What She Considers Family
POV: Alexandra
I furrowed my brow and frowned at the question that the Elders just posed to me. I thought the question through for a brief period. I looked up at them, “Can I ask a question before I answer yours?” Enzo nodded, “I had expected as much. You may ask.” I sighed, “Is this a trick question?” Edgar and Enzo looked at each other and Edgar spoke, “How you interpret it is up to you, Your Grace? This is a question that we were told to ask you as part of your interview.” That didn’t give me clarity as far as if this were a trick question but I figured they got this question from Seraphia. It was a very her thing to ask and they would only get this direction from two places. Lucien wouldn’t ask this question of me, he knew that I had loyalty to my family but I also would think of the people of the kingdom. There must be a reason that she wanted this question asked of me so perhaps she saw something in one of her divinations that would prompt this. Knowing that there must be a situation in the future where my decision could affect all Vellum should I choose my family. I looked up at them steadfastly, “Of course, it would be hard for me to let my family suffer in any case but if it is for the greater good then I would choose Vellum. I would hope that my future does not include this situation but this is my simple and honest answer.”
Enzo looked at Edgar and he did not hesitate to nod, “She really had no hesitation when she stated her answer. The kingdom would be in good hands should she be Queen. I will state right now that my full support is behind Alexandra.” Enzo cocked an eyebrow, “Are you sure about stating that now? We have not heard the answers from the other two young ladies.” Edgar nodded with no hesitation, “I have observed these three women throughout the competition and I can tell you that I have made my decision with those observations in mind. Her Grace’s answer just now solidified my support for her. Do you honestly believe the other women would sacrifice their own family for the realm? I can tell you, with at least one of them for sure, they would not.” Enzo shrugged and looked at me, “I hope you will forgive me, Your Grace, but I will reserve judgment until we gather to share the results of these interviews.” I shook my head at him, “I understand Elder Enzo. I don’t expect you to throw your support behind me right this instant. You have to weigh the pros and cons of all of us ladies.” He nodded, “Exactly, I am glad you understand that my logic will win out every time. I know that Edgar is a man who operates off of instinct and it is rarely wrong but that is not enough to sway me to say outright that you have my support. I will say that I know your character from those I have talked to and have weighed Edgar’s reports and I am leaning towards supporting you but I would like to see results from the other two.” He looked at Edgar, “I think we are done with our interview with Her Grace unless you have something to add.” Edgar shook his head, “I think I am done. I believe Her Grace would like to eat.”
As if on cue my stomach rumbled loudly. I placed my arms around my stomach and blushed, “I am terribly sorry but I think my stomach is going to have to agree with Elder Edgar.” The two men chuckled and Enzo called for Derek, “You called, sir?” Enzo nodded at him, “You may escort Her Grace to the mess now. She must be starved.” Derek smiled down at me and offered his arm, “Gladly, sir. Shall we, Your Grace?” I took his arm and he practically lifted me off the seat by himself. I had wondered at that moment how he carried me to the castle that day that I was shot with the arrow. We stepped out of the tent as Lucien was passing by, “Alexandra?” I smiled at him, “Hello Your Majesty. Can I help you?” He nodded, “I was just about to meet your father over dinner. Why don’t you join us? Derek can leave to the mess on his own. My guards will escort us.” I looked up at Derek and nodded at him, “I will gladly join you, Your Majesty.” I had wondered if this was okay since the other two candidates along with their evaluators were out here. Evaluators that had an obvious bias. I followed Lucien to his tent where my father was pacing outside of the tent. He looked up at me and gasped, “Alexandra? Your Majesty, why is my daughter here?” He looked down at me and shrugged, “I figured it would be nice to have dinner with father and daughter of House Batiste. You have no problem with that.” My father sighed, “No, I don’t have a problem per se. I just have a few things to talk to you about the documents that I’m not quite sure my daughter is ready to hear.” I stepped toward my father, “I am fine, daddy. Nothing you can tell me will phase me at this point.” He pulled his arm around me, “I have my doubts given what I know but I will concede.”
We all stepped into the tent and sat down at the table set up for us. The staff stepped forward and placed the napkins on our laps and served us the food. The staffers also made sure to feed Sebastian who had popped out of my shadow as soon as the smell of food hit my nose. They were dismissed shortly after by Lucien who had already started to eat the food. He patted his lips after swallowing his bite of food, “You said you found some things in the documents that needed immediate attention.” My father nodded, “Yes, I found a schedule book amongst the paperwork. It had some appointments written down on it for the day of the earthquake. Shortly before the earthquake hit, he had an appointment for House Ligidew.” I nodded, “That lines up with what Lucy had told me when we questioned her today.” Lucien set his silverware down and leaned forward, “It only said House Ligidew?” He nodded, “Yes, I believe he didn’t know who they would send exactly but that someone from that house had requested an audience with the Count.” Lucien looked at me, “Did the child describe the representative from House Ligidew? I don’t want to think they sent someone to attack another house but I need to find out if this is the action of one or the action at the behest of House Ligidew.” I thought for a bit, “Lucy wasn’t very detailed about her description but I think we can probably narrow it down by talking to Toby.” He shook his head, “If House Ligidew sent the earth magic user to House Kastilidan, we don’t need to alert them that we know about it. So can you give me a description, Alexandra?” I nodded, “She said she was a short blonde with a green cloak.” He thought for a bit and clenched his jaw, “I take that back, I think I will have the General question Toby when I return to Tarn. I don’t believe House Ligidew sent anyone to cause havoc here.” I looked at him confused, “What do you mean?” He shook his head, “I think I need to keep this to myself for now in case I am wrong. Just know that I think I have some idea of who did this.”
