Lady Edusa takes her time to think, choosing to set aside the implications behind King Cenwalh's smoldering gaze to rethink her request according to the large man's attitude.
She cannot help the hesitation that creeps on her, both on dealing with Cenwalh and about the affirmation she just made on her mother's treachery. The King should be open to her offer, the problem is that he will have expectations out of their faction afterward, expectations Lady Lance will have to deal with.
The doubt doesn't shake her determination. Margaret, Henry, and Edusa have agreed that this might not be the best way to help their liege but it is the most time sensitive option they have available to them since there is no time to go to Hetlan with the Rykz advancing so quickly.
She has a few other uncertainties. The lesser one is that Henry was the one to find the chest because she could not go and risk being recognized, it doesn't worry her much. What unsettles her is that she most definitely lied about Duchess Hetlan's intentions.
Edusa knows that her mother is most certainly not planning to pit her army against the King's. If she was, she wouldn't have taken the Royal Forge contract from Cenwalh's house as she could have awarded it to her own house once she took the crown.
The lie isn't wholly false, Duchess Hetlan is definitely lying about the output of her mines and the number of people living in Hetlan to pay less in taxes but Edusa knows that she has been for decades, long before she ever eyed the crown.
Lady Edusa's face reveals none of her inner turmoil, she has grown in her ability to control her traits from observing her much-admired liege's iron will. She only wishes that her Lady wasn't so obsessed with Elizabeth Vil or that Jessica she keeps hearing of.
“My King.” Edusa speaks up.
She is giving herself little choice but to focus on the present and press onward. Whatever her mother's plan is, Edusa will shatter it before the pieces are in place.
“Speak.” Cenwalh orders.
“I humbly request to replace my mother at the head of our house.” Edusa says, pinching her lips.
“And what would you make of her?” The King asks.
Edusa freezes, she hadn't expected the question. She furiously asks herself why would he ask her, he is the King. She concludes that it is a test, a way to probe whether she can be levelheaded or not in her revenge.
“Exile for her, and my siblings.” Edusa replies quickly, without letting the silence drag on so that he does not think her unable to think on her feet.
Cenwalh suddenly closes the distance between them. Edusa tenses. He seizes her chin and makes her lift her head. His black eyes locking onto her dark greens, his unkempt beard undermines much of the man's usual majesty.
Edusa faces him without fear but her apprehension about the King's invasion of her personal space makes her shiver a little under his gaze. She can sense his interest and regrets not mentioning that her exile was also caused by her preference for women as it would have spared her the King's advances.
She knows that Duchess Hetlan kept the event in which she was caught kissing a girl secret. Revealing herself would have come with a price, the man is notorious for refusing to speak to known gay men and has been curt without cause to lesbian women.
“Her alone. An eye for an eye.” Cenwalh nods. “There is justification enough if it turns out to be true that Duchess Hetlan has hidden weapons that could be of immediate use. Proving that she has lied about the taxes she owes the Kingdom would take a while longer and the Court would not allow me to pull an entire house apart for the titled head's crime.”
King Cenwalh releases her chin and Edusa cannot help but to discreetly sigh in relief. She feels that her nerves are on edge, something she's only felt while battling Elizabeth Vil as most opponents do not present her with a proper challenge.
Lady Lance is more skillful but sparring with her Lady, using words or steel, makes Edusa's heart beat in a very different manner. She notices that Cenwalh's expression turns slightly more confident and berates herself for blushing at the worst moment, for giving ideas to this tyrant.
“What of Countess Lance, what part does she have in this?” Cenwalh asks.
“I swear that she does not know of the Duchess' betrayal or of this request, my King.” Edusa replies cunningly, yet the King seems disappointed by her answer.
“Does she not want Meria's title?” He questions.
“I...” Edusa pauses, taken by surprise. “I believe she does, but are you not angry about the Council?”
“Ruling bourgeoisie?” The King scoffs. “A quaint idea, useful in its appeal to the population and as a provocation to uproot her enemies, I have no doubt.”
Lady Edusa keeps her silence. She knows that her liege desires to take advantage of the war to expand her influence and, as such, she cannot speak of her liege's intentions.
And her liege Lady Lance shall remain, Edusa reaffirms within the confines of her mind, regardless of whether Leomi Lance is above or bellow her in title, until Nobility itself is destroyed as an institution.
What she hadn't expected was for the King not to take them seriously. No, she had predicted that he wouldn't have their measure but not that he would wave the Council aside like the idea didn't threaten to overturn the order of things.
Edusa takes the time to think and Cenwalh gives it to her, she knows that he is leering at her and, while it bothers her, she can bear with it. She absent-mindedly notices that the King wears no sword, retaining that detail for the future, in case the worst case scenario occurs and there is a need to assassinate the man.
