Friends and Family

After they packed everything up, the group left the charred clearing. The walk back to the manor was mostly spent in silence. Rosamund could see that everybody was on edge, but there was only so much he could do about it. At least Adanita seemed to have regained her senses, although he knew from experience how fragile her current state was. She needed rest, at the very least for the rest of the day.

Once at the manor, the group split up and Rosamund went to get dressed for his lunch. Obviously he couldn't go in commoner's clothes, not when he was about to have a meal with both his parents and the Second Prince. Besides, the Capital was freezing this time of the year. He needed something warm to wear. Bluebell and another servant came to assist him in preparations so that he could make it on time. He was absentmindedly putting on the finely embroidered clothes and wondering which jewellery to wear when Nivelir came into his room.

"Did you know there is an ongoing snowstorm?" he asked.
"Yes. Did I forget to mention it?"
"Quite so. You should have warned me."
"I apologize, it slipped my mind yesterday. Dress warmly."
"I planned to go to the city," he complained.
Rosamund looked up at him. "Really? What for?"
"Just some shopping. If the weather is as bad as Lilac says, I can't even send a servant in my place."
"Is it something urgent? Perhaps I can arrange something for you."
"No, I suppose I will wait. This is something I want to do."

Rosamund put on the pin he got from Adanita. It wasn't clashing with the rest of his outfit and Alberic had no business knowing his usual jewellery. He might as well wear it as a bit of a lucky charm. He did defeat Lotus and Cinda with this in his pocket. Behind him, Nivelir took a seat on the sofa. He too was dressed sharply, he could see that he used his finest gold makeup again, too.

"Are you ready to go?" Rosamund asked him.
"I will be, when I get my winter coat. And better boots."
"Very good." They just needed to make it from the circle to the manor. They will survive. "Captain Vervain won't be joining us. She isn't feeling well."
"Lilac told me, yes. Should I be concerned?"
Hmm... "Perhaps. We will see. I believe he is more than capable of handling her condition." They were around servants, so Nivelir didn't push this matter further. He crossed his arms in silence, looking away. Rosamund picked out the Governor's Sigil and a few other rings that went well with it.

"Is there something on your mind?" he asked, turning to him as he was putting them on. "Alberic, perhaps?"
"We will manage, I suppose. We always do. I am more worried about your parents. Their concern about me is well-intended, albeit unwanted."
"You shouldn't hold it against them, they were always good friends with your family. You overwork yourself constantly, even I can see it. Your family is simply worried about you."
"Or about my marital status," he dryly said. Rosamund let out a laugh.

"Social relationships are just as important as business ones. For your spirit, if nothing else. Good friends around you will keep your spirits up, which in turn makes your work easier. I don't think they are specifically waiting for you to find a little noble to settle down with. You must admit it too - how strange it is that your best friend is the man you work for?" he said. "You need someone you can go to and complain about me. In fact - I've already decided to give you some well-earned vacation. After my trial, whatever happens, you will have two weeks to yourself."
"Two?! That is absolutely too much! Three days are more than enough."
"Do I need to make it an order, Lord Secretary?" he asked. "You went through a lot, too, while I was gone. Rest will do you good. We cannot afford mistakes."
"You are impossible to argue with," he said.
"I know. That's what makes me the best," Rosamund replied. "In either case, I also worry about you. You should take a vacation, I am telling you this as a friend. You can use that time and buy those things you wanted, too."
"It is not as if I wanted to buy something for myself," he tiredly said.
"Oh?" Did a young lord catch his eye? It was about time. Nivelir correctly read the teasing look he gave him and turned away.
"Forget it," he said, getting up.
"You are still young, you know?" Rosamund cheerfully said as he was leaving.
"It's not like that!" he shouted, slamming the door behind him.

His mood improved now that he had a chance to bully Nivelir a bit. The man was frankly adorable at times, and riling him up was an endless source of entertainment. With a small wry smile he couldn't quite wipe off his face, Rosamund finished getting ready.

Nivelir and Lilac waited for him by the circle. Nivelir showed him a large case with all the documents they needed and Rosamund confirmed everything was packed. They put on their winter clothes while Lilac prepared his magic.

"Say hello to mother and father," Lilac said. Rosamund gave him a nod, closing his eyes.

