Negotiations
POV: Lucien
I had set up the faux negotiations as well as the real negotiations for the engagement of Ashton and Alesha. I had not informed Marquis Baltiliard yet about the fact that he would need to negotiate twice. We felt it was necessary to keep him in the dark until we met with him in Blackwood. He had already received an invitation to Blackwood after the completion of the negotiations. Marquis Maigny was the first to arrive which was not surprising. Within the hierarchy of the two houses, House Baltiliard held more power so House Maigny coveted the power held by Baltiliard. He was ushered into the room by Malinus after I permitted him to come into my office. I hated dealing with Marquis Maigny normally but knowing now that he was the other noble that threw support behind The Order, I frankly wanted to have him arrested every time I laid eyes on him. He smirked at me as he took his seat, “Your Majesty, that was one hell of an assembly the other day. To think that the Delnaros would commit treason. Imagine my shock to know that they tried to take out that sweet girl from House Batiste. It’s honestly really disgusting.” My hand that was sitting in my lap clenched as I thought to myself that he was the bastard that ordered her assassination and attempted kidnapping. I had no qualms about having him punished for his treason and I really wished that I could. Grand Pretre was insistent that we let their plans play out. She didn’t explain why so it baffled me why she would knowingly keep Alexandra in danger. Even though I am King, I was really not able to question the motives of the church.
I maintained a straight face as I said, “Yes, I imagine His Grace is relieved that his daughter is that much safer. I won’t rest though until the whole organization is taken down. It’s really only a matter of time before they slip up again.” Before he could say anything, Malinus announced the arrival of Marquis Baltiliard. We both rose from our seats to greet each other and the two sat down. I pulled out the document of engagement and handed it to Malinus to take to his small desk that was off to the side in my office. Of course, the document was fake to keep up the facade of negotiating the terms of the marriage. I started the meeting by confirming with each house that they would like to start the negotiations. Each side spent their time demanding compensation from the other house. After about an hour, the two houses agreed to the terms of the contract. They signed the document as outlined by Malinus based on the conversations. I took the document and signed it as well and tucked the document into my desk. Marquis Maigny cleared his throat, “Your Majesty, I thought this required the seal of the King.” I shook my head, “Not until the engagement oath is sealed by both the man and woman. We need to still set that up. I will need to check with Grand Pretre on what her schedule is like before we can.” An engagement in Vellum, like all things, was sealed as part of a ritual. This required that Grand Pretre conduct the sealing ceremony. The King would then place his seal on the engagement decree and contract. Marquis Maigny nodded, “Oh yes, I forgot. Would we expect a copy of the document?” I looked over at Malinus who said, “It will be sent upon the seal of His Majesty.”
I dismissed both of the men and they happily chatted on the way out about how happy their children will be with the arrangement. I watched out of the window to ensure that the men completely left the castle. I nodded at Malinus who gathered the paperwork in a folder and we walked across the hall to my room so that we could take the secret passage to Blackwood. As we walked along Malinus asked, “Do you think we can pull off this ruse? This whole Ashton thing is made all the more difficult with this engagement. Would we have to conduct two separate engagement ceremonies? I wonder just how long we have to hold back on having the whole lot of that house arrested.” I shrugged, “The woman is a complete mystery to me but I do know one thing.” He asked, “What’s that?” I sighed, “She never does anything without really good reason. She especially wouldn’t knowingly put Alexandra in danger if it didn’t ultimately benefit Alexandra in some way.” Malinus shuffled his feet along the tunnel behind me, “I’m just concerned for my cousins both being in constant danger from the same family. Ashton could get found out, especially as the people who know about his secret grows. How many of them will keep the secret? Then there’s this concerning new assassin, his hatred for her is now known.” I stopped and turned around to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, “I worry too Malinus. I love her and it kills me that I cannot take the danger away from her immediately. Not to mention, she probably misses her brother and wants to be reunited. It’s not easy for me to watch all this and not be able to jump into action. I understand. The best we can do is follow those who know better and keep actionable solutions on standby.”
We finally came to the door that would let us into the study of Blackwood Manor. Malinus went first through the door and I heard Alexandra greet him, “Cousin, we’ve been expecting you and Lucien.” I strode through the door and she hurried over to me and hugged me, “Lucien, I wanted to get a hug in before Alesha’s dad gets here.” I placed my arms around her gently and pulled her closer. I took the feeling of her in for a little while before we broke apart, “I take it, he hasn’t arrived yet.” She shook her head, “Not yet but I imagine it won’t take much longer. He probably got held up by a conversation with that jerk.” I chuckled, “Likely, he was real chatty today about the assembly.” She crossed her arms and sighed, “I bet he was. Probably tried to act like he was shocked from what Ashton has told me of that weasel.” Malinus laughed, “A very fine description of Maigny to be sure. You should have seen the look on his face when he thought he was going to be getting the compensation from having Alesha marry into his family. Truly disgusting.” She nodded and smiled, “Agreed, cousin.” The door to the study opened as Reggie walked in with Desmond, he gasped when he saw me. Alexandra smiled at me and walked away, “I’m going to leave you all to it then. Pleased to see you, Your Lordship.” Desmond smiled at Alexandra, “Thank you, Your Grace. I’m pleased to see you.” She shut the door behind her and Desmond looked at me, “Not that I mind seeing you twice in a day, Your Majesty, but what are you doing here?” Reggie spoke, “Why don’t we all sit down and I can explain the situation to you, that is if His Majesty is fine with that.” I nodded, “You may go ahead, Your Grace.”
