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Chapter 40 – Problematic Tigers

Right after the conclusion of the grand banquet that crowned the hall of Vance Fortress, the sense of triumph was almost palpable in the castle's rustic atmosphere. One could clearly notice the deep satisfaction stamped on the faces of the nobles of House Nerius; the relaxed smiles and toasts with the most expensive nectars from the cellars indicated that the commercial engineering had hit the target dead center. — I suppose this time I nailed every minor detail of Thae's plan — observing the movement of the servants collecting the silver tableware. Taking advantage of the murmuring of the departing guests, I approached my father at a slow pace, seeking a glimpse of calmness in those stern eyes that always guarded the borders:

— Is the official sealing meeting tomorrow at dawn? Do you truly believe everything will go off without a hitch, father? — I asked, lowering my tone.

Lord Arl Vance, the Marquess and governor of Gaul, displayed a half-smile of pure military confidence that rarely graced his rigid features:

— Do not waste your vitality on unnecessary worries, Kaelen. We managed to snag the dynasty of Oceana completely through that naval dowry. Tomorrow's session will merely be a protocol confirmation of the blood alliance. It is hardly likely that the sharp minds of that noble house would refuse terms so lucrative for trade.

My mother, Lady Sylvia, intervened in the dialogue with a light, charismatic laugh, elegantly adjusting the fringes of her fine wool shawl over her aristocratic shoulders:

— Oh, my son, you have demonstrated a somewhat exaggerated nervousness for your age, haven't you? Just take a glance at Miss Yara's features to understand that lineage's answer. Therefore, calm that heart... Everything will turn out fine.

I breathed a little easier, allowing the stiffness of my twelve-year-old shoulders to yield as I awaited the formal end of the reception.

As soon as the candlesticks began to have their candles blown out by the domestic patrol, we executed the farewell protocols demanded by nobility etiquette and all the guests left the grand hall together. Unfortunately for my expectations, Yara Nerius accompanied her father's carriage toward the external guest pavilion; I was already growing accustomed to her constant presence and our profitable routine in the gardens and libraries of the castle. In any case, rationalizing the scenario, that was best for her. The poor thing had spent far too many days away from the direct company of the duke after all the incidents and turbulence that plagued the southern roads, and she needed this time for familial comfort.

Guest Mansion – In the Dead of Night

Inside the quarters reserved for high diplomacy, the darkness of the Aegis-Moon night was broken only by the ochre and diffuse glow that the gas giant spilled through the windows. In the Portal Master's room, the mage Jhin meticulously organized a stack of parchment scrolls and rustic reports on the oak desk, his hands trembling with fatigue.

— Received direct and secret directives coming from the royal capital's counselors — Jhin announced, his voice muffled by the silence of the ashlar masonry walls. — The throne's officials are demanding that I provide more data and detailed reports on the anomalies and economic growth of House Vance.

Coming from the darkest corner of the room, a figure camouflaged under a dark, dense hood moved slightly in the gloom, responding with a glacial, mercantile tone:

— Transmit to the Crown's envoys that the price for every crumb of information will be infinitely higher this time. And demand that they guarantee some political benefit or future tax exemption for our routes, since House Nerius will forge an indissoluble alliance with the marquisate of Gaul.

— The capital's emissaries are offering a substantial sum of five thousand gold coins for any parchment about the youngest Vance — insisted the portal mage, adjusting his optical lenses. — However, the counselors were categorical: they lack the authority to grant benefits or break King Valerius's tax monopolies at this moment of crisis.

The hooded figure clicked their tongue, showing clear disapproval of the imperial bureaucracy's rigidity:

— That being so, share strictly what has already become public knowledge at the ports, and warn the officials that we closed the tie-up agreement with House Vance out of sheer tactical necessity. They handed us the confidential design of a new merchant ship model, a vessel capable of carrying twelve hundred tons of pure cargo without losing speed in the currents. There is no market justification or commercial logic that allows me to embargo such a treaty. The business is completely out of my hands.

Mage Jhin raised his eyes from the papers, serious:

— Minister Helios's envoys also asked if the Crown can still count on your intelligence services to monitor the Vance from inside the marquisate.

— Warn those bureaucrats of the capital that any matter concerning Vance Fortress from now on will cost double the gold — the figure sentenced, their eyes shining in the shadows with a hint of contained terror. — And I will only cooperate as long as such movements do not jeopardize my own noble standing before Marquess Arl... That damned Vance child is definitely not a normal human being.

