Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Two
I linked arms with Eleonore as we went for a walk across the gardens of Vindobona's imperial palace. The men of my guard followed us a short distance away. Louise had gone to spend time with Henrietta after her first night had gone by -and were nothing had hopefully happened. As we walked, Eleonore said nothing at first. She seemed content to admire the gardens. Though clearly they could not compare to the beauty of Tristain's royal ones, or to the richness and variety of Gallia, they still were pretty to watch and walk through.
"How's the Academy work, big sister?" I asked gently, receiving a slight huff in reply.
"It has been going well," Eleonore said, "my work is indeed mostly veered on the crafting of beautiful stone statues through the most holy research on the chants of past-" she exhaled, "but speaking about my work would take away most of the morning, and since you plan to leave before lunch, I'd rather we speak of other things, little Henry," as she said that, she used her free hand to pinch my cheek slightly, before letting go of it. "You'll be a father soon enough, and I dread to think what sort of parent you'll be. Seriously, such a scandalous behavior!" she scoffed.
"What he or she won't know can't influence them," I said with a wise nod. "Also, I'm sure I wasn't the only one having fun last night," I continued. "Did you have fun?"
Eleonore looked primly up, her chin raised. "A proper lady does not have fun during parties, Henry. She enjoys them the right amount, nothing more."
"You need to let your hair down sometimes, big sister," I said with a sigh. "You're pretty, so if you'd just let yourself go a tiny bit perhaps you'd be more approachable."
Eleonore's arm squeezed mine tightly, making me inwardly realize I had stepped on the landmine. "Oh?" Eleonore said offhandedly. "And why would you say that? Surely, the Count of Burgundy has decided to take a pause to think about things, but he would never go back on his engagement, would he?"
"Do you love him?" I asked.
"Love is a strong word, Henry," Eleonore exhaled, eyes unfocused as she looked up at the sky with a small smile. "But he has such a dashing smile..." she sighed in pleasant reminiscence, making me shudder.
"Well, perhaps I could have a word with him if he makes you worry so much," I suggested with a bright smile of my own, my free hand somewhat clenching the handle of my swordwand something really fierce. "I'm sure that he won't be able to run away properly without legs," I nodded.
"Henry! You're impossible," Eleonore said with a huff, tapping my forehead gently with the tip of her fingers, before proceeding to ruffle my hair with the sense of triumphant pleasant vindictiveness that was common to her. I grumbled, and huffed in turn, glancing away.
"I do not like seeing you sad, big sister."
Eleonore giggled at that, ceasing to rub my head. "I know that. It is nice to know Gallia's court hasn't changed you. You have always been prone to recklessly doing things for others at the expense of yourself," there were a few mutters of agreement among my escort. Oi, you lot, on whose side are you on?
"You know, big sister," I said with a thoughtful expression, "The royal Academie in Lutece could use your intelligence-" Eleonore tussled my hair, much to my ever-growing embarrassment. "Big sister, will you please stop doing that?"
"No," Eleonore replied after a slow, careful deliberation. "You are adorable when your cheeks turn red."
I blinked. My-My weapons, used against me?! This-This sort of thing wasn't allowed! It wasn't allowed! I-It wasn't like I liked this or anything, but-but truly, seriously, there were other things to discuss of, more important and serious things-
"About my offer," I said, trying to recover myself, "I'd really love it if you thought about it. Whatever Tristain's Academie can offer, Lutece's can easily double, or even triple it."
"I'll have to say no to that," Eleonore said with a sigh and a small smile. "It would be quite the scandal if the heiress to the la Valliere lands went to work for a foreign power," she thumped the side of her head against mine, and then hummed pleasantly. "I might come by to see my cute niece or nephew though, so be prepared for my arrival. Perhaps with your wife in the room I will get to see you act properly?"
There was a set of collective snorts from the guards behind us.
"I will try to be on my best behavior," I most seriously nodded. It was all that Eleonore expected me to say, because she simply grinned, and then began a talk about how her life had been. One thing though, remained firmly in my to-do list.
Count Burgundy would receive word of my displeasure. He would receive far more than a simple word.
Perhaps his favorite's animal dead head by the side of his pillow in the morning? With a crow upon it to caw at him think no more, marry Eleonore?
"Oh gods it rhymed," Raven cawed, sharing his vision with me. "I'll get the concrete shoes if he says no, Henry."
He was flying in lazy circles over Vindobona, casting furtive glances at the crows that had been neatly put in their places after the main problems had been dealt with. The pigeon population had suffered a drastic reduction, and the native crows and beasts of prey had come to wiser decisions after Raven had a few words with them. The...Murder Network was expanding. Now, all that remained was Romalia.
"That's going to be a tough cookie to crack," Raven cawed. "Can't use my adoraburbles for that."
I did not remark on the term adoraburbles. Just like I had come to accept the naming of the Murder Network, I could survive even if Raven had a really poor sense of naming conventions.
"Adoraburbles is not a bad choice for nicknaming my little bundles!" Raven cawed, somewhat indignantly. "Still beats Fluffle-Wuffles."
I gasped, much to Eleonore's surprised expression. I smiled at my elder sister and shook my head. "Nothing, my familiar just shared the vision of himself hitting against a wall because clearly, his head was in the gutter."
"My head is not in the gutter, Henry!" Raven huffed. "Your artistic sense needs to be fixed!"
I have written more art in a single month than you will ever write in a thousand years!
Yeah? Fite me bro!
I belatedly realized Raven was doing this on purpose, but even so, I still pinched the bridge of my nose and began to growl softly. Oh, I'd fight him all right. The moment he got within my grasp I'd give him such a heavy assault of head rubbing that by the time I was done, he'd be considered a bald eagle rather than a crow.
Raven replied by stating how he'd in turn pluck my hair off and make me go bald.
Seriously, was he going through his adolescent rebellious phase right now?
In all seriousness, there wasn't much else to say. I had received orders to return home within a day, and so I had to do just that. The trip back would still take days rather than weeks by dissing the servants and going on Freedom's back, but it was still going to take its time.
Unfortunately, I had made a terrible, terrible mistake.
For when the time came for me to depart, a maid had discovered a most horrifying truth.
Lord Richmon, the chief of the high court of justice, had been found dead and quartered like a pig in a slaughterhouse within his chambers. Such a gruesome murder -the day after the wedding- could not go by unchallenged, and to leave would be to inspire rumors, and have no chance to defend from them.
"We stay," I said quite calmly to the knights nearby, who all instead seemed eager to leave.
They swallowed, nodded, and then saluted before taking up a far more attentive and secure defensive formation around my person from that moment onward.
Hopefully, this wasn't going to be like the tale of And then there were none.
Agnes, we need to talk, you and I.
