RAYLEIGH’S POV
> “I simply meant that most women would enjoy such activities, since they’re opportunities to indulge in one’s interests while spending time with someone close to heart.”
For some reason, Asha’s frantic words won’t leave his mind.
Staring at the waning moon in the night sky, Rayleigh leans against the windowsill as the memory of this afternoon’s conversation with his fiancée fills his head once more.
> “I merely meant that art, music, and poetry are things that make life worth living for.”
’Things that make life worth living for’? Since when have you cared about such things, Asha?
Now that he thinks about it, Rayleigh can’t recall the last time he’d escorted Asha to the opera, art gallery, or a poetry recital.
She never cared about arts and culture. All she was ever interested in were expensive dresses and jewels. Even if she’s a guardian, she’s never behaved like a proper noblewoman of the empire, no matter how much others tried to remind her by treating her as one. By the time she was twelve she should have begun to act more like an adult, but continued to act like a petulant child obsessed with shiny things.
And yet...
He’d received word that Asha and teacher had gone to Family Day while wearing matching outfits, even his shadows - a covert group of assassins - blushing as they described how lovely Asha had looked, how sweet she’d been to her father, her attendants, and commoners.
You stopped caring about teacher and your people long ago, Asha. Ever since you turned twelve, you’ve only gotten more wretched.
But his shadows would never lie to him - they can’t, thanks to the soul contracts - which means they’d truly been taken in by Asha at the festival. An impressive feat, but...
No matter how hard she tries, she can’t compare to Medea.
“Your highness?”
Conroy and Ethan have refused to leave his side until he’s in bed, as usual. And Conroy, perceptive as ever, must have detected his inner confusion despite Rayleigh’s impassive face.
“Why would Asha try to appeal to me now?”
There’s silence for awhile, then: “Your highness, pardon my insolence, but what makes you think Lady Asha is trying to appeal to you?”
Stunned, Rayleigh spins around and stares at his loyal secretary, who’s known for wisdom, insight, and discretion.
“What do you mean, Conroy? It’s clear her actions lately, especially at the festival, have been an attempt to secure my affection.”
He’s met with troubled brown and green gazes.
“Your highness.” It’s Ethan this time. “Lady Asha will die if she does not assist you in securing Lady Medea’s hand in marriage.”
That hits him like a punch to the gut, sucking the air out of his lungs.
That’s right. I made a soul contract with teacher’s only child.
Rayleigh had been trying not to let the guilt and shame overwhelm him, but the stark reminder from his personal knight brings the feelings to fore.
What would teacher say if he knew? He rushed to save my life, was scarred permanently because of me. Yet...
I didn’t need Asha to help me marry Medea. She wouldn’t say no to the Grand Duke. I just went along with Asha’s proposal out of spite.
The truth makes his heart drop, as Rayleigh faces his cruelty towards the beloved daughter of the man he admires more than anyone else.
“Is there a way to break a soul contract?”
He’s not aware that he says it aloud, but judging by his attendants’ reactions he clearly had.
“Your highness.” It’s rare for Ethan and Conroy to look so troubled. “A soul contract is binding.”
I know. And I made her do it.
Memories of their first time on that hilltop assail him, voices in his head whispering that only a monster like him would have made a nineteen year old girl - his own fiancée - wager her life for his happiness with another.
I shouldn’t have taunted her. I should’ve just torn up the scroll, no matter how upset I’ve been with her.
Guilt is a feeling he’s familiar with, since Rayleigh’s lost many people under his command in battle. Rage is another old friend, as is self-loathing, but it’s probably the first time he feels this mix of emotions for Asha’s sake.
I’m usually just angry with her for being such a selfish, demanding brat. And angry with myself for not being strong enough that time, which is why teacher had to rescue us and get hurt in the process, why I ended up engaged to teacher’s daughter.
What do I do now? I want to marry Medea, but Asha...
“If Asha isn’t trying to appeal to me, then what’s the reason for her change in behavior?”
