Things moved quickly after that. No one had suspected or known what Felix had planned. He had done it all himself. Only the servant who had been laden with the drinks was given any instructions. And that only who was to receive what glass, their understanding that it was because of each person’s unique taste rather than any deadly poison influencing the orders.
The meeting concluded with Felix alone satisfied with its ending, for him becoming Head of the Family was no mere revenge mission. It was for him the opportunity to finally realise plans he had long been engaged in. The meeting was another step in bringing his long held hopes to life. Just as he’d touched upon during the meeting, this was no sudden realisation of Felix’s. It would only come to life after that he had been in close contact with the rebels on the Island of Syrnat for over three years by the time he announced his plans to the others. He had been regularly providing financial aid and even sent members of Balduin’s private militia as advisors to their war effort. All of this he had done in measured and ultimately cautious manoeuvres, unwilling to create too much talk about the island, nor give the rebels too much aid lest they move too fast. Now Head, he had free rein over virtually unlimited funds, none were better placed to provide the guns and ammunition needed to wage war. A role Felix would thrive in. He could never stand still, something always needed to be happening around him. His plan to take over and make himself King of an island was an all consuming one, one which suited him perfectly.
Before we get to the island and all it entailed I am sure many of you are wondering what kind of repercussions came about due to Felix’s spree of murders. After all, both of the families former Heads had just been killed, it would be logical then to assume some financial and business issues arising. Not so.
For it was here the Family principals came to Felix’s aid. For in every and all of their many business, corporate, and political interests none ever interacted with a legitimate member of the Balduins. None ever knew of their involvement. They were shadows, what difference then if one shadow killed another, so it was that nothing changed from Alexander to Felix. Those of the household, myself included, had nothing to do with such power struggles. We lived to serve, be it the uncle, the grandfather or the young heir. He was a Balduin. And let us not forget, Felix had waited until his twenty-second birthday and coronation for good reason, he was no pretender, he was the official Head of the Balduin Family by all criteria now. There was no cause for outside interference, even from the Concilium.
The only two who might have created difficulties for Felix were his sister and aunt.
Of them two the one who might have caused the most strife for Felix was his Aunt. Avelina had been effectively managing the house during Alexander’s time in charge, few knew and understood the day to day running of the Family better than she. Had she wished she would have certainly been in a position to create difficulties. Fortunately for Felix she did not wish to.
They did not speak properly for three days after the meeting. Though he’d asked for her several times she had excused herself on each occasion, carefully avoiding him around the House and gardens.
She needed time to think. Three days she spent virtually alone with just her many thoughts for company. There was no funeral, whatever Felix had done with the bodies he had not revealed it to anyone outside of his two cousins. All that was left for her was to think. To think, to plan and to decide.
It took her three days to come to her decision. With it made she finally determined not to wait for any longer but to go to Felix herself. The sooner she could clear things up between them the better she would feel. The third day after the meeting, as the day changed to night she went to him.
The woman had hardly slept with so much uncertainty over her future. She mourned too, but Avelina was a practical woman, she would not let any mourning stand in the way of practicality. No one doubted her love for Alexander, nor his for her. Their love however was no passionate romance, mayhaps in the early years but by the time of his death it had taken on a more symbolic role. Less passion, more pleasant familiarity. And while she grew old delicately, the same could not be said for her husband. His youthful sculpted physique had long faded by the time he had reached forty seven. He slept little and drank a lot, not destructively so, but he was certainly not healthy either. Little wonder then that Felix, grown and handsome as ever, had not failed to capture the attention of his aunt. Unsurprising especially given how much he sought it. Perhaps it was also a final way of attacking his uncle and his legacy, for together Alexander and Avelina had borne no children. A sign Felix later once drunkenly claimed as indication his uncle was not meant to be Head. Had he children then they would have taken Felix’s place in line. That they did not made Felix’s takeover that little less bloody and clean.
That evening when she chose to meet him Felix was busy discussing the current movements of the rebels on Syrnat when she appeared. Abruptly dismissing Renal and Arisan he guided her to sit at the desk in front of him.
“Well?” Felix asked, he stared at her from the other side of the table. “Have you thought about what I said?”
“You mean besides the death of my husband, and my mother and father in law?”