The freezing wind hit him as soon as they got transported. Both he and Nivelir almost lost balance to it. The air was so frigid that breathing felt as if he was being stabbed by a thousand knives. He gasped for air before covering his mouth with his gloved hand. They both wore the warmest bear fur coats, but he could feel the cold seeping through. The blinding flash of magic left spots dancing around his vision, and it's not as if he could really see anyway.

Oh lord, there was a pair of servants with shovels waiting for them. The two people wrapped in warm enchanted clothes from head to toe gave him a wave. It was too cold to talk, so he waved back.
He gave himself and Nivelir a few moments to regain themselves before grabbing him by the wrist and tugging on him. They had to go before they got a frostbite. This storm was even worse than what he expected, and he decided he was glad Adanita wasn't here to suffer with them. The small group trudged the way through knee-deep snow, Rosamund still holding his wrist so they wouldn't get separated. Luckily he knew this place well and the servants behind them were managing. He safely got everybody through the garden and to the main entrance to the manor.

Once inside, they needed a moment to stop shivering. The servants took off their coats and helped them with theirs. The marble hall was chilly, but not deathly cold as the outdoors. The wind was blowing on the completely frozen windows. Rosamund shivered just looking at them.

He learned that the servants were sent outside by his father, as he worried that the circle would be blocked by the snow again. The magic kept them warm, so even though they spent some quarter of an hour there they were unharmed. He gave them the rest of the day off and went to his mother's office, where he was told that his parents were waiting for him.

He gave Nivelir a small encouraging nod before knocking. His mother's voice called them inside.


Earl Heather and Countess Karin Alsop en la Dale were waiting for them, his father by the window, and his mother at her workplace. She stood up as they entered. Both of them brightened up when they saw him. "Rosamund!" she exclaimed.

His mother had a long and curly light purple hair, tied back in an elegant braid. Her face was oval and full of horrid scars - much like the rest of her body. She was covered in deep marks left by teeth and claws of wild beasts. Long silk gloves covered her forearms and elbows, leaving only the uppermost part of her mahogany arms exposed. She loved to wear outfits that fit their deep color, and jewellery that suited the magical glow that was only visible to her son. Her silvery eyes almost teared up when she saw him. She approached him with a small limp in her walk, and he carefully took her hand and kissed her knuckles. She accepted it with a smile, looking him over from head to toe. His father also came to him, and Rosamund shook his hand.

The Earl was a man with graying hair that was once such a dark blue color it was almost black. He had decades to grow used to his role in the high society and he carried himself with great dignity and confidence, completely relaxed under the burden of his title. When he was younger, he kept his hair as short as Lilac's was now, but he grew it out longer as he aged. It was elegantly combed back, still too short to reach his shoulders or to get tied into a ponytail. He had a round face and gentle features, and vibrant red eyes with small wrinkles around them. Much like Rosamund, he shared a preference for facial hair, although his was only limited to a goatee and mustache. Even though the sleeves of his clothes, he could see a gentle shimmer of magic tattoos that he had on his arms, from the very shoulders to his fingertips. He tightly gripped his hand, not letting him go, and pulled him in for a warm hug instead.

"My boy," he said quietly. "I thought we'd lost you."

Oh, gods. He really made them worry, didn't he? Rosamund realized he was crying only after his mother also placed a hand on his back. They gently held him while he was trying to regain his composure. His shoulders were trembling while his mother started to stroke his hair.

"It's alright, Rosamund. Let me see your face again," she said, offering him a handkerchief. "Only a slight scar on your face, I see. I am glad, it is hardly noticeable. Have you tried to play the violin yet?"
"N-no. Not yet. I'd like to apologize for making you worry again," he said, pulling himself together as he wiped his tears away. "Lily didn't tell me he had the orb. I'd have contacted you the day I'd returned had I known. I am so, so sorry."
"It's quite alright. We guessed it was something like that, but I didn't press Lilac on the matter. We were worried you were overworked," he said. "As you usually are."
"Hardly. I am doing fine. I apologize for dragging our family name into a scandal-"
"None of that, my boy. You did all you could. And the- hm. The Pirate Queen?" he asked.
"She couldn't come, unfortunately. She is feeling under the weather. I will tell you more details later," he promised.
"Hm. I am quite curious to meet her, but I suppose it can't be helped. But this is new..." he tapped Rosamund's bixbite pin.
"It was a gift. There is no meaning behind it, father."
"If this is how you say it, I can guess where it came from. But, fine. I won't push you further. Leica, how have you been?" he asked.
"I've been faring well, Your Lordship," Nivelir replied, giving them all a bow.
"Happy to hear that. Perhaps let your family know, on occasion."
"Yes, Your Lordship," he said. Rosamund could see his face go darker in embarrassment, although he kept himself composed.