Two pairs of eyes blink in unison, before Conroy responds.
“Your highness, from what I’ve noticed, Lady Asha simply appears committed to her family.”
’Committed to her family’?
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Unbidden, his vile insult about her heritage comes to mind.
I shouldn’t have said that. She’s a Lamberg, always has been. I shouldn’t have called her a product of adultery or a bastard child, especially not when everyone knows how much teacher and his late wife loved each other.
“Conroy.” Immediately his secretary stands at attention. “Get Asha a bunch of jewels. Make sure they’re the best in the empire.”
Brown eyes blink in confusion, but the loyal attendant responds in affirmative quickly.
I’m sorry, Asha and teacher.
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ASHA’S POV
What, in the name of all the gods’ BACKSIDES, is this?!
Valora is to blame for Asha’s vulgar vocabulary, though no one except Monique has ever scolded the redhead for it.
The east drawing room is filled with boxes of jewels from the best stores in the capital, and even though Asha would usually be pleased to receive such finery - especially from her fiancé - right now she’s just angry.
> ”Are you a magpie? Is that why you squawk incessantly for baubles and trinkets?”
You insult my parents and think some shiny rocks will make up for it? Why don’t you just shove them where the sun doesn’t shine, you piece of shit.
“Send them back.”
“Wh...what? M...my lady, but surely you realize this is a great gift.” It’s the manager of Bulrageo, a premium jewelry brand. He’s reminding her that a daughter of a count would usually need to make an appointment two months in advance to have him visit her home, and would have had to put forth a deposit of at least five thousand gold coins to view this collection.
Rude.
> ”Do you think the world revolves around you?”
“…Take it all back. I don’t want any of them.”
“My...my lady!” This time it’s the manager of Von Cleo & Lapearl. “We’ve curated and brought the best per His Highness’ command, but if these accessories are not to your liking we can bring others to please you.”
So you’re saying I have bad taste and you’re only here to appease the Grand Duke? Alright, I’ve had enough of you lot.
“Conroy.” Why does he look so surprised? “You heard all that, didn’t you?”
Shrewd as ever, the Grand Duke’s personal secretary composes himself quickly before bowing.
“Yes, my lady. I apologize for this mishap, and will have better items brought to you as quickly as possible.”
“No.” Again with the surprised look. “I don’t want anything.” Maybe it’s because she’d woken up multiple times last night thanks to nightmares of her time in prison and the torture chamber before, but Asha is irritable and reckless right now. “Tell your master he should just send these jewels to Medea Gusic instead.”
It’s as she’s stalking off that Asha realizes she’d made a mistake.
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RAYLEIGH’S POV
> “Tell your master he should just send these jewels to Medea Gusic instead.”
Asha...as I thought, you despise Medea for her lowly birth despite your own mother being a commoner.
Furious, Rayleigh clenches his fists, uncaring of the legal document being ruined in his grasp.
“Your highness, if I may.” It’s rare for Conroy to speak up like this, so Rayleigh blinks at him to continue. “I believe Lady Asha’s anger was directed at your highness, not Lady Medea.”
If someone as intelligent and perceptive as Conroy says so, then...
“You’re certain Asha wasn’t mocking Medea’s low birth and lack of funds?”
Conroy nods, expression steadfast. “Yes, your highness. Based on what you told me about your last conversation and what I observed today, I got the distinct impression that Lady Asha was only upset with your highness, despite the insolence of the store managers.”
’The insolence of the store managers.’
That makes Rayleigh’s blood boil, just at it had when Conroy had told him about the snide remarks Asha had received earlier.
Even if she only wore garish accessories before, how DARE those fools mock teacher’s daughter?
“Take care of those managers.” Ethan nods immediately. “And find something that Asha will like.” It’s probably the first time Rayleigh has seen Conroy look so uncertain, since his secretary is usually incredibly self assured.
So even Conroy doesn’t know much about Asha’s preferences?
