Chapter 607: Empire's Invasion [25]

May thee rest in peace, Vanesa's sacrifice. We exchanged a few words, the wish on thy mouth was of death. Parted having accomplished a purpose, few are fortunate to truly proclaim so.' The stove burnt on high, a fragrant smell of deliciousness barbarically barged on in the large empty corridor. Malley's hand was full bathing the refugees. 

"Cousin," spoke Julius lent against the nearby fridge, "-can I have an explanation of what happened?"

"Why are your arms crossed?" side-glanced Igna, "-not a great posture when asking for something," nonchalantly tossing over ingredients, "-bear that in mind for the future. Before I give my story, are Vanesa and Draconis well?"

"Yes, the two are playing at the back. The little lady's more on the listless side," the arms relaxed, "-let me help."

"Great, set the plates," he moved to another dish.

"Igna, please work with me. I don't understand what happened. The retainers are stumped, the weather and tremors of before, the country is in a dire state. For the love of God, you returned in blood-soaked vestments. The insanity of fabric swallowing that much of liquid is tantamount to jumping in a pool of the damned thing."

"Fine, fine, no need to get so fussy. Here's what happened, I headed into Svein's hill to investigate a recent spurt of Aedric plague. Turns out, the information fed was altered a little. Reports said the caves were a slum. Tis truth to some extent," a wooden spoon accompanied the speech, "-I've my doubt on Glenda's current administration, even the guild isn't clear."

"What information?"

"Vane's cult," tender meat sizzled innocently over a devilish loud flame.

"Never heard of them."

"Yeah, I doubt anyone knows about her. The mistress' a pretty hard to hear about the legend. Long story short, Vane's cult was responsible for infecting the child yesterday. The relaxing excursion took a turn for the worst, they had planned on infecting the land. My bloodied outfit speaks for the rest."

"How many people were there?"

"Around three hundred, maybe, I didn't pay attention."

"Hold on," the chopping hands stopped, "-Igna, is that true?"

"Yeah," the flames died, "-the food's ready. Those kids are the survivor from said place. Best not to question them further. There are more pressing issues at hand. The Empire's involved."

"What brings that conclusion?" they carried the dishes.

"I'd take the word of a dying person over that of a democrat." 

A courier arrived shortly, "-Lord Baron," interjected a maid.

"Great timing," he handed over a hot pot, "-do take this to the dining hall," and off he was nonchalantly.

"Let me help," said Julius, "-my cousin's not the kind of person to notice trivial things," a reference to her being pregnant.

"No my lord," her head shook, "-I must finish the task bestowed by the baron. Accusing the lord is a mistake I must rectify as soon as is possible." Carton boxes heftily plumped inside the lobby. 

"And this concludes the order," said the courier.

"The payment should have been done already?"

"Yes, I've confirmed it with the owner. Says to pass along a very grateful thank you." Lightning lit the sky, '-working in such weather, I admire the dedication.'

Blond hair turned the corner, "-need help?"

"Take these to Malley. Should be enough clothes to last those kids a few years at most."

"There's too much here."

"Stop complaining." 

The dining table was later filled with random guests. The situation was explained in greater detail, the priestess came to tears, her motherly side rubbed off the mistrust of the starved kids. Good clothes, warm food, a nice place to stay, and plenty of space for more. Lunch ended, dirtied plates were replaced by dessert. "-mister," said the elder of the group, "-we're thankful for the clothes and food… I hate to ask, do you want something from us?"

"How dare you insult our lord's benevolence," harsh words had the children tremble, the faces paled into utter misery. 

"There's no need for shouting," a once-over, "-you're the maid from earlier, the stinky one, right?"

"Hello…" she shrugged, "-See, I've curled my hair to look better, younger and cleaner. No gentleman would dare say a lady reeks, no matter her station."

"And no lady would let herself harbor the pungent smell of fish," the maid who had called him an intruder and wandered about was her from before. A fierce nameless servant. "-I must ask a thing, care to lend a moment?"

Tall white bunny ears inched closer, "-what is it, master?"

"When I gave the pot earlier, the posture seemed a little off. Are you perhaps, pregnant?"

"Oh my," she coughed, "-yes, I'm a soon-to-be mother. Lord Julius and Lady Malley know of my situation."

"First time?" 

"Yes, why the sudden interest, sire?"

"A simple reason really," a piece of gold playfully surfed atop the fingers, "-catch," it flew to the boy's hand, "-starting today, seeing we don't have many retainers, these children will be trained to become excellent workers. The gold piece is a symbol of the newfound freedom. Good work is rewarded," glancing the bunny-lady, "-might I have your name?"

"Estelle Worn."

"Julius, Malley, Estelle is to be the guardian of these lovely children. In addition to said responsibility, you're to be promoted to as head-maid. Don't worry, I'll have my butler join the workforce.'

"You're butler?" queried Julius. 

"Yes, Éclair. He's a competent man, even more so than I am sometimes. Regardless, the fellow should be at thy doorstep soon enough," facing the children, "-think of Prince Julius and Lady Malley as family. The Haggard Dynasty will always endeavor to respect those who've sworn to serve us. We'll never allow our family to be hurt, understood?"

"Yes," and thus the table dismissed. Estelle's demeanor wasn't the least bit pleased. Having a pregnant lady work harder than others. 

Heavy rainfall eased into tiny specks of water; a rainbow arced in the milieu of an elaborate garden. Tiny tables and comfy chairs viewed said woeful outside. A few hours passed after lunch; "-Malley has taken to the children," they sat inside the enclosed porch. The wind sure did rattle the architecture.

"Is that so," returned Igna, "-the lass does have great things going for her. I suppose tis the nature of a woman of the cloth."