"How have the two of you been?" Rosamund asked.
"Same as ever," mother said.

She lied. He could see they truly worried about him being gone, even if it was only for two or three months. His father's hair had turned grayer than when he left, and he had new wrinkles on his face. His mother's skin was paler and she had dark circles under her eyes. Both of them were approaching their sixties as he was approaching his forties, but he wasn't ready to watch them grow old just yet. It wasn't fair. He pulled them both in for another hug.

"I am sorry. This will not happen again-"


"What a charming reunion."


Rosamund winced at the sound of a familiar voice. He let go of his parents and turned around to bow to a young man that was standing on the doorway.

"I greet the Second Prince, Lord Alberic," he formally said.

"Good afternoon, Lord Governor," he nonchalantly replied, waving off everybody in the room. "I do hope you have been well." His mannerism may have been casual, but Rosamund recognized the gleam of enjoyment on his face as he was straightening out. The man loved the fact people bowed to him, and the fact that rules did not apply to him. He didn't knock before entering. After all, why should he? The young man, 21 in age, was looking up at him with a small smirk on his face, savoring the moment. His face was nearly identical to his mother's, down to the eye color. Unlike her, his waist-long hair was light brown and left unbound.

"I have, thank you. I hope the same is true for you. I must apologize for the absence of Captain Vervain-"
"The Pirate Queen?" he interrupted him. "Why should I want to meet her?"
"For the interview, my lord. I believe Her Highness wished you to look into her affairs-"
"Lord Governor." Third interruption, and it's only been two minutes. Rosamund recalled all the reasons why he enjoyed working with the royal family. There were none. "You seem to be putting your cart in front of the horse, pardon my phrase. I do not care about whatever it is you suggested to My Royal Mother - until your position is secured. Why should I worry about your other affairs while your career lies in my hands? In fact, her not being here leaves me with one less person I need to be pleasant to during lunch, does it not?"

Rosamund stayed silent. The little prick was, unfortunately, correct.

"Perhaps we should head for the dining room, then," his mother said.
"Certainly. I am quite sure we will have a lot of topics to discuss over a meal," he cheerfully said. "It would be an honor to have you lead the way - after I am told what is in this case of yours, Lord Secretary."
"Yes, my lord. I have gathered all of the evidence and all the relevant documents regarding the case. If Vice Admiral Khamil has anything more to add to it, you will need to ask him. I believe it would be inappropriate for us to handle whatever evidence he may have gathered against us," Nivelir said, bowing his head as he offered the case. Alberic lazily waved to a servant waiting in the hall to pick it up for him and have it carried to his room.
"I agree with that assessment. Rest assured that I will look through them most thoroughly, Lord Governor."

Rosamund kept his face perfectly calm and neutral.

"I would like to extend an invitation to the Governor's Manor on the islands. I am sure the weather would agree with you better than this snowstorm," he said.
"And have it publicly known I live in the home of a man I am meant to judge fairly?"
The offer was a necessary formality- Calm. "That was hardly my intent. The witnesses and the other party are all in the city. My offer was a matter of convenience, not an attempt to sway the public opinion. If you'd prefer, I will arrange a place to stay elsewhere in the colony."
"The winter chill suits my tastes quite well, Lord Governor. I will be staying here. Let me think..."

The young man approached the window, looking at the storm with a frown on his face.

"Earl Alsop en la Dale, how long would you say until the storm lets up?"
"I believe it should grow weaker tomorrow. I am afraid I cannot promise when the snow and the wind will cease."
"In three days' time, then... yes. In three days' time, I will be in Hipparcos. Arrange a courthouse, Lord Governor. I will send my men back with you to collect any other evidence and witnesses. Three days should be more than enough time for me to go through it all. I hope you will prepare a stellar presentation for me until then."

"Very well," Rosamund said. It will be the show of a lifetime.