AO 7 Ch 7

"You know, you didn't have to go to all this effort just for me," Sienna said after our long walk.

"Of course I didn't have to do anything. I am pretty incredible all on my own." My words earned me a well-deserved eye roll. I added it to my collection, always enjoying the nuance in every one. "What, did you expect me to take that and not give you a response like that?" I snorted. "Do you even know me, Sienna?" 

She chuckled. "I suppose not as well as I thought I did. You have changed quite a bit in our short time apart. Perhaps it's the new godly accoutrements."

"I hope it was a positive change," I said, walking with her through the garden.

"Oh, absolutely not," she laughed. “You’ve gotten way too proud. The way you dealt with your grandfather was entirely unthinkable!”

“I couldn’t let him bully my family.” I looked her in the eyes, including her in my statement.

“Perhaps you could protect your family better if you were around more.” Sienna replied quietly.

Wincing, I shook my head. "I suppose I deserved that," I said after a moment. "After all, I did sort of knock you up and then run away, didn't I?"

"You didn't run away, Ard. I certainly don't want you to feel that way. That was too far of me. We both knew what this was when we entered into it." She looked up at the sunset. “I know you aren’t going to sit in the capital and do odd jobs or paperwork. That’s just not who you are.”

"Phew," I let out a breath. "Glad you're the one saying that and not me. It comes out much better from you."

"Uh-huh," Emlyn smirked from where she’d been quietly following. Even with god-like powers my anchors still insisted on keeping at least one of them by my side at all times.

"Well, it's the truth." I held up my hands in surrender.

"Regardless, we do have to go back to the house eventually. You know that, right?" Sienna reminded me.

"Of course, of course," I waved my hand about. "I just wanted to take a nice long walk far away from any of my family." I let out a heavy groan. "It's gonna be like this the whole time I'm in the capital, isn't it?"

"I'm afraid so, Ard," Sienna patted me sympathetically on the shoulder. "You have to understand that all of these noble houses have a once in a lifetime opportunity to tip the balance that's existed for so long. They will be looking for every opportunity to push themselves and those around them forward."

I knew she was right, but I hated that everyone, my own house included, was salivating at the chance to manipulate each other for the royal crown. The temptation was just too large and the power vacuum too great. It wasn’t a situation where one person was in the lead and had a clear shot. No, everything was literally up in the air. There were probably a dozen meetings a day between the houses offering deals under the table to get others to back down and support another.

I had zero interest in joining that madhouse.

"Well, they can just all have fun driving each other crazy.” I tried to push away the annoyance entering my voice as we walked back towards the Aldis estate.

"You know as well as I do that they all see their family as an extension of their own efforts. Meaning that your growth is at least somewhat their accomplishment." Sienna told me.

I grimaced at the reminder. "Any chance we can dissuade them of that concept?" I flashed Sienna a smile.

"Unlikely unless you like to get your hands quite dirty. There's more than a few heads you'd have to knock over before they realized the error of their ways." Sienna told me.

"Oh, knocking over some heads?" I stretched out my fingers. "I can do that. Done."

"Ard, this isn't some back alley brawl. These are noble houses with elder mages leading them." Sienna glared at me. “They have entire houses behind them.”

"Yep, sure. And no disrespect, but I can kick their patootie up and down the street. Just watch." I smiled.

Sienna grabbed my arm, seeming to know that I was about to give a little taste of what I could do. "Let's just say I have full faith in you, Ard. But I'd really rather that you don't get hurt. After all, if something should happen to you, who's going to protect me and our child? They can always attack you indirectly." Those words hit me like someone had dropped a mountain on my shoulder. My eyes moved instinctively to her stomach, possessiveness rising up inside of me.

"True.” My voice had a tinge of gravel in it. “I have a responsibility to you.”

"That you do," she said with a look from the corner of her eyes and winked. "But don't forget, those responsibilities come with just as many perks. I know you wouldn't forget that, now would you?" The way Sienna was looking at me with a twinkle in her eyes, I knew exactly which perks she was talking about.

"Of course. Wonderful perks. The best perks," I said, my brain instantly moving to new ideas and thoughts.

"Now don't forget it," she wagged her finger. "By the way, how did you get three goddesses to join you?"

