Counseling the King
POV: Alexandra
After we were dismissed from court, I ran to catch up with Litha, “Your Excellency, may I have a word?” She turned around and nodded, “Of course, anything.” I smiled at her, “I know that you will likely be going home to an empty house. I was wondering if you want to stay at Blackwood Manor for a few days. You, me, and Jess can all hang out and talk. I get the feeling that you would need that type of therapy.” She smiled at me sadly, “I think that would be lovely. I will need to go home for a bit to change and pick up some clothing.” Jess walked up behind me, “If you want, I can go with you, Your Excellency.” She looked at Jess appreciatively, “I would like that. That is if Her Grace can spare Lady Kellen.” She looked at me and I smiled then nodded, “Of course. I will see you ladies at Blackwood then. Please take care of yourselves until then.” I curtsied at Litha since she now outranked me in social status and walked away. When I caught up to my parents, my father asked, “Did you find Countess Delnaro?” I took his arm, hugged it, and smiled up at him, “Yes, Daddy. I was able to invite her to stay with us for a few days.” I looked down at me gently, “It was very gracious of you to think of how she would feel after all of this.” I shrugged, “I just put myself in her shoes. How would I feel if you and Mom were ripped away from me suddenly? I know I would be utterly heartbroken and would need my friends with me. I think that is what she needs.”
My mother looked over at me, “That reminds me, I spoke with Marquis Baltiliard just now and he asked if there was anything that they could do to assist Countess Delnaro. I told him of your idea for a sleepover and asked if Lady Baltiliard would like to attend. He, of course, agreed. I believe it is best if we maintain a strong friendship with House Baltiliard given what was discussed here today.” I knew that she was talking about the potential engagement between my brother and Alesha. Mother was right about that, as usual. The King would use back channels to negotiate Alesha’s dowry with my parents. I imagine that the King would apprise Marquis Baltiliard about Ashton’s true parentage. It would be infinitely better for House Baltiliard to be engaged to a member of House Batiste than it would be to be engaged to House Maigny. I wondered how Lucien would handle this matter. Knowing him it would be stealthily done with two separate meetings with one being a farce. I sighed, “Do you think His Majesty will tell Marquis Baltiliard about Meldon Maigny?” My father held me closer, “I imagine he would have to since this involves his daughter. A man has the right to know what sort of family his daughter will be sent into. Knowing Desmond, he was very hesitant to ask for the engagement to a Maigny. He’s never had a high opinion of House Maigny but like myself, he would do anything for his daughters and Alesha is his favorite of the three.”
We finally got out to the carriage but someone had called out to my father, “Your Grace! If you please!” We all turned to look, it was Malinus running up to catch up to us. My father stopped in his spot and allowed Malinus to catch his breath, “I’m sorry, Your Grace. I was commanded by His Majesty to make sure that you and your family do not leave just yet. He would like to speak with all of you.” I figured Lucien would want to speak with my father eventually but I hadn’t anticipated it would be so soon and certainly not with my mother and I present. I looked over at my mother who looked equally confused. Malinus smiled at my mother, “Not to worry, dear cousin. You will know what this is about shortly. If you will follow me.” We all followed Malinus back into the castle which had already been emptied of the nobles who had just been assembled here. He led us upstairs to Lucien’s office where we were ushered into his office. Lucien smiled and rose from his desk, “Please come in. I need to discuss with you about how we proceed with a few things.” We all came in and sat down. My parents took to the small couch together and I took the chair across from them that was closest to the office door. Lucien took the other seat across from my parents closest to his desk.
He looked over at me and smiled lovingly and then looked at my parents, “So the first thing we need to discuss is how we should proceed in negotiating the engagement between Ashton and Alesha. I know that it would be dishonest to Marquis Baltiliard to not let him know about Ashton’s true parentage. At the same time, we need to make this as discreet as possible. Do you have any idea how we should proceed, Reginald?” The way that Lucien had addressed my father, meant that he set the precedent of the conversation by not using honorifics. This gave my parents the go-ahead to address him by name. This also meant that this meeting technically wasn’t an official royal meeting so we could really speak relaxed and openly. My father looked at my mother then looked at Lucien, “I believe that, even though these will be official negotiations, this should be done at Blackwood. This would be the most discreet way. We just need to find a way to get you there, Lucien.” I looked at Lucien and remembered the tunnel that Malinus told me about. I was not supposed to tell Lucien that I knew about the tunnel but I didn’t want to keep secrets from him, “Lucien, when you were injured I noticed a tunnel that went from your room and asked Malinus about it.” I had expected Lucien to tense up at the mention of a secret tunnel but he was relaxed. He smiled, “Yes that tunnel does go from my room to the Headmaster’s tower and ultimately also connects to Blackwood. Very brilliant, Alexandra. That is our answer.” My father nodded, “Leave it up to a woman to come up with the most logical answer here. Well done, my dear. We can be made available at your convenience, Lucien.” Lucien then nodded, “I will send word after I speak with Desmond.”
Lucien then leaned back in his chair and sighed, “Now we must discuss the punishment of the former Count and Countess Delnaro. You remember that we need someone proficient from each element to cast the spell to strip them of their powers. I would like to ask Alexandra to be the one to do the fire element. I would ask Blake but he has a particular hatred of this couple as you can imagine. I wouldn’t put it past him to try to take the law into his own hands. This would be a diplomatic disaster.” I furrowed my brow and looked at him confused, “What do you mean by that?” He pinched the bridge of his nose, “I will get to that but I need to know if I can use you as one of the elementals first.” I looked at my father who nodded at me, “I don’t have any objections to you using Alexandra for this purpose. I believe it is a bit of poetic justice.” I nodded as well, “I agree and will consent to assist in carrying out the punishment, Lucien.” He smiled, “Thank you, I cannot think of anyone more proficient in fire magic that wouldn’t hold a personal grudge against them.” He was also referring to Vanessa and knowing her, she would also try to find a way to punish them with her magic. I looked over at Lucien, “May I suggest the wind user, Lucien?” He waved his hand to indicate I may proceed, “I believe you should ask Whisperia le Fey. She is the most proficient in wind magic.” Lucien considered it, “I don’t know if I have met Whisperia le Fey. You believe she is trustworthy enough not to take revenge on the Delnaros.” I nodded, “Yes, she is a very just person. I don’t believe she would go outside of the boundaries of the law.” He looked over at my parents and my father spoke, “I have known Whisperia le Fey for a very long time, she would not go outside of her instructions unless it was to protect someone.” Lucien considered what I said and what my father said then finally nodded, “Very well. Where do I send the summons?” My father chuckled, “Send it to Blackwood, she lives in my lands so we will make sure she gets it.” Lucien then leaned forward, “Now onto the reason why it would be a diplomatic disaster. Princess Sylphia has asked that I send the two to Seely. She said that she will use the former Count to spy on her father and the former Countess to serve her mother after she has retired. She has agreed to place the fae prisoner devices on them.” I looked at him confused and he smiled, “They are green bracelets that the fae place on their prisoners to keep them in line. If they try to escape, they get hurt very badly. If they try to harm any of the free fae, it will kill them. It will also track their whereabouts. Nystasia will also be hypnotizing the former Count Delnaro to make him loyal to her, much like what was done to Talon.”
