MEDEA’S POV
It’s not fair.
Asha Lamberg is the only child of the Winter Count - who’s the only Sword Grandmaster on the continent, the Hero of the Empire, and Chief of the Lune Clan. From the moment she’d been conceived, the white haired noble has been primed for a life of luxury and indulgence, pampered and protected by everyone around her, praised just for breathing.
Even if she’d done nothing to deserve it, simply being born into her House by sheer luck of the draw.
Even if she does nothing to deserve it - spending extravagantly, ignoring others’ rights and boundaries, insulting anyone she pleases, behaving like a complete hooligan the likes of which Medea had only ever encountered in the alleys of poor neighborhoods.
No matter what that potty-mouthed overgrown child says or does, her father and House continue to adore her.
And now, even the imperial family is completely wrapped around those wretched fingers. Along with most of the council, and many other nobles.
It’s not fair.
Medea had had to fight to survive, her beauty a double-edged sword that allowed her to manipulate others while also making her a target for the desires and jealously that plagued commoners.
Not just commoners.
Her success in high society is thanks to her looks and she knows it, since Rayleigh wouldn’t have cared so much about her if not for it.
But now he’s besotted with that spoiled brat?
It makes her blood boil, every time she thinks about how the Grand Duke had slighted her to protect that woman - from that time in the palace, to the engagement parties of both Lambergs.
It’s NOT FAIR.
She’s worked hard to get where she is, taking every opportunity along the way, but somehow Asha Lamberg seems to always coast by and get lauded for the stupidest things just because she was born into the Winter House.
Smoking and riding like a man are now FASHIONABLE for noblewomen? How can such crude behavior by a lady be seen as a mark of intelligence?!
These sycophants are just doing their best to flatter that wench, since she’s bribed her way onto the council and into winning the innovation contest. It’s unbecoming for a lady to behave like anything but a lady - she gets away with it just because of that father of hers. If not for him...
“Medea.”
Immediately smoothing her expression over, she rises and curtsies gracefully, keen golden eyes not missing how agitated Duke Nathaira is feeling.
That wild child must have done something again.
His Grace only ever looks so bothered by the antics of the most spoiled noble in history.
“Take a seat, my dear.” His voice is calm and smooth, but it still sends shivers down her spine.
This man is dangerous.
But he’s also the only person in the world who’s really on her side for now, while she’s useful.
I have to prove my worth.
“Your grace, is something the matter?” Medea makes sure to look extremely worried and hesitant. “Your wellbeing is of great concern to me.”
Most people would be swayed immediately by her words and beauty, but the Minister of Western Affairs simply looks at her assessingly.
This man is dangerous.
“I heard some news from the capital.” The Duke takes a sip of tea, after a nearby maid pours him a cup. “The Grand Duke and his fiancée were spotted behaving quite immodestly at the park today.”
”Quite immodestly”?
“Your grace...?” She knows she’s beautiful, knows that when she widens her eyes and cocks her head like this, many people would immediately rush to tell her things.
The Duke isn’t many people.
When he leaves not long after, Medea tries to repress her shudders.
So Rayleigh has fallen under that woman’s spell enough to discard his sense of propriety as an Imperial, and kiss her passionately in public even though their attendants are watching?
...he’s lost to me.
Not for the first time, Medea wishes Asha Lamberg had never been born.
It’s just not fair. What have you done to deserve everything?
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CALLAN LAMBERG’S POV
My baby isn’t a little girl.
He knows that - knows that the empire considers individuals adults who’re ready for marriage and children the moment they turn eighteen - yet...
She’ll always be my little girl.
Callan had known this day would come, eventually. But even with that knowledge, even with Asha’s engagement and the way Ray had been looking at her recently, the Winter Count still isn’t prepared for this situation.
I know that Ray fully intends to consummate the marriage on their wedding night, which will most likely be before Asha’s twentieth birthday unless I can convince Aaron to wait. But she’s MY BABY.
Willow had looked startled when they’d heard the news earlier, a Winterblade informing Truman who’d rushed to the drawing room immediately after the Lambergs and Callan's fiancée returned from the palace. The Winter Count's personal secretary is a man who’s adept at controlling his facial expressions, which is the only reason why the head butler hadn’t even blinked upon seeing the scene he’d stumbled upon.
