Chapter 167: Animals Are Better Than People

Chapter 167: Animals Are Better Than People

The indignation was palpable, and Tori could only stand there, staring at the old man while wanting to both scream and throw the table at him in frustration. She couldnt find any more words to express herself, so she could only stare at him as the tiniest thought of dont hit the elderly echoed in her head.

The Emperor Emeritus froze as soon as he heard her accusation and seemed to realize he said something he shouldnt have. His narrowed eyes, which were glaring at the comcry a moment earlier, widened as they drifted over to Tori.

Ah! My back! The old mans free hand flew to the side of his lower back as he hunched forward and made a pained groan.

Father? Tori could hear the Emperor still on the comcry. Are you all right?

I need to go sit down! Oh, Im not as young as I used to be!

Grandfather, are you all right? Tori snapped her head to the doorway and saw Piers arriving. His brows were knit, and Alexander was at his feet.

Piers! My good grandson, take the Countess to rest. Shes had a long day and Im afraid Im not in the position to assist her at the moment. The Emperor Emeritus let out a low, pained hiss as he hobbled to a wooden chair against the wall and awkwardly sat down.

Father, tell Piers to assist you to your room-

Shut up, Mathieu-Philippe! I just need to rest! the old man growled into the comcry before looking up at Piers and Tori with a pained, deflated expression. Quickly, now, Piers. Dont keep the Countess waiting!

There was a glint of urgency in his eyes. Tori didnt know if Piers saw it, but he looked at Tori and her indignant expression that had yet to leave her face. He seemed to think for a moment before getting closer and patting her shoulder.

Come to the terrace. I will have them bring you iced coffee and cake.

Hes trying to pacify me! Tori choked back a gasp and bore her eyes into him. He avoided her gaze and continued to try to usher her out of the room. Im not a child! You think coffee and cake will make up for my blood, sweat, and tears!?

He shrank back as he managed to get her to the doorway. I will get us swords and helmets. You can fight with me to release your anger.

A guttural sound left her lips and she glared at him. Youre one of the best swordsmen in the empire! Im angry, not stupid!

Piers looked helpless and turned back into the room to look at his grandfather. Tori whirled around and the old man was slumped forward where he was seated, snoring. Her jaw dropped.

Father? Father, are you still there? Did the call end? the Emperors voice came from the comcry on the floor next to the Emperor Emeritus.

Is he pretending to sleep!? Tori pointed at him accusingly and looked at Piers.

Older individuals often get tired easily and-

I cant believe your family!

She stomped out of the room, ignoring Piers following her. Alexander meowed ahead of them and seemed to lead the way, meowing every few steps and looking back to make sure she was following. Tori didnt know where she was going. She was trying to contain her anger and frustration at the entire situation, so she could only blindly follow her cat.

She didnt even realize she had walked out into the garden. Alexander led her to a swing and meowed as he sat just beside it. He stood up on his hindlegs and put his front legs on the wooden seat, meowing once more as if urging her to sit.

Tori gritted her teeth before sweeping down to pick him up and taking a seat on the swing. She brought her cat against her, and Alexander seemed to dutifully allow himself to be smothered.

Piers was speaking quietly to a servant and the servant nodded and rushed off. He walked closer to the tree where hed installed the swing some time ago. Do you want me to push you? he asked cautiously.

She raised her eyes and glared. No. Hasnt your family pushed me enough?

He lowered his eyes and swallowed hard. What did my grandfather say to anger you?

She scoffed and looked up at him with a sneer. You dont know? She stared at him, studying his movements and he seemed sincerely unsure. Tori narrowed her eyes. You really dont know?

Did he give you more work? It was something she complained about often, so she could understand why Piers went in that direction.

She took a deep breath and looked out at the garden in front of her. Yes. Or rather, he already gave me more work. He used the table and figured that he needed to assign the Cosora Delta to me.

To be the Countess?

To resettle the refugees there for my Lyce project two years ago! Tori snapped.

