AO 7 Ch 33

"Alright," I clapped my hands and glanced over at the goddesses. Ditzy was currently helping Missy put on an apron in the small kitchen amid Eva’s suits.

Really, living as a princess was beyond my wildest expectations and even a little tempting. Though, I wanted all the things, but none of the responsibility.

Maybe I’d have to just make a castle for myself and enjoy life like this. Not a bad idea. Though, I’d need someone with better decoration skills than my own to match Eva’s rooms.

The group was all assembled, Emlyn was still half asleep, but I’m sure with the right motivation she’d be more alert.

"Alright," Missy did a little wiggle of her nose. Suddenly, the birds outside the windows stopped singing, or more accurately, I couldn't hear them sing any longer as she put up some barrier.

"Wonderful. Now then, since we're very stuck here," I said, glancing at Eva and ensuring she didn’t feel like I was blaming her, "it's about time we all make sure we are headed the correct direction for our collective needs."

Emlyn raised her hand. "And, what exactly are our needs?"

"That's a good question. Well, I think first, food." They glanced over at the goddesses, who had summoned a strange looking metal contraption that began spitting out fire.

One of those in my future castle would be nice too.

I ignored whatever was happening, letting them cook. "I would like to understand more about my father and his untimely demise, which means the royal family needs to not be in quite as big of a tizzy as they are today."

"I think a tizzy is a significant understatement," Eva gave me a look that said she did not particularly appreciate my assessment.

"Well, whatever you would like to call it, I think we can agree there is trouble in paradise. The palace is under house arrest with a murder or murders afoot while there’s also a game of succession that may or may not be intertwined with their goals." I answered.

Eva grunted in begrudging acknowledgment.

"Good. Now we could pursue some information on my father, but I suspect that would mean picking a side." I glanced at Eva, and she looked at me in confusion. "This is where you explain the pros and the cons of the various heirs."

"Oh. Well, Gabriella is Gabriella. She's a powerful mage, and decently controlling. If you do what she says, you're in the clear, but the second you step out of line, she won't hesitate to destroy you. She has the best chance of coming out on top," Eva stated.

"Very friendly, I see," I said dryly. "And Arthur? Maybe he's just a big muscle head and when this is all done, he'll be happy as a clam to let us do as we please?" I smiled at Eva, hope in my eyes.

"No. He's more likely to be an expansionist. And I would say there's a number of the Vel'shae that will end up supporting him, simply because they don't want to sit around the royal palace. By being an expansionist, he can tie his desires to a narrative of restoring Zenovia to its former glory. There's enough old Vel'shae that will eat that up faster than wolves would eat a liver."

"Colorful example," I commented.

“And then you've got a small band of lesser heirs that know that they can't compete against Arthur or Gabriella. Honestly, they are most likely to give us favorable terms. However, whenever you bargain with that many people, it's hard to trust that when it's all done, they'll still follow through. They are cutting the cake slices too thin as it is," Eva explained the political mire that we found ourselves stuck maneuvering through.

"One of you goddesses, please say you're the goddess of negotiations or deals or something?" I smiled at the pair, the grill and the one lazing on the couch.

"Crossroads is about as close as you're going to get," Ditzy poked Missy in the breasts next to her. "And by best you're going to get, I mean, not very good at all."

"Watch it," Missy growled. "Don't be bitter at me just because of last night."

"What happened last night, for those of us who don't know?" I asked with a quick smile at the goddesses.

But instead of an answer, Ditzy simply grumbled while Missy laughed.

I looked to my anchors, who apparently had decided to all glare at me like I'd done something wrong. Eh, wouldn’t be the first time they were bitter they were all wrong and I was right.

"Well, not that it's that important right now," I hedged off the topic. "Back to the heirs. So, three groups. We have Gabriella, Arthur, and a collection of heirs who are really just trying to survive. They either don't want to work for Gabriella or they're afraid of Arthur." I was already feeling a headache coming.

"Well, most likely, they're afraid of Arthur upholding traditions and killing them all." Eva said.

The situation was becoming clear. So now we simply needed to weigh the pros and cons. The mixed group was likely the weakest contender for the throne. It all depended on their numbers and whether they could muster enough power to push back against Arthur. 

"I've seen this a thousand times," Bad Kitty said from the couch. "The outcome varies each time, but the one with the rightful claim and good intentions is often stronger than you'd think."

"That's Gabriella," I said.

"Right. Just because she has good intentions doesn't mean she's a pushover. If she's focused on civil service, she understands the system. And if Arthur isn't careful, that same system will grind him up faster than any war. Those are the keys to the kingdom.” Bad Kitty didn't even sit up, merely flicking her tail against one of the cushions. "The militant one is likely the most openly powerful, but a united group of heirs could be stronger. The key is to assess whether the third group is truly united. If they are, they just might win but if they aren't, they are certainly doomed."

