บท 56: 'Sealed or dead?'
Just as the clock struck seven in the evening, the same woman that guided Reignold and the others voiced outside the room and announced that their most awaited guests have arrived.
"Finally," Reignold exhaled sharply while the young duke straightened himself to look not one bit uncomfortable.
"Greetings, Duke Clement. Thank you for accommodating us tonight," Vance said politely and with every bit of respect to show to a duke. However, no matter how polite the old advisor was, the lady cloaked in black from head to toe only looked at him as if cursing at him telepathically before she stepped aside and occupied the vacant seat at the far end.
"Greetings. I hope you didn't encounter any trouble along the way." Alexander said in a soft tone. He then gestured to his secretary sitting behind him and instructed him to serve dinner at once, "Let's talk over a hot meal. I'm sure everyone's tired from traveling."
"Are there any updates from Lady Leticia?" Vance started.
"I received a letter that she's stranded at some island, so her arrival at Pradour is going to be delayed for a few days."
"That won't be a problem. The seas are rough around this time of the year. Even Uric or Pradour's emperor wouldn't send some men over. They need as many hands as possible over there than here for now. The problem is their people who are already here."
"Do you have proof they're here?" Reighnold butted in.
"I have some spies here and there," the old advisor said simply as if commanding spies were a normal thing, but, of course, none of the Felfords looked surprised; they all looked rather bored. Like they've heard it far too many times. For all he knows, they would rather talk about the process of stalking and killing those people.
"If you have spies here and there, why not send some to Pradour?" Alexander asked out of the blue, but instead of a serious answer, he received a verbal beating from Arabella.
"How do you think he'd know about what's happening back there if he didn't have people to tell him?"
Alexander looked at her grandfather, but Reignold and Lewis were both looking at the lady assassin. Again, they didn't reprimand her, and the young duke hasn't felt so powerless.
"I'll see what news I can get in the coming days, then I'll inform you as soon as I can." Vance turned to face the duke before he continued, saying, "What about your meeting with the emperor?"
Before the duke could answer, the door sounded, and another line of women entered with silver trays in their hands. They placed it on a buffet at the foot of the long table before another man with a girth twice the size of Alexander entered. He has with him a leather bag and another covered tray followed closely behind him.
A small table was pulled from the corner, and everyone looked as the man untied what he brought and spread it out on the small table. Introducing himself, the man took the covered tray and placed it in front of him. When he opened it, everyone gasped, including Alexander.
On the tray surrounded by all sorts of garnish was a clear-eyed Kandra, a poisonous fish that's abundant during the winter season. In the hands of the wrong person, the fish could kill a man in a matter of seconds; but if prepared professionally, it's considered a delicacy.
The heavy atmosphere lighten as everyone's attention was on the man effortlessly slicing through the fish's flesh. His hands were swift and without hesitation.
"I've never tried one of these before," Arabella said.
Hearing the lady assassin, the first slice was given to her. She was then told to dip it in the sauce and eat it in one go. Arabella looked hesitant at first and Alexander couldn't control the smile that emerged from his face.
That's because Amelia's lady-in-waiting was told by the chef—if the man could be called as one—not to worry about the poison since he made sure that he's extra careful all the time. As if a Kandra's poison could even do them any harm.
When the chef was finished, he wiped his tools clean and lined them nicely in his pouch. Then, the women entered again and took the trays of food from the buffet and placed it in the center of the table; making sure to expose themselves as much as possible before they leave again.
There's a selection of appetizers, veal, and simple salad greens. With the man gone, Alexander took a piece and forked a slice of veal. The others didn't hesitate to do so as well, and they ate in silence for a while which made Alexander anxious.
He's only heard of the Felfords before but has not transacted with them personally and now he's eating with their clan's leader and his grandchildren, and two others who were not introduced to him.
"Just recently, Lia asked me about the blessing you said you're getting from the emperor. She asked if I heard something about it." Vance suddenly spoke and Alexander choked on his salad.
The young duke raised a finger while stifling a cough, reaching for his glass of wine. But before he was able to finish drinking Lewis answered for him, saying that the emperor told him to grow up.
Embarrassment quickly crept to Alexander as Vance and Arabella's eyes fell on him, especially Arabella's. The lady assassin's eyes were brimming with mockery.
"Sh-she did?" Alexander cleared his throat and wiped his mouth.
Vance nodded, "Did you tell him about what I told you?" he asked.
"Uhm, I did…" the duke tried to stifle a smile. She asked about him, about the blessing! For a second, Alexander's heart skipped a beat. All the worries he had all this time vanished into thin air.
"Oh, Heavens, he's dreaming already," Arabella whispered, rolling her eyes.
The duke gave a side eye before he continued, "He still said no. If I knew what that was about, I would've been able to reason better. He must've perceived that I was only told to say it, but he was a little uncomfortable when I told him his blessing was the only one I needed. That you and Vernon already gave yours."