We all sat down and Reggie explained to Desmond about how he and his wife had twins. He explained that one was stolen away and they were made to believe he was dead but it was actually Meldon Maigny. With each second that Reggie told his story, I could see Desmond tensing up. After Reggie was done, Desmond spoke, “I never liked House Maigny. I always thought they were so shifty. When Alesha came to me and told me that she was in love with Meldon Maigny, I didn’t want her to marry into that family. I never made it known to her because you very well know Reginald that a father would do anything for their little girl. While I hate what happened to you, Talia and Alexandra, you must know that I am relieved to hear that my daughter would marry into a house that I’m far more comfortable with.” I spoke up, “I don’t think I have to tell you, Your Lordship, that we need to keep this a secret. Ashton is currently undercover in House Maigny to help me bring down The Order.” Desmond gasped, “You mean to tell me that they are involved? No, wait, don’t answer that. It makes so much sense knowing that shifty man. Of course, Your Majesty. I will keep this a secret, if not for young Ashton, it will be for Alesha. She really does love him so much. So I guess we are here to secretly negotiate the engagement between our children, Your Grace.” He nodded at Desmond, “Yes, we figured we should keep up the farce with Marquis Maigny.” Malinus spoke, “That contract was fake so you need not worry, Your Lordship.” Desmond smiled and nodded, “I am ready, Your Majesty. We can run through it again.”
Malinus pulled out his paperwork, the real one this time, and had a pen at the ready. I cleared my throat, “We are gathered here to negotiate the engagement and ultimate marriage between one Ashton Batiste of House Batiste son of Reginald and Talia Batiste, and one Alesha Baltiliard of House Baltiliard daughter of Desmond and Corrine Baltiliard. Before we can proceed, I will need to get verbal consent from each party. Reginald Batiste, do you wish to proceed with the negotiation of this engagement contract?” Reginald smiled at me, nodded, and said, “I willingly wish to proceed with this negotiation to join my son Ashton Batiste with the daughter of the House Baltiliard.” I nodded, “Let it be known that Reginald has consented to this negotiation.” I turned to look at Desmond, “Desmond Baltiliard, do you wish to proceed with the negotiation of this engagement contract?” Desmond also smiled but this time at Reginald, “I willingly wish to proceed with this negotiation to join my daughter Alesha Baltiliard with the son of House Batiste.” I spoke, “Let it be known that Desmond has consented to this negotiation. Now we can proceed. Your Grace, do you wish to ask anything of House Baltiliard in exchange for your son’s hand in marriage?” Reginald smiled at Desmond, “I believe that Baltiliard Lakes is a large producer of yaima fruit.” Desmond looked confused and nodded, “That’s right but surely, Your Grace, you don’t mean to only ask for that? We have so much more to offer to you.” I was also confused because yaima fruit wasn’t terribly valuable. It had a nice flavor but it was nothing too special.” Reggie chuckled, “It’s valuable when you want to keep a wife and daughter happy. They are absolutely obsessed with that fruit and I like to keep the women in my family happy. I assure you Desmond, that will extend to Alesha once she becomes a Batiste. All I request is a steady monthly supply of the yaima fruit.”
I spoke, “Let it be known that the only request from House Batiste is a steady monthly supply of yaima fruit. Do you agree Desmond?” Desmond shook his head, “I cannot agree with that. It’s too little, especially since I am going to ask for something pretty big. Instead, I would like to also offer a gift to Alexandra and Ashton Batiste of two of my prized black fouls.” Malinus gasped behind me and my reaction was much the same, “Are you sure Desmond? Those are fairly valuable, everyone in Vellum knows that.” Reginald nodded, “That’s quite a big gift, Desmond. I’m afraid to ask what you want in exchange.” Desmond sighed, “I won’t ask you to agree to this until I make my request to you and you can figure out if you want to agree or not.” Reginald nodded, “Your Majesty, I know that this is unprecedented but I must know what it is he is asking before I can agree.” I nodded, “That is perfectly fine, Reggie. We can proceed.” Desmond cleared his throat, “I hope you don’t hate me for this Reginald but I wish to request that upon your retirement that you and Talia bestow your title of Duke and Duchess of House Batiste upon Ashton and Alesha and not Alexandra.”