Is it hypocritical of me to be so disturbed by the report about Asha and Ray when Willow and I were doing the same if not more?
His fiancée had been troubled as well, the love that the beautiful widow has for another person’s daughter clear in every word and action. But Willow is also pragmatic and sensible as long as Asha isn’t in danger, hence the current conversation.
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“It was bound to happen, Callan.” Yet your hands are shaking. “While northerners regard their people as children until they turn twenty, Asha is also a citizen of the empire and the Grand Duke’s fiancée.”
I know that.
“You need to sort your feelings on the matter out before you speak to Asha. She has enough to deal with without worrying about upsetting her father for behaving the way she did with someone she’s always loved.”
I know that.
His baby is always watching him carefully, looking for any signs that would indicate Callan is having worries or concerns.
My light is doing her best to take care of everyone in our House. I mustn’t burden her with these conflicting emotions.
But...she’s still a child.
“Callan.” He could look into Willow’s green eyes for eternity, as long as Asha is safe and happy. “She’s nineteen. Older than that even, if you take into account the first life she led.”
That’s true.
Asha had passed her twenty-second birthday in that timeline, was almost at her twenty-third before being beheaded.
Even if it’s just mentally, she’s already an adult by our clan’s standards.
And if I think about everything she had to go through...
Clenching his fists, he tries to restrain his aura, since Asha is extremely sensitive and will detect his turmoil immediately if he doesn’t keep himself under control.
She didn’t tell me the details, but I know enough. And I know never to ask her to remember exactly what happened.
For anyone to survive as long as she had in that hellhole...Asha is tougher and stronger than most. And if she’s already endured all that, then doesn’t that make her an adult who’s experienced suffering and cruelty, and still knows how to love?
...I’m certain there must have been something larger happening, something that would cause Ray to turn his back on me. I raised that boy alongside Aaron, so I know him well. He’s doing his best this time, and it’s clear his feelings for Asha are growing, but if we don’t find out what truly led to our deaths then perhaps I made a mistake by letting Asha get engaged to him again.
Willow is quiet next to him, sipping her tea gracefully as she gives him space to ruminate.
It’s one of the many reasons why he’s fallen for her, and he has Asha to thank for bringing them together.
Asha... her actions and attitude this time are changing many things. Not only do I now have Willow by my side, but even the change in council members, the Ferdinands staying in the empire instead of being dispatched on another diplomatic mission, the new inventions...
We’ve never been this close to the imperial family. Aaron did dote on her when she was younger, but he too expected her to behave like an imperial citizen once she turned twelve. Things were a little strained every time the subject of Asha came up before she returned in time and started trying to break things off with Ray.
Now, she has the entire imperial family and most of the council wrapped around her finger. And the day after tomorrow she leaves for the east without me, to investigate the sabotage. I know Asha is clever, and her Elemental ability grants her enormous power. I trained Val myself, while Mony was taught by Truman, so those two are more than capable of protecting my baby. But what kind of man lets his daughter go on such a journey at only nineteen years old?
Sighing, Callan leans against Willow, who raises an elegant hand to tenderly brush her knuckles against his cheek. As much as he wants to go with Asha, Duke Nathaira's odd behavior means the Winter Count has to stay behind in the capital to protect the city and the Emperor.
I’m a terrible father. Shouldn’t I trust my only child? Shouldn’t I believe that Asha can change the future, can make the present better for everyone?
And, in that vein, shouldn’t I start to get used to the fact that she’ll be getting much more intimate with Ray, and someday bear his children?
While he won’t deny that he’s excited to have grandchildren, it’s hard to accept that his beloved daughter - who’s technically only nineteen and therefore not an adult in the clan - is already starting to do things like kissing a boy.
Even if said ‘boy’ is her twenty-three year old fiancé.
I raised the three of them - Asha, Ray, and Fin. Though Asha is my one and only child, Ray and Fin were devoted students who always came over and spent hours with me every day - sometimes even traveling weeks and months with me on field trips and to the north for training - before they reached adulthood. It’s hard to see them as grown-ups sometimes, but perhaps that’s just me being a foolish old man who’s stuck in the past.
Turning to nuzzle a long neck - inhaling the intoxicating scent of lilies and something quintessentially Willow - Callan wraps a strong arm around her slim waist and pulls her closer.
