ASHA’S POV
I suppose I understand his behavior thus far, but none of what he said explains why he killed dad and I.
Sighing, Asha takes another long drag of her pipe.
Was he even telling the truth earlier? Or did he come up with that story to try and win me over, so I won’t try to run?
It’s too much to think about, but she forces herself to because the lives of her loved ones are at stake.
The Ferdinand family. I’ve heard of them - they’re supposed to be famous diplomats, and they rarely return to the empire for long before they’re sent out on yet another mission. Has it been three years already since the last time they were on the Northern Continent?
I don’t think I’ve met them before. Even before I died, I don’t remember greeting anyone with that name.
To be fair, in her previous life, her birthday parties had been lavish affairs with hundreds of guests. Plus, from her nineteenth year onwards, Asha had been preoccupied with putting Medea down while chasing after Rayleigh, which meant she barely paid attention to others at the balls she attended.
If he meant what he said, then he was being an imperialist idiot. I’m a northerner - we aren’t like the rest of the empire’s citizens. Just because my dad matured far too quickly due to the war, and the Snowfalls and Winterblades know how to imitate the behaviors of imperial servants and knights, doesn’t change the fact that we’re different from other people, except the Saharans.
And about that…I know he’s not close to his mother’s side of the family at all, and as a member of the imperial family he’s been raised to meet the highest standards in Loredan. I suppose he thinks himself purely a Grand Duke of the empire and not someone tied to the guardians by blood, especially since he’s never once set foot on the Southern Continent or met anyone from his mother’s family. He probably doesn’t even remember the woman who birthed him, since she died when he was so little.
But if he was lying, I need to be on guard. The Crown Princess is intelligent, wise, and cunning, so she could have told him what to say in order to sway me to their side.
Sighing again, Asha empties her second bottle of wine. While it’s still hours before dinner, no one had tried to stop her from imbibing so early in the day.
Anyway, it’s not like I’ll get drunk off so little alcohol. Guardians have higher tolerance.
That thought just reminds her of the conversation this morning with Rayleigh.
Why did you kill dad and I, if you claim you only disliked me behaving like a child?
Her father had told her that the transgression which had caused her arrest was too mild for such a result, especially given her standing, which meant something else had been a factor in Rayleigh’s decision.
I need to know, so I can prepare.
When she feels that familiar aura, Asha smiles.
A burden shared is a burden halved.
Rising to her feet, she rushes out the door.
“Dad!”
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CALLAN LAMBERG’S POV
“My baby!” He knows many would call him biased, but Callan Lamberg truly believes he has the cutest, sweetest, smartest, prettiest daughter in the world. “Did you miss daddy this much, angel?”
Light of my life.
When she beams up at him like that, he’d set the world on fire to keep her warm.
You’re the last of my family, and the last trace of Selena in this world. I wish you never have to grow up and leave the safety of the nest, but I’m so proud when I see you soar, my darling.
Picking her up easily - because Asha is still a child by clan standards, has always been on the small side, and had a terrifying habit of tripping over her own feet when she’d been younger - he carries her back to the drawing room she’d dashed out of.
Frowning when he sees the bottles, Callan asks: “Did Ray upset you today?”
Why is she so cute?
Asha is blinking up at him, seemingly surprised he’d already heard despite only just returning to the manor, and Callan can’t help kissing her forehead.
My angel, don’t you know that you’re the most important person in the world to me? What kind of father would I be if I didn’t keep you safe and loved forever?
“No, daddy. Not really.”
’Not really’?
Clenching his jaw, he cradles his baby girl tighter.
“Tell daddy what happened.”
I’ll never let you suffer, Asha. Not even if it means damning my soul to a thousand hells.
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ASHA’S POV
“I see. So Ray was unable to escape his prejudice as an imperial, and judged you unfairly. You were right to call him out on that and his double standards, darling.”
Dad...you always take my side.
“I understand why you’re concerned, sweetheart. If he truly was unhappy only because of that, then his actions later on are a little too extreme.”
That’s putting it mildly, daddy.
