Gilbert Salender's Point Of View

It's all falling apart too fast. 

I have no idea how Crinia, Headal and Semor made an alliance in the first place, and the alliance including Zocria hadn't even been settled properly in stone yet going by the information I was getting. To think they'd make a demand us to dethrone the current royal family. It's like a forced rebellion.

No matter how good a network I have, I can no longer deal with all of this. It has spread too far, and I have to sacrifice some of the seemingly countless complications that have risen from the enemy demand.

If we hadn't been utterly and completely surrounded there would never have been a doubt of what to do, but they've got us caught between a rock and a hard place. Crinia blocked off our sea trade, and mother barely managed to get foreign dignitaries out of Ristaze with a plead for help. Unfortunately most of them do not want to get involved with Headal.

If we stand against the demand, it would be a matter of endurance. If we can keep the enemy off for long enough that assistance arrives, then we might have a chance of winning the war.

With Lily-chan, Claire-chan and Lionel at the front lines this may actually be a reasonable strategy.

Though, even with this waaaay too many problems remain for me to handle right now:

The way Lily-chan changed into her disguise as her brother at the school... This is a bigger problem than you may think it is. Not just because Helena got away by realizing her identity immediately... and Lily-chan for some unknown reason allowed it. No, it is a problem because is suspicious. It didn't keep up with Lily-chan's usual standard of planning. If it's possible to be angry, worried, panicked and disappointed at the same time for different reasons, then at that moment I was.

Lily-chan! Please stop trying to get yourself in diplomatic trouble! You have no idea how hard it is to cover for you against Alstair! You owe me cookies for this! I'll make Claire-chan make you uncomfortable until you give in and cook with us.

...I know I should give her a bit of leeway because of her argument with Lionel the day before, but Alstair is going to be enraged if he finds out about Lily-chan's trickery. I cannot not be worried to shreds over something like that! First of all because Lily-Chan mustn't be at Alstair's side. They will never make a good couple and neither Lily or Alstair would be happy if it turned out like that. I've been putting in a good deal of effort in keeping this little thing from Alstair so he doesn't find out, but Alstair isn't a fool. If I am not careful he will realize all on his own.

Keeping this under wraps is only getting harder since Alstair actually ordered that I found out how Lily-Chan is doing... there no way I can tell him the truth though. Telling him about everything includes her running down a glacier into the middle of the enemy after all...

♦

A bit confused about how I found out about Lily-Chan?

Well, you see, after the siege on Castle Celeste my parents spent a lot of time trying to find Augustus. I know this because my mother spent a long time cursing over Adela Celeste in that period. My parents always tried to include me in work to prepare me for the future, so I know that they never found him. I also know that our spies at House Celeste were weeded out almost instantly whenever they got hired or snuck in from that point onward.

The suspicious part here is that the excuse for our spies being fired was usually that Lily-Chan despised them and would go out of her way to let them know this. Her father was completely compliant and fired anyone Lily-chan didn't like. You'd almost think Lily-chan hadn't changed at all if you didn't know what was going on. The rest of the time our spies would end up getting caught red handed trying to find information. Interestingly the person catching them was often a different one each time, though unrealistically often a guard... When Lily entered the academy and we were finally been able to establish a proper spy in the household it became painfully obvious that Lily had been the one keeping tabs on people.

Yet another suspicious thing is Lily-chan's scars. Supposedly Lily-chan had been tortured during the siege. While she did have nightmares she never ceased to be confident in herself. In the academy baths she showed no sign or hint of shame either. Only confidence. For someone tortured this is... odd. It's supposed to traumatize you, not make you more confident. Other than the nightmares, which may as well be from war, there was no sign of her mind having been affected negatively by the torture. We also confirmed that the scars she has do not look as though they were placed the most painful places. Quite the opposite. It looks as though they grazed in areas where it could've been lethal if placed just a bit further to the side, or in directions a full sword slash or spear stab would come in. Something like that is hard to hide, but no well mannered young lady would be able to tell the difference. Add on this that Lily-chan is physically well trained as well and the proof is beginning to stack up.

I was finally certain that Lily was Augustus during the dance class at the academy. She has a visible natural talent for leading people, as I knew almost instinctively what she wanted, and she easily coaxed me into trusting her lead. Really... when she lead it was almost as if she knew what path everyone around her would take. That is without taking her absurd physical strength into consideration as well. It was as though Lily-Chan and her brother had been switched when they were small and the poor brother had to start learning womanly things... but Lily-Chan is definitely a girl, and there had been no such exchange. The spies back when Lily began to change had confirmed this.

