Winter’s Rebirth: B1 - 8. The Betrothal

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Anna sat at her desk in her private study, the flickering candlelight casting soft shadows across the deep green of her dress. Her gaze dropped to the parchment before her, a letter sealed with Countess Vivienne’s sigil—a hawthorn branch twisted around an olive sprig.

Her lips fell as the courier stood in front of her, several members of the guard detail she’d chosen for this week lining the room. “Are you sure this is addressed to me and not my husband or Count Aldric?” she queried, studying the somewhat disheveled appearance of the royal attendant. “I am not authorized to perform any trans-regional action within the kingdom of Winterhold, much less speak to foreign nation regional rulers.”

The man’s grave, somewhat malnourished face didn’t change. “Countess Vivienne was explicit that the moment I made landfall it went to you, my lady.”

Nodding, she rubbed the wax seal and returned her gaze to the letter. This isn’t official business since I am merely the wife of a baron. I am not a princess, yet many still see me within that role…possibly due to how Emperor Lucius speaks about me.

Yes, Alden is the Warlord of our region, but if this was an official request, it would have been sent to my cousin, Countess Isolde Snowmantle, or Countess Vivienne’s older brother. The fact it is sent to means…she is out of all other options and is seeking to spark my empathy.

She took sharp notice of the knight’s rugged appearance, reflecting on Count Aldric Greenvale’s sudden appearance a few winters previous, arriving with an abundance of goods and wealth. His story regarding the death of his beloved wife had touched her at the time, but one, grief-stricken man’s side was rarely the full tale.

We can hardly turn away such opportune support when it arrives, much more when brought from a kingdom who taxed us heavily in the past. Of course, that was made on a kingdom scale, not a regional decision. Countess Vivienne took over her elder brother’s place as the head of the family, as well, when he abandoned his seat…yet retained the family jewels. It certainly does spell a disastrous situation. 

 “Very well. I shall read it in haste and, if required, compose a response,” she replied. “In the meantime, I will have you escorted to the dinning hall, where you will be well taken care of… Merek.”

Her head servant bowed from beside the wall. “I will see to it myself. Please, Sir Dustin, allow me to guide you.”

Dustin’s face relaxed with relief at the promise of treatment before immediately being sent off again or forced to fend for himself with his own purse. “Thank you for taking the letter, my lady.”

He was escorted out. Anna turned her gaze to a female attendant beside her desk and asked, “Go inspect how Victor and Elaine are doing with Grandmaster Musashi’s training, find out when Baron Aldric Greenleaf visited, and an updated status on my husband’s planned return from inspecting the Frostpine Forest forts.”

“Yes, my lady.”

She left at a graceful walk, and she dismissed everyone else around the room excluding her handmaiden, Bristle. The woman took a tea tray to the wall table in order to prepare her regular cranberry tea at this time of the month to help with bloating.

Anna silently broke the wax with careful precision before leaning back and resting her knuckles against her cheek. Scanning the content, resting on her lap, her eyes were immediately drawn to the distressed, urgent strokes of Countess Vivienne’s handwriting.

To Lady Anna Winterhart,

I write with the gravest concerns and to request your counsel, dear sister by imperial alliance and spirit. Greenvale is burdened beyond what we once imagined, and I fear the situation deteriorates daily. My brother, Aldric, as you are no doubt aware by now, has left us to deal with the troubling aftermath of his fanatical pursuits.

Anna released a sorrowful sigh upon completing the first paragraph. She leaned against the side of her comfortable chair and read over it once more.

Dear sister by imperial alliance and spirit… The burden that must be on Vivi’s shoulders must be enormous to swallow her pride to write such words. A countess from an entirely different kingdom, appealing to a disgraced and dethroned princess’ empathy…

She read through the next three paragraphs, considering herself in Vivi’s position, without a husband due to the same plague that had taken her sister-in-law. Only, while her once beloved and revered brother lost himself in research she had to pick up his pieces. And there were few to comfort her in her walk through the fire, having to answer not only to her people and lower nobility, but her king and queen for her brother’s actions.

I have heard of Frostholm’s phenomenal expansion since the empire closed its borders and allowed free trade and magical jewel use between kingdoms and commoners. Your region, though small, boasts extraordinary gains, I hear. I will not mince words. I am bitter and angry at that. I am hurt to be betrayed by my brother, who I idolized. My people are bitter, hurt, and angry.