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Her father looks pensive for a moment, before he speaks again. “What if we’re all being prejudiced?”
Huh?
“D...dad?”
Immediately he rushes to reassure her. “My baby, daddy believes you and I’m always on your side. If you ever doubt my love for you, then it’s my fault for not being good enough.” Dad... “What I meant was: you and I are trying to find a reason for Ray’s and Aaron’s behaviors with what we know. But remember what you said to Aasi at the council?”
Oh...that part about not believing in something just because he’d never seen it before.
“That’s right, sweetheart.” Asha loves these forehead kisses and back pats. “What if, just like those weapons, there are other factors that could have made the imperial family turn against us to that extent?”
“You mean...like brainwashing or mind control?” She’d considered it briefly, but had thrown the ideas out because they’d been too ludicrous to be taken seriously.
Dad’s right, though. Just as new physical weapons have been used against the empire, what if there’s a new magic weapon we’ve never seen before? Or a new potion, maybe even some behind-the-scenes occurrence I hadn’t noticed?
“Asha.” She doesn’t like that troubled look on his face. “I’m sorry to ask, but I need you to remember in detail. In the lead up to the execution, do you recall the imperial family behaving any differently? Maybe wearing new accessories, or having new faces around them?”
I...
It’s painful to think back to those days, but if it’ll give them even the slightest clue, then...
“I’ll try.”
Closing her eyes and leaning against her father’s strong shoulder, Asha forces back the nausea and focuses on the miserable days that preceded a ghastly end.
New faces....there are a few, but it’s to be expected because it’s in the future.
New accessories...I can’t be sure, since they’re Imperials which means they have large vaults and are always buying new things.
THINK, Asha. Maybe a new food? Or potion? Maybe they got ill or injured? Had any foreign dignitaries of note made a surprise visit?
Frowning, she tries to recollect everything she remembers of her darkest days.
Wait a minute.
The poison.
Dad said it’s easily detected, and just as easily counteracted. But that’s not what I was told that time.
THAT BITCH.
Opening her eyes, she meets her father’s, and his expression immediately changes.
“There was one person.”
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Cassandra Nathaira had been one of Asha’s closest confidants in that bleak future, and the one who’d encouraged her hatred of Medea.
She’s also the one who’d convinced Asha to poison Medea, going so far as to give her the weak toxin and coming up with the doomed plan.
Cass...I won’t forgive you for this.
Now that Asha thinks back, she wonders how she’d missed all those times the dark eyes of her ‘friend’ had lingered on Rayleigh.
You killed me just because of a man?
To be fair, Asha had tried to kill Medea over a man too.
This is stupid.
She’s embarrassed - because trying to get someone to love you when they love another is absolutely ridiculous when she thinks about it now - but more importantly she’s ashamed for thinking of Rayleigh as nothing but a prize to be won.
He’s not some plush toy at a game stall.
> ”Do you think you own me?”
...I’m sorry, Rayleigh.
If Asha had been even half the person her father is, would they have survived in that future?
I’ll never know.
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Rayleigh is a surprisingly big help in the lead up to Asha’s birthday, coming over to visit every day and making Conroy and Ethan assist with arrangements and correspondence. He even stays to continue working with just his attendants when Asha has to leave and meet other nobles.
I didn’t think you’d be like this.
The Imperial is quick and efficient, with an eye for aesthetics and a head for politics, which makes many Snowfalls and Winterblades look at him with stars in their eyes soon enough, Rayleigh’s transgressions in taking Medea to Count Ashville’s ball and escorting the blonde on Lover’s Day forgotten when the emperor’s nephew suggests a clever amendment to the menu and set up.
Monique and Valora still glare at him and treat him as rudely as possible, and Asha loves them for that while constantly worrying the Grand Duke will someday run out of patience.
“I’m grateful you have such loyal and brave attendants, Asha.” Why am I blushing? “It’s only right for them to be angry with me after everything I’ve done.”
Valora deliberately knocks his tower of documents over at that, eyes spitting hellfire at the emperor’s nephew.