Piers tilted his head to the side and looked down. To resettle the refugees or to give you the delta?

Isnt it both?

I dont know, Piers said, standing beside her. He didnt seem to know what else to say, so he was quiet. Tori kicked the dirt with her feet as she hugged her cat. Alexander kept purring in her ear and nudging her with his head, as if to try and soothe her.

Animals are better than people.... she muttered.

Piers shifted awkwardly and Tori pretended she didnt see the servants carry out a table, chairs, and set up coffee and a tea tray of pastries by the fountain. They put up an umbrella for shade and put cushions on the chairs.

Tori, there is coffee and cake, Piers said in a quiet voice. She stood up, holding her cat and marched to the chair where a maid was waiting for her. She sat down.

An iced coffee for you, my lady. A tall glass with a brown liquid and a base layer of sweet cream was slid in front of her. Would you like strawberry cake or blueberry scones?

Tori crinkled her eyes. How did everyone know she liked sweets when she was stressed? Was it that obvious? Now that she thought about it, Mama J always packed more sweet baked goods when it was an exam week. Cake....

The maid smiled and cut her a slice.

Get Alexanders treats, as well, Piers said as he stepped closer. Tori, can I sit down?

She nodded once as she stabbed at the cake. Do you know how much work I had put in for that project? How much I stressed over it? How scared I was that Id mess up and ruin peoples lives?

Piers nodded obediently and didnt make a move to take any of the pastries. He shook his head when a servant stepped forward to pour him some coffee. You worked very hard.

Damn right I worked very hard. If I didnt have a clue as to what to do, how would they have survived? How can you put the lives of so many people into the hands of an inexperienced fourteen-year-old? I dont care what the table said!

Father doesnt like to use the table, Piers told her.

Does it even call to him? she asked in a sharp voice before taking a bite of her cake.

...no.

Then its not exactly a choice, is it? Tori sneered. I understand that its a tool, but something the size of that project shouldve gone to someone more experienced.

Piers nodded and kept his eyes on the table. I will have them make it up to you.

No. No asking for things. If I ask for things, theyre just going to give me more responsibility because they think they can offset my troubles with something else, Tori told him firmly. I just dont want more responsibility than I have now. I have no time and already have my hands full. Im not even finished with Lyce yet.

Piers was quiet for a moment. Then after Lyce-

No.

Okay.

Tori muttered under her breath as she ate. Even if she wanted to stay angry, she calmed down. She fled to her room after her snacks and informed the maids that she was tired, so she would skip dinner. She already filled herself up on pastries anyway. It was best she avoided the old man for a bit.

Can I ban him from Anahata Island? Im going to tell Master Ramos.

Tori fell asleep that night holding an amethyst to calm herself and when she woke up, she readied herself for another day of dealing with Piers family.

As soon as she stepped outside of her room, she inwardly groaned.

Guevera! Gideon had been standing waiting in the hall for her and his face lit up. I was checking the menu last night and noticed that the spiral cut potatoes served at both Axton and Conners birthdays was not on-

Did you look at the main serving menu or the a la carte table listings? Tori asked. She walked past him to get to the dining room for breakfast. Gideon followed behind her.

It was a list of what was going to be served. The bite-sized finger foods you spoke of.

Then you looked at the wrong list. Its on the list of a la carte table offerings, along with the frozen fruit table.

Gideon let out a breath of relief. Thats wonderful! I know I had specifically asked for them and was worried you forgot.

Is there anything else? Tori asked as she let out a tired breath. Shed just gotten up and already she had to deal with Gideon.

No, no, I know youre busy with todays preparations. I will leave you to your work. Gideon flashed her a smile and happily walked off.

Tori started to miss several months ago, when Gideon didnt want to talk to her, and their communication was mainly arguing. Hed gotten too comfortable asking her for things.

Did you not sleep well? Piers rose from his seat as she entered the dining room. There were several empty place settings and Tori took the unused spot across from Piers. She turned towards the open French doors to the side and found Alexander was already sprawled across the pavement, basking in the morning sun.