Meeting Room – The Vance Monolith

The next day, a few hours before the official session with the leadership of Oceana began, I was summoned to my father's private office. The hall was filled with border maps and industrial sugar production tables.

— Are you already properly prepared for the betrothal conference, my son? — Lord Arl questioned, crossing his muscular arms over his iron cuirass with his usual general-like firmness.

— Without any problem, father. I believe that now all the transaction and dowry clauses will proceed without major hitches or surprises... — I replied, forcing my childish twelve-year-old voice to sound much more secure and firm than I actually felt inside.

Arl let out a short, nasal laugh, shaking his head in denial:

— Yes, the commercial terms will proceed perfectly, Kaelen. But the real reason I requested your presence here before the court assembles is entirely another.

I raised an eyebrow, curious about the mystery:

— What could be of such urgency? Yet another alteration in the workshop designs or port drainage routes?

— I learned directly from the captain of the guard's report that you have been pointing out to him the identity of possible spies infiltrated among our servants — the Marquess revealed, fixing his sharp brown eyes directly on mine. — And the patrol has executed an implacable sweep through the castle corridors based on your notes. For what reason did you conceal this movement from my knowledge, Kaelen?

I moved my hands with disdain, adopting my most relaxed geek-genius posture:

— Ah, that? In many of our morning martial trainings, I ended up circulating through the service wings and detecting that certain minds and people were infiltrated here strictly to extract confidential information about our gadgets. I merely pointed out the possibilities and handed the names to the captain; whoever executed all the brutal work of capture and confinement in the dungeons was the military guard command.

— Yeah, you speak with astonishing ease, kid — Arl stepped forward, his countenance obscured by the gravity of the situation. — But do you have any real awareness that, among room maids, wall guards, and kitchen servants, the prisons tallied over thirty-six agents chased out of their functions? And worst of all: the interrogations proved that some of those minds belonged both to the Crown's espionage network and to veteran spies sent by northern and eastern enemy kingdoms? Do you have the slightest geopolitical notion of what dismantling so many networks all at once could entail for our house?

I opened an innocent, manipulative child's smile, mocking his worry with Thae's humor:

— Oh, father, I have no idea... By any chance, are we going to be honored with some medal of honor or capital coat of arms for clearing the province of traitors?

My father clenched his teeth, his expression visibly irritated by my sarcasm:

— Kaelen, pay close attention to my words! It means that if a noble house closes itself off completely and transforms into an impenetrable monolith, with no crack or opening for neighbors' espionage, the next inevitable step is the Crown itself marching here with extraordinary envoys and chivalry orders to tear our secrets out by force... And that never ends well for the vassal in the end. Tell me once and for all: how did you manage to perform this miraculous screening and sniff out such well-camouflaged agents without missing a single name?

I exhaled a long sigh, knowing that lying to Arl's strategic mind at this point was underestimating his war intelligence. I looked at my own hands, activating a mental spark:

— Did you perhaps forget how I found Miss Yara's clue in the guest mansion cycles ago? My gift works in the exact same mechanical way. It's Psychometry. Just as I pressed my palm against the floor of her room to see the intruder's trail, and then touched the dagger the assassin drove into the courtyard soldier to read his path to the boat warehouse on the river, I did the same with the servants. I only need to touch some item of personal use or daily tool belonging to the individual to read the breath-vital residues left there. Through that, I can deduce where the person came from, what their real intentions are, or if they are deliberately lying about their identity... But I reinforce the warning: my mind still lacks the capacity to read thoughts or invade minds in real time fluidly.

Lord Arl narrowed his eyelids, assimilating the physics of that psionic revelation with pure pragmatism:

— Are you suggesting that, with the advance of your age and the maturation of your vigor, you could develop this mind-invasion ability in the future?

— Yes, theory indicates so. But currently, operating solely with Psychometry already manifests as an extremely exhausting exercise for me. Do you have any idea how many gadgets and old rags the guard captain made me inspect in the servants' quarters just to carry out that screening? There were over a hundred and fifty different pieces! That officer was extremely cheeky and opportunistic with me; I spent two whole days locked in my room suffering from a terrible throbbing headache because of the overload.

— Now I finally understand why the captain has been sporting that satisfied, mysterious smile around the courtyards for a few days... — Arl muttered, relaxing his posture, before adopting an unshakable command tone. — However, facing this isolation scenario, I have an immediate, high-priority task for you, Kaelen.

— What would it be this time? — I inquired, crossing my arms with geeky distrust. — More eco-communication bracelet projects or spring traps for Master Balin to smelt?

