Published at 11th of March 2026 11:46 am

Chapter 138: A family matter

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Fantastic! Theodore exclaims, oblivious to the tone that made the rest of the room flinch. We were just going over the Jakenhal variations. I did think that perhaps your field of study might provide some insight into some of the unique paradoxes that arise from

Dearest brother, she interrupts with a fake smile and a tone that finally causes him to flinch with the rest of us. I am certain that your new acquaintances would not begrudge you should we leave the room to converse for a few moments.

He scrunches up his face in seemingly genuine confusion. Well, certes, but that is a strange hypothetical to be engaging in...

Theodore! she snaps, all illusion of polite pleasantry vanished. Come with me, now!

Theodores face freezes in a mixture of emotions that include guilt and embarrassment as he glances around the room and plasters a reassuring smile for our benefit. Please, if you would, continue in our absence.

Theres a dull click from the door as the two leave us, and the Marquis Phillip, behind. Everyone glances about, clearly wanting to speak, but glances at the dour yet still absurdly fashionable to even my untrained eye Marquis, and decides to wait in silence instead. Which, as it so happens, rather suits me, as it allows me to focus on the listening token I placed just outside the door.

Unfortunately, while I do so much want to switch to the visual version of the spell (as they stopped just outside the door where I placed the token), that would require a quick but conspicuous chant. Which, besides not wanting even my friends to know about the spell, it would no doubt be reported by the Marquis. Fortunately, I can silently will the sensitivity to increase without any outward indication, and so can easily make out their hushed whispers. (I doubt that Cecellia lacks a silencer, but likely decided their conversation not worth obscuring given the difficulty of properly setting up said device in such an open and irregular space as the main library chamber.)

Is there a problem, dear sister? Theodore asks with an innocence that I dont need visual stimuli to tell is put on, though perhaps he is actually ignorant as to the cause of his sisters ire.

Dear brother, I can hear the menacing smile, far be it from me to be overbearing regarding whom you choose to spend your time with, but it did seem to me that your little group does contain an individual whom I did advise you strongly not to associate with. Do you perhaps recollect the individual of whom I speak?

Ah, he utters, followed by the sound of him scratching the back of his neck as he no doubt glances away from his stern sister.

Ah, indeed. But worry not, dear brother, I am aware that I warn you of a great many things and that, no doubt, this one simply slipped your mind. No doubt, now that I have reminded you of the peril, you will seek to remedy your quite understandable error by ejecting the interloper from your company with all due haste.

No. He says, quietly but with defiance somehow built from nothing over the course of a single syllable.

No? Pray tell, she says through grinding teeth and a tone that causes me to wince from her indirect ire.

Hes good. I want to keep him.

A stretched and menacing silence followed by flat and measured words. Better than the experts mother allocated to teach you at great cost?

He scoffs. No, of course not. But theyre so boring. Stuffy. Set. They dont learn with me, dont come up with novel solutions. Dont think of approaches that slip past me.

And he does?

Well once, I guess. I suppose what I mean is that he chooses solutions that I had dismissed for criteria that I hadnt considered, which is nearly as interesting really. He almost seems dishearteningly unconvinced. What does it matter? He continues, snapping into defiance. You never let me keep the ones I really want.

Thats not true. I let you associate with all sorts of people. I only cull the dangerous sorts, which this Malichi is.

So? he whines. Isnt Marquis Horse-Lover dangerous?

Thats not his name. She audibly rolls her eyes.

Its what it means, he responds, gloatingly. You know, in the language where hes fromIt doesnt matter. What matters is that hes dangerous, but you play with him anyways while stopping me from doing the same with the ones I want. Its not fair.

So what if its not fair?! I dont play with him. I use him to keep us both safe. She hisses the last word.

You use him because you like surrounding yourself with pretty things, Theodore counters flatly.

Hes useful because he is a pretty thing. People react to his presence the way I want them to react. Its useful to which I dont understand why I need to remind you keep you out of this silly game called heir apparent mother thrusted us into. Unless youre saying youve changed your mind and decided you want to join the competition after all?

A sullen silence ensues. Youre saying you dont enjoy him aesthetically?

So what if I do? she hisses. So what if I find him pleasant to be around in addition to his utility? Is it really so bad that he helps me relax with all the work I do for both of us?

Sorry, I shouldnt have suggested that. I know you get it from everyone else.

I forgive you. Sigh youll get rid of this Malichi?

No.

She sighs again, but more aggressively this time. Why not?

Because I dont understand why hes so dangerous.

You dont Theodore, he rejected Vincent. If you snatch him up, that will be seen as a slight to our dear brother. Saying that you can gain the loyalty of those whom Vincent is unable to. People will assume that its deliberate and that youre breaking your carefully cultivated neutrality. Which would have been bad enough on its own until mother butted into things and gave him a gift?

She did? he asks, baffled.

You were in the room, Theodore! she exclaims, clearly louder than she intended.

