ASHA’S POV
The country is abuzz the next day, when news of Marquess Vihur’s return, as well as his regret at being unable to marry Asha, is printed in all the newspapers.
Gods preserve me.
She really doesn’t need a scandal, especially when they have Nathaira’s potential treason, and Vautour’s potential schemes to worry about right now.
And I have to complete my invention for the contest, while preparing for the Fall Hunt, dad’s birthday, and the Winter March.
Asha has decided to return to the north for the first time in years, though Rayleigh and the rest of the imperial family had objected vehemently at first.
I know you don’t want to risk us raising the Ice Wall, but this is too much.
In the end, Lady Willow had had to intervene, suggesting Rayleigh accompany the Lambergs back to their territory.
The Crown Prince had looked envious at that, since going north with the Winter Count for the March meant Rayleigh would receive additional personal training and the opportunity to battle hordes of demons, but the first heir to the throne can’t leave the capital - especially when his wife is expecting.
Head maid Constantia leads Madam Diore into the sitting room, since Truman is busy with other Hunt preparations.
“Madam Diore, I apologize for the late notice.” Asha has noticed the designer seeming friendlier with each visit, no doubt thanks to the thousands of gold coins House Lamberg spends on her creations.
“There is nothing to apologize for, Lady Asha.” The maven curtsies deeply. “You have far too much on your plate as it is.”
Yes, I do.
From the moment she’d become the Minister of Education, Asha has been petitioned and visited by many seeking to submit proposals and request imperial funding.
And let’s not forget the dowry Rayleigh returned to me.
A sizeable sum has been used as starting capital for several ventures, which means Asha is constantly inundated with updates from the Snowfalls assigned to assist her.
Fortunately, Monique has a good head for business. Without her maid overseeing matters, Asha would have collapsed from overwork long ago.
I think what surprised us all the most was the fact that Valora is insanely good at calculations, since she can run complex formulae in a split second despite never showing an interest in the mathematics and finance books I read. How did she get so good at it, when she spends all her free time training?
It’d caused an uproar in the manor when her red headed knight had spoken up the first time during a meeting to correct a projection, and Asha still giggles when she recalls the childish quarrel that had broken out between her personal attendants.
“Thank you for your kindness, Madam.” Why does she look so pleased? “May I offer you some refreshments?”
The Madam demurely accepts, seating herself and handing Asha a catalog before taking a sip of the latest concoction Roza and the cooks have come up with.
“This is exquisite, my lady.” Asha feels a remarkable sense of pride at the praise for the Snowfalls. “It’s perfect for the first month of fall - refreshing and reinvigorating, while providing a mild warmth that lingers.”
“I shall pass your compliments along to our gardeners and cooks, Madam, and send you a box of tea leaves soon.”
As the Madam continues to drink her tea and nibble on a selection of snacks, Asha flips through the catalog, eyes scanning designs and notes quickly.
Oh?
“I thought you might like that one in particular, my lady.” Madam Diore looks almost smug. “It was designed with you in mind.”
I see.
To have such a famous designer think of her when sketching indicates Asha is reaching the status of a muse, one of the greatest honors a noblewoman could historically receive.
Except I’ve already gotten myself new accolades.
Still, it’s something she has to be sure to show proper gratitude for. Madam Diore is exceedingly well connected, since she serves the wealthiest in the empire.
“You honor me greatly, Madam.” Asha is gratified to see the pleased look on that usually impassive face when she raises her head. “I shall wear this with pride at the Hunt.”
By the time Madam Diore leaves, almost humming with glee at the fifteen thousand gold coins worth of clothes Asha had ordered for herself, her father, and Lady Willow, the sun is high in the sky and Asha knows Rayleigh will soon be arriving.
I thought he was an insanely busy man, yet he comes over every day without fail to help me saw wood and hammer nails for the contest.
It’s nice, though she tells herself to be careful and not expect too much.
I still need to find out why Rayleigh and the imperial family betrayed us.
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RAYLEIGH’S POV
He’d almost punched a hole in the wall when he’d seen the news, though Griffin seems to have anticipated his fury and appeared just in time to calm him down.
That PIECE OF SHIT.
Rayleigh has picked up a lot of foul language from Asha over the years.
Still, there’s no denying that the empire needs the irresponsible Marquess, so the Grand Duke swallows his rage and promises his cousin he’ll try to control himself.
Is this how Asha felt when I was infatuated with Medea?
No, the situation is different. Back then, her own fiancé had eyes for another woman. This time, Asha isn’t entertaining the Marquess at all beyond what she has to do to keep peace.
The reminder that he’d betrayed his teacher and fiancée is sobering, but Rayleigh follows Griffin’s advice and uses the guilt to steel his resolve to be a good husband and son-in-law.
I mustn’t bring shame to Asha or teacher. No matter how much I dislike that philandering blond, I have to stay cordial so that no one can find fault with Asha through my actions.
Looking at the book in his hands, he smiles.
Asha will love this.
It’s another rare book that Conroy had managed to acquire for a considerable sum, since information on Elementalists is scarce.
By the time the carriage stops at the Lamberg manor, Rayleigh has forgotten all about a playboy Grandmaster.
“Asha.” She’s come out to greet him, forgoing a shawl despite the weather since guardians have greater resistance to the elements.
“Hello.”
While he’d love for her to greet him more casually, maybe use his name or nickname the way she used to, he also thinks it’s adorable how she’s pretending not to be shy.
“This is for you.”
She blinds him with her radiant smile, with the way those blue eyes light up once she sees the tome written by a scholar from a now forgotten kingdom.
