ASHA’S POV
Let’s never do that again.
By the time she’s changed into comfortable clothes and thrown herself on the sofa, enjoying a nightcap (or a hundred) with her father, they’re both so exhausted they can barely speak.
I know I’m not very fit, but you’re a Grandmaster, dad.
Giggling at the greatest swordsman on the continent mumbling about how tiring parties are, Asha wonders again at Rayleigh’s cunning response to the troublemakers.
I can’t believe he made Medea look bad.
More importantly, did he plan all of it?
> ”The only person I will ever love is Medea. So cease this foolish behavior.”
“What is it, baby?”
Smiling at her father, who’s propped himself up on one elbow and is making to rise, Asha shakes her head.
“It’s nothing much, daddy.”
Even though she’d intended for him to lie back down, he gets into a sitting position anyway, so she does too.
“This is about Ray’s gift to Medea?”
So you knew he’d sent them too.
A snort, and a cheeky grin. “I know you well enough to know you’d never send that woman anything nice.”
DAD.
She laughs anyway, because he’s right and he really does know her best.
“I think Ana came up with the plan, just in case.” The Crown Princess?
“Her highness and I haven’t really spoken much, though.” Asha had encountered the dignified imperial on only a handful of occasions. “Unless...she did it because she knows the empire can’t lose our family’s support?”
Her father beams brightly, coming over to sit next to her and kiss her temple. “My baby is the smartest in the world!”
Dad...
It’s an obvious conclusion to draw, especially when House Moravia have been loyal protectors of Loredan’s waters for generations - often relying on the Lambergs for additional manpower - but the Winter Count has always praised his daughter for getting even the simplest things right.
“Darling?” Why’s dad’s intuition so sharp right now? Isn’t he supposed to be tired? “Are you wondering why Ray did what he did?”
Oh no. I’m supposed to be acting as though I trust and like Rayleigh enough to marry him despite everything, even though he’s clearly only doing what he’s doing because of my family.
“Uh...” THINK, Asha. “About that...” What do I say? I hate lying to dad, so it’ll have to be a half-truth. “Remember how I told you in the future he goes to such lengths for Medea?” It’s always hard to talk about how the Grand Duke kills them. “So I’m surprised he made things difficult for her today.” I know you love her, Rayleigh, and don’t care at all about what you put anyone through as long as it’s for Medea. If you had a way to seize House Lamberg for yourself without marrying me, you’d do it in a heartbeat.
“Asha.” Did it work? “Do you think I don’t know you agreed to his proposal to protect us?”
WHAT?!
All Asha can do is gape at her father. How did you know?!
“My little angel.” She gets a hug and another light kiss to her forehead. “I know you were feeling pressured that day in the palace, and you decided to accept because you realized that was the only way out of that situation.” I... “I’m sorry I put you through that, my light.”
Why are you sorry, dad? You’re the best thing to ever happen to the world.
She can’t believe how easily she tears up these days.
“My princess.” His fingers are as gentle as ever when he wipes her tears away. “I know you must be wondering why daddy agreed to the engagement long ago, and why I was happy last week when you accepted Ray’s proposal.” That’s true. “I’ve always thought that you and Ray would make a perfect pair.”
“HA?!”
Are you DRUNK?!
The Winter Count is laughing, and Asha wonders if he lost his marbles alongside the Emperor.
“Asha, my dearest.” Another hug and kiss. “Don’t you trust your daddy?”
“Of course.” She’s never once doubted him.
“Then trust me. And your mother.”
Huh? Mom?
When she blinks up at him, he smiles.
“Selena told me, when you were conceived, that you and Ray are soulmates.”
Mom did WHAT?!
“Sweetheart,” his warm hand brushes a stray lock of hair from her face, gently tucking it behind her ear, then he chuckles when it just springs back into position. “Your mother used to help look after Fin and Ray.”
I’d heard about that, but what’s this about soulmates?
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“Soulmates are something some tribes on the Southern Continent believe in, angelface.” He passes her a fresh bottle - they’d long since given up on glasses - and uncorks another for himself. “They believe that each of us has someone out there that the gods - and remember these are tribes outside the Anouar Empire, which believes in only one god - have created just for us: someone who’ll complete us, who’ll make us whole and better than we could ever be without them.”
This is the first I’m hearing of such things.
“I’m not surprised you don’t know, sweetie, it’s something only a few thousand people in the world believe in. Selena learned about it when she wandered the Southern Continent, and she told me when we met.”
Do you believe it too?
His smile is bittersweet, and Asha wants to cry.
“I loved Selena with all my heart, my darling.” She loves the way he strokes her hair. “I stayed a single father all these years for her and for you, the light of my life.” I know, dad. “But for the sake of our clan, I know I’ll have to remarry. I hope you and your mother don’t hate me for that.”
“WHY WOULD I EVER HATE YOU?!” What kind of demon shit are you spouting, dad?!
When the Winter Count chuckles like that, he looks as mischievous as his late wife does in her portrait. “Is that so? Thank you, baby.” Hmph.
“How can you tease me like that, dad?” He aww’s when she pouts, pinching her cheek the way he used to do when she was little. “You know mom and I only want you to be happy.”
Don’t cry.
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
It’s quiet for awhile, before Asha peeks up at her father.
“Hmm?” She loves how he always looks at her like that - like he has all the time in the world for her, adoration all over his face.
“Dad...” Should I? “Um...” Oh well, why not? “Do you have anyone in mind?”
It’s the first time she’s seen her father spit his drink out, and even though she’s patting his back as he coughs while searching for a handkerchief, Asha can’t help laughing at his dumbfounded expression.