I squinted at her, suddenly understanding. "It's not about who's stronger, it's about who has the most betrayal in their midst, isn't it?" Gabriella, Arthur, the collective what mattered was who was about to get stabbed in the back the second swords were drawn.

Having someone’s weakness was worth far more than your own strength.

Bad Kitty smirked at me. "Truly a god of chaos."

I frowned at the reference, but quickly turned it into a smile. "Okay. So, not the god of deal negotiation, but chaos?" I gestured at myself. "I guess that works in our favor because this situation is chaotic. So, you're right, this isn't going to be a stand-up fight. And it can't really last long either. It would be different if they were separated by a vast amount of land and could hold out or start some sort of inane war, but they're not," I said, having my own realizations as I spoke.

"No, they are stuck in the same palace with each other. If they fight, no one's leaving. To do so would be the same as giving up the chance at the throne. Any fighting for the throne will have to stay here.” Emlyn stated, following my thinking. Ah I loved it when she realized my genius.

"Well, at least this isn't going to be too drawn out," I mused to myself.

"That is its own sort of blessing." Zuri agreed. “But that still didn't solve our problem.”

"The solution is simpler than you might imagine," Bad Kitty pointed out. "Whichever side gets Ard will be the side that can strong-arm their way to victory. So he has a fair deal of negotiation power. He just needs to pick the right team."

I pumped myself up. "Yes, of course. I am the key to victory, aren't I?"

"Someone quick, pop his ego before it gets too large," Emlyn jumped to her feet as if it was a dire emergency.

"Har har," I laughed humorlessly. "Don't you get tired of making fun of the village idiot, Emlyn?"

She squinted at me. "I can smell bait from a mile away from you, and I'm not taking it," she wagged a finger.

"Regardless," I turned back to our group, "that still means I have to pick a side. And I need to know which one to pick."

"There's an easy way to do that, Ard," Emlyn said. "Just meet with them. Despite your many, many shortcomings you are an excellent judge of people."

I raised an eyebrow. "Meet them?"

"Yeah. You literally just bested Arthur with a simple flip of your wrist. All of them should be going absolutely wild to get your support. So, just meet them. See what they offer. Let them know what you want. And if things work out, then..." Emlyn clapped her hands together.

"I don't know why clapping would be involved," I scowled at her.

"You know what I meant. A deal can be struck. Regardless of who it's with, you don't care as long as Eva’s safe and you get the information on your father."

"Did I care?" I asked myself. It was a strange opportunity, almost like the chance to pick a neighbor. It was a choice that, while not my direct concern, would likely impact my life for a long time. After all, once this was done, I was going to go settle down in Avente. And if whoever took over Zenovia was expansionist, for example, then I would be bound to come into another conflict of some sort. 

"We'll rule out Arthur," I said, coming out of my thoughts. "If he's as expansionist as you say, then sooner or later he's going to create a headache for me. Sorry if he's your favorite or something, Eva." 

She shrugged. "I know these people, but don't get the wrong idea, Ard. The princes and princesses of Zenovia aren't on the most friendly of terms. After all, history says that we have to kill each other for the right to the throne." Though the mood rose when Missy delivered a stack of pancakes.

I nodded with a hum, glancing at the next plate only for her to serve Emlyn next. "Yeah, that could make sibling rivalries go up a notch or two. Not that I would know. There are some days I wish I had a brother or a sister. An older one, you know, one that could have set me on the right path early on." 

Several of the group stared at me strangely, and Eva spoke. "You do realize everyone in this palace is your family." 

"Yeah, but not raised together. It's different." I waved it away. "Anyway, between Gabriella and the mixed group... Gabriella is so controlling. Does that mean you and I will have to bend a knee to her? And if we're supposed to be her subordinates, how are we supposed to prevent conflicts with Avente?" 

"Again, just go meet her, Ard.” Emlyn stated and watched as everyone else was getting a plate served my Missy.

Ditzy came up behind me and slid a plate of bacon and eggs in front of me. I forgot the conversation we'd been having. She put another plate stacked full to the brim with pancakes smothered in melted butter and fresh syrup in front of me. I spun to face her.

"Have I told you that I love you," I said to Ditzy, looking her in the eyes, only for the goddess to turn bright red and make a cute, very un-goddess-like, ‘eep’.

The whole room went quiet at the overly girlish response, and Ditzy covered her face. 

Missy cleared her throat. "You do realize that was a joke, right?" She ribbed me. "It was a good one, a goddess reacting like a blushing teenager. Ard, you nearly fell for it." 

Ditzy cleared her throat and uncovered her face, now completely serious. "Must you ruin my fun?"

