Kiara smiled to herself, looking down at the letter she had just read, not for the first time. Why do I feel that you are not telling me everything about this, Janis? She mused. Then she shook her head and folded the letter.
Her mind was still stuck on a few phrases in it, however. ‘With the compliments of my Queen, hoping that you are doing well in this time of war, most respectfully, Janis.’ That was how she had closed her letter.
Kiara smoothed her expression as she started walking through their current base, yet another military camp that had been fortified further over time. She kept thinking about it while she walked, absently nodding to a few of the men she passed. Why did it feel so significant, that Janis referred to Regina as her Queen, with no other qualifier or description? For that matter, why should it be surprising that she doesn’t sign as ‘your devoted servant’ or with a similar phrase? Not anymore. Kiara frowned a little to herself. I suppose she makes it quite clear where her allegiances lie. Unsurprising, considering I essentially handed her over to the Hive, as she wanted. And as long as she is happy and helping to maintain good relations that benefit both sides, it should not be a problem, should it?
After dwelling on these things for a little longer, Kiara made an effort to push them out of her mind. She was thinking about Janis far too much lately. At least she was reasonably certain that it wasn’t out of some kind of misguided resentment. She didn’t begrudge Janis her new position or her recent Class Evolution. It was just that she secretly wished Janis had stayed with her. Although, on a different note, perhaps it was good that the other girl was no longer in her service.
Of course, Kiara’s own Class Progression was very near, too. She had participated in a few more battles, enough to reap a decent bounty of experience. She didn’t have to worry about her Class choice, fortunately. Kiara had planned on getting the Arcane Knight Class from the beginning, and she was almost certain that she fulfilled all of the requirements for it. The new Class should give her a decent boost to her mana as well as to her combat capability in general, and it was more than prestigious enough for her position. Perhaps not a typical Class for a lady, but certainly suitable for the heir to one of the kingdom’s most important demesnes.
And perhaps the throne, one day, she reminded herself. That is what Father is fighting for.
Of course, her father’s ambitions didn’t appear very close to being fulfilled at the moment. The last few months seemed to be the gods’ way of illustrating the old saying about taking one step forward and two steps back.
Things had been going well enough until the king and his troops returned from the war with the elves. Of course, everyone had known - or at least suspected - that the war wouldn’t last forever and this would happen eventually. Still, it had tilted the balance of strength decisively back in the crown’s favor. Not simply because all of the soldiers and levies the various lords had sent were now back in play, but also because of the strongest, highest-level individuals.
Most of those with especially high levels in Cernlia worked for the king. That was only natural, since he would be able to offer them the most, and no king would want too many people like these running around not beholden to anyone. Or worse, to potential rivals. Kiara was hoping that he might not be able to afford to keep them loyal going forward, especially if the war progressed in a way that made it clear he was in danger of losing. But so far, he seemed to have kept his power base together quite well. And since her father’s rebels weren’t winning at the moment, that was unlikely to change any time soon.
She was so lost in her musings that Kiara almost ran into another group of people on the outskirts of their camp. She had simply been wandering, trying to get some fresh air, but her feet had carried her through the area of the camp reserved for the noble lords and their entourages and along the main thoroughfare.
A few men wearing tabards with vaguely familiar devices stepped forward, hands on the hilts of their swords. They paused and stepped back after a moment, clearly recognizing her. Kiara’s current escort, Sir Willard, had stayed a few steps behind to not crowd her, but stepped forward now, as well.
“Ah, Lady Kiara! Well met.” A familiar voice greeted her, and the unfamiliar knights stepped aside to let their lord join her.
“Duke Bluegrass.” Kiara dipped her head. She took a moment to examine the elderly man. His gray hair was sparse and his clothes were clearly tailored to hide his gut, but he still seemed just as unbent and vigorous as the last time she’d seen him. The war didn’t appear to have left any marks on him. She suspected he was just good at hiding whatever stress or worry he might feel.
“I was not aware you had already returned,” she continued. “I hope that your business in Farton went well?”
“Well enough,” he responded with an easy smile. “I believe I at least got the eastern lords to consider the merit of our cause. Time will tell whether they will have the courage to join us.”
Kiara nodded. By all accounts, Bluegrass was an honest, honorable man. Not necessarily good at managing his holdings, but he had been noted for his loyalty to the crown and country since his youth. She wondered how her father had managed to persuade him to join the uprising against the king. Perhaps by pointing out their liege’s own conduct, his petty, almost tyrannical treatment of some of his lords (especially his cousin). Either way, the duke clearly believed in the righteousness of their actions.
“That is good to hear,” Kiara replied. “Let us hope they will indeed find their spine, Milord.” She glanced around. “Should I escort you to see my father? Or perhaps the headquarters and your rooms, if you have only just arrived?” she offered.
“Thank you, my dear, that would be much obliged.” He turned to look at his knights. “Kent, Derrik, I know you have matters of your own to deal with. You are free to leave and see about them. You have earned an evening of rest.”
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Two of the knights bowed and thanked him before taking off, which left Bluegrass and Kiara accompanied by Sir Willard and one other. She recognized him as a confidant who had accompanied the duke often in the past, though his name escaped her.
“If I remember correctly, your birthday is coming up shortly, is it not?” the duke asked pleasantly as they made their way through the camp.
Kiara almost started. She had forgotten about that, what with the war and all. “It is, in just a few weeks,” she answered. “Although under the circumstances, I expect it to pass quietly. We all have more important matters to focus on.”