It speaks volumes to Rayleigh, who’s yet to receive a report on his fiancée’s lover.
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CONROY’S POV
I know what every noble and imperial in the empire likes, except the current Lady Asha.
He’s proud of how far he’s come - the third son of a fallen baron, whose control over mana and keen intellect had landed him the coveted position of right hand of the Grand Duke - but this is the first time he’s ever felt so inadequate.
Was Lady Asha always so dignified?
Conroy remembers his master’s fiancée as a foolish, selfish young girl - coddled by her father and household - but the young noblewoman who’d kept her composure and imperiously issued commands earlier today had been nothing like the Lady Asha of his memories.
What happened to you, Lady Asha? Why did you put your life on the line to help master marry another?
Don’t you love him anymore?
There’s no indication Lady Asha has a lover, no matter how much Conroy digs or pays, which is in line with his knowledge of the Grandmaster’s daughter.
You’ve only ever loved His Highness. So why...?
It makes no sense, but Lady Asha’s and the Grand Duke’s behaviors haven’t made much sense recently.
Since when has His Highness cared if others insult Lady Asha?
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ASHA’S POV
It’s been awhile.
Her horse, Luna - a gift from father on her twelfth birthday - seems happy to gallop at top speed, despite the shouts from Monique, Valora, and other Winterblades behind them.
Thanks, Luna. I needed this.
No one had allowed her to ride bareback, citing her long absence from mounted combat lessons, but despite the saddle and bridle Asha is glad to feel the wind in her hair and the sun on her face as Luna races towards futures unknown.
When the snowy white mare finally comes to a trot and Asha’s escorts catch up, the blue eyed noble ignores the nagging in favor of praising Luna for her speed and agility.
Let’s go to the end of the world, one day.
It’s an old dream of Asha’s, one she’s had since birth, to travel the globe and discover new lands.
She’d stopped dreaming those dreams since she was twelve though, when all the nobles started to emphasize her engagement, started to see her as the fiancée of the Grand Duke and not Asha.
It hadn’t been so bad when they saw her as the Grandmaster’s daughter, or the future head of House Lamberg. But somehow, at her twelfth birthday, something had changed and she’d become purely the future Grand Duchess in everyone’s eyes.
I suppose it has something to do with the empire’s culture. I was engaged at eight, and twelve is a milestone that indicates a citizen is now an ‘adult in training’. Unlike in the clan, women here are usually seen as only daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers, so they probably thought…
“My lady!” Monique is yelling at her in public, which means Asha should pay attention. “Didn’t you realize how many times Luna almost lost her footing earlier?”
Oh?
Luna just blinks, before turning back towards the front after grabbing another carrot from Asha’s hand.
“Luna knows what she’s doing.”
“LADY ASHA!” Valora is upset. “YOU COULD HAVE DIED FOUR TIMES ON THE WAY HERE!”
I see.
“I’m sorry, Monique, Valora, everyone.” Instantly their anger cools. “I was just so happy to ride Luna once more.”
“My lady...”
The knights look pleased, since they too adore their battle steeds, and Asha leaves her escorts to their feelings as she focuses on her conundrum.
Why did that asshole send me jewels? Was he testing me? If so, I failed because I mentioned Medea. He’s sensitive about her low birth and poor adoptive family.
Even if Selena had been a commoner, as a High Mage Asha’s mother had been paid handsomely and enjoyed the same respect as a count. Which means that Asha’s pedigree is unquestionable, especially given her natural talent with magic and bow.
He’s sore about me mocking Medea’s origins before - that much I can confirm. But what do I do now? I meant that he should give those jewels to the woman he loves, I wasn’t talking about her background at all.
Sighing, Asha tugs Luna’s reins lightly, ready to turn back towards the manor, when suddenly thunder booms from the ground and the world shakes with such force it nearly knocks her out of the saddle.
“MY LADY!”
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MOONRISE BY LUNASEA: CHAPTER 5 END