I doubt you know the truth of his flight to your kingdom. To your region. Aldric’s obsession over the mythical garnet jewel, with its blood manipulation and fable of resurrection has incinerated everything I loved. A horrific nightmare has overshadowed my once blissful life.

Though I have done my utmost to retain our lands and appease our people, the weight grows unbearable, Lady Anna. Fernwood’s fertile fields, so abundant, now struggle to produce under new Veridian taxes. Willowgrove’s medicinal trade suffers shortages.

We lack the resources once promised for our yields, and Baron Slaric and Baroness Maris wrestle with their duties as best they can, but how long can they endure? Trade slows with strange creatures have emerged from the jungles, morale wanes, and I witness my once noble family’s esteem crumble. We risk more than famine, Anna; we risk the complete disillusionment of our people. My children eat what our people do. My children will soon starve.

The resources Aldric took with him were extensive, Lady Anna, not that I need tell you what he brought to your region. He left me with half of the right I should hold upon his abdication of the family head, leaving me our family moonstone.

Anna held a hand to her chest, heat rising up her throat to her nose. Oh, Vivi. If things are this bad for you, then it means your own fellow counts and countess’ smell blood and seek to absorb your region. Without your family topaz, your moonstone can only buy you time with its illusions. What is it you are asking me to do? We are worlds apart and have only met once…yet you come to me with a prayer for relief.

She fixated on the troubling research Aldric was engaged in. Now his focus on building a manor in Snowveil Plains comes together… He is researching the blood hares, who have the magical attribute to manipulate their blood. They do not carry a magical stone in their bodies, but that wouldn’t matter to him…

She held back tears as she read the final part.

I have appealed to your cousin, King Thalorin Frostveil, and he laughed in my face. The weakening of the kingdom of Veridian benefits your agricultural regions. I have sent word to your countess, Lady Snowmantle, and she claims neutrality. I asked for justice from your esteemed husband last winter and have yet to receive a response.

Lady Anna, I reach out my hand and like a ghost, I feel nothing in return. Why can no one hear our cries? I am running out of hope. Illusions and dreams from my moonstone cannot give my people food in their bellies or anything but a false reflection of their grim future.

Princess Anna, though my words could be treasonous, your mother was good to my family. Is there any hope left for my children…my men and women…their children? Princess Anna, I send this to you in hope that your compassion and insight might find us a path forward. I do not know what to expect, what else beside my empty words of trust and loyalty I can give.

I know I am just a stranger, and so far away, but I could be a friend. My husband is dead. My children are fatherless. My brother has abandoned us. My lower nobles grow faint of heart. My land rebels against us. My king and queen demand more than we can give. My fellow high nobles plot for my land and head—the heads of my children. My people cry out for a change that I have been unable to bring. I am forsaken. So I ask for hope. I ask for help… For a friend. For not just sympathy but understanding, if nothing else.

Yours with deepest respect and need,

Countess Vivienne Greenleaf, of the Southern Kingdom of Veridian.

Bristle crossed the room to set the hot cup of tea on her desk, her brow furrowing upon seeing her face. “Lady Anna, is there something I can do?”

Anna let the letter rest against her palm as she processed Vivi’s words, feeling the weight and plea behind the Countess’ request. The state of Greenvale bore evidence of her brother’s choices—a region once thriving now languishing under debt, famine, the plague, strained alliances, and dwindling morale.

The towns of Fernwood and Willowgrove, whose resources had once sustained many, were on the brink of destruction, each struggle echoing Aldric’s withdrawal from his duties.

“There is little you can do to ease the pain this letter brings me, Bristle. I just need silence to let my heart and mind find common ground.”

Bristle bowed her head and retreated back to the wall, waiting in the stillness that overtook the room. Aldric was already granted asylum within Frosthelm. It is done. Alden has been carrying this burden for a winter, no doubt trying to negotiate with Aldric. He would have exhausted all options…yet everything would require Baroness Ravenshade’s approval to be sent to Countess Snowmantle.

We have more than enough leverage with the Frostfall region to at the very least provide them food. Our mines could provide them magic gems, and we have a few trainers we could spare to teach their commoners to use them. The issue is…it is a foreign nation which our king has refused to aid… Although Frostholm is sovereign, by imperial decree…

A chill passed through the room, making her shiver. It took a moment for her to realize that the door hadn’t opened, yet the air pressure had shifted ever-so-slightly. Vision rising, her brow furrowed while looking toward the flickering candles, reacting to the shifting atmosphere.

