ASHA’S POV
They arrive at the palace shortly, and for some reason the censure she’d been expecting - at the way she’s sitting on her horse and smoking - isn’t as prevalent as she’d thought.
What’s going on?
She doesn’t really have time to think about it, leaping off Luna casually before Rayleigh has an arm around her waist again as he and the Crown Prince greet the head maid. They’re led to the meeting room soon enough, where the Emperor and several council members have gathered as planned, alongside Marquess Ferdinand and his family.
“Asha was amazing, father.” The Crown Prince announces in lieu of greeting. “She got the ambassador to agree to everything we asked for.”
“I thought as much.” His Majesty beams, holding his arms out for a hug.
After she’s greeted the Emperor, her father, and the other attendees, Asha kicks off her slippers and perches lotus style on the arm of the Winter Count’s chair, accepting the glass of wine Monique hands her.
Still no one bats an eyelash at her behavior.
> “Do you truly not know what an embarrassment you are?”
What’s wrong with all of you?
“Sheikh Aman agreed that something is afoot in Vautour, having heard from his own sources that the western imperial family had changed quite suddenly a few months ago - throwing extravagant parties often, raising taxes, and acting with an odd optimism.” Rayleigh accepts the cigar Conroy hands him. “He’ll inform the Sultan and ask for more intel from Anouar’s network.”
“Well done, darling.” Her father is practically bursting at the seams with pride, and Asha smiles shyly. Out of the corner of her eye, she notices Lady Willow smiling as well, and wonders when her father will ask the nice lady out on a date.
If he doesn’t make an arrangement with her before we leave, I’ll do it myself.
“Meanwhile, thanks to Asha, the ambassador has shared concerns from the Quan palace about the weapons used in our capital.” The Crown Prince takes a sip of wine before continuing. “They’re grateful we shared Asha’s design, and are investigating individuals in their empire who’re capable of producing such weapons. As we ourselves heard through Marquess Ferdinand, Quan had been searching for leaks in the gunpowder manufacturing line, though it seems the Sheikh was informed yesterday that Quan’s secret service have confirmed the people responsible were finally located - all of them brutally murdered at least five months ago.”
“Murdered?” The council members present - from imperial, neutral, and radical parties only - look concerned, and the Winter Count immediately wraps his arm around Asha’s waist.
Thank you, dad.
“Yes.” Rayleigh looks worried when he glances at her, and Asha wonders what he’s up to now. “Sheikh Aman heard it from Prince Guo, his brother-in-law, through a redstone.”
Redstone is a type of magic stone that serves many purposes, though in this case Rayleigh is referring to its use as a secure long distance communications device that feeds off the mana or aura of the persons on both ends of the connection. This not only proves beyond a doubt the identity of the individuals communicating, it eliminates any potential tampering or eavesdropping as messages are shared through thought, flowing in and out of a person alongside their mana or aura as absolute truths.
“Does Quan have any other leads?” The Emperor’s brow is slightly furrowed, but other than that he appears calm.
“None so far.” That aligns with what Marquess Ferdinand had shared. “They’ve been investigating some of the more radical groups in country, as well as certain nobles who might dissent with the imperial family, but as of last night Prince Guo had no further updates on the matter.”
Nothing much has changed since the Ferdinands set sail for the Northern Continent, beyond finding out that the ones who’d smuggled gunpowder out of the factory are long dead.
Five months ago...that’s about two months before I returned, and a month before Medea appeared in the capital, when Rayleigh saw her giving money to a beggar.
...Wait a minute. There aren’t any beggars on Main Street. The Capital Guard doesn’t let them near areas nobles and foreign visitors frequent.
Was Rayleigh lying about where he met her? I wouldn’t be surprised, since he hated me and thought me an idiot before. I didn’t even realize the story doesn’t make sense until now.
A discreet pat from her father brings her back to the present, though for some reason Rayleigh seems to be watching her carefully as well.
What is he up to?
> ”You are too much of a menace to leave unchained.”
...How’d the conversation turn to Vautour?
“Vautour has always been suspicious of Loredan’s involvement in Frankland’s independence war.” Marquess Fenceton is keeping his tone mild, but everyone knows the real suspects are the Lambergs. “They lost a great source of income when the island became a self-governing principality, and began raising taxes regularly after the war. Yet now, despite no new revenue stream that we know of, their imperial family has begun to spend excessively.”
I see. Vautour’s actions are the most suspicious. And with Quan claiming innocence and doing whatever they can to solve the mystery, everyone here is now wondering if Vautour or whoever they’re working with somehow stole the gunpowder to attack Loredan while framing Quan at the same time.
The Marquess stops there, because he’s always deliberately neutral, but he doesn’t need to continue as Asha - who’s wondering if Rayleigh and Medea are somehow involved, more moving parts in this puzzle made of smoke that had Nathaira included recently as well - blurts out what everyone’s thinking.