She ponders whether it is simply that the King has had no time to look to the future, beyond the Rykz invasion, or that his assessment of the Council is misguided.
Edusa takes the fact that he spoke of the Council as a way for Countess Lance to control the population under Rykz occupation, and the fact that he mentioned Meria's title, to conclude that the King thinks Lady Lance will disband the Council when she gets the title of Duchess.
She does not lower her guard as she knows that the rest of the Court isn't likely to have such arrogant belief in Nobility's standing because they live close to the population so many know of the danger that those they rule can pose.
What worries Edusa the most is that the King has such up to date intelligence on Izla Meria. Spies, she expected, but that they would so easily slip past the Rykz' vigilance, she did not.
She recalls the pheromones and concludes that the King likely has a supply, given to his agents with orders to avoid the Princesses, which shouldn't be too difficult considering they have been less and less present in and around Meria before Edusa left, those Princesses are likely only a few days south of her at this very moment.
“You are wise, my King. I had not realized the breadth of implications behind Countess Lance's Council.” Edusa says with a shallow smile.
“A given for we who rule Caeviel.” He laughs, taking the flattery at face value. “You'll join us for dinner, Lady Edusa, and tomorrow we shall make you a Duchess.” King Cenwalh declares.
Edusa is both overjoyed that her play is working and anxious to have dinner with the King when she should be getting back to those who followed her here. She also suspects that they'll be alone since there is no time to organize a banquet and the King's consort, his wife, manages the Cenwalh house's lands and as such isn't here. Edusa makes a graceful curtsy.
“Yes, my King.” Edusa says, without letting even a hint of her unwillingness show.
--- --- ---
Edusa lets Richard, the King's old chamberlain, guide her through the motions leading up to dinner. He explains to her the protocols involved such as bowing before she sits, only taking a gulp of wine after the King has and never more than he does.
The fact that formalities will be observed reassures her. The servant takes her inside a mid-sized tent with a bathtub, soap, and silk towels, leaving her there. She takes her clothes off, her guard lowered while she enjoys the bath after days of traveling across the sea and then land.
She washes the dust off her body, cleansing her clear skin. Thinking that one day, Lady Lance be free to look on her with more than camaraderie. She closes her eyes to soak in the warm water.
As she relaxes, a manservant walks in, asking if she needs anything. Edusa, used to having people to take care of her as she grew up, thinks little of it and sends him away with a slight wave of her hand.
Edusa regrets her lack of foresight when she gets out of the tub as she finds, in place of her clothes, a black form-fitting dress with an outrageous cleavage and no underwear to go with. She grits her teeth, knowing what's going on but without any option to truly fight it without destroying her plan.
She almost lets herself believe that this is a worst-case scenario, that she should take a knife and kill the King, but there is very little hope of that working as she is completely unprepared and without support.
Richard opens the tent's flap as soon as she calls him once fully dressed, bowing with his hand extended out to show her the way. Edusa estimates her options, refusing to resign herself... yet.
She immediately strikes out revealing her preference for women as that may horrendously backfire. He will learn of it later, she has no doubt as it is not a secret she kept on Izla Meria.
Still, telling the King now is likely to break the deal they made as he could turn to one of her siblings even if it is risky and harder to convince them since they aren't desperate. Not to mention that the man will think less of her, which might encourage him further.
“Over here, Lady Edusa.” The servant guides her. “King Cenwalh will be a few moments.”
They enter a section of the tent with a huge bed that has tall bedposts and curtains surrounding it in the back. The furniture is adorned by delicate gold engravings, Cenwalh's golden crown crest embellishes even the chairs' glittering white wood. The table is set with porcelain plates and silverware.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
With a sinking stomach, Edusa infers that these are the King's personal quarters. She awaits for Cenwalh to arrive, furiously thinking. She even considers breaking off and directly going to her mother to tell her that Cenwalh is coming for her before the King can make a move.
She pushes that idea aside because, at the very least, Duchess Hetlan will close ranks and that would weaken Caeviel's defenses to the Rykz' advantage. The worst would be for the Duchess to entirely retreat.
Edusa now fully regrets making a stop here to asses the political situation, realizing that she underestimated the Court's, or the King's, depravity by a wide margin.
She knew that courtesans, both male and female, take negotiations to bed if that is what is required to but never had she expected to be strong-armed into it, and she doesn't doubt that it is exactly what Cenwalh is aiming to do.
When the King arrives, she turns and sets a knee to the ground. She feels off-balance and does not have a concrete plan but has the resolve to avoid the fate he is drawing out for her.
He signals her to stand with a wave of his left hand, looking slightly dissatisfied. The formalities that reassured her earlier, and made her lower her guard, are now grating on her and she does not want to participate in the masquerade.
“My King, are we to speak privately?” She asks, standing up.
“We are.” He nods.
