The banquet had reached a bit of a lull after Cornelius’s outburst, but after a while it got back to its former boisterous atmosphere. The servants had brought out the alcohol, so the nobles had already started to get drunk.
“Excuse me your highness, I have some business to attend to,” Cornelius said with a polite bow to the royals. They responded with a slight nod so Cornelius made his way down from the podium and approached the Dutchess Avory. She was currently talking to Lord Jansen of Bramm a Marqui of the western quadrant, he was a stout man of short stature with long hazel hair flowing down to his back he was wearing a simple but elegant dress robe green in color.
As Cornelius approach he heard a part of their conversation “Lady Avory your dukedom has truly been blessed by the gods these past years,” Lord Jansen said with a boisterous smile, he was one of those religious fenatics who had more faith than brains, ‘the gods would not save him’.
Cornelius thought he had a personal grudge against Lord Jansen for it was partly his foolishness that caused the death of his parents. His wrath grew but he chose to ignore it.
He had realized many moons ago that he had awakened the first patriarch’s bloodline, it was shortly after the death of his parents death that he had first set his heart ablaze. Since then the Dragon within his soul had its clutches on his heart, for if he was not careful he would lose himself to the dragon so he had to be careful.
Lady Avory had already noticed his presence at this point “Lord Jansen it seems I have a meeting with Lord Cornelius so if you'll excuse me,” Lord Avory stated before she started following Cornelius. He led her to his office at the third floor of his estate, he led her up stairs and through hallways. At some point when they were walking through the banquet hall Lady Prudence had joined her mother in following Cornelius.
When they reached the door of his office he led them inside, its interior had a large desk with the documents regarding the responsibilities of his house strewn about, there were three chairs one behind the desk and two Infront of it the walls were adorned with bookshelves and an impressive collection of monster skulls. Cornelius took his seat behind his desk while the two ladies sat adjacent to him.
“You said that you have something to discuss Lady Avory?” Cornelius asked politely.
“Indeed I do Lord Cornelius, Its is in regards to the future of our Houses,” She said in a calm tone keeping her composure. Cornelius rose a brow at her statement.
“In what sense do you mean Lady Avory?” he asked curiously not fully understanding what she meant.
“Our families have been allies since the dawn of the Dynasty, even after the fall of House Amydross we have remained. I do think that it is time our Houses become one do you not,” she asked inquisitively.
It took a second to realize what she meant, he blushed slightly “Although I am flattered Lady Avory but I fail to see the advantage this would bring you, to me it seems like a one-sided arrangement?” he asked.
“Although my house is powerful, we do not have a true bloodline such as yours. Tonight has proved that you have awakened said bloodline, the first in three decades. It is more of a long-term investment you see,” she answered.
“Then what exactly are you proposing?” he asked.
“I am proposing an engagement with my youngest daughter Prudence.” she said nonchalantly.
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This time it was Prudence’s turn to raise a brow but she chose to remain silent. Cornelius took some time before he answered. “And how would that work because I refuse to give up my House name as is custom,” In the Diyu a marriage between nobles it is the one of higher ranks surname that is used.
“And I would never ask that you do, so the compromise I came up with is that your second and fourth born would be the ones to retain my House name, This way thee bloodline can be passed on to the house of Moon all the while the house Amydros remains, a good compromise don't you think?” she said the last part as a question.
At this point Prudence had become beet red from embarrassment but she tried and failed to regain her former composure. "It is indeed a good compromise, let it be known the House of Amydros will join the House of Moon in this sacred union, for if it was not for your assistance my House would be no more,”
As a noble concepts such as marrying out of love was foreign and often looked down upon by other nobles, if there was nothing to gain there would be no interest. Besides this arrangement was perfect for Cornelius it would be an advantages union for both sides so it was the logical decision.
Cornelius stood up and bowed to Lady Avory and said “Let me not keep you from the festivities any longer.”
He made his way back towards the hall and beckoned the royals to follow him towards his office once there he cut straight to business for he had no love for the Royal Family.
“So what is it that you wanted to speak of your highness?” he asked all emotion gone from his voice his eyes had turned cold for he no longer kept up appearance.
“I do not know if you are aware but my father is not in good health, although we have tried to keep it under wraps it has already caused division within the Royal family and the circle of nobles it is a race for succession,” he paused his voice just as emotionless as Cornelius’s “Therefore we need to assemble allies and as one of the most ancient houses we have come to you.’
“You are either a fool or extremely desperate to have come to me, your elder brother Caspien the fist prince is clearly already in favor of the succession, unless you have a plan you are doomed to fail.” his voice had somehow grown even colder.
“A keen observation Lord Cornelius you are truly wise beyond your years,” princess Abigail said in a soft tone.
“Flattery will not help you here,” Cornelius cut her off before she could continue.
A smile broke out on prince Shtad’s face “So the rumors were true, you are as cold as the frozen plains. Good we need not a fool, what we are proposing is simple you offer us your support in this battle for succession and we will in turn help you with reinstating your house,”
“And how do you intend to do that?” he asked genuine curiosity plain on his face.
“Simple actually, after we win the succession you will marry Princess Abigail.” he said that as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
“Ah I see unfortunately you are a bit late for I am already engaged to someone else,” this time it was the prince’s turn to raise a brow.
“As interesting as that may be, the Nobless Druvol clearly states that in the case of a Nobleman who serves in war he is then allowed to have many wives in preservation of his bloodline,” Prince Shtad said his tone even.
“That may be, but we are not at war so the Nobless Druvol is null and void,” Cornelius rejected the idea swiftly.
“Word has not spread but within the next 6 years we will declare war on Varda and continue our expansion efforts so the accord will be in place.” the prince said.
This was a shocking revelation for Cornelius but it also brought an emotion of vengeance to resurface into his cold heart. “Then prince Shtad it seems we have reached an accord,” he stood up and shook his hand.
Present day…
It had been three weeks since he had join the Fortress of Frozen Dreams, in that time he had been through many trials and tribulations his mind, body and soul had been refined and honed into a weapon.
He had made great progress on his magic with the help of Captain Zagreus even with his arrogant demeanor he was a competent teacher. He had finally accomplished the external control of his mana and found that his affinity could augment both his body and his weapons and armor, as well as having a side effect of spreading like some type of corruption on the living it gave of hints of madness while on the inanimate it would worm away their control until he was the one in control.
He had made great improvements with his sword play, Sky Breaker had become comfortable in his hand he had gotten used to its weight, it drank his mana any time he tried to infuse it and strengthen it so he changed the approach by strengthening his arms instead. All in all he had become a weapon in every sense of the word.
But soon all the new trainees would go through the trials to prove they are ready to join. The trials are renowned for being a truly harrowing experience and each trial was unique so no one had any prior knowledge of what they would face.