— First of all, you will pack your belongings and pay an official visit to the Heteromorphic Kingdom — my father announced, and a mischievous, teasing smile began to shape on his features as he saw my expression change. — You will cross the North Gates and visit the one slated to become your legitimate second wife.

I jumped back, feeling a genuine panic freeze my spine:

— What do you mean?! Second wife? Have you lost your mind, father? Where did this bizarreness come from?

Arl let out a frank, loud laugh, enjoying my cornered despair:

— Did you perhaps erase from your memory the frank conversation you had with your mother some time ago? Well, know that Lady Sylvia had already sewn and organized every clause of the union treaty with House Aurelius regarding Miss Valeria. By my calculations based on the long calendar of Aegis-Moon, I believe she must be turning fourteen to fifteen years old now. But I give a warrior's warning: the heteromorphs of the beast-men lineage possess a physical maturation infinitely faster than ordinary humans.

— Father, it has been four whole years since I last saw Valeria or the twins Lucius and Marcus! — I protested, indignant, gesturing tempestuously. — How did you manage to architect this entire matrimonial machination behind my back without me even receiving a single warning?

— Thank your mother's perspicacity and political gift of gab entirely — Arl replied, lightly patting my shoulder. — She was the one who conducted the negotiations with King Tygrus and organized the refined sugar dowries with the tiger-men. You just need to pack your bags, march north now, and resolve some impasses that only your crazy head can solve.

— But I haven't issued any official opinion on the matter!... — I grumbled, feeling my cheeks heat up. — I admit I hold great fondness for Valeria and that she is an incredible girl, but my mind had never pondered marriage on this time scale!

Lord Arl softened his features, and his tone returned to that serious, protective gravity:

— I also possess a second reason of extreme military relevance for this journey, my son. I demand that you stay far away from Gaul's borders for a determined time. Your innovations, novel sweets, and refined weapons are drawing excessive attention from the Crown's spies in the royal capital. King Valerius has his eyes wide open on us. You need to vanish from the empire's map for a few months.

I lowered my eyes, understanding the weight of the political chess game we had gotten ourselves into:

— Sorry, father... — I replied, lowering my eyes and feigning a hint of childish regret. — My intention in creating these gears and mechanical projects was never to attract political trouble or danger to our house.

— Forget that, boy. You did what was necessary to strengthen us. By the way... have you by any chance finished the technical schematics and drawings of that new warship you promised me?

— Yes, the papyrus rolls with the schematics are stored in my bedroom desk.

— Perfect. Hand the papers over to my trusted guards and head immediately to the main hall so we can begin the conference with the Nerius. After the protocols end, start organizing your travel luggage; tomorrow, at the very first hour of dawn under the turquoise sky, you will depart in a convoy toward the Heteromorphic Kingdom.

— Don't you think this entire court is being somewhat precipitous and hasty with my life? — I puffed, non-conformist, adjusting my tunic collars. — I am only a twelve-year-old child, for the gods' sake!

Arl let out an amused sigh, walking toward the door:

— Your mother and I thank the goddess Eris every single day for the fact that you are only twelve years old, Kaelen. If you sported more life cycles and maturity with these mental pranks of yours, I fear your mother would have already suffered a heart shock or lost the breath of life from the sheer size of your craziness. Now, move.

The Sealing Conference

Minutes later, the heavy iron doors of the council room were opened, and the Oceana entourage entered the enclosure with all the pomp and elegance demanded by the realm's high nobility.

— Good morning, Marquess Arl. Good morning, young prodigy of Gaul — greeted Duke Nerius Oceana, displaying his imposing admiral posture, deep blue eyes evaluating the room with total tranquility.

— Good morning, duke — Arl responded formally, striking his armored fist against his chest in a sign of military respect.

— Good morning, sir — I reiterated in a polished tone, executing an impeccable courteous bow so as not to wound Oceana's pride.

The duke settled into the circular ashlar chair, opening a relaxed smile before passing the fiscal parchments to his advisors and trusted scribes:

— I came today only to finalize the signatures, and I will leave the documentary details of the commercial guilds under the responsibility of my counselor, Varis — Duke Nerius explained resolutely. — However, I advance to you gentlemen that I will not be able to permit, for now, my daughter Yara to continue residing in this fortress. Therefore, we will be retreating today itself. I maintain a Portal Master under heavy gold payment, and the magical barrier for the return journey cannot be sustained for long.