His mood, evidently soured by the fact she knelt, soars as his eyes wander down to gaze at her full bust. Edusa places her right hand on her chest, over the brazen cleavage, to give the appearance of speaking from her heart but mostly to conceal her attributes.
“I hope you will forgive me if I do not stand on protocol but, I am not truly here to dinner with you, my King, am I?” She asks rhetorically.
Cenwalh is visibly taken aback by her direct words and tone. Edusa takes it as another sign that he expected her to behave like other Ladies have. He frowns and imperiously points Edusa to her seat.
“We are here to more intimately discuss your future, Lady Edusa.” He declares. “Breaches of protocol are encouraged.”
“So, not truly to have a pleasant dinner with you, that is regretful, my King.” Edusa stands her ground, vaguely implying her displeasure for any other activity and unconsciously raising her chin in defiance.
“You'll look favorably on what we have to offer, Lady Edusa.” Cenwalh replies confidently. “Of course, you will have to make concessions.”
“Of what kind, my King?” Edusa questions.
“Now, now, let us take a seat at the table before we engage in serious discussion.” The King says, moving past her to pull her chair.
The courtesy is not one Edusa can refuse, not from her King regardless of how forgiving of her bluntness he can be at the moment. And so she takes tiny steps to avoid revealing her ankles as she approaches the table.
She leans down as the King slides the chair under her. Cenwalh, however, does not move away. He stands behind her and places his rough hand on her shoulder. Edusa bites the inside of her cheek, furious that she had no other option but to yield on this.
“The contract to supply the Kingdom's standing army that your mother deceitfully took from my house will have to be rescinded, obviously.” He tells her, rubbing the back of her shoulder with his thumb.
Edusa shivers in distaste at the unwelcome touch, she defensively adjusting her dress. Yet, she holds fast as she had expected to have to give the contract up so it is insufficient leverage to move her.
Contracts are taken as solemn oaths, unilaterally breaking it would cost Cenwalh more political capital than he can spare. It was predictable that he would pressure her into rescinding it from her end. Doing so isn't honorable but little of what Nobility does is.
“Of course, my King.” Edusa agrees, unmoved.
“You'll be on shaky grounds. Siblings to worry about. Don't hesitate to ask for my support right now, Lady Edusa.” Cenwalh tells her.
Edusa thinks that the King has gall to say that after refusing to exile them at her request, especially since what he expects in return is once more obvious to her. The King's aim is likely to remain the same for the entirety of their discussion and she fears that these offers will grow harder and harder to agree to.
“I will remember that, my King, if I need you to tip the scales.” Edusa replies.
Cenwalh exhales loudly, making a small grunting sound. His rugged hand suddenly ventures under her dress, he takes hold of her right breast with no hesitation. Edusa gasps in surprise. She clenches her fingers on her lap, gripping at her dress as she controls herself.
“You drive a hard bargain, Lady Edusa.” Cenwalh groans.
“I do not understand what you mean, my King. What am I bargaining with?” Edusa asks with a slight, almost unnoticeable, tremble to her voice, one risen from anger.
“Do not play coy with me, young Lady.” He utters impatiently. “We wish to bed you.”
The admission is like a weight off Edusa's shoulders, it means that he does not intend to have his way with her against her will... for now. She almost releases her hold on the cloth but changes her mind, finding it unwise to relax in any way.
“I do not think it would be appropriate, my King.” Edusa replies with more calm than she feels inside.
“Ha.” Cenwalh scoffs.
Edusa feels the King's hand caress her full breast, attempting to arouse her or simply to satisfy his own desire. She focuses on their business, Cenwalh's lack of boundaries is dangerous, she feels that it would be unwise to stand up and confront the Noble.
“Some of my allies have lands, taken from them merely a century or two ago by your house.” Cenwalh says.
“Which, my King?” Edusa asks.
The King pinches her nipple and gives a long list, some of what he is demanding had always belonged to the Duchy of Hetlan but he claims they belong to one of his allies who held the title a hundred and fifty years ago. Calling that claim flimsy would be an overstatement.
“Those will, of course, be returned to their rightful owners.” Edusa declares with little hesitation.
She knows that the King is gouging out the Duchy, weakening it so much that the best she'll be able to achieve as Duchess is stagnation for as long as the man's house rules. That is, Edusa thinks, if I weren't planning to reform the Duchy from top to bottom, starting with increasing the soldiers' wages to secure their loyalty.
Edusa has trouble thinking clearly with the man's unwelcome paw on her bosom, but her fury is tempered by the danger she is in and the fact that she is clinging to carefully thought out plans for Hetlan, plans that she laid out with Countess Lance during wonderful evenings.
“Half your mining proceeds as well.” Cenwalh adds.
