Chương 78: Chapter 77 Edited

King Cassian Aurion I am trying to remember why I ever had children. I am King Cassian Aurion, the seventy-sixth ruler of the Dominion of Vera, one of the most powerful Dominions in any of the Upper Plane worlds. At this exact moment, however, none of that authority appears to matter, because I am currently being yelled at by my seventeen-year-old daughter, who is convinced that I am hiding the mercenary who saved her life. For a moment I seriously considered throwing her in a dungeon.

Unfortunately, my wife informed me she would become extremely angry if I did that.

"Talena, darling," I said, keeping my voice even, "this is now a capital matter. Believe it or not, there are greater things to worry about than the mysterious mercenary who saved your life."

"Cipher is not just some mysterious mercenary, Father," she shot back.

"He saved my life, and he is my destined husband." My fingers pressed against the bridge of my nose.

"Are you saying you don't want your daughter to get married?" she continued.

"That you don't care she ever finds love? You want her to be an old hag?" Behind her, my wife had leaned back in her chair, watching the exchange with what I could only describe as quiet amusement. Thank you, darling. You're so helpful.

"Talena," I said carefully, "it's not that I don't want you to find love. You are the crown princess of the Dominion of Vera, and since your brother passed on receiving the crown, you are the heir apparent. You cannot marry some random mercenary. It does not matter that he saved your life. The connection you believe you have to him is irrelevant to the question of who you marry. Dear Lord Child, we do not even know if it is a he. And you sit there and talk of a royal marriage."

I lowered my hand and looked directly at her.

"Tell me, daughter. If it is not a he, how exactly do you plan to produce a royal heir?"

"I don't care if she's a he, he's a he, it's an it, they're a they, or she's a she," Talena said stubbornly.

"He, it, they, or she is my destined person. I will have only him in this lifetime."

"All this fuss, because the mana told you so," I said dryly.

"You will forgive me for not rolling out the red carpet."

"Yes, the mana reading, which I would remind you has never been wrong," she replied, completely serious. She leaned forward.

"Hear me clearly, Father. I am going to repeat myself. I am not attending the Five Seat Martial Tournament Grand Gala unless I am protected. I mean the right protection. He almost got me. They were so very close if he hadn't been there. Surely you would not want me to be killed, kidnapped, or dragged away by some barbarian horde like the Raiders of Ikana and forced to produce heirs for them. I cannot imagine that doing much for our precious bloodline." I took a long breath.

"Talena Serena Diana Aurion," I said slowly, "you will close your mouth, and you will do it right now. Or so help me, daughter. Heir or not, daughter or not, I will throw you in the dungeon." My daughter, to her credit, had the good sense to become quiet. ⁂ A blazing chorus of horns sounded, and the surrounding guests, nobles, merchants, heads of knightly orders, and other military leaders from all over the Dominion, turned toward the fanfare.

Whoever was arriving had rank, and the guards had been warned in advance. Princess Talena turned her head sharply toward the sound. I kept my fingers resting against the bridge of my nose for another moment before lowering my hand. Duke Adam Vanta entered the chamber with the calm authority of a man who had never once doubted he belonged at the center of power.

The years had silvered the edges of his dark hair, and they had not softened the disciplined posture that had made him one of the most formidable figures in the Dominion. His coat carried the restrained elegance of Vanta house colors, and the crest pinned at his collar caught the light as he stepped forward. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. At his side walked his wife, Duchess Elowen Vanta.

Where Adam projected command, Elowen carried the quieter gravity of someone accustomed to navigating the subtler currents of power. She was of middle height, poised, and impeccably composed, her dark hair swept into a precise arrangement that revealed the delicate filigree of a Vanta family clasp. Her gown followed the restrained aesthetic of the house, deep navy silk threaded with faint silver lines that suggested armor rather than ornament.

Those who did not know her well often mistook the Duchess for decorative nobility. Those who got to know her quickly learned otherwise. Those who were acquainted simply got the hell out of the woman's way. Her eyes swept the expanse of grass where the banquet was taking place. She quickly took in myself, the Queen, and Princess Talena with calm intelligence before she inclined her head in the measured bow appropriate for a royal audience.

