Thankfully, Kierra knows how to handle horses, swear that elf can do anything. We stop by the Golden Feathers. I wanted to speak with Marcella, but she isn’t there when we arrive. I imagine she’s busy acting on Slaid’s information. Or getting back at the guilds for causing a ruckus in her hotel.
Either way, it’s an uneventful trip to collect the rest of my servants, Jac, and Allen. Then it’s back to the Teppin estate. I forbid anyone from opening the shutters over the carriage’s single window so none of them see the devastation we unleased commandeering the property. A precaution I mainly take for Allen’s sake, and I appreciate the small effort as I watch the carefree way he stumble-runs through into the large house. He doesn’t make it far before he’s scooped up by his mother, the little boy giggling as she smothers him with love.
The rest of the house is also nearby, apparently waiting for our return. Their anxiety is painted across their faces but one of them is particularly eager for answers. Jac’s mouth opens as she prepares to ask a question, but she’s usurped by Lord Teppin. Emboldened by Geneva’s absence and unbothered by strangers ogling his hilarious appearance, he barks out his questions. “What’s happening? How is the city? Answer me!”
Whatever empathy I might have for the lord as a man worried about the city he’s meant to protect is squashed by the sound of Allen’s soft whimper, the little boy scared by his loud voice. Hm. What would make this hurt the most?
“Earl. Anna.” The siblings step forward as I call them, eager to serve. I smile as I imagine the consequences of what I’m about to do. “This is Lord Teppin and his family. In exchange for sparing their lives, they have agreed to serve me for a time, but they lack instruction.”
Earl is a mild-mannered and respectful boy. Even when he is forced to chastise someone or make a stand, he does so calmly, without even raising his voice. In the early days, before Geneva got her claws deep into him, I would call him shy.
Anna also has a lot of control, especially for a girl her age. She needs it, given her beastly tendencies. She’s learned to conduct herself with propriety befitting a noble’s servant, even if most of her control comes from simply avoiding those she isn’t familiar with.
As soon as I finish speaking, the siblings’ carefully nurtured control snaps, twin visages of disdain marring their features. Leeona flinches as Anna growls, her pets the only thing keeping the little monster from leaping at them. Lord Teppin’s gaze moves, drawn by the sound, but it snaps to Earl as my young steward moves before him.
“Lacking instruction indeed,” Earl says while looking the lord up and down, tone filled with the dissatisfaction of a noble matriarch examining the pretty commoner her son is infatuated with. “No regard for your uniform, as much poise as an ox, and no comprehension of a servant’s role. This is how you repay someone that spares you? Disgraceful.”
I don’t blame the lord for not recognizing the danger he’s in. Can’t blame him for his reaction to Earl either. I anticipated it. Doesn’t stop me from wincing as he growls, “Get out of the way, boy.”
Earl, perhaps undeservedly, slaps him.
The whole room is taken aback, except for innocent Allen who’s head swivels as he curiously looks for the thing responsible for the loud clap of a palm meeting flesh. I watch with slightly horrified amusement as the lord gapes at the stone-faced steward.
Geneva is terrifying. No one with a working brain would ever have the courage to defy her. There’s no shame in surrendering to her whims, it’s just a matter of course.
Earl is a boy. He looks it too, all round-face and wide-eyed. That’s why I chose him. I could have reprimanded Lord Teppin, easily reminding him of his situation and why he’s wearing a dress. No shame in that either, as I practically single-handedly annihilated his knights.
But being brought low by a fresh-faced young man, someone that looks like he should be sweeping the steps of his family’s store or running messages through the city? That has to hurt. And it must. The lord forgets himself, forgets that I can kill him and his family anytime, and starts to cast. His eyes are bright with the glow of channeled mana for a fraction of a second.
Then Earl slaps him again. Harder.
I wince as the second blow turns the lord’s head and makes him stumble. The scent of blood reaches me a moment before I notice it dribbling from Lord Teppin’s bleeding lip. Rey takes a step toward them, meaning to intervene, but her mother catches her shoulder and hauls the young woman backward, latching onto her to keep her from getting involved.
“To serve our lady is an honor,” Earl snaps. “Though your service may be temporary—” Blessed saints, I’ve never heard someone make such a mundane word sound so despicable. I knew the siblings were especially loyal, it’s why I anticipated a good show, but this is beyond that. Worrying…but also flattering. And strangely admirable. I’m quite proud of my young steward and growing prouder with every passing moment. How far he’s come, from a pitiful bandit to a confident man slapping middling nobles in their own homes. “—you will strive with every ounce of your being to be worthy of this honor.”
“Who do you think you are?” the offended nobleman roars, though he keeps his magic to himself. A caster’s greatest weakness is a martial fighter engaging them, leaving them no chance to throw a spell. Earl has already demonstrated he’s quick enough to “disrupt” the lord before he can build a spell worth the mana. Aside from that, the lord doesn’t strike me as a brawler, and it seems he doesn’t like his chances in a contest of strength.
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“I am Earl, Lady Tome’s steward. As a servant, my purpose is to assist her however I can. I have the honor of keeping her home. For now, this is my lady’s home. That makes it, and you, my responsibilities. I do not fail in my responsibilities.”
The room holds its breath as the audience waits to see if the lord will try his luck again. Earl makes for a deceptive target. It’s easy to look down on him. Lord Teppin has over a head in height over him and a lot more weight. He could convince himself that he stands a chance.
But, once more, the lord proves he’s no fool. His body is stiff with reluctance and shackled rage as he straightens up, signaling his compliance as he struggles to control himself.