“Dame Valora!” Conroy and Ethan have been seething but holding their tongues commendably, though it seems they’re at their limit.
“It’s fine.” Rayleigh calmly gathers his papers, carefully extricating the ones that had fallen into his tea. “If Asha didn’t have people willing to do this much for her, I’d worry she’s being abused or neglected.”
WHY am I BLUSHING?
“More importantly, Asha, I’ve received confirmation from the Ferdinands that they’ll be attending your party.”
Oh, that’s right. My potential future stepmother is their second child.
Her attendants had been skeptical at first, but after seeing Willow Ferdinand’s dossier they’re at least willing to give the marquess’ widowed daughter a chance.
“Have you thought about how you’ll introduce her to teacher?”
It’s a funny feeling, scheming like this with the man who’d killed her, but Asha can’t say she dislikes it.
If dad’s right, there was something bigger going on. I probably didn’t notice because I was oblivious to everything before, but now I’m wondering if it’s all linked - the gunpowder, House Lamberg’s fall, Nathaira’s involvement...
There may even be more I’m not seeing now.
Fortunately, the privy council had voted in favor - by a significant majority - to have Asha join as an advisor after that day. It probably helps that she’s met with several other nobles since the engagement party, and they’d enjoyed long debates about alchemy, magic, and philosophy, while Rayleigh and everyone else toiled over Asha’s birthday party preparations.
I need information. Knowledge is power.
“Asha?”
Why do I keep blushing when he calls my name? This is LAME.
“Uh...” Blinking, she turns to Monique and Valora.
“You mentioned wanting it to be as subtle as possible, my lady.” Thank you, Monique. “Master is perceptive, so he’ll notice immediately if it seems like you’re up to something.”
“That’s true.” Thank you, Valora. “Even though master knows you’re helping him look for a new wife, like you said - it’s better if their feelings grow organically.”
“Big words for a brute.” Oh dear.
“Go swallow another dictionary.” Here we go.
To his credit, Rayleigh has never batted an eyelash at her attendants’ squabbles, smiling slightly instead and pretending not to notice.
Conroy and Ethan were aghast at first, but after a few days of experiencing the infamous ‘Lamberg Tornadoes’ they’ve adapted well enough, continuing on with their work as though the most childish fights in the world aren’t taking place before them.
“If you’re thinking about being subtle, then...” Rayleigh looks thoughtful, before his smile does funny things to Asha’s heart. It’s just the after effects of the soul contract. “The Ferdinands are returning from Quan, which is famous for martial arts and also the source of gunpowder. I’m sure teacher would be keen to converse with them.”
That’s true.
“Then, will you introduce dad to them?” When he blinks at her like that, he reminds her of their childhood days.
“Of course, Asha.” This blushing thing has to stop. “I’ll find a way, and if I can’t then I’ll ask Griffin and Ariana to help.”
This is getting out of hand.
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On the morning of her birthday party, Asha wonders what magical items the Snowfalls have that allows them to be so energetic on so little sleep.
The Lamberg manor is in complete chaos from before dawn, but it’s also fun and lively - the way festivals are in her hometown - and she can’t bring herself to grumble or gripe about the lack of sleep when she hears all the shouting, cursing, crashing, cheering, and impromptu bursts of song.
Today is the nineteenth birthday of the only heir to the north, the last birthday I celebrate as a child. Of course it has to be a day like no other.
Fifteen minutes before six in the evening, Truman knocks to inform her that the Grand Duke has already arrived at the ball.
He’s early. The invitation says five thirty, but only lower ranking nobles arrive before six thirty.
Something flutters in her chest at that, but Valora’s snort distracts Asha.
Thank you, old friend.
Valora had fought valiantly to save her before - taking down entire legions of Imperial Knights on her own - but had immediately broken her own sword and limbs as soon as Rayleigh held his blade to Asha’s throat.
When Monique gives the redhead a look, Asha remembers the Mage’s last words and has to swallow hard.
”I exist solely for the master of my soul.”
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MOONRISE BY LUNASEA: CHAPTER 14 END