Lord Arl Vance nodded rigidly, eyes fixed on the parchments:

— It is the most prudent decision, duke. Our scouts confirmed that the capital's espionage network is in an uproar after the sweep we performed on the servants. The Crown is losing political power, and King Valerius will send his extraordinary envoys to intervene in our lands at any moment. If they find our heirs together here, they will try to use a royal decree to embargo the betrothal and seize the prototype of the twelve-hundred-ton ship. We must protect ourselves and isolate the kids before the capital's red carpet arrives.

I felt an inexplicable, bothersome tightening emerge deep in my chest upon processing that immediate departure info. Yara was waiting for me in the external ashlar courtyard alongside the Oceana carriages, totally oblivious to that political storm, and I would barely have time to digest the weight of that sudden separation.

— So... will we be formally saying goodbye today? — I asked, unable to completely hide the disappointment in my voice.

The duke let out a light, paternal laugh, disarming the rigid mood of the table:

— Do not waste your energy on melancholy, child. You will see her again in much less time than your mind imagines... Unfortunately for our banquet desires, both our noble houses need to urgently prepare to contain any offensive or fiscal audit coming from the Crown after the disclosure of this new twelve-hundred-ton ship.

— Perfect, duke — Arl nodded rigidly, teeth clenched. — Do you already have all defenses and convoys organized on your part on the Oceana coast?

— Yes, Marquess. I sincerely hope this cycle marks the beginning of a long, prosperous, and indissoluble union between House Vance and House Nerius.

My father turned to me, making a subtle hand signal:

— Kaelen, take advantage of the protocol break to go to the external courtyard to say goodbye to Miss Yara and organize your thoughts...

— Yes, father... — I grumbled between my teeth, somewhat annoyed and feeling completely buried by the relentless avalanche of political information crashing down on my head all at once.

Before I could cross the threshold of the door, however, Lord Arl's firm hand grabbed my arm tightly, and he leaned in to whisper with extreme seriousness right near my ear:

— Make sure to pack plenty of changes of clothes and heavy fur cloaks in your travel luggage, my son... Because the treaty with the beast-men stipulates that you must reside in the Heteromorphic Kingdom for two full, long years.

I jumped in pure fright in the middle of the hallway, eyes wide with shock, and exclaimed in a tone far too loud:

— What?! Two years in that wild land of ice and forests?! You must be kidding me!

— Go already, Kaelen! Do not waste any more valuable time grumbling in the corners! — my father ordered with a mocking smile, pushing me toward the courtyard.

The Farewell in the Stone Courtyard

I walked at a fast, hard-pacing stride through the cold stone paths of the castle until reaching the ashlar ramp of the main entrance, where the Oceana carriages were already lined up. I spotted Yara Nerius settled inside the luxury vehicle. As soon as her ocean-blue eyes noticed me standing still in the courtyard, she broke into a radiant smile, came down the carriage steps with agility, and approached me with skipping, hurried steps, making her long bluish locks sway with the Aegis wind:

— Thank you so much for everything, Kaelen! — she began, holding my hands sweetly. — Thank you for acting with such bravery to save me from those assassins on the road, but I thank you even more for all the wonderful, fun time we spent together in this fortress. My father already unpacked the reports with me and explained that we will only be able to see each other again two long years from now, due to our safety. And your mother, Lady Sylvia, also spoke in confidence with me regarding Miss Valeria Aurelius. So do not worry about these secondary details, okay? I completely understand the needs and alliance laws of the great provinces.

I stood completely static and mute in the middle of the armory courtyard, slack-jawed and amazed at how capable those matriarchs and medieval lords were of organizing and knitting every detail of my personal life in such a grandiose way, without me even having time to breathe or issue a single opinion.

Yara gave a mischievous, playful giggle upon noticing my paralyzed panic expression:

— I simply adored the new sweets and weird dishes you presented at the morning banquet! But I demand that you promise me one thing upon my word of nobility: when we reunite after these two years, you will have to create an entirely unreleased and exclusive sweet recipe just for my palate... And a gorgeous engagement ring fused with Oceana's precious gems!

I let out a graceless, somewhat yellow laugh to ease the uncomfortable knot that had lodged in my throat before the farewell:

— Well... my mind is a complete blank right now and I cannot project any new recipe, but I pledge my word of honor that I will fulfill the promise... And do not forget, Yara: if danger looms over your roads or if you need my intervention for any urgent reason, just activate the eco-circuit of that iron bracelet I gave you. I will come to you.