…A boat just arrived from Ravenshade Hall…

A faint sigh escaped her lips, her thoughts immediately shifting gears as she closed her eyes. Controlling her breathing and clearing her mind with practiced meditation, after several seconds, she opened her eyes and rolled up the tragic letter, keeping it on her lap.

“Bristle, if you could wait in the hall for a time. I wish to be alone.” Without hesitation, her handmaiden left, leaving another swirl of cold air to cycle through the room. Staring at the seat in front of her desk, she whispered, “You could have sent a message, as usual. That you’re here in person means you’re expecting resistance, Inquisitor Nyxie.”

The veil cast over her mind lifted, revealing the silent figure seated before her, shrouded in a black, heavy cloak that hid most of her form. Nyxie’s pale, gloved hands rested calmly on her lap, fingers intertwined in an unnaturally still posture, as though every muscle in her body had been locked in place—the Silent Inquisitor aged well since she’d last seen her, at least in figure.

“Resistance is predictable,” Nyxie crisply stated inside her mind, voice strong yet friendly. Her head inclined ever so slightly. “Understanding what might bypass such obstacles is less so. This is why it is important to make these personal visits when discussing such matters as betrothal… And I believe I have found my angle to crack that hard shell of yours, Lady Winterhart.”

Anna maintained contact with the young woman’s eyes, blocked by a veil and blindfold. A faint tremor in her fingertips applied pressure against the letter in her palm. The image of her nine-year-old son and daughter flashed through her mind: their brilliance, how swiftly they adapted to the complex training they underwent, their sacrifices, even as children, especially Elara, and the balance of compassion and strength that her little twins were already showing.

“Betrothal?” Voice dropping an octave, Anna’s eyes narrowed. “My son and daughter have a year before such talks are initiated with any potential suitors…but I assume this is in accordance with His Imperial Majesty’s vision. Not that I would know if that were true or if you had gone off on your own plans but you know all of my doubts and secrets…”

She paused, eyes widening as the idea popped into her head, or perhaps Nyxie had placed it there. “You will support my desire to help Countess Vivienne and her people?”

Nyxie’s voice curled into a smile. “There is a path forward for everyone. Was she not asking for a friend? You can do many things your husband cannot, Princess. Shall we join forces and bring dear Countess Vivi into our service?”

Anna’s lips became a line, taking the conversation to her own mind due to the sensitivity of it. You’re leveraging my desire to help those in need, children in need, for the marriage of my son? Sera would resent my son. A daughter of a baroness marrying the son of a knight is beneath her station…but you know that, which means her position in the family is a dangerous one.

“You intend to maneuver her to marry beneath her station to keep her safe from her half siblings since her father was of higher standing and could claim that right. You know I am uncomfortable with my son being wed to a girl who is being trained to practically be a Silent Inquisitor, and you come to me with this to try and strongarm me.

The veiled woman’s body shook with silent laughter. “Sera is by no means the definition of silent, Princess, I assure you. And you are too intelligent to strongarm… Your husband prepared just as His Imperial Majesty thought he would, giving you starmetal. I can sense it behind that dualistic emerald and jade brooch. A talented craftsman, your husband. My manipulations are limited. Ah, and there the string of political connections and access start filtering through your mind…

“You could gain much from such an alliance over several years and the stability of Greenvale. I’ve been hearing rumors passed between minds, and there may be more to the lack of support than Countess Vivi understands…but you’ve already come to that conclusion.”

I’m listening, Anna replied, eyes narrowing. However, if this is to work, I must get to know Sera myself. Winterhold will not respect a lady who did not undergo the Seven Day Winter Survival Trial. To govern here, it is not enough to just be born from the right womb.

Nyxie’s soft chuckles rolled through Anna’s mind. “Your heart and mind are something His Imperial Majesty admired. I completely agree. So, let’s talk about Lord Victor and my beloved student, Lady Seraphina’s, betrothal. Also, if we are to make this work, we need a little more collateral to pitch it to Countess Snowmantle…but I can worry about that.”

Anna could practically see the predatory smile beneath the Silent Inquisitor’s veil; there was a reason the emperor had hand picked this teen to fulfill his will. When it came to marital prospects, this option was actually a stellar path forward. Yet, it also put a target on her son’s back. Although, risk of conflict was not something Anna was skittish about. 

Go on…

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