Earl takes the submission with grace. “Get yourself cleaned up and change into a fresh dress. Preferably something that fits you better. I’ll see to your wardrobe later but there’s nothing stopping you from making an effort now.”
He doesn’t even stop to question why the man is wearing a dress, haha. Saints, this boy is the best.
“The rest of you, back to your duties. I’ll be speaking with you individually in time. Anna, with me. Let’s find a room for the pets.”
Anna’s glare as she passes by the Teppin family is softened by the squeaking balls of golden fluff in her arms and riding her shoulders. Leeona still jumps with the little girl snaps her teeth at her, scurrying behind her mother that is still busying holding back her unruly daughter. They all let out audible sighs as the siblings leave the love. I bet the rest of the room feels the same way.
The matriarch is quick to usher her daughters back to work, sparing her husband a quick glance before hurrying from the room. Guess she isn’t as eager to test my steward. Or maybe it’s her daughters she’s protecting. I like Rey’s, hm, spirit but I don’t think Earl will take too kindly to her attitude.
Lord Teppin remains where he is, rooted by his anger. The vein pulsing along the side of his head is the only physical indicator of his racing heart and turbulent emotion. I think the poor man might explode if he moves too fast.
“The city is fine,” I offer, taking pity on the man. He slowly looks over to me. “The explosion was someone vandalizing a store owned by One For All. Brought down the building and caused a few casualties, but the damage was contained there.”
“…is that all you know?” he asks, heart rate slowing.
“For now. Hunters had already taken control of the scene when I arrived, and they weren’t too keen on me investigating. Your city guards were there too. Looks like they take their cues from the guilds now.”
“The commander is a smart man. He knows how this city works.”
“Everyone, make yourselves comfortable,” I tell the petrified audience. “Show’s over.” I motion for Lord Teppin to follow me, not minding his slow gait. “You can pour me a drink while I ask you some questions. Might answer some too, if you have good answers.”
He isn’t happy but he doesn’t refuse, obeying my direction. I settle on one of the couches while Lord Teppin disappears into the kitchen. Surprisingly, Jac also follows, dropping down next to me.
“You really are mixed up in it,” she says after a few moments of uncomfortable silence.
“This has nothing to do with you. You can leave the city tonight. Maybe go to Rosentheim, see the City of Flowers.”
“Maybe I should,” she muses. “…or I could go back to the capital. Take care of, you know. Your father and the things that come with death.”
Her words remind of things I’d rather not think about. Like the preserved head hidden amongst the rest of our possessions.
“He, uh, his.” Jac stops to clear her throat, clearly as uncomfortable with the subject as I am. “He should be buried, have a proper funeral. My bastard father should know his brother is dead, though I don’t know how much he’ll care. And the village will need to be tended to—”
“I know!” I snap, unsure why her practical concern is so grating. I forcefully vent my frustration with a deep sigh. “I know, but it’ll have to wait.” I can’t leave Quest on the verge of imploding.
“Let me take care of it for you,” Jac continues in a sympathetic voice. Being a wanted woman, it’d be awkward for you to be anywhere near the capital. And I’m not blind to how you’ve been protecting me. I’m a burden here. At least there, I can make myself useful.”
I turn, gauging her intent from her expression. She’s always been a doer. This, everything, especially that horrendous treatment at the palace, must be hard on her. Is this what she needs? Saints know I don’t have a clue but I’m willing to listen to her whims. She deserves that much. “Won’t that get in the way of you working for the Guiness Company?”
She scoffs. “I figured it would take a decade of work to accrue enough reputation and connections to convince the marquis to finance an expedition. Recent events have convinced me that working for you could be just as effective, if not more so. That, and you actually care if I’m snatched off the road by a couple of immoral agents of the crown.”
Her idea makes sense. Saints, it’s more than sensible. It’s great. Ideal. So why does it still not sit right with me?
“It should be me.” I’m his daughter, dammit. I should be the one to handle these things. I never did a thing for the man while he was alive and now that’s he’s dead, this is my only chance to ever do anything for him. Have I been a terrible daughter? Is it even more terrible that a part of me agrees with Jac?
“I’m sure Uncle would understand. He was nothing if not practical.”
A strangled laugh escapes my throat. Yes, Father wasn’t a sentimental man. All my overflowing feelings would have just made him uncomfortable. Except my thirst to punish those who’ve wronged us. Loving, he was not but the man was vengeful.
“…you’re right. Thanks, Jac. It’d be a weight off my mind.”
She squeezes my shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. This is something I’ve always wanted.”
“How could I forget?” Before setting her sights on unearthing an ancient family legacy and becoming a queen or some such, Jac’s humble dream was to succeed her father as head of the family. Governing a territory is a dream come true. “You’ll have some help. Don’t give me that look. I’m leaving you in charge, just making sure you’re taken care of.”
I’m sure a few of the succubi forced to leave the capital wouldn’t mind settling down in a humble village. I won’t let them anywhere near Jac, she’d probably be wrapped around their fingers in a month, saints protect her, but they can support her from the shadows. Ease her into the responsibility.
More importantly, they can keep her safe. Things are going to heat up here and with the king. I don’t think highly enough of anyone to assume they won’t target my family when they realize how much of a threat I truly am. Best to take precautions now.
Our moment is interrupted by Lord Teppin entering the room holding a serving tray with a bottle of Herbanacle and a glass.
“I’ll leave you to your business,” Jac says, giving my shoulder another squeeze before leaving the room, stepping around the irate lord whose frustration is still thick enough to create an air of tension around him.