"Well, it all started with a giant crab," I chuckled, even as Sienna looked at me like an idiot. "I swear on my magic, it started with a giant crab. Though, the crab did end fighting another goddess. Don't look at me like that." I held my hands up quickly, under the penetrating glare that followed. "She wasn't even that big of a deal."

"Do go on about how fighting a goddess isn't that big of a deal." Sienna sighed.

"Alright," I said, taking up her challenge. "Not that big a deal. We came out relatively unscathed. A god of war and thunder managed to hit me in the face with his sparky mace. Didn’t even scratch me. Also, I learned some new magic that happens to be a little more godly, you could say.”

“Maybe Emlyn's right and we do need to focus on keeping your ego in check." Sienna teased.

I chuckled. "Oh, you'll find plenty of support for that in the family."

"The family… is that what you're going to call it?" She asked.

We started a steady walk back towards the family estate. I could already see, and hear, where the cooks were starting for the night’s dinner. It was going to be a significant affair. The whole house was being recalled from the front lines.

"Yeah, that's what I'd like to call it. Though, the three goddesses call it a pantheon. There's a larger story to it all," I gestured vaguely. "The primary problem being that all of the gods and goddesses are trapped in this world, and like a bunch of trapped rats, they're essentially eating each other." My description caused her to grimace. "That really is the most apt description I could come up with to describe what is happening." I shrugged.

"Well, pardon my distaste for that concept." Sienna's tone dripped with sarcasm.

"You've been pardoned," I said, bowing and earning another glare from her. 

"Are things bad out there, Arden?" She asked after a moment.

"Bad out where? In the kingdom at large? No, I think everything will actually settle down quickly. Like a headless chicken, I think Garrish will probably flop around, at least in the short term. King Martin basically rotted the country from within. Whoever takes over is going to realize the terrible state that they are in. I'd bet that within a month they'll have lost all of their teeth and be ready to settle for whatever peace they can find."

"Good, good. But maybe we can put the analogis to the side." Sienna said to herself. "I'm glad to hear that things might ease up. You know, I can't help but worry when you're out there doing, well, whatever it is you do, Arden, besides make a mess of everything."

"Oh, I do that," I nodded. "Just somehow, while making a mess of everything, somehow the pieces come together to be better in the end!" I flashed her a big grin. "You don't need to worry too much. And as far as what's happening in the city," I stared off into the distance for a moment, "that should calm down as well. At least, it should once the old men figure out who's gonna wear the crown."

"You know, I'm a little surprised that you're not even tempted by the crown," She watched me intently.

I snorted. "Not a chance. That thing is just a bundle of unnecessary trouble. And gold is fucking heavy to wear on your head all the time. Besides, do you really want me to have something like that?" I squinted at her. 

"As your wife, there is a correct answer to that question," she smirked. "But no. I don't think you or I would be happy with you having that sort of life."

"Yeah, I'd probably do a really good job for all of a month before I got bored of it and wandered off. But you know, Sienna, if there comes a point where I need to take the reins in order to protect you or our child, I would do so in a heartbeat." I looked at her seriously, making sure she felt the full weight of my words.

"I know," she said and kissed my cheek. "Which is why I will need to ensure that that never comes to pass. That way you can laze about all day."

I gasped. "Laze about? I do incredibly hard work. I simply make it look easy, which, I guess I can see how that would be confusing and you may not understand the full impressiveness of my actions."

"Uh-huh," she sounded completely unconvinced.

"Hard work, I'm telling you. I fought a goddess. Actually, I fought multiple gods. One even smashed his hammer into my face right here." I poked my cheek as we got to the doorway to re-enter the Aldis Estate.

"Where? Did it hurt?" She grabbed my face and turned it to the side.

"Yeah, right there. Even though it didn’t leave a mark, sometimes I worry that it smudged my immaculate cheekbones," I insisted, widening my eyes for effect.

Sienna laughed, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek where I'd indicated. "There you go. Cheekbones have been fixed. All better, right?"

I smirked and took a deep breath. "You know what? Surprisingly, I think that really just fixed it. All better," I agreed and marched back into the Aldis estate. 

As we got closer, those standing around perked up and came running over to usher me faster through the house, one maid in particular looking distraught.

"There you are. Do you know you're almost late for dinner?" The woman looked me over, her expression growing more desperate. "You're going to show up to the family dinner looking like that?"

"That was the plan," I said, shrugging and looking down at my outfit. I resisted the urge to pull up some of the fabric to smell myself.

