Chapter 71: Interlude: Aizel

Chapter 71: Interlude: Aizel

7 years ago...

Aizel woke to the sound of incessant knocking. He wrapped one of his dozen pillows over his ears. One of the two women in bed with him groaned.

Come back later! Aizel yelled.

The knocking did not stop.

What kind of servants do you have? The other woman next to him complained.

Theyre probably new slaves, they havent learned that Im not to be disturbed before noon, Aizel sighed.

The bedroom door swung open, an elegantly dressed drow stormed inside.

Aizel rubbed his bleary eyes, Mom?

What on earth are you doing still asleep? She chastised.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

His mom tore away his silk sheets. The women in bed shouted in protest.

I swear if either of you harlots make another noise I will have you fed to the citys shades by nightfall, she glared at them.

The women fell utterly silent.

Now, get out, before I kill you myself, she threatened.

The two women scrambled to find their clothes and ran out of the room, not even bothering to put them on.

I liked them, Aizel whined.

How many times do I have to tell you not to bring that common rabble into our home? You are an aristocrat of a proud lineage, you cannot be sleeping with whatever wench that suits your fancy.

Does it really matter? He rolled his eyes.

Im not a daughter of this House. I dont have to piously keep my virginity for some inevitable marriage to some pompous ass for the sake of some pointless intricate alliance with another House, Aizel prattled on while waving his hands.

His mother raised her brow. Is that right?

It is. Now may I ask why my beautiful intelligent mother has deemed to grace me with her presence in this ungodly hour?

She began rummaging through his ornate dresser, I am going to assume you have forgotten that House Katag is visiting today for breakfast. As my son you are expected to attend.

The Katags are family friends. Im sure lord Katag wont mind if Im late to some breakfast.

Today isnt just some breakfast, She sighed in exasperation and threw him some clothes, Here, just put this on. And since you clearly have nothing better to do, go fetch your sister. Shes undoubtedly still training in the south courtyard.

Dont get me wrong, I love my little sister, very much. But, dont we have servants for this kind of thing?

Obviously, but you have nothing to do and the servants do. So, get your butt off the bed and bring your sister to the main dining room.

Aizel jumped off the bed with a twirl, Your wish is my command dear mother.

Dont be late, she chuckled.

He kissed her on the cheek and walked out.

Aizel, dont forget your clothes dammit!

Ah, right, he grinned.

~~~

Aziel found his younger sister training just as his mom had said. She sat cross-legged with closed eyes. She was encircled by a ring of flame undulating in a rhythmic pattern. He admired her magical expertise for a few moments before he stepped into the courtyard.

Hey, Loh! He called out with a smile.

Aizel, what is it? Loh said without bothering to open her eyes.

Mom wants us to go have breakfast with the family, he said.

Cant you see Im busy? Ill go eat later.

I thought as much, buuut, the Katag family is visiting, he smirked.

Her face twitched, What are you getting at?

Oh, I dont know, just that the beautiful Tauri will be there is all. I can just imagine her now, silky red skin, amazing legs, and dont get me started on her a-

Shut up, I get it. Ill be there in a bit, she cracked an eye open.

Great. Seeing as we have a few minutes until then, I wanted to show you something, he beamed.

Aizel, I dont really think thats necessary.

He held out his hands, Wait, just wait one second. Ive been looking forward to showing you this for months and now Im finally ready. I promise you will be impressed.

Fine, she sighed. The flames around her died out.

Okay, perfect. He took a deep breath, Here I go.

You may go, Elzri waved her away.

Aizel felt his heart sink as he watched his little sister, head down, walk out of the room. Despite her white hair covering her face, he swore he saw a tear. Aizel stood up.

You havent been excused, Aizel, Elzri said coldly.

Aizel ignored him and ran after Loh.

Tauri looked at Krall pleadingly, Father may I?

Of course, Krall nodded.

Tauri stood up and left as well.

Children, all three of them, Elzri shook his head.

~~~

Aizel ran out of the dining room as fast as he could, yet he couldnt find Loh anywhere. He called out her name, but there was no response.