Vance gave out small nods before continuing to eat. The others did as well, and when they were finished with their meal the conversation continued with the planning. Since there were no workable updates from Leticia, Vance said that there's nothing much to do but to wait and observe for a while.
With that, their dinner ended and Vance and the others were escorted through a hidden passage to the exit on the other side of the establishment.
"How is Amelia?" Vance turned to face Alexander when he asked.
"She's doing fine. Swamped with work as usual. She tries to be as busy as she could during these days to take her mind off… some things. You know what I mean." Vance's tone was mellowed that it made Alexander think that the advisor he was with at dinner earlier was not the same one.
"I see…" was all he could say. What else was he supposed to say?
"Would you like to come with us tomorrow? We're staying somewhere close by. There will be a mass in the morning and festivities in the evening. I think she's returning from Fayburgh as we speak."
The duke blinked his eyes and stared at the advisor.
Did he hear him right? Did Vance just invite him over?
"Would that be okay with you?" he stopped to ask.
"I asked you, right?" Vance looked disappointed and turned his back to the duke to continue walking through the halls.
"No, wa-wait, Vance! I… uhm," the words seemed so far away, "I'll… I'll come tomorrow."
Vance looked his way and nodded then brought his attention back to the narrow hallway they're traversing.
"We'll wait for you at the border until the fifth sunray. She doesn't say but I think she's been wanting to see you for a while," was what Vance said before they come out in the open street where the assassins quickly blended into the crowd and Alexander was left stiff as a statue, staring at the advisor's back distancing from him until he, too, was well among the crowd.
**********
Every sun that rises from the horizon made Vance another day closer to solving his problem.
The solution? It's easy. Travel to Pradour, deal with his estranged cousin, take back his father's position, hand it to someone he could trust, then go back to Creador and live the rest of his life free of the Salwyn name—back to being just Vance Thomson. But before he could leave with peace of mind, he needed someone who would look after his granddaughter and help her while he's away.
Reignold's clan has been a great help all these years. Vance didn't think that they'd cooperate with him as their loyalty lay completely with House Florence, but they were surprisingly versatile when it came to protecting the duchess. They're someone Vance can leave Amelia with, but their protection alone wouldn't be enough.
Strong as the Felfords are and considering the range of their control over the world of assassins, some gaps needed to be filled.
One, they operate underground and though their family was given the title Count, it's not enough to keep Amelia's position afloat once the worst came to worst. Vance already identified those that favored Nathaniel's brother-in-law, so he has an upper hand on this matter.
Second, if worst does come to worst, and supporters were made to reveal themselves, the Felfords wouldn't be able to do it. They're the shadows of the House Florence and they will remain like so for generations to come.
That's why Vance needed Alexander. He would be the dragon that guards the princess in the castle. He's got the wealth, the strength, and the reason to protect her.
He told Vance that he loves Amelia. The advisor didn't believe him, but he had no means to tell him otherwise either. Instead, Vance found an opportunity.
To what kind of love Alexander referred to, Vance didn't know, but even if it's a kind of make-believe love that's strong enough for the duke to put his title and his duchy on the table for her, that's enough.
The duke would be able to fill the Felfords' gaps. He's the right piece of the puzzle.
And that's enough reason to approve of Alexander.
"Mr. Vance?" a knock on the advisor's door sounded and he turned to see the first ray of sun already out. He waved the thoughts away and got up, grabbing his cloak on the way.
"Is it time?" he asked, pulling the fabric around him tighter.
It's another chilly morning—even chillier knowing that it was the same day seven years ago.
Everything was still as vivid as the time he stood in front of the burning palace. If only he could stay far away just for a day, he would. Celebrating his niece's death year after year hasn't lessened the weight of it at all.
They didn't care about her that much when she first came, saying she's a foreigner and didn't know the traditions of the duchy. But now that she's dead, they remembered all the good deeds she's done for them.
Only when they were already a couple of feet in the ground did they celebrate them. When the couple was alive, they've always been compared to that bastard of a man, George, and his façade of being a better member of House Florence.
"Are you sure you want to bring that duke along?" Arabella struggled to follow him.
"Of course. Lia's been asking about him. It's better that she hears it from the man himself."
"But didn't you hate that guy?"
"I never said I hated him. I disliked him and that's a completely different matter."
The lady assassin shrugged her shoulders and stayed silent for the rest of the hallway. Vance was surprised since she rarely took a step back and always insisted on what's on her mind.
"Is your grandfather already up?"
"He doesn't sleep so he's been awake and now lecturing Older Brother."
"Lecturing?" why would Reignold lecture Lewis? Did something happen during their absence last night?
Curiosity piqued Vance's thoughts and his strides grew wider by the second.
"Good morning," the advisor casually strode inside the dining hall where Arabella told him his grandfather and the others were.
"Mo'nin'." The Felfords' head looked back to greet him then he returned his attention to the three men sitting across him.