“Yes, I do indeed mean besides that.” Felix kept his face motionless, whatever tears or laments he’d had for the dead were long vanished, if they’d ever been there at all.
“Well then yes, I will not lie. I have. And you know as well as I do that it is not possible. I am your Aunt Felix. You are my nephew. That does not change with Alexander’s …… It doesn’t change.”
“What has that got to do with anything? Aunt or nephew makes little difference to me. Does it bother you so?”
“Yes, it does bother me so. Along with the fact that you murdered my husband Felix. Now you ask me to simply put that aside to what? Become your paramour? Am I to forget that fact on a whim. I am not judging you for what you did, were I in your shoes it may be I would have done the same. But that doesn’t change the fact that you murdered my husband.”
“I see. And there is no part of you happy with that fact? Happy to be free to do as you wish. For you are you know. If you desire to be with me then all you must do is say it. Not as my paramour no, but as my Queen. I have told you this is no passing fancy Avelina.”
“Should I be grateful then?” Avelina could not help laughing. “Felix, you should check your ego.”
“Should I? Why? If that ego is only referencing facts then what harm. Am I wrong then? You do not now desire me. Have never desired me?”
“Desired you? Why do you speak so strangely?”
Felix shook his head, “You are adept at avoiding questions Avelin.”
“Do not call me that.”
“You don’t like it now?” Felix got to his feet. “I want you by my side. Not as my Aunt. But as my Queen, my lover.”
“That cannot happen Felix.”
“No?” Felix smiled as he walked slowly over to her. “It can. Why do you deny what is so clear? If you want something you need to take it. I know you want me. Take it then. Have it.”
He ran one hand down her body. She took a step back and shook her head.
“Don’t. Don’t Felix.”
He followed her back and took one hand to brush back a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His hand lingered before settling on the back of her neck.
He moved in close to her. Avelina closed her eyes. “Don’t Felix.”
His kiss was gentle, Avelina pressed her lips tightly together. She didn’t want to give in. Pulling back from the kiss she placed both hands on Felix’s chest.
Opening her eyes she struggled to avoid his gaze. Felix stared intently and deeply into hers. The green of his were startlingly clear. Annoyingly difficult to turn away from.
“We can’t.” She whispered. Shaking her head she did turn away from him. She would have kept walking then, but Felix did not give in.
He moved quickly to place both of his hands around her waist and pulled her back in close to him. “We can.”
Again he kissed her. She resisted, pressing her lips together once more. But he did not stop, instead moving down to kiss and roam across her neck. She could not hold back the moan that escaped her lips. Swiftly she closed her mouth and closed her eyes, her body already revealing outwardly her inner. Felix did not stop, running a hand through her hair he grabbed behind her neck again, harder this time, and drew her into another kiss. This time his lips broke through hers and she faltered. She could not deny imagining such a kiss before, but she had not meant it to happen. It was not supposed to. She’d always stopped herself whenever her mind wandered to such base emotions. Yet, she did not want to stop it anymore. As Felix pulled back from the kiss he lifted her up easily to wrap her around his waist. He turned and placed her gently down on his desk. When he tried to kiss her again she did not resist.
Not now. It was already too late. As his hands searched down her body she felt as if every moment she would explode. An entire summer of tension streamed out of her, longer perhaps. She eagerly reached up to kiss him once more and slipped out of her dress as Felix’s hands undid the straps holding it up. He ripped off his shirt and her hands soon edged up and down his chest and waist. Desire took over and she ceased to resist, ceased to think. This time it was her who pulled him down onto her. She did not want to hold back anymore. It was wrong. She knew that. But she was tired of reservations, they would have to wait. Against desire what hope did reservation have in any case? At that moment she had her answer. None.
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The other who could have created difficulties was Karina, though far less involved in the Family than Avelina she nonetheless knew enough to complicate matters if she so wished.
She went further than her Aunt, locking herself in her room for five days after the meeting. She scarcely ate or slept in those five days, she would not speak and repeatedly refused Felix entry. Her food was left by her door and mostly there it remained uneaten and untouched. She more than any suffered and changed most due to that infamous meeting.
Karina had only just turned nineteen, and unlike Felix had never been of the independent kind, she was always the little darling of the Family. Three years apart, there was little the Balduin siblings shared in common besides their blood.