“Asha!” Payback, success! “You know daddy’s never looked at another woman that way since your mother passed!”
“Hehe, I know.” Feeling a little bad, she gives him a peck on the cheek. “But this means we need to start looking now.”
Those bright blue eyes turn watery, and then she’s enveloped in a tight hug.
I love dad’s scent.
“My baby is going to help me find someone to marry?”
I’d do anything for you, dad.
“Of course! Let’s look for a new lady of House Lamberg together!” Asha beams up at him, before she decides to be cheeky again. “She’ll need to have a strong body, since I want ten siblings.”
“ASHA LAMBERG!”
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The next day, the newspapers are filled with stories about her gown and jewels, praising Asha for her beauty and composure, her defense of commoners, her unconventional choices that spoke to an independent mind, and she rolls her eyes before tossing the sycophantic publications aside.
I’ll never forget the way all of you painted me as a vicious villainess, assholes.
Messengers continue to arrive from noble houses and merchant companies, bringing gifts ranging from magic stones to jewels to rare fabrics to exotic herbs for her pipe.
Boring.
Her father has given her the best money can buy since birth, and the merchants they support regularly send her unique items from other countries.
Not a single person outside of my House knows what I really like.
It’s obvious why they’re doing this anyway, since she’s officially engaged to Rayleigh and therefore will become Grand Duchess next year. The Emperor is rushing the wedding - another clear indication that this relationship is purely to tie the Lambergs to the empire, since imperial weddings usually require at least a year of preparation - so the ceremony is expected to take place before Asha’s twentieth birthday.
Among the letters flooding the foyer, Monique and other Snowfalls tell her many of them contain not-so-subtle requests to be invited to Asha’s nineteenth birthday party next week.
Pathetic.
Some Houses had sent gifts before the engagement ceremony - those are the ones Asha might consider extending an invitation to - but she can’t be bothered with those who waited only until after the tying of strings to reach out.
Thinking back on that silly custom that she and Rayleigh had been subjected to, Asha can’t help but giggle at the memory of the High Priest having to whisper under his breath to her and the Grand Duke in order to coach them through, since they both kept getting the knots and order of strings wrong.
I used to think he was good at everything, but I guess no one’s that capable.
“My lady.” Truman looks happy. “The Grand Duke is here to see you.”
What’s he scheming now?
No one is shocked or upset that he’s turned up unannounced. According to custom, now that she and Rayleigh each have a set of those symbolic knots - representing the promise of union between their fates and families - they no longer need to ask for permission to see each other.
“Send him in.” Asha doesn’t appreciate the interruption to her quiet time, but she can’t exactly kick the emperor’s nephew out.
“Lady Asha.” Since when were you so polite to me in private? “I apologize for the sudden visit.” Stop wasting my time, then.
“Your highness.” Since Valora and Monique are busy managing the mountain of gifts and letters alongside other knights and servants, while a group of Snowfalls are hard at work preparing for her birthday party, Asha has to serve Rayleigh tea herself.
I used to love doing this for him, but he stopped taking even a sip years ago.
When they’re settled in, she watches from under thick lashes as his gloved hand reaches for the teacup, raising it until it disappears from her sight.
Is he really drinking it?
Even though she’d looked at him several times yesterday, she’s still doing her best not to.
“My lady.” Just spit it out already. “Won’t you look at me?”
You told me you hated it when I did.
“What brings you here, your highness?”
He’s quiet for awhile, before sighing. “I’d ask if you think I need a reason to see my fiancée, but you’d probably misunderstand.”
Of course I will.
“I knew it.”
Oh shit, I said it aloud?
Clamping her mouth shut, Asha stares at her tea, wondering again at her parents’ belief that she and Rayleigh are meant to be.
Speaking of...
“Your highness.” Should I...? “Our contract is over, which means you can’t possibly be here about Lady Medea.” The way his right hand twitches tells her enough. You miss her, don’t you? “What other reason could you possibly have to meet with me?”
Say it. That you need something from my House. I know that’s why you’re here.
“Lady Asha.” His voice is tight, which makes something in her chest twinge, most likely an after effect of the soul contract. “I apologize for the trouble I caused with my gift to Medea.”
You call her ‘Medea’, and call me ‘Lady Asha’.
“It was thoughtless of me, and I promise it won’t happen again.” Like I’ll believe you without a soul contract in place. You may have fooled my dad, but that’s because he likes you, and he has this mistaken belief that you and I will make a good couple.
After a few moments of silence, Rayleigh speaks again in a heavy voice. “Would you like me to swear it on a soul contract?”
You read my mind.
Although...
If he swears it on his soul, then the only reason why he’d keep his word and not reach out to Medea again is because his life would be forfeit if he does.
It’s not like I think he’ll ever stop loving Medea, he made it clear so many times before it’s seared into my brain. I just...
Sighing, Asha takes a sip of tea to buy herself time.
I know he’s marrying me for the sake of the empire, just like I said yes to protect my family. I’m tired of all this sacrificing, all this forcing ourselves to do things we don’t actually want to.
“Lady Asha?”
How do I frame it?
“There’s no need for that, your highness.” Even if we swore on a thousand contracts, I’ll always know that you don’t actually want a relationship with me. It’s clear as day that you’re just going through the motions in order to make sure the Lambergs remain close to the imperial family. “I’ve had enough of soul contracts to last a lifetime.”
“...I see.” Why does he sound so weird? “In that case, is there a way I can make up for my mistake?”
Huh? I thought he’d consider us even after the way he stepped in yesterday.
What are you scheming, Rayleigh Loredan?
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MOONRISE BY LUNASEA: CHAPTER 12 END