He ran his hands through his white hair. This is so messed up. Everything is wrong, he muttered.

Aizel, wait up, Tauri called out.

He turned around to see the beautiful orc jog up to him. Tauri? What are you doing here?

Same as you, looking for Loh. My best guess is she used an agility spell to run away quickly. You wont be able to find her on regular legs.

Id like to think my legs are above average, although Im horrible with the agility spell form, Aizel lamented.

I wouldnt disagree with anything you just said. Luckily, Im a manifold mage, and I just so happen to be a chromatic orange too, she grinned.

So, you keep on reminding me, he cracked a half-smile. Look, before we go find my sister, I need to tell you something.

What is it? Tauri asked, her amber-orange eyes alight with curiosity.

Isnt this whole marriage thing crazy? Hypothetically, if we ever did get married and had children, they would be born hybrids. They would be sterile.

Tauri wrinkled her nose, I recently heard rumors about a hybrid who had a child. What people say about hybrids might be wrong. Our society has ostracized them for so long that we just dont know enough about them. Its possible that hybrids arent sterile after all. Maybe they only have very low fertility rates, or a high chance of miscarraige, or something else.

Perhaps, either way the Noir family line wouldnt get very far.

Tauri scratched her cheek, Aizel, I dont think your grandfather plans for you to carry on the family line. Loh is the magical prodigy and his most likely heir. Shell probably be married to some other genius mage to ensure the Noir bloodlines magical superiority.

Aizel fidget with his hands, Even still, were friends Tauri. Weve been good friends for many years. Youve always had my back. Even when I found out I couldnt use magic, Loh and you were there to cheer me up. And when my magic finally manifested you gifted me my very own authentic black mage robe, even though I was still barely a novice. I still dont know how you got it, to be honest.

With a lot of money and some smuggling, Tauri winked.

Which brings me to my main point. I appreciate you a lot, you are gorgeous, funny, and all-around amazing. And Im not. I dont deserve you. Im just another useless son of some rich House.

Oh, Aizel Noir, you are so much more than that, Tauri said resolutely.

The words touched him more deeply than he had thought possible.

He took a shaky breath, Tauri, our engagement. It cant happen. My sister, she loves y-

Tauri placed her finger on his lips, I know. But, this decision wasnt made by me. Both leaders of our Houses struck the deal.

Aziel grabbed her hand, But, one of them is your father. He adores you, if you beg him hell listen to you.

Tauri smiled sadly, My father loves me very much, yes, but he is first and foremost a warrior. As is our House. Duty above all else. He will not change his mind on this, since the engagement will strengthen both of our Houses. As the eldest son you must get married first and your grandfather has decided that I am to be your wife.

Tauri straightened her back, Besides, I am a daughter of the Great House Katag. I will obey the family heads wishes no matter what. I knew Id be married eventually, I accepted and made peace with the fact long ago.

Tauri, thats

The way of the Realm, Aizel. I get to enjoy many privileges as a Katag and all my House asks of me is to be honorable. How could I face them if I were to run away from my most important duty of all?

Aizel lowered his head in defeat, I understand.

Tauri squeezed his hand, If Im being honest, I was a little worried when my father told me I was to be married. I wasnt sure what kind of man hed be. All I was sure of was that I would fulfill my duty to marry and support him to the end of my days, for the sake of my House and his own.

Her mouth curved into a smile, But, when I heard it was you, the silly, idiotic, Aizel, the drow who always made sure that I had the extra piece of cake. The one who took the blame when Loh and I broke my familys carriage. The one who was always kind to an upstart little orc girl who refused to do anything but fight. Well, when I heard it was that man, I confess I was very happy.

I-I dont. I dont know what to say, his face reddened.

Well, you could hug me for starters, Tauri stepped close.

With slow, stiff arms he did just that.

I dont mind you sleeping with other women, but Ill kill you if you bring them to our marital bed, she whispered.

...Right, he swallowed.

Loh listened from behind the corner. Warm tears stained her face. A wretched pain like she had never known tore at her chest.

Congratulations, Aizel. Youve finally taken everything from me.

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