Behind them walked their daughter, Samantha Vanta, moving with the same quiet confidence that marked the rest of her family. The three of them advanced across the chamber without hurry. When they reached the proper distance from the royal seating, Duke Vanta bowed.

"Your Majesty." The Duchess followed with a graceful curtsy that managed to convey respect with no diminishment of the authority of her station.

"Your Majesty." Samantha completed the gesture a moment later. She moved with the same quiet confidence, and hers carried a sharper edge. She was younger, and she had inherited the same controlled composure that marked the Vanta line. Her dark hair was tied back in a precise braid, and her gaze swept the room with quick intelligence before settling briefly on Talena. The two of them smiled at one another briefly and moved toward each other.

Duke Vanta bowed again, this time the slight bow expected of a Duke of the Dominion, never deep, precisely correct according to law and tradition.

"Your Majesty." I tried not to smile at my old friend's actions. He had always loved the pomp and circumstance of court. Samantha separated from Talena, who stepped back, and followed with a smaller but equally precise bow.

"My King." I nodded to the young mistress of House Vanta.

"Duke Vanta," I replied, gesturing toward the seating area.

"To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit? When the summons was issued, I was under the impression that your house was in the middle of some important inquiry." Talena straightened slightly, her eyes narrowing with interest. Duke Vanta's expression shifted just enough to acknowledge the room before he spoke again.

"That is indeed the case, Your Majesty. I come with news regarding the matter currently under discussion," he said calmly. Talena leaned forward immediately.

"What news, Lord Vanta? Have you—have you found what I asked for? Have you found a way to bring me what my heart desires?" The Duke allowed himself the smallest smile.

"Your Highness," he said with a small bow, "we have sought what you requested, and I can proudly say that my eldest son has been... diligent in his quest to fulfill your need." My wife glanced at me over the rim of her glass, clearly enjoying the development. Talena did not wait.

"Do you mean Lord Vanta... that... do you mean Master Aiden found Cipher?"

"Aiden located the individual responsible for intervening during the incident," the Duke replied, choosing his wording carefully.

"That effort required a great deal of investigation." Samantha spoke for the first time, her tone calm and unmistakably proud.

"My brother has spent weeks chasing rumors across half the Dominion. He felt responsible, since he was the one who brought the unnamed mercenary into the palace," she said.

"Ports, academies, mercenary registries, border patrol reports, and every intelligence contact the Vantas maintain. By the time he finished, he had effectively mapped the entire Upper Plane mercenary network." Talena's eyes widened slightly.

"And?"

"And," Samantha continued, "his identity has been confirmed. My brother has reestablished contact with the individual your Highness has been referring to as Cipher." Talena leaned forward even further.

"Well?" Duke Vanta lifted a hand slightly.

"My son made contact two nights ago." The room stilled with all the tension of a wartime negotiation. I folded my hands together on the table.

"And?" The Duke allowed a moment to pass before answering.

"The mercenary has agreed to attend the Five Seat Martial Tournament Grand Gala." Princess Talena was practically jumping out of her dress.

"I knew it! I knew he wouldn't simply abandon me. Did you get a name? A picture of what he looks like? What type of cake he prefers? Will he come and see me? Did you mention my proposal?"

"He has also agreed," Duke Vanta continued evenly, interrupting the princess's rambling, "to serve as your personal protection during the event." Talena looked triumphant.

"Yes, yes, of course he did." Samantha glanced at her with a faint, almost apologetic smile.

"It required persuasion."

"Persuasion?" Talena asked. Duke Vanta nodded once.

"Aiden does not normally need to negotiate for that long unless the individual in question has... strong mana and very strong opinions." I leaned back slightly in my chair, somewhat taken aback. I was surprised he agreed at all, considering Talena's earlier attempt to have him kept permanently. I could only hope he was not going to bankrupt the Dominion.

"Was the money offer not enough?" The Duke's expression shifted just enough to signal that the conversation had reached its important point.

"He will appear," Vanta said.

"He will protect the princess during the gala." Talena grinned.

"Excellent. I knew he would agree to come back after someone explained that the whole underground confinement thing was a misunderstanding."

"He has conditions, however," the Duke continued calmly. Talena froze. My wife leaned forward with sudden interest. I watched the Duke carefully.

"Conditions," I repeated.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Duke Vanta folded his hands behind his back.

"He was quite clear on that point."