"Well, it just won't do. Come with me. We'll have to get you dressed up for the occasion. We can't have the young oldest lord looking rag-tag for a dinner this important." She told me.

Her words made me scowl, but I found myself unable to ask more questions as the maid quickly moved me through the halllways.

Sienna must have noticed too because she lifted an eyebrow in my direction. "Oh, don't look at me. I have no idea what makes tonight's dinner so important. Just remember to stay calm," Sienna offered.

"Sure, sure, sure. I'm sure they won't do anything stupid, right? Go ahead and get dressed for tonight," I told Sienna.

The maid ushered me into a side room, only for Maribelle to come in moments later. Her arms were overflowing with stuffy, stiff-looking clothes. 

"Looks like the military style is out," I said, squinting at the clothes. The piece on top was a nice embroidered vest, along with loose white sleeves. Honestly it gave off a bit of a princely look, which I was not against. I may not want the responsibility or boredom of ruling a kingdom, but the outfit did not hurt.

"Good thing someone keeps your fashion up-to-date," Maribelle said, dropping all the fabric on the bed. "Now strip. And you," Maribelle turned to the other maid, "out." 

I was fairly certain the maid's head was about to roll, and she must have gotten the same feeling. Despite her tutting and attitude towards me, at Maribelle's single word, she fled like a wyrm was chasing her. 

"Now that she's gone, Maribelle, do you know why this dinner is so important?" I asked.

My maid looked at me strangely, tilting her head curiously. "I was told to get you dressed and nice for the dinner, but I figured that was just because there might be a few extended members of the house, and your grandfather wants you to look nice, or at least make a less 'you' impression." 

"I choose not to take that as an insult," I said. "Do me a favor and when we're done here, why don't you do a little recon and figure out why my grandfather thinks this dinner is going to be so important?"

Maribelle was holding up several articles of clothing towards me, trying to determine which one she wanted to stuff me into, but I knew she had heard every word I had spoken.

"Unfortunately, dinner will begin soon. Well, it may have already begun. As soon as I get you dressed, I'll be throwing you to the wolves, and by wolves I mean your family.”

“When did you become so unruly?" I asked, not sure I liked seeing my own attitude on my usually supportive maid.

"When you refuse to let other people put you in a position of authority that you could rule over all of them as you deserve, sir. That, or there just hasn't been the right," she hesitated, "stimulus with all of the travel lately." 

"Ah, I have been ignoring my maid's needs. Set something up for me, will you, Maribelle? The last thing I want for you is to be unsatisfied. You serve me, and I will cater to your every need." I reached around her and cupped her chest, squeezing and mauling her massive breasts before I pushed aside her curly blonde hair and bit down hard on the tender flesh of her neck. "After all, you are my pet, and I should spend some time training you, shouldn't I?" 

"Yes, of course, sir," she breathed, her whole body shuddering under my touch. 

"Now then," I said, letting her go and shifting my attention elsewhere as if that was just another passing moment, no different than any other and certainly not anything to dwell on.

She was breathing heavily, but after several moments managed to collect herself. "This one will suit you best for tonight," Maribelle said, putting back what had been in her hands and pulling out a particularly dark blue, bordering on being unrecognizable as House Aldis' color. However, I felt being on the edge of expectations fitted well with how I wanted to present myself.

"That looks lovely. Shall we?" I stripped out of my clothes without much concern for decency.

Maribelle's eyes were glued to me the entire time. She swallowed audibly and ran a hand along my chest before her eyes filled with focus and she began dressing me. 

"You have better control," I commented. 

"I have a goal in mind. It helps," she smiled before focusing back on her task as a maid. 

"Well then, I should give you goals more often, shouldn't I?" I grabbed her by the chin and tilted her head back for what I thought would be a soft kiss.

Yet Maribelle was not wanting soft. Instead, she smashed our lips together while she breathed hot, impatient breath down my throat, her lips tugging and pulling at me, begging for every ounce more of attention that I could give her.

However, we both knew that time was short and after a brief moment, she pulled back and straightened my collar before running her arms down my shoulders and my sleeves to ensure I was fit for a family dinner.

"One last touchup," Maribelle said, pulling out a handkerchief and dabbing at my lips.

"Was there something there?" I asked, reaching up to touch them. 