Lucien looked back at my father to indicate that he was ready to move on and that he wasn’t going to discuss the last topic further. My father cleared his throat, “He was also set to meet with Marquis Maigny with a note of how to deal with the cow.” Lucien looked confused, “The cow?” I sighed, “It’s me, they are referring to me. Melody said that since I lived amongst the cattle meant for consumption that I must be a cow. It’s the stupidest nickname that she could have given me frankly.” Lucien rolled his eyes, “She’s too childish to hold any throne and I hope that the council can see that.” My father nodded, “They certainly shouldn’t be handing power over to the greedy Maigny family.” Lucien looked at me, “I forgot to ask how your interview went.” I shrugged, “I think it went well but who can really tell. They asked basic questions about how I would handle certain situations and you probably know that Elder Edgar is essentially a human lie detector so I had to answer truthfully and honestly. They did ask one very difficult question though and I suspected it came from Grand Pretre.” Lucien looked intrigued, “What was the question? If you don’t mind me asking.” I looked at my father, hesitated, and decided it would be best just to say it, “They wanted to know who I would choose should it come down to it, my family or Vellum.” Lucien cleared his throat and leaned back, “A very difficult question indeed. What do you think Reggie?” My father gave him a determined nod, “I don’t think it is all that difficult. Alexandra knows that, while family is everything to us, the good of the whole is more important. That is how we raised her and that is how I suspect that she answered that question.” I nodded, “As you suspect, daddy. I know that if I am to take the throne alongside you, Lucien, I must consider the realm my family and try to do what is best for them.” The two men smiled at me and Lucien said, “That is a very apt observation on what it is to be a royal. I imagine the answer impressed the Elders.” I nodded, “Elder Edgar has declared that he will support me.” Lucien started to choke on the food he was eating, “He did?” My father looked just as startled, “Do you know what that means, little rose?” I shrugged, “That he thinks I’m competent enough to be not a terrible Queen. I really don’t know.”
Lucien shook his head and laughed, “I don’t think you are aware of just how much pull Edgar has amongst some in the council. With a few of the council likely being pulled from the council, it is likely that you now have at least four council votes. You already have one from the church and I suspect you will have the support of the military with your work out here and assistance to the General in his time of need. My mother already adores you so that means you already have five votes.” My father sighed, “I wouldn’t really count one of those votes as a certainty though.” Lucien looked at him confused, “What do you mean?” My father looked at me then at Lucien, “Grand Pretre isn’t a sure vote. In her years of service, have you ever known her to be consistent in her actions versus her words?” Lucien sighed, “You’re right but still to get at least four votes when quite a few of the Elders are a non-factor that’s practically half of the Elder Council right there.” I sighed, “I hope you aren’t factoring Elder Enzo as a sure vote, Lucien.” He smiled and shook his head, “No, I know that he opposes Elder Edgar’s instinct method. He’s a logical thinker and is always the last to make a decision after careful thought.” I was glad to hear that Enzo was not factored into those four votes since he said he was leaning toward supporting me but I had to still shine brightly to him after hearing of the reports from the others.
My father sighed, “I think we should probably get back to the topic of what I found in the documents. This last bit of news is not something that we should put off.” Lucien nodded and placed his silverware down again, “Just as well, I am finished with my food though I suspect our furry friend down there was the first to finish eating. You’re a little speed demon, aren’t you Sebastian?” The black dog looked up from his laying down position and smiled up at him bearing all his pearly white teeth and made a bark that sounded like he was too lazy to open his mouth. He laid his head back down again with a grumble that indicated he did not want to be disturbed again. Lucien chuckled at the reaction of the dog, “He’s a good lad but I imagine he has more character than just this lazing about bit he’s doing.” I nodded, “I often say though that he’s more like a cat.” Lucien smiled at me, “I will have to get to know him better later on then. Now, Reggie, tell me what it is that has you so worried.” My father looked at me assessing whether I could take the news, drew in a deep breath, and spoke, “Well, it is about the undead assassin. Based on the documents pulled from House Kastilidan, he is human and one we know quite well.”
