CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The stern man looked worse than stern. His pose was stiff as rosewood. What more could he give, did he have to slaughter his kin with his own hands to keep her? He saw himself a man of repute, he didn't renege promises. He didn't revoke vows. He had sworn to protect the girl till she was no more or perhaps him no more. One and nine decades after his wife's departure, he still felt bond to that deathbed vow. He still saw the child as alive and that made him responsible.
"Do you rethink this? " the Governess asked with a frown
'Far from it. I only think how well you are manipulative" he spat disrespectfully
"I see" she replied with a smile. One that held promise and the stern man was familiar with.
"All you need is to offer him this one advice, which if you do quite well will be the last. Then I'll leave her to you. I keep to my words" Tue princess said
"What if they fail and are all slain? " he asked
"Oh they won't. Do not underestimate your enemy" The governess said with a smirk
"I shall leave now" he said
"At the end of this task. You'll gain so much. Be patient and loyal I beg thee" the female said as the older man strode out.
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"But I see no colors" Selene said with a smile playing on her lips
"Mother used to say we make our rainbow in our hearts " Edgar replied
Selene's laugh was resounding, her he'd thrown back wildly.
She lifted her gaze to the Lord to see him with a slight frown.
Had she offended him?
Selene opened her mouth to ask just as the Lord stood up briskly and left. Muttering
"I have to speak with my men"
Looking like a lizard, Selene shut her mouth again.
She had almost forgotten the Lord was not far from insane, how else could he be so quick at unreasonable provocation.
Selene felt her fork drop effortlessly. Great, she has lost appetite as well.
With an annoyed huff, Selene marched from the dinning room also.
**********
"And of what grounds do you lay these suspicions?" Edgar asked hopefully
" Their territory has the greatest walkers in all Empires, surely that can also not be coincidence" the armoured man spoke
"Those graying idiots need prove that the sun will set even if they damn well know it will. They will never agree that as prove. It's a plague, any region could get raked" Edgar said, offended any of his men could not think of the council saying this.
"we wait. Patience is a virtue no doubt. It has worked severally. A walker with the Kiro was enough prove to let him war, settle his scores with Helsing and get dine with.
The cat and rat game was beginning to tire him.
Edgar turned to the maps spread out disrespectfully on the large table of the throne room.
"Show this to the scribe, he knows best which route will suit your journey. Send one more troop in, one more and we've had it" Edgar barked at the weary uniformed men.
"The scribe will look to the maps then " the head warrior said with a suppressed yawn
"A day. I give it all a day. The next sunrise and you're acting. I've lost enough already. No more nuisance " Edgar said, the tired looks of the men bothering him very little.
He needed to act. He had waited long enough. His first woman, his mother and there came....
The air in the room changed.
His murmuring guards went totally quiet.
Edgar turned to the doorway and there stood the child. Her hair a wild mess atop her head, he could not remember it being so massive. Her feet were bare and so was her long shapely legs. The lilac dress could barely cover what it was meant to.
"Evening Lady Selene " the head guard said with a slight bow.
Edgar turned to stare at the man, what was that sheepish look. Was he divorced now?
"Dismissed" Edgar said, not minding the poor jealousy picture he showed.
His guards all bowed and strolled not too slowly out.
"If you seek a warm body it should be outside my warriors. We need no distractions" Edgar said as he folded the last yellowing map into its shelve by his left.
"I wanted company" Selene said.
"Go to your mattress child " Edgar said dismissively
"I'm not a child" she spat with a deep frown
"You act like one" Edgar retorted
"For wanting to talk to someone? " Selene asked
"For seeking cheap attention with this....this... Such" Edgar gestured wildly at her clothing
"I could not sleep" Selene said gently
Edgar turned to her. She was lonely. Perhaps a friend would do her good, she had none. And the baby princess could hardly speak of men and stolen kisses and he had learnt women needed gossips.
"You will go to the town by tomorrow, this may help you more comfortable in Sol. You are in no cage" Edgar said
"I never complained" Selene argued
"How else will you find suitors if you hide away in this quiet manor" he queried. Hoping it sounded nothing like what he thought. He pitied what man will come for the child. He would need an order from his dead father to let any man near the princess. Suitable or unsuitable. He simply didn't know suitable at all. He couldn't begin to think why he disliked the idea of a man with a child he had officially placed on a wedding market but then he had never been good at reasons.
"I can not talk to you? " Selene asked
"Go to bed. You'll socialize tomorrow. My coach will take you wherever you wish. More girls will be at cloth stores and the..."
"You're no man! " Selene blurted
"Would you rather lay with my men? Do you wish to seduce me with flimsy cotton? " Edgar asked
"I was merely too scared to dress, my room was cold and I dreamt of father and that sickly zombie eating him, I was so... "
Edgar pulled a sobbing Selene to his clothed chest.
No doubt she had to feel lonely and burdened with the baby princess's safety.
He wished he could tell her he would secure her, protect her as his own and keep her. But how could he, when a man may as well waltz in here and demand her hand. He would have to bless and send her away.
Selene soft and wielding in a man's hand.
"You are safe in Sol, have you had reason to doubt me?" Edgar asked
"But seeing my father would please me" Selene muttered shakily
"Do not tell me you think I can free your father" Edgar whispered softly
"I know the council has never revoked their detention and judgment" she agreed
"It is my half sister that holds a case against your Sire" Edgar
"I just wish to see you, even a final time" Selene begged
"I will speak to my clerk. You will see him. Guarded of course " Edgar said
"Thank you " she murmured
"Dry those tears. I hate crying women" Edgar said. He could hear the child's chuckle vibrate through him.
"There is not much you like " Selene smiled
"Come, you should sleep " Edgar said and turned to girl to face him
"No... I wish to be with you a while " she replied hopefully
"Come, let us see the garden, books and swords are giving me migraine" Edgar said as he moved with the princess still holding unto him to the window that overlooked the garden. He drew the curtains and held to the child as she spoke of Riverland's weather and barren pigs