The two goddesses shared a look, and my eyes darted between the two, squinting ever so slightly. I was unsure what exactly had just happened. Ditzy's reaction had seemed genuine and, albeit, strange. Yet she managed to play it off quite well.

My intuition was telling me that she played it off too well, hiding it immediately and not even coming for a return jab at me. 

"Damn, that's good, Ditzy. I'll have to be careful with you, since you wanted to play it that way." There was no reason for me not to go along with what they were saying. 

"You should have seen the look on your face," Ditzy said, taking a small victory and twirled around to resume cooking.

I returned to the rest of the group, only to find most of them watching me with careful gazes. 

"What?" I asked. 

"Oh, nothing, nothing," Emlyn, Aurelia, and Zuri all suddenly tried to look very busy with their food. Eva cleared her throat and suddenly found the drapes, or the window, incredibly interesting. 

"Alright, moving on," I decided I had to push the conversation forward. "We will meet Gabriella and the smattering of heirs. Perhaps we'll meet with Arthur just to make sure he doesn't feel singled out. But then that means we need to make those appointments."

"That's easy enough," Eva said, moving to the drapes and pushing them aside to reveal a pull cord that she jerked on twice in quick succession. 

I stared at the pull cord. I didn't hear a bell. 

"Don't worry. The servants of the palace will get it, and they will send one of them to arrange the meeting.” Eva told us.

“Do you want to go there, or do you want them to come here? If they come here, it is a power move on your part," Zuri advised. "If you want the lead in the negotiations, I think that would be a good tone to set. After all, as we discussed, you're the key to winning, not them."

I tried to believe that, but it was still a little outlandish for me. "Wonderful. If there's one thing I can do, it certainly is act arrogant in front of a bunch of trumped up princes and princesses. Let's meet with the collective, or whatever it is they're going to call themselves, first. Arthur second, and let's save Gabriella for last." I decided. 

I wanted to show sincerity to the collective, to show neutrality to Arthur, and to make Gabriella feel like she was the last option. I needed the most negotiating room with her. 

As summoned, there was a knock on our door.

Maribelle opened the door to find a maid and a Vel'shae standing outside. The Vel'shae was directly by the doors, several steps behind the maid. I wasn't sure if he was there to guard her or be a ward for me. 

"Welcome in," I smiled. "As you can guess, Eva and I are a packaged deal and we'd like to offer our package to the heirs apparent." 

The maid's face was a practiced neutral but the Vel'shae's eyes went hard. I began speaking to the Vel'shae rather than the maid. 

"I'm assuming there are still just three groups forming?" I asked. 

"Yes, though several of the royal family have passed during the night," the Vel'shae reported. 

"Well that's certainly not good. I don't suppose you're going to give me anything more valuable than that, are you?" I asked the Vel'shae and his stoic silence was answer enough for me. 

"Great, well, it doesn't change what I need from you." My eyes refocused on the maid. "I'd like a meeting with the collective of the lesser heirs. With Arthur and with Gabriella, if possible. I wish to ensure Eva's safety above all else, as well as my own peace of mind." 

I was unsurprised that more of the heirs had died during the night and I assumed they would keep dropping like flies until this matter was resolved.

"That can be done," the maid curtsied. Even as she moved, more people were approaching our door. The two approaching were looking at each other with deep scowls. 

"I come from Crown Prince Arthur I," one strutted forward, chest up in the air. 

"Wonderful. I'd love to meet with him for lunch," I smiled at the servant. "And who do you represent?" I asked the second. 

"Augustus.” They answered.

Eva nodded. "Augustus must have taken the lead for the collective of heirs. He does have the closest claim."

"Well, perfect. How soon can they meet?" I asked. 

The servant stuttered, "At your leisure?"

"Perfect. Have them come here as soon as they're able. We'll have breakfast finished soon," I gestured at the plethora of people in our suite. "And for Arthur, he's welcome here for lunch. We'll serve something fantastic," I smiled, my attention back to the servant we had called. "I guess that means Gabriella will be this afternoon. But that's fine. Perhaps I won't need to have that meeting after all."

The servant swallowed audibly, but then hurried off as did the other two. The Vel'shae stared at me with angry eyes. 

"Can I help you?" I asked.

No one had bothered to close the door as the servants and messengers scattered.

"Your arrival has been ill-received, it seems," Eva said, looking at the silent and now growling Vel'shae. 

"Even Ditzy could have told you that," I said and smirked over at the blonde goddess.

She went to smack me with a spatula, though it was a gentle tap. 

"Aw, you love me too," I shot back without thinking, naturally teasing the beauty.

She twirled back around so fast I couldn't see her blush, but I knew it was happening based on the red now spreading through the tips of her ears.

It was going to be fun to tease Ditzy until she cracked. She went and used magic to make our kiss pack an extra punch. It was only fair for me to torture her with love.