“Thank you! I’ll take good care of it!”
Chuckling, he wraps an arm around her waist as he leads her towards the gazebo that has become their default lunch spot.
Asha chatters happily as she flips through the book while they walk, and though Rayleigh wishes he has more time to devote to alchemy and magic studies so he can understand the complex theories his fiancée voices, he’s also just happy listening to her talk about her interests.
The device he’s helping her build will be complete in two days, and he wonders what excuse he can use next to continue seeing her every day.
That’s right. She’s participating in the Hunt this year.
Asha had stayed in camp with the other noblewomen before, since it was considered unseemly for a lady - especially an engaged lady - to join a hunt. This time though, she’s declared she’ll be competing for the honor of the golden wreath.
He’d already bet good money on her winning.
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Two days later, a small crowd has gathered in the Lamberg manor gardens, as Asha showcases the true ability of her latest creation.
According to the head butler, Viscount Fleming had been the first to arrive, and Rayleigh isn’t surprised. Count Eszes being the second to arrive is par for course as well.
He’s just glad he beat Marquess Vihur to the Lambergs’.
That sleazy...
Griffin nudges him subtly, and Rayleigh takes a deep breath to calm down, wondering when the blond Grandmaster will choke on his own ego.
She’s MINE.
Asha deflects the Marquess’ attentions gracefully, and Rayleigh has never been more glad that Lady Willow is engaged to teacher when the elegant woman steps in and successfully leads the nuisance away.
“Alright then! I’m sure you’re all curious, so let’s get this show on the road!”
Asha.
He can’t help but laugh at how very Asha she’s being. Where others would have started with a formal greeting, his fiancée had chosen to be cheekily direct.
“This device has two applications, ladies and gentlemen.” She seems to be enjoying her auctioneer / ringmaster act, and Rayleigh grins. “First, let’s look at its medical function. Crown Princess Ariana, would you please step into the circle?”
Ariana?
Griffin doesn’t react outwardly, but Rayleigh can tell his cousin is both curious and a little concerned, since the Crown Princess is carrying the future heir to the throne.
“Do I stand right here?” Ariana is as fearless and supportive as ever.
“Yes, your highness. Now, please stay absolutely still. And don’t worry - I swear on my life no harm will come to you or your child.” When Asha smiles like that, Rayleigh gets the feeling Ariana would crawl through hot coals if the eccentric genius asked.
He knows he would.
As the machine powers up, whirring softly, the crowd holds their breath, before gasping when a vision appears.
“Is that...?”
“Yes, this is the child Her Highness is carrying, since I’ve deliberately locked the scanner in place over her womb.”
Oh, that’s what she had me hammering and hollowing out the other day.
“That’s...” Griffin is stepping forward almost unconsciously, crimson eyes glistening. Big brother... “Tha....that’s my child?”
“Yes, your highness.” Asha beams at the Crown Prince. “It’s a boy.”
“A boy?” Uncle sounds choked up, a rare occurrence.
“Yes, your majesty.” Rayleigh thinks his fiancée has never looked more radiant.
“Congratulations, Fin and Ana!” Teacher is the first to hug Griffin, though he can’t reach Ariana who’s weeping within Asha’s machine. “I look forward to meeting the new prince.”
“A boy! We’re going to have a little prince soon!” All around Rayleigh, the nobles are beside themselves with joy - since a male firstborn means they won’t need to worry as much about fights for the throne or a lower ranked / foreign husband - but he thinks it’d be better to have a daughter as beautiful and brilliant as Asha.
Someday.
Blushing, he pushes the impure thoughts away, moving forward and hugging his cousin tight.
Congratulations, big brother. Your son is lucky to have you as a father.
“Let me print the picture out for you both.” When Asha presses another button, a piece of paper is sucked into a slit, before appearing from another opening with the image of the unborn prince inked on it. “You can step out now, your highness.”
Ariana falls into her husband’s arms as soon as the scanner moves away, the two Imperials sobbing as they grip the imprinted piece of paper tenderly.
After the crowd has settled somewhat, Asha continues smilingly.
“I have to thank the Grand Duke for his help on this.” Me? “I wouldn’t have been able to complete a machine with dual functions if it hadn’t been for his tireless efforts.”
Rayleigh can’t recall the last time he’s blushed so hard.
Griffin grins as he thumps the youngest Imperial on the back, those mischievous eyes telling Rayleigh he’ll have to endure weeks of teasing from now on.
“Now then, allow me to demonstrate the defensive capabilities of Blinky.”
He can’t help laughing at her terrible naming sense, and neither can most others.
“Monique and Valora, if you will?”
The loyal attendants nod, before leaping onto their horses and riding into the gardens with baskets of chickens.
When two whistles sound from the hedge maze, Asha grins. “If you’d all come over here,” she indicates the space behind her, and they move as a collective towards the location indicated. “Now, please watch the screen.”
Pressing another button, Asha whistles loudly.
This...
“Say hello to the very first invisible wave detection system in the world, everyone.”
This is incredible.
On the projection with its faint scale lines, little dots move among more solid blocks, and by the way they dart here and there while two larger ones progress more steadily, Rayleigh realizes he’s looking at the chickens being chased by Asha’s attendants through the maze.
“Asha Lamberg.” Uncle has never sounded prouder or more astounded. “You have done the impossible, my dear niece.”
Rayleigh was wrong, before.
Asha has never looked more radiant than she does now.
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MOONRISE BY LUNASEA: CHAPTER 26 END