I just have a lot to do today, Tori replied. Someone came to put a plate of food in front of her and Tori gave them a small nod of thanks before picking up her fork.

Do you need help? Piers asked. He was holding some folders and seemed to be reading, but his plate only had a few sparse crumbs; proof he finished eating.

Tori shook her head. Its fine.

Piers frowned and lowered his eyes. Dont give me a party next year.

Tori looked up from her eggs and raised a brow. What?

Next year. Its too much trouble. Dont give me a party. It will only encourage Gideon, and my parents will want to come to the delta again, he replied as he looked at the papers in his hand. Its too much work.

If you dont want a party, what do you want to do?

Piers shook his head. We dont have to do anything. I dont mind. I will go to Ewans party. I dont need a cake.

Her shoulders slumped forward, trying to ignore the slight guilt in the pit of her stomach. Piers, are you sure? We can do something else if you don't want a party.

He nodded and thought for a moment. Axton bought property on the Nord border closest to us. It takes three days to travel there and has geothermal baths. Do you want-

Yes.

Tori put her down and took her hand as they walked around to check out all the booths and tables. With her adopted niece to distract her, Tori didnt pay attention to the fleeting appearances of the Emperor Emeritus, who seemed to avoid her, and the Emperor and Empress.

Fiona and Tori started off their night with slush fruit drinks and spiral potatoes. They stopped to play when they could find room to play.

Beneath a large canvas tent was the ring toss. Fionas face lit up and she stuffed the remains of her potato into her mouth. She lifted her hands and Tori handed the two cups she was holding to Ilyana so she could wipe Fionas hands.

Auntie Tori, I want to try the ring toss! she said. I almost got it last time!

Tori looked across at the five-by-five space square of wine bottles as she used a handkerchief to wipe Fionas greasy little hands. The wine bottles were in different colors and if you were lucky enough to get a wooden ring on the neck of one of the glasses, youd win something. The item you won depended on what color the wine bottle was.

Tori flagged down an attendant and they gave Fiona a cup full of twenty wooden rings. Tori patted her head. Good luck.

She looked at Tori with a proud smile. Ill win you something, Auntie.

Oh, I await my gift, Tori said before stroking Fionas hair back. Fiona clutched her cup of rings and found a space between some teenagers. Do you want me to carry you?

No, I can do it! Fiona looked determined as she clutched the cup in two hands and stepped back. She then threw her entire contents of her cup, all twenty rings, into the rows of wine bottles at once. Toris jaw dropped. Fiona excitedly leaned forward and looked to see if any of her rings hooked on one of the bottles. She frowned. Nothing. She put her cup on the counter. Another, please!

Sorry, young miss, but you can only get one cup at a time and must wait a few minutes in between plays, the attendant told her gently. Fiona looked stunned to hear this. She looked at Tori and pointed at the game.

Auntie....

Tori held back a laugh and picked her up. Well just wait a few minutes.

Winner! One of the four attendants shouted, and the group turned towards the young man who was standing in the spot next to Fionas. Congratulations, its a green bottle. You get a plush.

Montan furrowed his brows and frowned a bit. A green bottle...what bottle is needed for the hat?

A red bottle.

Montan looked a bit annoyed. Amongst the sea of green and yellow bottles, there were only twelve red bottles. He was about to turn around and leave when he saw Fiona looking at him, impressed.

Arent you going to get your prize? You won, she said.

I dont want a plush.... He trailed off and clenched his jaw. He seemed to notice the others were watching him. Montan let out a low breath. What plush do you think is good?

Fiona looked at the offered prizes. I recommend the bear. This game doesnt have chickens.

He gave her a confused look, but quickly shook his head. He turned back at the attendant. Give me a bear. The attendant smiled and dug beneath the counter to take out a brown bear with a blue ribbon around its neck. Montan gave the attendant a nod and took it, then handed it to Fiona. You want it?