"I'm baffled at how meekly you can say that," the immediate forest swayed per the gust.

"How's the tea," they sipped in relative tranquility.

"Warm and gentle, a pleasant drink," placed on the tray, "-say, cousin, I've been meaning to ask."

"Vanesa, right?" 

A suspicious frown followed into a doubtful, "-yes. I've done my research. The Cult of Vane means trouble…"

"Look at her," he pouted, a break from the constant stoic expression had the prince spit out the remaining drink, "-fine, no need for tangible disgust." Dark green hair spilled off the lap and onto the floor, "-look at her sleep, there's a certain charm to her."

"Igna…" 

"Fine," he sighed, "-this here is Vanesa, the mistress of plague and illness. She's the entity summoned by the cult. Happy now?"

"Really?" he facepalmed, "-you bring home a potentially world-ending catastrophe and give me attitude to boot, how very dare you, Igna." 

Faint shuffles came from the doorway, "-stop sulking around already," fired Igna.

"I'm sorry," gulped Malley, "-it felt wrong to interject. You guys fight like a couple, I'm wary…"

"We fight like a couple?" their eyes met, "-I guess we did kiss that one time… reminisced Julius. "-Yes, there's also the time we spent at the hotel…" added Igna.

Her face burnt, "-m-m-my i-i-i-i."

"AHAHAHA,"

"Julius," the white pupils watered, "-Malley's reaction was priceless."

"I know," coughed the other, "-my stomachs in pain," rubbing his nose, "-Igna," the laughter calmed, "-today's the first time I've seen you laugh."

"Is that so," the posture straightened. Vanesa managed to cradle herself around Igna, "-feels nice to know I have other expressions. Back to the serious topic."

"I should l-leave."

"Hold on there, Malley, this concerns you too."

In a deep embarrassment of which was a bright red nose and ears; sitting beside her lover amplified said emotion. Julius tried hard to hide his feelings. The result; slightly flushed cheeks, prior laughter had already reddened the visage.

"Similar to Draconis's birth, Vanesa here was also brought to the mortal realm using a ritual. In her case, the offering had to endure tremendous pain and constant assault by the cultists. Her pain and sufferance took material form, and they harnessed as concoctions to conjure the other demons. I see it brings bad memories," her face paled. "-Forgive me, I'll skip the details."

"I appreciate it."

"I've given up on assigning age to them both, who cares at this point. All I know is Vanesa and Draconis are my daughter and son, ancient demons. The mistress of plague was summoned by followers of the church. There's no lead as to why."

"How does this concern her exactly?" 

"Cousin Julius," a slight smirk raised the guard, "-wasn't the whole point of rescuing Malley for a courtship. My efforts better not be wasted, if you two are in a relationship, vow here and now, it's courtship for marriage. I'll hear no excuse; do I make myself clear?"

"No need to say it out loud," he hid his face, "-I've already decided to marry her."

"Wait," she stood to cover her mouth, "-Julius, are you serious… a prince… marrying someone as tainted as me?"

"I told you," he went to grab her shoulders, "-none of the past matters. I fell, and I fell hard. It's not remotely befitting to say these words so carelessly," he dropped to one knee, "-Malley, I know it's been a few weeks since we've known each other. I earnestly want thee by my side. Life has been so much better, I wake up next to someone I love and cherish, what more can a man ask." A red box lined in frills of gold emerged with an engagement ring, "-will you-"

"Yes," she leaped into his arms.

*Clap, clap, clap,* "-congratulations on the couple," smiled Igna, "-Vanesa," he whispered, "-wake up, your uncle got engaged."

"Y-yeah, clap, clap, clap," she murmured, "-I'm tired, good night pops."

"There she goes, saying clap instead of actually making an effort."

"I've got quite the troublesome niece," chuckled the prince, the face completely drenched in red. 

*Doup, doup, doup, doup,* '-I know that sound.'

"POPS, I HEARD CLAPS," a bullet darted across the manor, "-WHAT DID I MISS."

"Nothing much," he casually grabbed the boy and spun to a stop, "-Julius got engaged."

"CONGRATULATIONS!" 

"Enough," hastily blocking the mouth, "-yeah… they're the complete opposite." Facing the boy, "-keep the energy at a minimum, else you'll pop a blood vessel. Being too loud is rude to others," escaped a rather strange scolding. 

The couple cluelessly waited on the other for answers. Their lovey-dovey mien was fully killed by the outburst. '-so heavy… my fingers are shaking,' gulped Julius, '-even Malley's on edge. I saw the personification of wrath bolting for us. What's more impressive is Igna, he casually caught the demon as if he were a kid...'

"Julius, the aura…" she hinted, "-those seemingly innocent children are strong, stronger than us. I know Draconis was a phenom, not to this extent. What about her… how can your cousin handle them?"

"It takes a lot of power to raise a demon, who better than death himself."

"You say something?" her brows knitted.

"No, forget it," he grinned, "-come on," they locked fingers, "-we have a new life ahead."

"I forgot," interrupted Igna between the boy's shenanigans, "-I've asked for ownership of this manor to be transferred."

"Why?"

"It's my present to you, cousin," nodded Igna, "-from today forth, tis thy home. I but make a single request."

"It's about the kids," said he.

"…"

"Ha, I got you. The reaction's priceless, how does it feel to have the tables turned?" asked he in rhetoric smugness. 

"Pretty annoying," he exhaled, attention diverted to Draconis.

"Can we go monster hunting," he begged.

"I want food," groaned she.

"Monster hunting."

"Fooood," they threw a tantrum. 

"Good luck on caring for those two," winked Malley.

"Don't patronize me," he lifelessly stared at the ceiling, '-I'm tired.'