inside.

“Lady Celestria has arrived.”

On the pale blue embroidered couch of the drawing room sat her father, fingers knit and eyes sharp as they bore holes into the guest that sat opposite him. The guest sat, back straight and hands clasped into fists that rested on his thighs. The perfect way a soldier sat, ready to jump into action at any time.

Such was Duke Enteford’s disposition.

Oh gosh, the atmosphere here was horrendous.

With a mild cringe, Celestria noted the tension between these two men. What in the world was the problem? Had one of them said something the other didn’t agree with? From the completely undisturbed look on the Duke’s face, Celestria wondered if he had said something inappropriate. But he was not the type. Well...Probably not the type. That was yet to be property determined.

“Welcome to our humble home, Your Grace. I hope you’re enjoying the refreshments.” She said with an exceptionally sweet smile as she gave a fluid curtsy. Both men turned to look at her, and her father looked displeased.

With what, though?

“Lady Voltaine. Yes, it’s very interesting. I don’t quite know what flavor of tea it is but it is enjoyable.” The Duke replied, his voice smooth and calm. Was this man completely unaffected by the weird tension she sensed here? But more than that, had nobody informed him as to what tea he was consuming??? Celestria tried her best not to shoot her father an annoyed look at having let her esteemed guest sip on unidentified liquids, instead choosing to look at the cup of tea in front of the Duke.

It was half-empty, so she supposed she could take that as a good sign.

“My, I’m embarrassed. Please accept my apology for not letting you know where I procured the leaves. They are from the South-Western region of Madalise called Noudin Leaves. From what I’ve heard, it’s gaining incredible popularity in the west and abroad, so I’d though I’d find out for myself what’s so good about it.” Celestria explained, sitting on the settee stationed between the two gentlemen and having someone bring her a cup. Really, she had wanted to be here to welcome the Duke herself. But it was tradition that a lady would always come after the guest had been seated and served the refreshments, blah blah blah. So she’d had to begrudgingly leave it to her father to welcome him instead.

“Madalise. That is within the Duchy of De Gatard.” He stated, a quietly solemn note in his voice changing the atmosphere of the room.

Celestria maintained her smile, but felt a tinge of sadness.

“Yes. The Duchess sent me some of the tea as a gift, but I liked it very much and ordered a few batches.”

The Duke looked at her from the corner of his eye for a moment before saying, “And I assume you did that as a way to show support for her in these difficult times?”

Of course she had. The Duchess of De Gatard was a widow now. On that day, when she had managed to get Lord to spare the five duchesses and their childrens’ lives, she had promised that she would do her very best to take care of them. Now, what she could do for all five of them was not really as much as she would like, but she did as much as she could with the little that she had.

“You would undoubtedly do the same, I know.” Celestria chose her reply carefully.

“No. Probably not.” The Duke sighed, then unstuck himself from that rigid posture to reach for his cup of tea.

Oh.

That had been an unexpected answer.

Celestria masked her shock, but watched him sip his tea in stunned silence. That teacup looked small and entirely strange in his big, calloused hands. She could see some scars too, raised silvery flesh near his knuckles.

“You would not?”

“Not in that way.”

“How, then?”

“My export is war, Lady Voltaine.”

She remained silence as she contemplated his answer.

“What does that mean.”

Both Celestria and the Duke turned to look at her father, who she had completely forgotten was still there. Of course he was here. He was supposed to act as her chaperone, even though Celestria’s feelings about being chaperoned like a helpless child was enough to leave her furious.

“Duke Enteford means to say that he would have more likely than not ushered the five Duchies to help with war. It’s very different from what each duchy is traditionally known for, but war is... a lucrative business and a good way to establish one’s power.” Celestria explained, sipping more tea.

“Ah. Is that what you meant, Duke Enteford.”

“Yes.”

And that seemed to make her father’s expression sour even more.

“Now, Your Grace. I suspect that you’re the kind of person that appreciates straightforward approaches, so I’ll get right to the point. My objectives for this meeting are simple. I want to establish what it is each of us want from each other, and how to get Fortane as stable as possible.” Celestria spoke, dropping the polite niceties that she had to engage with as was proper.

The Duke seemed to appreciate this as he sat his cup of tea down for probably the last time, turning his full attention to her.

“Alright. What do you want from me, Lady Voltaine?”

“I want your support as the only remaining Duke in all of Fortane. My position in noble society has shifted incredibly, and the space I had once occupied is no longer appropriate. With your backing, I can enter the right circles I need to be in in to monitor the opinions of Nobles and... adjust accordingly.”

The Duke uncharacteristically tilted his head very slightly. “‘Adjust accordingly?’”

“Oh, yes. So I can adjust their opinions accordingly.”

And this earned an unexpected laugh from him.

Everyone in the room was caught completely off-guard by that laugh. It was the second time Celestria was hearing him do that, and yet it was so completely against the severe image she had of the Duke that she found herself astonished yet again.

“I was under the impression that you meant you would adjust your actions, not their opinions.” His normally strict voice sounded amused now, and that surprising smile pushed into his eyes. Thin wrinkles formed in their outer corners.

“Changing people’s opinions is... it’s the best outcome.”

“But it’s not at all easy.”

“Oh come now, all you have to do is make them think it’s their bright idea and they’re suddenly completely on-board.” Celestria shrugged casually.

The Duke turned to her father and said, “You’ve got a very capable daughter, Lord Voltaine.”

And that earned a very vicious glare from her father.

“My goal is simple enough. And what about yours, Your Grace?”