“Who’s financing them? Or are they draining the country because they believe they’ll soon acquire a new source of funds?”
Why do all of you look so impressed and proud? Do I seem so stupid that I wouldn’t have figured that much out?
To be fair, the past her definitely wouldn’t have realized.
Demons take it, I might as well say it.
“Are they working with someone to target Loredan?”
“Do you have any ideas, Asha?” The Emperor is observing her carefully, face deliberately blank. A glance at her father makes Asha wonder if she should really speak her mind, because even though he’ll protect her no matter what, she doesn’t want him taking the fall for her mistakes, never again.
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But...
That’s right. Logic. I may not have solid proof, but if I can provide enough circumstantial evidence and tie it together with some form of logic to cast reasonable doubt, then...
Just don’t mess up again, Asha.
Taking a deep breath, she locks eyes with the Emperor. “Nathaira.”
All at once, murmurs fill the room, but Asha holds her gaze steady until the Emperor nods. “Explain.”
Turning back to the other council members, she continues. “Duke Nathaira’s territory is in the west, and he’s responsible for western foreign affairs - managing the merchants who come and go between Loredan and Vautour, and even sending his own son as ambassador there after the Ferdinands departed that country three years ago.”
Alright, that’s a credible connection established.
“Yet, surprisingly, no news of the Vautour palace’s excesses reached our ears until the Ferdinands told us what they’d heard from their own contacts.”
I need more to convince them. They may think this is a witch-hunt because Duke Nathaira is head of the noble faction, which has strongly opposed the imperial party for generations.
I can’t tell them about Cass’ ploy, but...
“His daughter, Cassandra, would occasionally ask me about Lamberg’s alleged involvement in Frankland’s independence.” She hasn’t really asked much at this time, but I can’t believe that future me was stupid enough to break a promise to daddy and tell her that we really were responsible for Frankland’s victory, no matter how ‘close’ we get in time. “And she’s always been very keen to know about Lamberg’s defenses.” Not at the moment I suppose - they’re just small comments now and then when we meet. But in the future she does get quite interested.
This should be enough, even if it’s just the word of one nineteen year old who’d been the biggest fool in the country until recently. Cass has always been looking at Rayleigh though, so what if they think I’m slandering her out of jealousy, since I bullied Medea too?
“I can believe that the Nathairas have reason to want to bring down the Lambergs.” Rayleigh? What... “As we all know, Duke Nathaira became a Magic Grandmaster more than twenty years after teacher became a Sword Grandmaster, and the Duke was often mocked for only being a High Mage at twenty-seven years old - despite his heritage and extensive training - when teacher led the armies to victory as a twenty year old Grandmaster, alongside the nineteen year old High Mage Selena.”
“And that’s not all.” Crown Prince Griffin takes over seamlessly when Rayleigh pauses for a breath. “The Lamberg wealth and army are coveted by many. Duke Nathaira has grown his own considerably, though he’s often suffered losses along the way, despite doing his best on many occasions to undercut and undermine the Lambergs.” When some of the council members look disturbed, the heir to the throne raises a hand. “I do not say such things lightly, and would not dare utter the words if I didn’t have proof.”
Proof? Seriously? Then WHY didn’t you say anything sooner you twat?!
“I’m sorry, little sister.” When he winks at her, Asha realizes she’d said her thoughts aloud. Valora is snickering, while Monique groans. Rayleigh seems to be having a bit of a coughing fit. “I chose to follow teacher’s lead.”
“WHAT?!” Turning to stare accusingly at her father, Asha miraculously doesn’t fall off her precarious perch despite the sudden movement.
“I’m sorry, baby.” He strokes her back in an attempt to soothe her, but Asha just narrows her eyes. “Daddy was just thinking...”
“That you’d wait for the opportune moment to catch a big fish?” He’d taught her that long ago, during a lesson on military strategy.
“My baby is so smart.” She gets dragged onto his lap for a hug and kisses, before he gently lifts her back onto the armrest. “Those incidents could be explained away easily, with business managers taking the blame if needed.”
Well, FINE. I know there was a lot you never told me because you didn’t want to worry me.
I was such an idiot, before. I should have realized the world isn’t all sunshine and roses.
“And the fact that Duke Nathaira’s daughter is in love with the Grand Duke?” True to form, it’s Viscount Hawksworth who dares to say what the other nobles refuse to.
Everyone’s watching her and Rayleigh with bated breath, and Asha wonders just how to get out of this situation when an unexpected ally comes to her aid.
“Doesn’t that just give the Nathairas more reason to target the Lambergs?” Lady Willow, I really like you. “Suppose, if you will, the absolute extreme: treason.”