Edusa buckles as the demand is beyond greedy. The King takes advantage of that to slip the strap of her belt off her shoulder, revealing the breast he has one-sidedly fondled without care for her feelings.
She jumps up and pulls away from the man's grip with a warrior's reflexes, the King cannot follow but he doesn't seem to care as his eyes are locked on her, appreciating her disheveled state, his desire plain to see.
“That's preposterous! I refuse!” Edusa utters, failing to conceal her anger.
“That is what we require to bestow you with the title of Duchess, Lady Edusa.” Cenwalh declares. He then waves his hand at the bed. “Of course, you can always conciliate our differences.”
Edusa takes the opportunity to fix her appearance. The King allows, appearing confident. Edusa isn't surprised as she thinks that the man has the upper hand, he has little to lose by doing this and much to gain whether she refuses to sleep with him or agrees.
“I need a moment, my King.” She says.
“Sit down and take all the time you need to think it through.” Cenwalh orders imperiously.
“I will but I find it distracting to be seated as I do.” Edusa replies, starting to pace so that Cenwalh cannot contest her.
The King ponders for a moment and then makes his way to the other chair, taking a seat and pouring himself a glass of wine. Edusa's left fist is closed so tightly her veins are bulging out on the back of her hand.
Edusa tries to puts things into perspective but finds that the two options the King gave her are both unacceptable. She clings to her liege's words as they parted ways to give her courage.
'Beware of the price you pay for ambition or duty. You will find the cost above your inexperienced expectations.'
“I will lead you to the proof of Mother's betrayal, as is a subject's duty. I require no reward.” Edusa says the word with a pain in her chest.
It tears at her to fail her liege so, but she hopes that Lady Lance will not hold the failure against her considering the circumstances. Cenwalh freezes with his cup of wine half-way up his lips. He did not expect that this young Lady, out for revenge, would refuse a King.
Edusa pays little attention to him, she is already thinking about heading north, to turn back to the plan she hatched with Lance. A path made much more difficult since this maneuver will no doubt expose her to her siblings who will soon be looking for her.
“Are you certain, Lady Edusa?” Cenwalh presses.
“Quite.” Edusa answers shortly, taken out of deep thoughts. She immediately realizes that she lacked in manners and corrects course. “I cannot agree to those offers, my King. Not unless we draw a more substantial tie between ourselves, which you cannot as you are already married, my King. I am sure you will understand as your Faith in the Lake is renowned, some of us strongly believe that one's first time has a sacred meaning. I am one of those.”
Edusa surprises herself with how glibly she speaks. She recalled, in the middle of her tirade, that the King is a fervent believer and decided to lean on it to save herself.
It suddenly made more sense to her as to why the King would not force himself on her. The fact that he would have made an enemy by doing that resonates weakly weak considering Cenwalh was prepared to utterly gut Hetlan's resources which would have made Edusa an opponent at Court.
No, the reason he does not is more selfish than that. Rape is one of the biggest taboos a believer of the Fiery Lake can commit, it is also anathema to those who see lesbians and gays as reprehensible as their argument is that the act of reproduction is a sacred thing that cannot be done through violence.
“A romantic if impractical view.” Cenwalh notes. “I cannot honestly hold that against you.”
“Thank you, my King.” Edusa mutters, relieved but not meaning a word she just said.
With some space to breathe, Edusa thinks herself utterly foolish for not considering that she could ever be a target of the same kinds of actions her siblings took against peasants, the very moral corruption that had turned her away from Nobility when she struggled with herself.
“Take your seat. You shall have dinner with us and settle on an agreement.” Cenwalh tells her.
“You still wish for me to hold the title, my King?” Edusa asks, surprised.
“Of course, someone of your fiber will be a welcome addition to the Court.” Cenwalh declares. “We will set the other question aside until you have a suitable consort.” He adds.
Edusa shivers as she realizes she was too quick to be relieved. The King has not set aside his pursuit of her, simply delayed it. It matters not, she decides, she can delay getting married to produce an heir indefinitely considering how many siblings she has and the fact that she'll either die or Nobility won't last long enough for them to inherit.
The thought of her brothers and sisters along with the negotiation that follows makes Edusa think that her worth in the King's eyes lies in how much he can extort out of the Hetlan Duchy which is above what her siblings would ever give away.
Edusa ends up giving away much, truly gouging the domain she is, in a way, stealing from her house. It does not mean much to her as what she gives away are holdings of vassals who wouldn't be loyal to her and land that does not hold many peasants but has many resources.
Not to mention that she plans to establish her own Council, she is accounting for losses on the short-term but expects a boost as her subjects grow personally involved in their homeland's well-being.
Edusa and Cenwalh both part rather satisfied. Edusa because she has obtained a foothold for her liege whether the war continues or ends, one at the opposite of the Izla comparatively to Meiridin which can be a military advantage if they plan accordingly.