— Yes, I will keep that warning — she replied, her eyes shining with a subtle hint of melancholy.

Suddenly, Yara stepped forward, leaned in, and placed a soft, warm kiss on my right cheek. Before my twelve-year-old brain processed any reaction, she turned around and ran back toward the carriage, climbing the wooden steps in a hurry. The Duke and Duchess of Oceana, who had been watching the youthful interaction from afar with crossed arms, let out relaxed, accomplice laughs. They closed the carriage door, and the convoy started moving, heading toward the horizon line under the turquoise sky.

The Storm in the Sanctuary

What remained for me on that turbulent day was to return to my private isolated genius quarters, begin sorting heavy clothes to face the Heteromorphic Kingdom's severe climate, talk with Katriny about travel logistics, and visit Master Balin to organize the rustic toolboxes.

As I walked at a slow, thoughtful pace through the cold stone internal corridors of the castle, I ended up running directly into Katriny's silhouette.

— Where have you been hiding, little master? I've spent the last two hours searching the castle — she fired, crossing her arms over her monk robes.

However, I immediately noticed that the panda exhibited a completely unusual and misaligned countenance. Her furry ears were drooped, and her black eyes transmitted a deeply sad, dejected expression laden with rustic solemnity.

— What happened that is so serious, Katriny? — I asked, feeling my chest tighten with a bad premonition. — For what reason are you wearing that grumpy face? Don't tell me even you decided to abandon me? Please, don't tell me you are leaving...

— Kaelen... forgive me, but I will be forced to be absent from my duties as a scribe by your side for a while — she revealed, lowering her tone melancholically. — Unfortunately, I received an official, irrevocable summons coming from the highest authorities of the Sacred Realm. The Grand Masters demand immediate answers regarding the incidents and elemental magics of the north tower, and I do not possess the political power or the right to deny a call from the temple church.

I felt my mind waver before yet another logistical blow:

— But how did they find out about us so fast?

— The news about your deeds and the mysterious collapse of that night crossed the provinces and already echoed in the high-echelon offices of the Sacred Realm — Katriny explained, sweating coldly beneath her fur. — The church's Chief Inquisitor crossed the gates of Vance Fortress this morning to conduct my personal journey, accompanied by a squad of heavy-armored paladins. By everything most sacred in this world, Kaelen... take the utmost care with your inventions. The eyes of faith are turning in your direction.

I massaged my temples hard, feeling the headache return full throttle due to that dog day's relentless rhythm:

— What kind of tortuous star alignment is this that decided to crash down on my head today? Are the gods of this planet making me pay in advance for all the pranks and mischief I pulled on Master Balin?

Katriny let out a sad, melancholy laugh, trying to console me:

— Do not waste your energy with paranoia, young master. The bureaucratic process and interrogations at the temple should not extend for more than one to three full years, mainly because I will have to go through many heresy hearings and conformity audits with mana scriptures. But I pledge my monk word that I will make a point of writing frequent letters to keep our clandestine communication active via raven routes, okay? You will not be entirely alone.

Already completely dazed and exhausted by the merciless flow of events, I broke the noble distance protocols and gave Katriny a tight, sincere hug, burying my face in her panda fur and whispering close to her ear:

— See that you don't take too long in those incense-filled temples, my accomplice in mischief... The castle will lose all its charm without you for me to bother.

— I will return to your affairs, little master... I swear I will return as soon as the church permits — she guaranteed, returning the hug with firmness and affection before turning and marching toward the paladin escort waiting in the lower courtyard.

I said goodbye to Katriny with a heavy heart and walked dragging my feet back to my royal bedroom, feeling completely devastated and aimless. To top off the banquet of surprises of that terrible cycle, I ran into Thys in the corridor. The nursemaid was dusting a vase and blurted out with total naturalness:

— Ah, young master, recover the vigor of your hurried temper. I have just received word from the servants that Imperial Princess Eva Aeterna and a pompous entourage from the royal capital will be crossing our iron gates shortly for an extraordinary visit to House Vance. Make sure to straighten those garments.

I let out a blown, ironic laugh to myself, opening the door to my private quarters and collapsing straight onto the feather mattress. Extraordinary visit from the heir of the Throne of Eldoria and her analytical spies? I thought, staring at the wooden ceiling. Let that haughty, proud girl march with all her royal rhetoric to this castle if she so desires... After all, tomorrow at the very first hour of dawn I will cross the border toward the tiger-men's wild lands. I won't be here anymore to endure that royalty's migraine.