"What's this about so early?"
"Well, the duke casually blurted out you being… well, what you really should be. I'm just giving them a good sermon about keeping it a secret."
"Oh, Mr. Vance being a Grand Duke?" Arabella butted in, looking up at the ceiling with her hands behind her. "I heard about that from somewhere—someone, actually. Didn't think it was true at first, but I did some digging of my own and it was—to my surprise."
"Arabella Whitt!" Reignold's voice bounced off the room of the villa owned by one of the members of the Order.
"What?" the lady pulled a chair beside her grandfather and sat down, unaffected by the wrath in Reignold's face. "I need to have people of my own. But don't worry, my source's lips are sealed."
"Sealed or dead?" Lewis lifted his gaze and looked at his younger sister, which was reciprocated by a meaningful smirk. Shaking his head slowly was all Vance could do.
Matter-of-factly, it was Vance who told her about him. When they got back from the meeting with the emperor, he called Ancel and Arabella to his office and told them about him. He thought that since they're the ones securing Amelia's safety, they should at least know the circumstance of why there's been a lot of threats lately so they could prepare themselves. But Vance told the siblings not to let anyone know that they knew.
He clearly couldn't just leave his granddaughter with them after all, he thought.
"Anyway," Reignold inhaled sharply and shook his head, massaging his temples. "As always, what you heard should be left here. We don't tolerate loose-lipped members in the clan, and I need not remind you of the consequences, even if you're my family." The three nodded silently then their little meeting was adjourned.
After that, everyone disappeared to do what they needed to before they leave. There won't be breakfast served for them, but they'd grab something to eat on the way.
Not long after, the sound of hooves against the pebbled road sounded in quick succession. Tearing through the fog, the group kept their bodies close to their stallion and their sight straight on the road. By the time the fourth sunray was visible, they managed to arrive at the border. Greetings were exchanged and the Thuenian men guarding it let Vance and his companions through.
Just a few meters away was Osmea's border settlement. Upon seeing the advisor, the group in charge that morning scampered to make themselves presentable at the least. They all lined up straight and nicely to greet them with their body parallel to the ground.
"Greetings, Sir Thomson, Sir Reignold Whitt, Sir Lewis Whitt, Lady Whitt, and, uhm…" The others lifted their gaze as their commander struggled to mention the others.
"Oh, don't mind about them. As you were gentlemen." It was Reignold who got off his horse first. As he's a former knight commander—a legendary one, or so they say—he's more adept at dealing with them than Vance would. "We're waiting for a friend here. Have you got any breakfast? We're rather famished from the travel."
"Ah, ye-yes!" the man stuttered but his voice and demeanor changed once he turned his back to order his men.
Their horses were taken to the stables to rest and be fed and watered, then they were escorted inside the barracks for a hot and hearty chicken soup with a selection of freshly baked bread given to them by the locals not far from the border.
"Have you lot eaten yet?" Vance looked at the commander.
"We will once we're done with our morning training."
"Do you have enough for everyone here?"
"Yes, more than enough, Sir Thomson." The advisor nodded and the knight commander excused himself after.
As the group was finishing their meal, someone entered the dining hall and announced himself as the second-in-command. After he was done, a man wearing a heavy black cloak pushed his hood back, and bright golden eyes greeted them.
"Hungry?" Arabella asked, lifting a spoon but Alexander shook his head.
"I'm good. Thank you," he said, then thanked the man who escorted him.
"So good of you to join us," Vance said next.
"Since you're inviting, how could I say no." the young duke showed a curt smile to the others, bobbing his head. "But I don't think I'd be able to meet Cice. I'll stay somewhere and come see you here when I can. Showing it in public might cause quite a stir with the rumors still around. I don't want that since it's her day."
"Well, at least you brought a gift," Arabella butted in again, and Vance noted Alexander's face turned grim. "What? You didn't bring a gift with you?" the lady assassin's question seemed to hammer the duke on the head with every second that passed. "Unbelievable…" Arabella muttered in a low voice, clicking her tongue, but still, no one stopped her.
"I've been busy with work lately that it completely slipped my mind. Then I was in such a hurry earlier too that I couldn't leave a proper instruction to Symon." Alexander's eyes darted anxiously between Vance and Arabella.
"You came by yourself?" Lewis' low but smooth voice took the other's attention.
"Yes, since it's faster that way, plus I need Symon to overlook some of the work I left."
"Brave," the assassin said, nodding. And there was a hint of proudness on the duke's face when he heard it.
Being complimented by a top assassin was something he's delighted about but then, he also revealed that he's vulnerable to attacks from either five, or all of them together.
As Vance thought, he's too trusting.
After the meal was finished, and everyone's been—even the horses— well-rested, the group set out to travel straight to the palace. They didn't have the time for calls of nature or any of that sort. They needed to get to the palace before the sun took its place in the sky.
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