But, why would she do that? Dismay seeps into his voice.

I dont know! She probably heard about the issue with Vincent and thought itd be funny to throw a cat at some pigeons.

You dont mean that, he says, slightly teary voiced. She wouldnt play around with us like that.

No, of course not, she says with a reassuring tone and weary sigh. I just I dont understand why shes playing this game in the first place. Its not like shes going to die anyways.

Do you think she doesnt intend to designate any of us heir?

No no I dont.

Then why bother with it? Why play the game and chase after support? he asks, almost pleadingly.

Because even if it is just a game to mother, its one I cant let Vincent win. For one, theres an off chance that if he gets enough support, mother might feel forced to designate him regardless of her current intent. Second, him getting support is bad regardless. He hates us, remember?

He doesnt hate us. Hes just grumpy. Mother says its a phase.

Mother is wise and farsighted, but its hard to see whats in front of you when youre always looking at the horizon.

I suppose

She suddenly breathes out in a forceful and protracted manner. This is a distraction. Even if you dont care about the fact that you associating with this Malichi Mongrel will harm your perceived neutrality, think about why hes suddenly hanging out with you in the first place.

Why Because I asked him to, obviously.

Theodore! she snaps. I specifically instructed him not to associate with you. The only reason he would do so anyways is if hes someone elses pawn. Someone who he thinks will protect him. Considering that he attended the equinoctial with dearest sister Tallia, I would consider her the prime suspect. Which, I shouldnt ave to remind you, she is Vincents ally.

Theodore scoffs. Shes not Vincents ally. Dont be silly. She just knows how to handle him better than the rest of us and doesnt want him to be isolated from the family.

You put too much stock in her carefully manufactured appearance of carelessness.

And youre too distrustful of our own family. Shes capable, but that doesnt always mean calculating like you do. Maybe she hoped Malichi would be a bridge between us.

And youre too hopeful. Even if she doesnt have some scheme to our detriment, be assured that Vincent does. Besides, any benevolence she may have intended will be hard to achieve while shes off on campaign.

Still, I want to trust her. Shes nice. She always has been to me. Just because shes also nice to Vincent doesnt mean that I should suddenly discount that. Trusting that past kindness wont change is the only way our family is going to get through this intact.

Sigh Fine. Lets assume she hasnt changed from the scant few months since the start of this stupid game and she just wants us all to stick together. Well, Vincent hasnt changed either, and he didnt need the excuse to be a nasty little shit. Hes always been a schemer, much more so now that he actually has good cause to. If you dont want to protect yourself from him, thats fine, but at least dont thwart my efforts to protect both of us Unless youve reconsidered and decided to join the contest in earnest? Keeping this Monhal wouldnt be a bad opening move, but only if you intend to follow through. Theres almost hope in her voice at the suggestion.

Theodore chuckles sadly. Id make a terrible ruler, and likely a not much better heir.

I wouldnt be so sure. You wouldnt rule like mother, but that doesnt mean ruling badly. At the very least, youd be better than Vincent. Really, either of us would probably be fine. Its not like well be asked to rule anyways. So long as Vincent doesnt gain more power.

Oh? What if Avery gets picked? Theodore asks, clearly amused at the prospect.

Yeah, what if? Cecillia chuckles. Who knows what that shadow would do. Probably wouldnt even understand what the fuss is about.

Heh, yeah. Maybe they would have a point.

Cecillia scoffs. Thats the last thing I need youve already weird enough without them rubbing off on you Look, will you do what I ask and get rid of this Malichi?

I dont want to.

Sigh Then will you take advantage of his presence, drop your neutrality and join the competition in earnest?

I dont want to do that either.

You cant have both, little Dore. She says sadly.

Why not? Arent we mothers children? If we cant have things both ways, then whats even the point of our divinity?

This produces a chuckle followed by a sigh. Fine. If youre really saying that having a new friend with the same interests is worth the same as you avoiding the contest then Ill make it work for you like I always do, little Dore.

Thanks, sis There is a slight cracking in his voice, followed by the rustling of clothing that I assume to be a hug.

Of course its what I do. Now, compose yourself. You cant let them see you like this. It would be beneath your dignity.

Yeah Yeah, I know. Thanks.

A minute of silence ensues, followed by them returning to the room. The meeting continues for an hour with Cecillia staying to watch, though the Marquis does leave to peruse the main room, citing boredom.

Theodore ends the meeting with a cheerful tone that none of us feel. I try to leave before anything else can happen, but the Marquis suddenly appears at the end of the row of bookshelves that I choose to escape by, revealing the intent of his early departure with a predatory grin. I turn to look back and see Cecillia closing in from behind with an oh so polite smile and sweet lilting voice.

Malichi, so good that we can have this chance to talk. Walk with me, will you?

I suck air through my teeth as I force them into a subservient smile. Of course, your highness, I live to please.

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