She had spent her childhood as a constant at her Mother’s side, on her death that changed to be at her Grandmother and Aunt’s side. In many ways she more than Felix was closer to all three of those he had so savagely killed in front of her very eyes.
She had been present to see her family’s reactions to Felix’s claims. Karina had always prided herself on her ability to read a person’s eyes. That day, whether she wished it or not she saw how they had looked at her Brother when he spoke the words. ‘I intend to make our Family Royalty once more.’ Nine words which had changed her life forever. Nine words which rang out repeatedly in her head.
Alexander, he had seemed more shocked than angry, sad even. He had looked almost guilty as he pleaded with Felix to remain calm. Grandfather had his shock too, but his was heavily veiled behind the anger. He had been more outraged than anything. He must have still harboured some bitterness towards Father judging by his words and actions. Even after all those years….. She had never seen Eustace the elder Principale. She only know him as the amicable old man of the Family, an always willing companion to any of her adventures. Grandmother would have been responsible for that, she always sought to protect, to hide away Karina from any of the unseemliness of the Balduin operations.
Her death hurt most of all. Her death was the one which she spent most of those five days in contemplation of.
She had known evidently, her final words revealed as much. Yet Karina knew innately that she had not played any part in the planning or carrying out of the act. Still….she was his Mother. Was it enough that she did not actively take part? She knew of her husband’s plan. Surely then it was not wrong but only just for Felix to kill her just as she had killed Father by her inaction.
Why then was she angry, why then did she mourn the deaths of those who had killed Father?
She was not confused, she did not blame her Brother. They had killed Father, he was duty bound to kill those responsible.
She was only a baby when Father died, hardly a year old. Any love or affection she felt for him was not through any experience or feeling. But she knew that the deaths of the three were well warranted.
It took her five days to decide. Finally she came to the conclusion that Felix had been right to do what he did. Though she wished he had told her of his plans she also understood why he didn’t, she was not sure she could have looked on her grandmother’s face knowing what was to happen. She did perhaps disagree with the how of the killing, or at least Felix’s rather light reaction to the affair, but it did not seem right to condemn him for that. No doubt he had been through pain enough knowing what he did.
He’d visited and knocked on her door each morning of those five days. Each time she gave no answer to his knocks and requests. On that fifth day only did she allow him in.
Without a word he silently entered and they both hugged. They said nothing as they embraced, the action was enough. Karina finally pulled away first.
“How?”
“Father. He left it to me. In his will, his last words. I had no choice Karina, I had to-”
“I know Felix. I know you did. I do not doubt that. And I am glad I was there.” She laughed, not her usual childish and carefree laugh, but a bitter, adult laugh. “Were I not then I know I would have not believed you. Even with the Will I might not have. But some things can not be hid. I looked upon their faces in those last moments and saw the proof of your words on them. You did what was right Felix. I know that now. It is just…”
“Yes, it is.” Felix smiled sadly, “Do not think it was easy for my sister. It is only that I have imagined Father falling in much the same way so many times that I could not help but take pleasure in theirs. Truly, I wish none of this had or needed to happen. But it did.”
“And now? You intend to go through with your plans? We are going to reveal ourselves?”
“I do. And we are, yes. It is time.”
Karina nodded. “And is this Father acting through you? Do you really want all this Felix?”
“Both,” Felix admitted, “I don’t deny that I never had such grand ideas as he did. But ever since I read and thought about Father’s ambitions I have not been able to shake them. They come to me when I close my eyes, whenever I close my mind to the outside world. They were his, but I have taken them for my own wholeheartedly sister. I am doing this for him, yes, but so much more besides.”
“And you are convinced? Have you forgotten why our Family hid ourselves in the first place? You must see why Grandfather and Alexander had reservations, even forgetting everything else you must see their reasoning.”
“I see it, and I am not blind to the risks Karina. But I meant what I said in the meeting, regardless of what happened after. The World is changing, what was once easily hidden will soon be revealed. This is not some idle ambition for increased power, it is a necessity for the future of our Family. I have seen it sister.”
