When she entered the sitting room, she saw her mother by the hearth. She was knitting a scarf. The cedarwood was quietly smoldering, filling the room with a pleasant aroma. Her mother looked better than she had in the past few weeks. Her father, Cedric Dulli, had passed away last month. The loss of her father had been evident everywhere in recent months. Cedric had been the lord of Dervoza and managed most of the practical affairs in his manor. He instructed the servants on what to do to keep everything running smoothly.
Because Cedric took care of everything, she, her brother, and mother had an easy life. Thanks to Cedric’s fortune, they could do whatever they wanted. The name Dulli held great prestige in the kingdom of Binkendorf, and they were welcomed wherever they went. From a young age, she was taught the courtesies of the court. She learned to read and do arithmetic, as well as the geography of the Midbad continent. She learned the different types of greetings and was always informed about the latest fashions. Her wardrobe was constantly replenished by the servants with new clothes suitable for the current season.
Her brother Herald was trained in the use of the sword. He showed a natural talent for it at a young age and soon proved to be the best in the household. He received extra private lessons from the weapon master Halt. Over the years, he accompanied Cedric more frequently to meet other lords. He became a knight and took his place in the household; last year he was appointed head of the guard. When Cedric died, he was the most affected by it. Kimana loved her father dearly, but Herald had a much closer bond with him. Herald has a long way to go in his grieving process, while her mother, sitting in her chair now, seems to have turned a new page in her life.
“Sit down, Kimana, there are some things I want to discuss with you. Would you like something to drink, perhaps a cup of tea?” Her mother, Astrid, didn’t even look up from her knitting as she spoke. “Chamomile tea would be nice, mother.” As she sat down in the other chair by the hearth, Gryselda left to prepare chamomile tea for her. “You know, Kimana, that I like to tell it like it is. I see no point in beating around the bush. So I won’t bore you with trivialities before I tell you why I called you here. You know that my mother turned 86 a few weeks ago.”
“She is currently the only Filony in the city of Toro. Now that she is getting older, it is becoming increasingly difficult for her to fulfill her responsibilities as the marquis of this city. According to her latest letter, she is relying more and more on her advisor Rivik. I have nothing against this young man, but he is not a Filony.
What will happen to Toro if my mother Alissa dies? I pray that she lives long and remains healthy, but since Cedric’s death, I am acutely aware of how fragile life can be. It can end suddenly.”
As her mother spoke, Kimana realized where the conversation was heading. She wanted to send her to Toro to rule over the city and the surrounding lands. This actually appealed to her; she had been trained for this her entire life. It was high time to put these lessons into practice. So, as her mother continued talking, she couldn’t suppress a smile.
“That is why I have sent letters to the house of Soyfeld. You know that your father and Gorult Soyfeld had a good relationship. Gorult ensured that we always had enough supplies to get through the winter, while Cedric provided better knights for his household. However, Gorult has no wife and no heirs. To thank him for the decades-long agreement between house Dulli and house Soyfeld, I have decided that you will become his wife. You will live together in Toro, and when my mother dies, you will become the marquises of the city. Gorult has agreed to this arrangement; he will leave his estate and lands in the hands of his personal bodyguard. However, Gorult will return to Binkendorf a few times each year to check on his estate.”
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“Your first child will become the successor of Toro, and your second child will become the new lord of Lord Soyfeld’s estates. Gorult will arrive here tomorrow, and I expect you to depart for Borgon within a few days.” The longer her mother spoke, the more Kimana couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mother’s mouth. “Mother, you can’t be serious; Gorult is 61 years old. For all we know, he might not even be able to have children anymore. Besides, why didn’t you discuss this with me? Don’t I have the right to decide who I marry and have children with?”
“You lost that right a long time ago, and you know it well, Kimana. Or do I need to remind us both of that unpleasant incident? I expect you to consider this a great honor; normally, your brother would have the right to this position.” “Then why don’t you give it to Herald? I don’t want Gorult at all; he has been making advances on me for many years. You know this, and you know I don’t appreciate it.” “It doesn’t matter that you don’t appreciate it; you must do your duty, Kimana, and the reason your brother doesn’t get the position of marquis is due to his own actions.” “He asked me if he could become an honorary knight at the court of the royal house of Binkendorf.”
“I cannot grant him that honor, unfortunately. I received a letter from the royal house of Borgon this week. Crown Prince Timel will turn twenty-four in a few weeks. They are throwing a grand celebration in the capital Clarus, and we are invited. I have decided not to attend the celebration; my place is here, in Dervoza. Someone must take care of this manor, as Cedric would have wanted. However, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to introduce you and Gorult to the political intrigues of the kingdom of Borgon. Let everyone present there get to know you and get to know them. Send me a letter with interesting things you learn about them. Herald will also travel with you. This is his opportunity to talk to King Ugmar Brenner, Crown Prince Timel, and especially the knights of the house of Brenner.”
“I have been thinking of placing him at the court of the Brenner family in the future, and attending Timel’s birthday celebration is a good first step. Before he is admitted to the court as an honorary knight, he will also live in Toro to protect you, Gorult, and your children.”
“You have really thought of everything, mother. I thought you would spend this week in seclusion to mourn father’s death. Instead, you have been busy with your own intrigues. Don’t lie to me about your responsibilities to this household. I know very well why you don’t want to go to Clarus; however, that is no reason to send me or Herald there.”
“There is nothing more to discuss, Kimana. The letters have been sent; everything is already arranged. However, you inform your brother; I am almost certain he will see all this as something much more positive. He will become an honorary knight of the house of Brenner, and you will become a marquis. Everyone would be happy to hear this, Kimana, why do you always have to make things so difficult?”
Kimana wanted to respond immediately but held her words back. She couldn’t win this fight with her mother. It was wiser to just go along with her plans. When she became the marquis of Toro, she could decide for herself what to do; that was the only positive aspect of all this. “I will now go to Herald’s quarters, mother. Gorult will be here tomorrow, so it is high time he is informed.” As she got up and walked to the door, Gryselda returned with her tea. She took the cup of tea from her, thanked her, and then left to see her brother.