47 - Task
Grand Duchess Darelene remained seated for several moments after her daughter left the study.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating the polished wood of her desk. Dust motes drifted lazily in the air. Outside, the estate gardens glimmered under the calm morning light.
Darelene's fingers tapped lightly against the desk. Her mind was still lingering on Mariana.
The change in her daughter's behavior was... undeniable. Less calculating. Less guarded. More open. More childish. And strangely, that made Darelene both relieved and uneasy.
She had raised Mariana to navigate the dangerous world of imperial politics. A noble lady of Forebros could not afford to be na?ve.
Yet the cold, proud girl Mariana had become over the years had always worried her as well. Too sharp. Too distant. Too willing to challenge others.
But the girl who had just run into her study in a nightgown... was not that person. That was the child she remembered.
Darelene sighed softly. "Perhaps a change of scenery would be good for her." She rang the small silver bell on her desk.
A maid entered immediately. "Yes, Your Grace?"
Darelene folded her hands. "Call my eldest son."
The maid bowed slightly. "Grand Prince Eirwen, Your Grace?"
"Yes, immediately."
"As you command." The maid left quickly.
---
Not long after, the study door opened again. A tall young man entered the room. His appearance was striking. Golden blond hair that shimmered like sunlight. Crimson eyes sharp and observant.
His features bore an unmistakable resemblance to Grand Duke Maximus la Vernon in his younger years. Only softer. Less intimidating. This was Grand Prince Eirwen. The eldest son of the Grand Ducal family.
He bowed respectfully. "You called for me, Mother?"
Darelene looked up. A faint smile appeared. "My dear Eirwen."
He straightened. "Yes?"
"I have a task for you."
Eirwen tilted his head slightly. "A task?"
Darelene leaned back in her chair. "It concerns your sister."
Eirwen's expression shifted immediately. "Mariana?"
Darelene nodded. "You've noticed her recent behavior, I assume."
Eirwen smiled faintly. "It would be difficult not to." He had heard about the morning incident.
Apparently half the household staff had witnessed the Grand Princess sprinting through the corridors in a nightgown. The thought alone made him chuckle internally.
Darelene continued. "I would like you to take her into the city today."
Eirwen blinked. "... the city?"
"Yes." Darelene's voice softened. "Take her somewhere pleasant." She paused thoughtfully. "Buy her sweets."
Eirwen raised an eyebrow. "Sweets?"
"Yes, many sweets. You know your sister has been fond of sweets since young."
The corner of Eirwen's lips lifted slightly. "Are you asking me to spoil her?"
Darelene gave him a knowing look. "Exactly."
Eirwen chuckled. "That sounds like a wonderful assignment." His expression softened.
Truthfully, he had missed spending time with his younger sister. Over the past few years Mariana had grown distant. Cold. Sharp-tongued. Proud. Their conversations had become increasingly rare.
But recently, she had changed. She laughed again. She made ridiculous faces. It reminded him of when she was younger. When she used to follow him around the estate gardens.
Eirwen nodded without hesitation. "I'll take her out."
Darelene smiled. "Good." Then her expression grew slightly more serious. "One more thing."
"Yes?"
"I would like your younger brother to accompany you."
Eirwen frowned slightly. "Aguerico?"
Darelene shook her head. "No."
Her voice lowered. "Alistair."
Understanding immediately appeared in Eirwen's eyes.
Ah, the shadow.
The third son of the Vernon family. Quiet. Invisible. Dangerous.
Darelene continued calmly. "Not openly." Eirwen nodded. "In the shadows."
"Yes."
The northern territories were safe. But Mariana was still the Grand Princess of Forebros. And recently, too many factions had begun paying attention to her. Darelene preferred caution.
Eirwen bowed his head slightly. "I understand."
"Good."
He turned toward the door. But before leaving, he paused. "Mother?"
"Yes?"
"... thank you."
Darelene blinked slightly. "For what?"
Eirwen smiled gently. "For giving me an excuse to spend time with Mariana again."
Then he left the study. Darelene watched the door close, a faint smile lingered on her lips.
---
Meanwhile-
At the training grounds of the Vernon estate. Steel clashed loudly. The sound of swords echoed across the courtyard.
Knights moved in formation. Sweat glistened under the morning sun. At the center of the training field stood a young man with soft pink hair and crimson eyes.
Grand Prince Aguerico. The second son of the Grand Ducal family. Deputy Commander of the Forebros Knights. He moved like a blade himself.
Precise. Efficient. Deadly.
A knight lunged toward him. Aguerico stepped aside smoothly. Their swords collided. CLANG. The knight pushed forward with strength. Aguerico barely moved.
Instead, he spoke calmly. "Your stance is too wide."
The knight blinked.
Aguerico twisted his wrist. The knight's sword was knocked aside instantly. Before the man could react, Aguerico's blade stopped at his throat. Silence fell over the training field.
Aguerico lowered his sword. "If your stance is that wide, your center becomes unstable." He gestured lightly. "An enemy will exploit it immediately."
The knight bowed his head respectfully. "Yes, Deputy Commander."
Aguerico stepped back. "Again."
Another knight stepped forward. They clashed. This time the fight lasted longer. But once again, Aguerico disarmed him. He pointed at the knight's shoulders. "You telegraph your strike." The knight looked confused. Aguerico demonstrated. "You tense here before attacking."
The knight nodded slowly. "I understand."
Nearby, a towering figure stood watching. Grand Duke Maximus. Arms crossed. Expression calm.
He observed his son's training with sharp eyes. Aguerico moved through the knights effortlessly. Correcting them. Testing them. Defeating them.
Maximus nodded slowly. "... good."
His son had inherited both his discipline and sword skills. A dangerous combination. The knights of Forebros respected Aguerico deeply.
Not because he was a Grand Prince. But because he was genuinely stronger than most of them, being a Swordmaster. Another clash rang out. Aguerico disarmed yet another opponent.
Maximus turned slightly toward the captain beside him. "He improves."
The captain nodded. "Yes, Your Excellency."
Maximus' crimson eyes flickered toward the manor in the distance. "... all of them are growing."
His sons. His daughter. Even the estate itself. Change was moving quietly through the Vernon household.
Though none of them realized yet that the Empire itself would soon begin moving around Mariana. Like pieces on a chessboard.
And far away, in the distant south, a certain Crown Prince continued riding toward his destination. Unaware that his future bride was currently preparing for a day of sweets, shopping, and freedom in the city.