There’s nothing I can do except support Asha, and protect her life and happiness. That’s my duty as her father; that’s what I promised Selena. So if Asha is now starting to discover more ‘adult’ behavior, then my job is make sure no one insults her for it. And if she wants to leave the safety of the manor to investigate issues of national importance personally, then I should provide her with everything she needs to complete her mission and return home alive and well.
Judging by the look in beautiful green eyes, his fiancée knows he’s made up his mind.
The kiss she starts is clearly a sign she approves.
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ASHA’S POV
It’s the most awkward conversation she’s ever had with her two best friends, and Asha wishes she could turn back time and push Rayleigh away.
“My lady, while you’re an adult in the eyes of the empire, you’re still a child in the clan.” Monique is calm, though Asha can tell the Mage is troubled. “However, you’re also the Grand Duke’s fiancée, and fortunately the two of you were only kissing and touching earlier.”
Gods save me.
“It goes without saying that you need to control yourself in public, especially if other nobles are around.” Yes, I know, now can we please stop talking about this? “And of course, wait until your wedding night to consummate...”
Valora slams her fists hard on the table at that, sending bottles flying and cracking solid wood.
Luckily she didn’t use aura.
“Do you mind?” Purple eyes are irritated and contemptuous as they look at the redhaired knight. “I’m trying to have a civil conversation, not that a brute like you would know what such a thing is.”
“Stuff it, shrew.” Oh dear. “I don’t see why Lady Asha has to let that beast paw her like that.”
GODS.
It’s true that Rayleigh had touched her inappropriately while they’d been on his horse - though only through her clothes, and never between the legs.
Can we please stop talking about this? I know I’ll have to deal with dad and Lady Willow too, since they’re downstairs and Truman’s no doubt already reported what happened to them.
“I’m hard-pressed to disagree with the barbarian, my lady.” Mony... “Just because he’s never lain with a woman doesn’t mean he can try to resolve his pent-up urges in public with you.”
He’s never...?
“You didn’t know?” This time Valora looks surprised. “That asswipe has stayed chaste because he was engaged to you since he was twelve. Trust me, my lady, I was shocked as well and investigated recently.” Val... “But unless his attendants did a really good job hiding even the slightest of traces, it’s true that that dog somehow kept his rotten manhood in his pants all this time.”
Oh.
She’s not sure how to feel about that, because in the future she’d lived before, Rayleigh had had relations with Medea even while engaged to Asha.
But that only happens after I turn twenty-one.
Wait. Was Medea possibly pregnant that time?
Now that she thinks about it, the blonde had been clutching her stomach rather protectively during that failed poisoning attempt.
Was that why Rayleigh reacted so extremely?
No, that’s just speculation right now. Dad is convinced there was a larger plot at play, and I’m inclined to agree with him. The Emperor wouldn’t have sanctioned our execution over a commoner-turned-noble while I was engaged to Rayleigh.
“My lady.” Startled out of her thoughts, she looks up and wonders what she’s done so wrong to make her friends so troubled. “We know we’re just your attendants, and we’re not very highly ranked in magic or swordsmanship, but...”
“What are you saying?!” ’JUST’ my attendants?! “The two of you are my friends - my only friends. How could you think I’d-“
“Then WHY won’t you trust us?!” Valora is clearly struggling to control her volume, not wanting to alert everyone in the vicinity to the conversation taking place in Asha’s private rooms. “You won’t tell us a thing about what’s really bothering you, even though you told Master!”
That...
It’s not that she doesn’t trust them. Asha knows they’ll throw their lives away for her in a heartbeat, and that’s the reason why she doesn’t want to tell them.
The two of you died for me, and if I tell you who killed us all you might just start a revolt immediately. I can’t let that happen.
But...is it fair for me to keep you both in the dark, when you’d do anything for me?
> ”Trust goes both ways, darling.”
Dad had told her that long ago.
How can I expect them to keep following me blindly, when I obviously don’t trust them enough to tell them the truth?
Sighing, she reaches for a bottle that Monique has picked up from the floor and placed on the table.
I suppose I should just tell them. And find a way to control them so that they don’t start a civil war.
Mind made up, she’s about to speak when she realizes her father’s aura and Lady Willow’s mana are drawing near.
Dad’s on the way with Lady Willow. Do I tell Monique and Valora in front of them, or later?
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MOONRISE BY LUNASEA: CHAPTER 29 END