"Of course. I couldn't help myself," she said, biting her lip and turning away. "Shoo," she waved for me, urgently.

I knew that it was more for my good than hers. Maribelle was obsessive, but she also understood herself well enough to ask for distance when she needed to collect herself. 

"Love you, and don't stay away too long," I said, before slipping out the door. I watched the murderous maid bite her lip hard enough that it started to bleed. I was playing with fire, but sometimes that could be enjoyable in its own way. I just had to be extra careful to not wind up burnt. 

"You look good," Emlyn said, catching me as I walked out.

"Ah, at least they have enough intelligence to send you to keep an eye on me. After all, who knows what trouble I'd get into if you didn't look after me Em?" I pulled her into me.

"Ah, you finally acknowledge it," she said, taking a deep breath. "Too bad it smells like bullshit," she said with her eyes still closed. 

"Bullshit from me is still quite sweet, no?" I asked.

She peeked out with one eye at me. "Careful. You're gonna make it so much worse if you keep talking like that." 

I mimed zipping my lips, and Emlyn let out a sigh of satisfaction. "Silence is really a blessing around you. It can be easy to forget that fact." 

"Hopefully not too easy," I said, frowning. "And I mean, while I'm sure I don't often keep quiet, you are exaggerating." 

She cleared her throat. "Just let me have the moment, Ard." 

"Fine, Em, the moment is yours. By the way, have you heard why tonight's dinner is supposed to be special?" I was determined to figure out this secret.

"First I'm hearing of it. But I was also the first to get ready so I could come catch you when Maribelle was done. You are still in one piece, right?" She asked, looking me over. 

"Yes, one piece, whole and healthy," I said, holding my arms out as if for inspection.

"I can never be too careful with Maribelle. She is crazy." Emlyn gave a little shiver.

"I know. But she's my crazy. Thus you don't get to say it like it's a bad thing," I scolded Emlyn, who held her hands up in what I liked to think of as complete surrender. 

"Anyway, try not to be too much of a dunce at dinner. Your mother did go around trying to talk to the goddesses and mend any hurt feelings. So if you're too mad at her, you're only sending the wrong message. Your mother's scary, Ard, and not because she's a strong mage, but partially because she's your mother.” Emlyn told me.

“I didn't know that gave her superpowers." I stated.

"No, Ard, but it makes all of us," Emlyn made a circle with her finger, swirling it in the air as if to include a larger group, "all care about what she thinks”

“I would like to advocate," I held up a finger, "before this gets too far, that what I think might be more important than what my mother thinks.”

“Yes, but, you love us. And she’s your mother. Nobody wants to be on the wrong side of her, even if you like to act like her opinion means nothing to you." Emlyn gave me a knowing look. 

We reached the door to the dining hall, and Emlyn threw it open. I strutted forward, my head up, and a smug smile on my lips, ready to make a mess of whatever had been planned.

As I strode in, I suddenly understood why the maid had considered this an important dinner. My eyes locked on the seat of honor, which happened to be next to my grandfather, and across from where I was supposed to sit. 

The smile fell from my lips. "Oh," my tone dropped.

None other than Princess Bianca sat in that seat as she happily made conversation with my grandfather.

"Arden, welcome in, won't you greet our guest of the hour?" My grandfather asked, spotting me and pretending I hadn’t already told him I wasn’t going to do what he wanted.

I took a look at Bianca, and then glared at my grandfather. "I'm sorry, Bianca, but it seems as if someone wants to play games. I'm sorry he used you for them." 

Suddenly, I was feeling less hungry than usual. I turned on my heels and strode back out towards the doors I had used to enter.

"Arden, what are you doing?" My grandfather jumped to his feet. 

"Flipping the Keeps and Mages board," I called over my shoulder, pausing to give him a piece of my mind. "I said I wanted no involvement, and I thought I made it clear that you aren't going to be playing a role in choosing my relationships. Given that all anyone can talk about right now is what's going to happen next with the succession of the royal family, for you to bring her here is evidence in itself that you didn't listen to me the first time. I will see you later, grandfather," I said as harsh as I could, this time not stopping.

"Excuse me," I heard Emlyn say behind me as she rushed to keep up with me.

My other anchors and women quickly excused themselves, hurrying after me. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips, knowing I could trust in their loyalty but still enjoying the feeling of seeing it all play out.