Arc 3-Initiate-Part 5


    Father walks out behind them. Hearing my invitation, his browse down but he continues walking.


    “Lou, I rather not deal with any of your games tonight.”


    Jac tries to pull away but I hold fast. Please. I spar with an elf with a pure physical affinity. Like some noblewoman who spends her free time knitting or some other nonsense canpete. She can do nothing as I pull her through the house and out the door. Mattes along rather obediently, good man that he is.


    At the end of the road leading up to the house, I hold out my arm for Geneva to hand me my coat. Instead, my wife motions for me to hold out my arms and the subus puts it on for me. Bell jumps into my arms as Geneva runs off to get our carriage. I have seriously got to get some servants. Having her do this kind of thing is really demeaning for someone of her station.


    “I thought you said a walk,” Jac grumbles.


    “You’ll have to walk back to the house, won’t you?”


    “Enough, Lou. Tell me what’s going on.”


    “It’s myst night in the city. Let me have my fun.” I chuckle at her re. “Keep frowning and you’ll develop wrinkles overnight. What will your intended say when he meets his future bride that looks like an old woman?”


    “Oh, piss off!”


    Whoa. That’s real anger. I hold up my hands in surrender, not actually wanting to get into a fight with her. “Okay, okay. I’m done now. See? Done. Though I’m a little surprised you didn’t manage to talk your way out of this one.”


    She scoffs. “I wish. Count Mareen may only be a count but he’s a vassal of Duke Rosefield and an established family of the noble faction. As if my father is going to give up the chance to get in good with the oldest and most politically influential families in the kingdom.”


    “Oh.” Wish I knew what she was talking about but my knowledge of nobility is sorelycking. I didn’t even recognize one of the princes until we were standing in the pce and he was announced to me. Sad, I know, but I’ve got more important things on my mind.


    “You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”


    “Not a clue, no.”


    “Sometimes, I wonder how we’re rted.”


    “I’m not that bad. Besides, working people really don’t have time for that drivel. Matt, you’re with me, right?”


    The quiet man shrugs. “I can recognize the different crests and know enough about them.”


    “Don’t lump him together with you.”


    Kierra puts a hand over her mouth as she snickers. “cker.”


    That’s right, keep it up. We’ll see who has thestugh. Why do I need to remember these people’s names? For the powerful, what I n on being, that’s another job for a subordinate.


    Speaking of subordinates, Geneva arrives with the carriage. We all board, my cousins suitably impressed by the space inside. I y around with Bell for several minutes before we stop.


    Jac looks out the window with a frown. “Why are we stopped in the middle of the road?”


    “Because there’s no better ce to meet than nowhere when you’re trying to keep a secret,” I say without taking my eyes off my adorable imp. “Just wait for a while. They’ll be along shortly.”


    I’m right. We wait for barely a minute before I hear the clopping of horses. Another carriage pulls up alongside ours. I hear Jac breathe in sharply. “That’s a Grimoire carriage. Lou, what the hell is going on here?”


    “Rx, cousin.”


    The door opens, revealing Gordon Grimoire Jr. and Fendelheim, his contracted thrall. My old nemesis doesn’t look too good. His portly figure has thinned and dark rings hang under his slightly swollen eyes. Most importantly, that arrogant spark has dimmed drastically, making him appear lifeless.


    In contrast, Fen is beaming. She’s changed her looks. Before, she was a demure beauty with a perfect figure and pale skin, her only exotic feature her violet hair. She appeared strangely human, down to her dainty feet that had to be requested as subi have hooves. Now, her elemental nature was far more pronounced.


    Though she kept the same features, her skin had a slight purple flush and her hair was silver,plimented by lc eyes. A thin, silver tail waves behind her and her hoofed feet are on full disy. She was charming before but now, with her otherworldly origins on full disy, she has the attraction of power about her with the added bonus of confidence thates with having control of her life.


    Well, more control.


    “Junior,” I greet as he throws himself into the carriage. Jac shies away as he climbs onto the bench beside her. “You’re looking good.”


    All I get is a grunt in response.


    “Lourianne,” a husky voice whispers in my ear as Fen climbs into the carriage. She leans into me, holding my arm against her chest. “You haven’t been to see me at all~ How unfair, when I’m working so hard for you.”


    Wow, these subi are shameless. tantly trying to tempt me in a situation like this. Though she’s out of her depth. I have to contend with Geneva on a daily basis. This is nothing. My arm is in a great ce right now though. I wish I could just—actually, wait. I can.


    Pulling my arm free, I pull her closer and bury my face in her chest. The thrall squeals in delight, putting her arms around my neck and drawing me closer but I don’t let things escte. It’s steadily being degraded but I do still have a sense of decency.


    “What the hell is going on here?” Jac asks.


    “Since my wife is preupied,” I hear Kierra say over me, “allow me to exin. As you can see, Junior here has be one of our vassals.”


    “A vassal…” Junior’s voice is filled with dissatisfaction but he doesn’t refute. After over three months of being conditioned by Fen, he knows his ce well.


    From the corner of my eye, I can see Jac’s disbelief. “You’re kidding me.”


    “Not at all. You see, the subi have taken a liking to Lou. Whoever controls the subi controls the Grimoire family. And whoever controls the Grimoire family—”


    “Might as well control the capital.” Jac’s eyes are shining. “Saints’ damnation, what kind of wicked games did you y to pull this miracle off?”


    I raise my head out of Fen’s chest to answer but Kierra pushes me back. “The how isn’t very important. What matters is that Lou wants to give you a chance. She thinks that you can make something of yourself, Jacquellin. But I have my reservations. I don’t know you. So, tell me why we should bother to change your fate?”


    A deep inhale followed by a shaky exhale. “…because I want to re-establish our family on Green Mountain.”