His First Impression and Her Letter
I had just walked out to the edge of Blackwood to find my carriage before I took off the nifty little pin that Vanessa gave me. My appearance took time to revert back to my old, er, young self. I hadn’t had time to think about the meeting I had just had with Alexandra. She definitely wasn’t what I was expecting considering her guarded nature when I met her as the Headmaster. For some reason, I had the feeling that she never opened up to others like that before. This gate keeper appearance seemed to have put her at ease. I would have to reward Vanessa for this one even though her only payment that she wanted was the assurance of not hurting Alexandra. I no longer feel that those were equal terms, I turned to my driver, “Please keep waiting for me here, I am visiting Vanessa.”
I placed the pin back on my robe and waited for the tingle that told me the magic took hold. I figure it would be best to keep myself hidden in case Alexandra was around. I wasn’t allowed to meet her really, it being against ceremony that the Elder Counsel had been guarding for a very long time. This was the next best thing to meeting her without their disapproval, after all, could they honestly prove that I was at the Blackwood Manor. I came to a small cottage to the east of the manor and knocked on the door. Vanessa called from inside, “I swear if this is Reggie coming without notice, I’m going to kick you in your shins.” She pulled the door opened angrily and widened her eyes at the sight of me. She stepped aside to let me in. She then offered me a seat at a small table in front of her fireplace and sat in front of me, “You know you can take that off Your Majesty.” I pulled the pin off and placed it on the table, “Well done Vanessa but I don’t feel like my payment for this item is very fair. I would like to give you a reward monetarily. Name your price.” Vanessa tapped the table, “Did something happen with Alexandra that changed the terms of our agreement? Are you going to renege on the agreement thus far?” I shook my head, “Absolutely not! I just feel like this tool was far more effective than I was expecting. She was at ease when I was in this form and was able to tell me about her true thoughts on what she wants out her time at the university.”
Vanessa’s eyes widened, “She…she opened up to you right away?” This news seemed to shock her, and I knew that her behaving in such a way was rather a one off. I nodded, “Yes, she told me her apprehension of becoming a Royal Scribe despite the fact that her life’s ambition is to support this kingdom and myself as king. I wanted to put her mind at ease, but she knows the reality of the situation she finds herself in. I cannot in good conscience lie to her like that.” Vanessa narrowed her eyes at me and cocked an eyebrow. I knew what she was thinking, “It’s not the same, I am merely disguising myself to get a feel for her as a person and I fully intend on being honest to her about it later on. She might get mad given what she told me though.” Vanessa nodded, “True but she may just forgive you if you explain to her the rules on meeting her. You’ll find she’s pretty understanding. Does her opinion matter to you?” I rubbed my chin, “Yes, I suppose it does after meeting her alone in an environment less imposing. She also gave the gate keeper a letter to hand to the King.”
I pulled the letter I had tucked away in my sleeve and held it up to Vanessa like a treasure that I had won. Vanessa widened her eyes, “She wrote to you, did she? It seems you have her interest at the very least. Do you think she may be a viable candidate?” I inhaled sharply through my nose, I hated people bringing up eligible bachelorettes from the great families, especially to prop up their chosen candidate. I rubbed the left side of my face in exasperation, “Vanessa. Don’t.” She merely smiled and said, “I was just messing with you, I know you hate that. Besides, I very much doubt the little rose is interested in the throne. If she was interested in anything about your situation, it may be for you solely.” She winked at me with a playful smile on her face like she was a cat that caught her prey and was toying with it. Vanessa often had such expressions, it’s probably why Talon often called her kitten.
Still for her to say that Alexandra would only be interested in me, it made me feel so much better about knowing her. The women and their families always saw an unmarried royal that is of age as their ticket to power. Rarely was marriage ever about love amongst nobility and royalty, I had to distinct honor of being able to choose for myself. The country did not need to pawn me off and no political alliance would need to be made so long as I had the backing of the Houses of Batiste and Chalshin. Luckily for me, House Chalshin only had sons so they would never be insulted about not choosing from their house. They were ecstatic when they found out I put The Chalshin on special detail for House Batiste. If any dukedom in all of the kingdom had the most power, it was Batiste. While Mesha did boast two sons of royalty, the bloodline there was not nearly as strong and to pyrio families that was important. Chalshin and Befent dukedoms were lycan, so they didn’t really care about bloodlines as long as they continued. They often produced half-breed pups as their heirs. Still all ladies of age were eligible to take my side on the throne. House Batiste was the only house in the dukedom that had a daughter. Obviously, Mesha boasted two sons, Chelshin boasted 5 sons and Befent, despite being lycan, only boasted one son. Gossip said that Christian Befent was a bit of loner and recluse, he too would attend the university this year. Thankfully Blake had already finished his studies three years ago so I wouldn’t be dealing with the nightmare of having The Batiste, The Chalshin, the Duke of Mesha and The Befent all under the same university.