Fionas eyes went wide, and she looked at Tori for permission. Tori stared at the bear for a moment and then gave Fiona a nod. Fiona gasped and accepted the bear that was the size of her head. Thank you, sir!

Im not a sir. Montan averted his eyes and turned to leave. Before he got a few steps, a copper-colored felt hat with a narrow black band landed on his head.

They only have one color, Axton said as he lifted his hand off the hat. So, make do.

He walked past Montan and tossed the one last ring in his hand into the rows of wine glasses. Tori and the others watched it arc across and circle around the neck of a green bottle.

Winner!

What the fu.... Tori squinted. Did Axton have some sort of overpowered male lead thing going, too? He wasnt as skilled as Piers, so perhaps a second male lead?

Another bear with a different colored ribbon, Axton told the attendant. When it was in his hand he smiled and held it in front of Fiona. How many more do you need, Fifi?

This is enough! Fiona beamed as her little arms struggled to hold both bears. Thank you, Uncle Duke Axton!

I said you can call me uncle.

Duke Axton sounds better.

Axton chuckled and ruffled Fionas hair. He continued drinking from his cup as he made his way to the next booth. Tori looked back at Montan, whose face reddened. He lifted his hand to touch the brim of the hat carefully with the tips of his fingers.

The corners of Toris lips rose, and she carried Fiona away.

When it was time to cut the cake, Fiona had a grand total of five new stuffed animals, one won by Ewan, a cat won by Piers, and the last of the five, a duck, won by her brother. A bag had to be brought out so she could carry them all. A three-tiered cake topped with a generic wooden figurine of a paladin was rolled out.

Gideon first gave a small speech. Tori didnt pay attention and instead knelt beside Fiona to secure the stuffed animals in the bag. She heard everyone around them clap as Gideons speech concluded.

A moment later, the crowd cheered again, and Tori saw Piers, who was seated on a table nearby, staring at the first slice of cake that had been given to him with a look that seemed to ask what he was supposed to do now.

The booths were a bit empty as guests sat around to eat their cake and catch up with each other. There were many of the citys young nobles and aristocracy, but also a good number of familiar faces of commoner backgrounds from Lyce. There was a small cluster of tables with Tabletop Gaming Club members.

Among them was Montan, who was wearing his hat and quietly eating cake as others talked around him. Tori saw him look up a few times and answer. She even saw him smile a bit.

This is a good sign. Tori nodded to herself, satisfied. She looked around and saw Gideon make his rounds with Fabian. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the fireworks were even better viewed now that they were outside. Last year, Tori remembered that the party remained indoors and had to depend on the windows to see the lights.

Tori handed off Fiona to Nanny Rey, as the night wound down. The little girl was exhausted and already sleeping by the time Nanny Rey, Robert, and Toris twin cousins returned. The three boys were also tired, and Tori saw them off before returning to the courtyard.

Gideon was seeing off the last few guests.

Past him, the staff from Viclya and Duel were packing up their things. With the horses and drivers rested, they could all return to the delta that evening. Ilyana and the others insisted on returning to Lyce and Ewan also had to return to La Garda, leaving Tori to stay overnight once more, as she had to take care of cleaning up and unfreezing the pool.

Are you sure you dont want to stay? Its getting late, Gideon said as he shook Montans hand. Tori glanced over her shoulder.

She wasnt too surprised that they were speaking, but was surprised that Gideon offered to let Montan stay. Overnight guests of the imperial palace required prior screening and authorization.

No, Your Highness. Thank you for inviting me. Montan gave Gideon a bow.

Im glad you could make it. I hope you enjoyed yourself.

Montan released Gideons hand and touched the brim of his hat once more. His lip tugged upwards a bit. I did. Thank you. He reached into the pocket of his coat and took out a small, folded stack of papers. This isnt much, but I made a few charms.

Gideons eyes lit up. He didnt seem to expect it and gave Montan a small nod of his head before accepting the charms. What are they for?