The Duke fixed her with an enigmatic stare. He seemed prone to doing that. Giving people stares that made them squirm. Admittedly, she found herself becoming more and more immune to such things. She would have Lord to thank for that. Celestria blinked, forcefully keeping her mind off that matter.

“Lady Voltaine. Do you know how long the war against the Vrimian Territories has been going on?”

Celestria carefully managed the scrunch that her face would have made at that question. The continuous war that the Enteford Duchy has been fighting for over ten years at Fortane’s North-Eastern border was one everyone knew about. The reason everyone had such a deep respect for the Duke of Enteford was because of his constant military presence that kept the Vrimians at bay. It was why although he was rarely ever seen at gatherings or court, everyone still valued his opinions and presence. A man that fought the necessary fight against barbaric enemies.

“I believe it has been going on for ten years.”

“Eleven. I’ve been fighting the Vrimians for eleven years.” He corrected, those razor sharp eyes of his growing strangely hollow.

“Well, that’s quite a long time to be on a battlefield.”

“It is. Far too long. And with how things are going, it may take another eleven to finally get it over with.”

She would admit that to hear the Duke say this with such a monotone voice was a surprise. From his reputation amongst the nobles and commoners alike, she had thought he enjoyed the war. Or at the very least took pride in his efforts. Who wouldn’t?After all, nobody could think of why he would keep up with it for so long if he didn’. He sounded like...like as if...

“Duke Enteford. Could it be that you are not fighting this war... willingly?”

The question spilled out before she had properly vetted it and approved it, but it was such a sudden realization, akin to the shock one would receive when plunged into a pool of ice water.

The Duke smiled dryly. It was cynical, like as if he realized and hated how everyone just...assumed.

Oh gosh... Celestria felt her heard drop like bricks to her feet. Forcing herself to remain as calm and poker-faced as possible, she continued to look at Enteford. She had assumed. And in doing so, had painted herself as clueless as everyone else was. Placing the duke on a pedestal too high was not something she wanted to do.

“At first it was something I enjoyed. I was raised to fight for the Kingdom, and it is something I engaged in willingly. But I came to realize that I would have liked it if others did their part for the Kingdom too. This war should have ended many years ago, and yet, here I am. The five other Dukes and I... I can’t say we always got along. But I know that they did help in this war when they could. Or when they wanted to. And that help was incredibly valuable. Without them here...”

“Things become very difficult for you.” Celestria whispered. “You need help with this war.”

“That I do, Lady Fortane. But I can’t simply go asking just anyone for help.”

“Pride?”

“Pride. That, and I’ve come to realize that I’ve got no idea what’s happening with other noble houses. What they want, what they have, what they don’t. I don’t know. And every time I think I’d like to, their tone deaf frivolity dissuades me.” He shrugged at that.

“If I’m not mistaken, it is your sister that has been attending society gatherings?”

“Correct. As well as managing the administrative aspects of the duchy as I oversee the border. Either way, the loss of the other five dukes has put me in a precarious position.”

“You said you can’t go asking just anyone for help, and yet you ask me?” Celestria finally asked, tilting her chin up and fixing the straight-backed Duke with a discerning look. This was a good chance to show that she was not foolish. She mustn’t appear too willing and desperate for a deal. And besides, how was she, a mere Earl’s daughter, supposed to fill in for five Dukes?

“You aren’t just anyone. You’re the one who saved Fortane from certain doom at the hands of the God of Demons, aren’t you?”

Oh my.

Celestria’s lip stiffened, eyes going wide. She hadn’t expected such an answer.

“...Alright. Then I will ask you this, Your Grace. Do you want this war to end now?”

The Duke was silent for a while, thinking deeply about that question.

“I would like that very much, yes.”

“At what cost?”

“At what cost do I want the war to end?”

She nodded.

“What cost would you impose upon me?”

”I don’t know. What cost would you say declaring loyalty to the King is?”

This was definitely something that had caught him completely by surprise.

His steel grey eyes were wide, eyebrows shooting up. Celestria remained confident. It was all finally becoming clear to her. The answer to some of her largest problems. She knew the best way to stabilize Fortane and keep it like that for a long time.

“You want me to declare loyalty to the demon that killed my king?”

“Yes. Without a powerful human supporter to the new throne, people will find the boldness to do stupid things. Things like the five other dukes did in the name of revenge, or worse yet, intolerance. You, with your untouchable reputation, would keep them in line. At least long enough for me to make Lord synonymous with Fortinian prosperity.”

The Duke’s face finally bled from shock, into a cold anger. Taking in a sharp breath, Celestria steeled herself. Of course he would not accept this without a fight. Heck, he might not accept it at all. Bowing his head to the demon that slay his king and comrades... Even if it would end his war in an instant, he would be paying far more than he was willing. A high price of Pride.

“You do know what you’re asking of me, Lady Voltaine?” Enteford’ s voice was low and icy.

“I am fully aware, Your Grace. But in the end, this is what you will have to do if you want to continue living in Fortane. If you want to keep on being a Duke. If you want to protect your lands and your family. You are far above me in rank and power in all capacities, but before Lord, we are all equal in our weakness.”

Wether her words had done anything, Celestria did not really know. But she did know that what she said was the truth. There was always something bigger and stronger than you. Something always willing to crush you into dirt and carry on like nothing ever happened. In the end, it was all about how you chose to survive until the bitter end. This force that stood before them was not a force that could be overcome by violence and brutality. No. This very force was the personification of violence and brutality. You could not win. So if you can’t beat them, join them.

“Well then, Your Grace? Will you join me?”