Chapter Eighty
As I watched Tiffania run in circles playing a game of tag with Louise and Josette, I sipped the coffee that came from the plants of the greenhouse, and exhaled in relief. The taste was there all right, perhaps with a bit of a slightly pepper-like aftertaste, but it worked fine.
Mathilda remained standing by my side, the pitcher still in her hand. "Do sit," I said with a sigh, "There's no need to act like a servant."
"That's still..." Mathilda swallowed and then obeyed, taking the seat by the other side of the small table. "Your kindness is appreciated, but...I have no titles, and-neither does Tiffania. If the Albion government had wind of our presence here, they'd demand our heads."
"And?" I remarked offhandedly. "If they demand the heads of innocents, then my answer will be a strongly worded try to come and get them followed by a swift if you declare war, I'll raze everything you have to the ground," I hummed nonchalantly, taking another sip. "Perhaps said with a bit more of decorum, but still, the point has been made."
Mathilda furrowed her brows, "Going to such lengths...did you perchance owe something to my father, or to the Archduke? Your grace's father-he didn't know, but said not to worry." She swallowed, her hands folded on her lap. "Or are we prisoners? I...I admit I haven't been told I cannot leave, but..."
"You can go wherever you please," I said offhandedly, "And so can Tiffania, for what it matters," I continued gently. "If you'd rather be elsewhere, then I won't mind. Only, keep in contact, and stay safe, that is all that I ask."
"Then...why?" Mathilda stressed out, "To help us like this, to know where we'd be, why help us in this way?"
"Do you want to know what my dream is?" I asked gently, "It is for a world where children aren't forced to watch their parents die because of a mere aesthetic difference in their ears," I smiled, "A world where innocence is something that must be protected, and not broken to be replaced by the sad reality of life's miserable existence," I chuckled. "It is, I admit, a pathetic, naive and utterly foolish dream to be had, but it is my dream, and thus-I am allowed to dream whatever I damn well please." I glanced at her. "You ask me if I knew your father, and the answer is no. You should have asked me if I knew Tiffania's mother," I said softly. "Because in that case, my answer would have to be yes."
It was a tiny lie, but one that could not be corroborated.
"As for finding you, my Raven had been looking everywhere for your tracks. He is my familiar, and once he realized what direction you took, he simply waited for you in the forest," I continued unashamedly. "Yet, I am sorry," I said with my hands placing the empty cup on the table, "I should have done something sooner, but-but I did not have the power to do so. One year ago-I did not have the power to stop anything, and even now, I still lack enough power to right the wrongs that were incurred," I took a deep breath. "Which is why, rather than you owing to me, I should be the one owing to you."
"What...what nonsense are you saying?" Mathilda exclaimed, "Your grace," her hands trembled, "For a year-for a year Tiffania and I ran from the men of the king. For a year we hid, and moved, evading pursuit-I was scared, but-but I kept pushing Tiffania on, because it wasn't right for her to suffer like this. Such a dream that you have, please-if possible, let me help you achieve it. I don't want to see Tiffania cry any more-I don't want to see people in pain anymore," she clutched her chest with her left hand, "Whatever I, Mathilda of Saxe-Gotha, can offer...I will. You have my oath of fealty, your grace-now and forever."
I smiled, and then nodded, "Then, apologies if I may sound patronizing but...I will ask you one simple thing. Enjoy your life, and be happy," I gestured at where the trio of children were still laughing, "at the same time, please, in my absence...protect those children's smiles."
"That-it still feels too little," Mathilda muttered. "I might be young-but your grace...pardon me for being blunt, are you not young yourself?"
"I have always been considered wise beyond my years," I answered dutifully, fingers clasped together. "Though I am one year older than you," I added. "Yet...one year can feel like a decade, depending on circumstances...can it not?"
"I...I can't deny it," Mathilda murmured, taking her own cup of coffee and sipping it softly. "Your grace is happily married?"
"Indeed," I said with a bright chuckle. "She's just an earnest and good child-it honestly pains me to be apart from her, but for some things, it's better. She doesn't know any of this. This...all of this...only myself and my father know. Well, perhaps mother managed to find out, but she'll feign ignorance because my mother is like that." I swallowed nervously, "Although..." I exhaled, "Would you like for Tiffania to attend school?"
"School? Tiffania..." Mathilda looked at the laughing child, "For such a thing-even with the money we receive, that still...she can do magic, but her magic-it's different. It doesn't work on everything."
"In any case," I said offhandedly, "I'll have Raven deliver you enough money to comfortably put her through the three years of education at the Academy of Tristain. Whether she wishes to attend or not, that is up to her." I smiled.
"Your wife must be a very lucky woman," Mathilda muttered.
"I suppose," I said. "Although...if, one day, it was possible-would you like your lands back?"
"I-my father no longer has any right to it," Mathilda said. "If-if the king changes his mind-even then, I wouldn't trust such a king and his word."
"And if the king was a different one?" I mused, "Would you?"
"It would depend on the king," Mathilda acquiesced. "Is that...is it your Grace's intention to..."
I shook my head. "No. I do not wish to topple monarchies, but the situation in Albion-it might topple itself. Depending on what you wished for, perhaps I might have queried the new government for your lands back. Again-it depends on you."
"I need to think about this, your grace," Mathilda muttered.
"Then think as much as you like," I answered easily enough, "put letters into my familiar's pouch. He's the one trustworthy messenger I'll send. Trust no others, especially those who come saying they are my messengers, but aren't Raven." I grimaced, "I think the King of Albion will have better things to do than worry about hunting you two down outside of his kingdom, but...one can never be too sure."
Mathilda nodded at my words, and then took another sip of coffee. I filled my cup once more, and then drank, basking in the glow of the morning sun.
The laughter of children lulled me to sleep, and I smiled as I allowed myself a quick power nap.
When the people we love laugh in mirth, then truly-we feel at peace with the world itself.