I cleared my throat, “Well, you never named your price.” I gave her a pointed look daring her to defy me. This was my official King intimidation face. She shifted nervously in her seat and looked around, “I would like some materials if you don’t mind. I used the last of my silver for your pin so I think some of that, I will leave it up to you how much. Also, if it isn’t too much platinum a small amount maybe two nuggets and…” Her list stopped there, and she gave me a look that told me she was unsure if she could ask, I was pretty sure what she wanted. I stared back at her, “Ask.” She leaned forward not breaking eye contact, “Tarny crystal, you can determine how much.” I closed my eyes; this request would need justification because the crystal was controlled by the Elder Counsel along with myself. I knew this request would be hard unless she told me it’s purpose. I opened my eyes, and she was giving me a doe eyed look, “You understand I will have to provide justification. You know the bureaucratic types; they need paperwork and reasons.” She nodded, “I need the Tarny crystal to craft a magical item for The Batiste, I want to provide an added layer of protection for her while she is here. We don’t know what threat Blake and the purists will pose on her.” I rose a bit furious, “You are aware I have already provided protection for her! How dare you question my actions!” I didn’t want anyone to think I wasn’t doing my due diligence when it came to protecting the one who was destined to save Vellum.
Vanessa shrunk in her seat, “I’m not questioning you Your Majesty. It is merely for my own peace of mind and to bolster defenses. The only ones will know about this are you, me, and the counsel. If I had it my way, they would be by passed so it was just between us. I just want to be sure that even if The Chalshin is not around, she will be protected despite that. We can’t predict the future, only She can.” I sat down having calmed down, “Now that you mention Her, I think there may be a way to be vague to the counsel with Her help.” My meaning caught on to her and she gave me a conspiratorial smile. I rose from my seat, put the pin on and headed to the door. She curtsied to me, and I nodded at her, “Please excuse me, I am supposed to meet with Reggie soon and I would love to read the letter from Alexandra sooner.” She smiled, “Understandable Your Majesty. Safe journey.”
On my way to the castle I pulled the letter out to read it on the journey, opened and read: “Dear Your Majesty,” I chuckled at the start of this letter, she definitely had a way of lightening up a situation. I continued to read: “Did I address that right? I hope so, I’m a little nervous writing to you but you seem like a good person, so I sincerely hope you won’t judge my style. I was raised differently from the nobility of Vellum so I may not have the decorum of the others. I would like to thank you for your warm welcome to Vellum and I forgive you for being absent. I’m sure your presence would have made my mother that much more on my case about acting proper. She’s scary when she’s mad, I don’t know if you’ve ever had that honor. I also appreciate the tips though I’ve already been on the defensive against the Marquis Maigny earlier tonight at my mother’s party.” I furrowed my brow; I didn’t like that she had already been made a target of ridicule due to both her position in society and her chosen path. I was happy to see that she was happy to write me that night after having received the letter.
The letter continued, “Not to worry, if you are, my grandfather was quick to step in for me. I think he may have ruined any sort of relationship that family had with ours. Is that significant? My family won’t tell me, I’ve been told not to worry about it with a vague attitude. Knowing them the way I do, I get the feeling they are guarding my feelings which I haven’t told anyone before, I hate it. Please be honest with me in my questions. I realize that is a lot to ask from a Duchess-in-training to her sovereign, but my grandfather assures me you are far humbler than my view of what a King really is. He says I read too many novels that would skew my perception of the world. I will end my letter here, but I would also like to keep writing you. Respectfully, Alexandra.” I smiled, folded the letter, and tucked it into my sleeve. I felt secure in my belief that I would continue a strong relationship with the House of Batiste. I also smiled because she was indeed intriguing, and I felt a strong desire to get to know her more.