Karina nodded but said nothing, now did not seem like the time to voice all of her concerns. Whatever pretence Felix tried to conjure she knew it was ambition more than anything driving such claims and plans. Unlike his uncle before him, Felix had always hated the lack of public attention, the need for utmost secrecy in all their dealings. Despite all of that she sensed only sincerity in her brother’s words. It appeared Felix had even fooled himself into believing there was such a threat to their existence in the current state. In reality, Karina knew that his ploy had no bearing on that existence. In fact she imagined it would make their continued existence all the more difficult.
Felix noticed her silence.
“We will not lose anything sister, we’ll keep our private enterprises as they are but will add everything. An entire island that has been left disregarded and underused for over 50 years, more in truth. A land rich in resources and potential. With such land and resources we could create an entire nation of our own design. Formally recognised as Heads of State we would become untouchable. In all areas of life.”
“Perhaps.”
Felix shook his head, “You doubt it. Sister, look at the Saxe-Coburg-Gothas. The people yet adore them and they still wield and hold power beyond belief over what remains of the British Empire. Their only problem is that they can do nothing with that power, for Britain is too big and too deeply set in their ways for them to take have any real control. Yet they have mastered the public and hidden themselves behind walls of pomp and ceremony, we can do as they have, except without the limitations. Look too at the Kims in North Korea. See what they have created, without any foundation, without any of the resources we would bring. Look at the power and grip they hold on the Nation. Imagine if they were not so volatile in their isolation, so damning and cruel towards their own people. Imagine if instead of destroying and ruining the land and people they created a prosperous one. One that fed the land and them. A realm people desired to live in. They would be lauded as visionaries in a world of greed and corruption. We can have that. They did things half right, we will do things completely right.”
“So you wish to help the people?”
Felix stopped his pacing, he rolled his eyes, “The People. I wish to keep them happy and docile, that's all. It is what they can offer and give us I wish for.”
“Your ambition veers close to destruction Felix.” Karina finally put in, “I hope you see that.”
“Any ambition worth aiming for is so.” He responded firmly.
They stared unspeaking for several moments.
“Besides, think about it.” Felix finally broke in. “Who is more suited to be a princess than you, Karina Balduin. I daresay royalty will fit you better than any of us.”
Karina rolled her eyes, “Oh please, knowing you I imagine you have already picked out a crown.”
“I have not picked, though I might have looked.”
Karina laughed, a real laugh this time. “Then I shall trust in you Brother. And I will aid you in what ways I can, perhaps I will choose your crown for you.”
“That is all I ask Sister. For it is together that we will rule. I will not succeed without you to support me.”
“I will be there. Though I must ask you one thing.”
“Of course.”
Karina stared up at her brother, “What will become of Aunt Avelina.”
“Avelina? Well she will continue as she always has of course. She was not yet part of the Family when Uncle became Head. She can not then be held responsible for anything that was done to Father.”
“That is not what I mean Felix. You know what I ask.”
Felix stopped smiling. “That is not for you to ask about Karina. I do not pry into your personal affairs, neither should you in mine.”
“She is our Aunt Felix. Your Aunt. It is not right. I see how you look at her. Worse, I see how she looks at you. But you cannot pursue it, it is abnormal.”
“Abnormal?” Her Brother laughed at her, “Our whole tree is a mess of cousins and indeed uncles and nieces, aunts and nephews marrying. Don’t throw out words for nothing sister. Avelina is not even related to us by anything other than our dead uncle. Abnormal? You are creating drama where there is none.”
“Me? I am creating drama when you two were seen together last night gett-”
Felix shook his head, “Enough Karina. This is not something we will argue and debate on. Not now, not ever.” He turned to depart but Karina held him back.
“You have to listen Felix, I mean it, this is not ri-”
“ENOUGH.” Felix pulled his arm away. “I am not speaking out of politeness sister. I mean what I say. Do not question me on such things.” He looked back at her. “Do not.”
Karina took a few steps back as Felix departed her, shutting the door firmly behind him. For a brief moment she had seen the same look in her brother’s eyes as he had had in the meeting room. Only for a brief moment, it had vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared. But it had appeared. As she sat down on the bed that image remained. She sighed, Felix had promised to make her a Princess. A thought that would have once filled her with happiness and the utmost joy. Now however, all she could wonder was just how much that title would cost. For in truth, to her it already seemed too much.