Focus, for the upcoming final exams; safety; and this one is for when you start to do more speaking to others in your capacity as a prince, Montan said, pointing out the one top. The charm is to keep an audiences attention with your voice. It should be used with caution. The closer you are, the more captivating your words become.

Gideon furrowed his brows. A few paces away, Tori narrowed her eyes. Does it really work? Gideon asked.

Montan nodded. I sold them to students giving presentations. Within two paces, your words will be seen as more favorable. However, after two paces, it will keep an audience paying attention to a presentation. I can make stronger ones, as well.

Gideon frowned a bit. Is stronger necessary?

It can be useful. Alessa said the charms helped her speak better and gave her confidence.

Tori froze for a moment. Her stomach flipped and she forced herself to focus and marched towards the two love interests.

Im sorry to intrude, but I heard there were charms. Do you mind if I take a look? Before Gideon could reply, she snatched it out of his hands. Was it rude? Yes. Did she care? No.

Gideon was taken aback and frowned. Guevera!

Let her look. Piers loomed beside his brother and Gideon snapped his mouth shut. Tori looked over the charm.

Your writing isnt bad, Tori said as her eyes settled on the Old Sulfae. Did you give this exact charm to Hart?

Montan narrowed his eyes and didnt seem to want to answer, but a shadow fell over Tori. She looked behind her and saw Axton appearing to casually look over her shoulder.

Did you give a charm like this to the Baroness? Axton asked, keeping his voice steady.

Montan swallowed and nodded. Similar.

What was different about it? Tori asked.

The characters here and here were given the descriptors ur and fah. The characters for energy usage are sei, paah, and kel to prolong its life.

Tori clenched her jaw. Those...change the meanings a bit. When did you give her the charm?

Montan tilted his head, appearing a bit perplexed. First year...we went to dinner, and I wrote one for her.

Toris mind whirled. She briefly remembered looking out the window from the second story of a restaurant. It had been their first group dinner with Albert, who ran across a district to join them after they called. They had watched Montan and Alessa meet up in the plaza below.

Is something wrong? Axton asked, glancing at Tori. Her hands were pale and squeezing the charms.

She took a deep breath and forced a smile. She gave the stack of charms back to Gideon and looked at Montan. Tori continued to smile, but it didnt reach her eyes.

You should be more careful about making charms, Mr. Alvere. Tori took another deep breath and marched between them. She made her way to the closing fruit drink stand. Do you have any more strawberry and orange?

Yes, my lady. Would you like any alcohol in that?

A little, yes.

Tori. Piers voice came from behind her as she waited for her drink. Is something wrong with Gideons charms?

No, his charms are fine. Theyre safe to use. From the energy on them, they should last a few hours each.

Piers cocked his head to the side and looked confused. Why are you upset?

Tori kept her eyes fixed on the drink being prepared. The descriptors Alvere added changed the charm. Instead of captivate, it is increased to influence. Fah being added increases the influence of the speakers words to the listener. The more they speak, the more influence they have. Ur, if he put it where he put it, changes the focus from the words to the person speaking. If a listener already has an affinity for the speaker with the charm, their bias for them will increase. Her voice grew angrier and louder as she spoke.

But a charm only lasts a few hours.

Tori shook her head and let out a low, bitter laugh. How could she forget that Montan was supposed to be talented with charms? He used a conditional text. I never even thought of that for a charm. It is only using energy when she speaks and when she doesnt, such as when shes sleeping, if it is on her person, it can draw energy from her and recharge. A charm like that, if she kept speaking, would last for an hour or two at most. Enough for a presentation, like he said. But, if he used conditional text to make it recharge itself, then unless Hart uses up the energy in one go, she can use the charm to influence people with her words in short spurts, as often as she wants.

And charms can be additive, not only to the user, but to a target of that user. In this case, the more she would speak to someone, like your brother, the more he would be willing to listen to her. The more they want to listen to her. Tori slumped forward as she felt a wave of exhaustion. The staff member gave her a chilled glass with a drink and Tori cupped it between two hands and hunched over it. Two and a half years....two and a half years and I was up against that.