She’s so calm and confident, but it’s to be expected when she’s followed her father to countries that treat women like second-class citizens. You either emerge beaten or unbroken, and she wouldn’t be a candidate for my stepmother if she’s the former.
Despite the gasps and the attempts by council members to ask her to retract her statement, Lady Willow continues on serenely. “It’s a hypothetical situation, gentlemen, so bear with me. If, in the worst case, that is Duke Nathaira’s aim, what would give him credibility if he were to seize the throne?”
Bright green eyes focus on Rayleigh’s stunned face. “A descendant of gods and guardians, married to Nathaira’s only daughter, should do the trick. Wouldn’t you all agree?”
“I have NO intention of taking the throne or aiding in any such...!” Rayleigh’s aura goes out of control until Crown Prince Griffin grips his hand. “Big brother, please, I...”
“Hush, I know, little brother.” The strength of their bond is beyond a doubt, if the look on the Crown Prince’s face is any indication. “I trust you - with my life, and with the lives of all I hold dear.”
“Big brother...” This is the first time in her life Asha’s seen Rayleigh so close to tears.
“I never said you’d do it willingly, your highness.” Oh my goodness, I REALLY like you, Lady Willow. “There are many ways to make a person act against their will.” The elegant daughter of House Ferdinand takes a graceful sip of wine as everyone stares at her in shock or worship.
“In any case, House Lamberg heads the northern guardians of the realm, is led by the Northern Continent’s sole Sword Grandmaster, and is set to be bound by marriage to the imperial family.” Asha is absolutely fascinated by Lady Willow’s complete command of the influential audience. “The surest way to weaken the empire would be by first eliminating them.”
Green eyes clouded with worry glance at the Lamberg father and daughter. “I trust the esteemed members of the council will take that into consideration.”
PLEASE marry my dad!
“Lady Willow is right.” Asha falls off her perch in shock, though fortunately her father catches her in time. Marquess Fenceton grins, before continuing. “As you all know, I am staunchly neutral, which is why I cannot agree if I believe this discussion to be a witch-hunt, or a battle between factions in any way.” So why...
“Regardless of my political leanings, I am a citizen of the empire and a peer of the realm. To turn my back on my country and my duties as a noble would be to discard all that I am. I cannot, and will not, do so.”
I didn’t know this old man was so cool.
“Why, thank you, Lady Asha.” He grins at her again when she slaps a hand over her mouth.
“Well, as head of the radical faction, all I can say is that without the Lambergs to aid the empire, the people will suffer should foreign forces invade and demons break through any remaining defenses.”
Viscount Hawksworth seems to be waiting for Asha to say something, but she has no clue what so she just blinks at him and cocks her head. That seems enough to make him smile, before Rayleigh’s aura intensifies and the handsome flirt sobers before continuing, determinedly looking anywhere but in Asha’s and Rayleigh’s directions.
Huh?
“The evidence so far is circumstantial, but the logic is undeniable. I’d like to propose a deeper investigation into House Nathaira’s affairs, particularly their activities in the western empire, and any outflow of funds to the Vautour imperial family or their proxies.”
I see how you earned your spot on the council, Viscount.
“Why, thank you, Lady Asha.” He winks at her when she accidentally speaks her mind again, and then the Crown Prince has to hastily grab Rayleigh’s hand when the pressure emanating from the youngest Imperial builds. What’s going on with him?
“Your Majesty.” Marquess Moravia had been silent so far, as the other imperial supporters have been, because of concerns speaking would make them seem as though they’re attacking their opposing faction.
Now the head of Loredan’s navy speaks in his usual brusque, deep tone. “The empire, and the world as we know it, would have ceased to exist - would not even exist - without the Lune Clan. We must not allow them to fall.”
'Lune’ is the name that had been bestowed on Asha’s clan by their patron goddess of the moon during the Age of Gods, just as ‘Sol’ is the name that the Saharans had been granted by the god of the sun thousands of years ago.
“I agree that the empire and the world owe a great debt to the Lambergs.” ‘Lamberg’ had been the name of the clan’s territory since the Age of Gods. “It is no secret that the continued safety of the Loredan Empire relies heavily on their House.”
Where’s this old man going with this...
“As much as the noble faction is a thorn in my side, I am no tyrant who exterminates all opposition to my rule without just cause.”
Hurry up and get to the point.
“Should Vautour be targeting the Lambergs, and Nathaira be working with them in order to claim the throne, then we will deal with them accordingly.”
And...?
“Unless there are any objections, we will proceed with Viscount Hawksworth’s proposal.”
Finally. Took you long enough.
A snicker from behind her tells Asha she’d blurted out her thoughts once again. This is going to be the death of me.
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MOONRISE BY LUNASEA: CHAPTER 18 END