“Oh, but one does not turn twenty every day,” he said. “I still remember when my Margaret and Elise had their celebrations. The latter would not stop talking about it for days,” he reminisced with a fond smile.
Kiara smiled politely and continued making pleasant conversation as they walked. She had become accustomed to people attempting to curry favor and ingratiate themselves over the last few months, but it was a little different with the old duke.
“But it seems we will have to wait for further good news,” he said after a short pause. “I have heard that your father is working to arrange a match for you with a prince of Esemen, is he not?”
Kiara paused. “You are well informed, Lord Bluegrass.”
He tilted his head. “I also heard that the Esemens are not as eager as they seemed at first, nowadays,” he said conspiratorially.
Kiara frowned slightly before she could stop herself. “I did get that impression as well,” she replied carefully.
She was not particularly happy about her father’s attempts in the first place. At least it was not any of the lords’ sons she knew. Her father was clearly trying to cement his family’s royal status, trying to build a connection and perhaps gain allies beyond this kingdom. Kiara was not surprised that the Esemens had seemed to freeze the negotiations lately, however. Presumably, this sort of thing would be a lot easier if her family had actually won the war and the throne.
“I was also surprised by their insistence on only considering a match for the younger prince,” he continued. “I would have thought that they would prefer for their heir to marry your father’s heir, so that future kings would have a claim on Cernlia, as well. But I suppose they did not want to muddle the waters.”
“Those are my thoughts as well,” she agreed. She had given the matter quite a bit of thought, obviously. But she was surprised he knew that much about it. “Please don’t think me rude for asking, Duke Bluegrass, but how involved are you in this matter? You seem quite well-informed.”
“Oh, I have been advising your father a little. I do have some contacts with Esemen that might be helpful.” He smiled and shrugged slightly, as if to show that it did not amount to much. “In any case, if this attempt is successful, it does make more sense for your groom to come here rather than the reverse.” He paused. “Although, I suppose your father might still get the son he wants so much.”
“I suppose,” Kiara agreed. She knew she sounded stiff, but that was better than letting her emotions show directly.
“Oh, please do not misunderstand me, Milady.” He reached out as if to touch her arm, but withdrew before he made contact. “I think your lord father has a perfectly good heir already. I certainly would not trade my own daughters for some hypothetical son, personally, either.”
Kiara gave him a slightly sharp look before she could stop herself. Then she nodded. “Your kind words are appreciated, Lord Bluegrass,” she said softly. “I will endeavor to be worthy of your high opinion.”
If it was anyone else, Kiara would suspect that he might be trying to drive a wedge through her family, playing games to increase his own power. She still wondered about that, a little. But she did not think it was the case. The duke was known as honest and straightforward, not given to this sort of cunning maneuvers. Besides, if he did have an ulterior motive, it did not necessarily have to be something bad. He had no sons and evidently wanted his eldest daughter to take his seat after him. Having a woman wearing the crown as well would only make matters easier for her. Perhaps he also wanted to have her future husband marry into their family, taking his daughter’s name, so his family name would live on.
“I am sure you will,” he responded. “And if there is anything I can do to be of assistance, Milady, please do not hesitate to ask.”
She smiled again. “I will be certain to do so, Milord. But here we are now.”
Kiara stayed as long as politeness dictated, watching for a moment as the duke got settled in. Or rather, his men arranged for things while he headed to talk to Kiara’s father. She considered trying to come along, but knew that would not turn out well.
After that, Kiara hesitated for a moment. Then she turned and made her way to the stables. She would go for a ride and clear her head. She had a few decisions to make.
By her reckoning, this was the first time someone had approached her as a political ally in this way. She was used to others trying to curry favor by now, but mostly as a connection to her father. Bluegrass had clearly not made an overture for Marquis Lyns. One could even argue his words and promise of support were in opposition to her father.
Which led to the question of what she was going to do now. This was not the first time Kiara had considered this, of course. Especially with the possibility of her mother’s current pregnancy resulting in a boy, there was an obvious call for her to secure her position. The question, however, was what she actually wanted. Did she want to stake a claim and fight for it? Not just to the march, but even the throne itself?
Kiara paused just outside the stables. She should pay a visit to Margaret. And there were a few other young lords or their children who she should sound out. If nothing else, hearing their opinions would be useful.
She hadn’t trained and pushed herself for most of her life just to be pushed aside by anyone. And she was growing tired of a lack of control over her life she was starting to feel more acutely. Her father had started this war, and she had had no choice but to follow him into it.
Having seen more than a few battlefields now, Kiara had begun to doubt the value of their cause. Not that she had ever been very convinced by it in the first place. Certainly, the king had treated them badly. But was that enough to justify the damage the fighting was doing to their country, and their people?
Her father had once told her that their duty and obligation as nobles was to protect their subjects, to let them go about their lives, work their trades and prosper in peace.
Kiara absentmindedly fingered the letter in the pocket of her jacket again. Janis had told her a bit about living in a village at the edge of their territory, occasionally menaced by monsters. She had been proud of her family’s work then, of the way they repelled the monster hordes and kept the borders of the kingdom clear of threats. Now, she wondered, despite herself, what Janis would say about the war.
Already, several knights that Kiara had grown up seeing around the castle had died honorably in battle. They would not be there to fight the next monster wave. And she suspected that even more of the common soldiers would be missing before this was over, as well. Even if she didn’t know what she should do about it. There likely wasn’t anything she could do.