Really, if not for the baths I would've doubted Lily was not a guy. 

Of course, the actual proper confirmation of my suspicion was the change of identity as the Celeste knights left for war. I was certain no Augustus had been here, and that there was no Lily in the carriage that left for Castle Celeste.

Even though I'd realized before they left, I never intended to confront Lily-Chan about it. While playing 'refuse the gift' or 'make Claire bug her' with Lily is amusing, I don't want to awake the fury that caused her to slaughter Zocria's army without a shred of mercy.

♦

Back to the topic at hand! This carefully laid web of mine has been crumbling away ever since Lily went to war. Like... terrifyingly so.

Lily must've acted as a sort of stabilizer, because I have been out of people to send to fix problems ever since she left. I can't even bake sweets with Claire anymore or play with Lily to de-stress! You have no idea how stressed out I've been the last two months! 

...Even so, the declaration and Lily's identity has forced me to focus either on managing the incoming civil war or kill the Headal king and their prince. I wish I was merely kidding around with this, but it's the truth. Lily-Chan as Augustus is just that well liked.

Not just from the Castle Celeste siege, but that whole Glacier event and her healing magic has drawn a lot of votes in the direction of an insurrection. She's amazing. Honestly. Terrifyingly so. Being surrounded is the absolutely worst situation you can get in, and she had no losses. I'd expected about to half of her men to die on the way down the glacier and the rest being wiped out. It sounds like fiction that there is no losses. The only thing that could make it more absurd is if the number had increased.

Even when she was targeted and ambushed she kept the losses down to only five. A military focused House Tepet's cannot ignore this. Her presence has quite effectively split the Tepet army in two over the topic of what to do about Headal's declaration. Generally the younger knights and soldiers are tempted to give into the demand.

How do I know? A good deal of the civilian staff there is mine. Alva is too.

Anyway, at this rate a civil war is inevitable if we do nothing or go against the demand.

The only other option is killing Headal's royal family and hoping that this would route the Headal troops. My problem about the royalty of Headal is that they are both blessed by faeries of darkness, and they have loyalty among the dead. Believe me, I wish I knew how they managed that! They have nothing to give the ghosts in return after all. If we could control a kingdom with just words then I want to know how!

On the other hand, neither Crinia nor Semor have ever been fully able to gain the loyalty of the dead. Assassinating kids that get the blessing of darkness is but another job of ours and is usually quite easy. Not that Crinia would ever get any ghosts loyal with the sort of politics they use. I mean, we barely need to interact with Crinia as they usually implode and get in a civil war every ten years or so.

While on the subject of darkness... it's about time for Emilia-chan to get her blessing.

Yet another thing on the list of things I want to keep from happening. I may be ready to sacrifice what is needed to keep the country running and keep Alstair happy and in power, but I don't like sacrificing people I like. Emilia-chan just happen to be one of those. I know she shouldn't be, but she's too cute and she likes little porcupine shaped cookies.

Bitterly, if she gets the wrong blessing I will have to drop everything in my hands and deal with it immediately. The ghosts of children that died before them, tell the kids that their family is evil, and try to coax them into placing a ghost field, so that the ghosts can kill everyone. My father said it nearly ended up killing the current king when Alstair's older brother turned five. The faeries 'blessed' him shortly after his birthday, as it has done with so many others. Emilia-chan is such a cute girl though. I wish that she'll be happy just like Lily-chan and hopefully awaken in either fire or water.

I don't want to have to take the path of pain. The same with Lily-chan... And yet... A sinful part of me-

"Is something wrong, Lord Gilbert?"

I glance down to the kneeling Alva who is watching me closely and tilt my head to the side to give her a plain stare.

"You sighed, milord."

Ara. The mask slipped. I quickly plaster on a smile for her.

"No no, I'm good Alva-chan."

She visibly pouts a bit at my words. She's a cute girl, even though she's a spy and trained assassin. Though, her cuteness is restricted to her expressions, expressions that happen to be  my favorite. The hints of innocence.

"You were reporting." I put down the papers and pay her proper attention. I got a bit overwhelmed as she told me about the glacier event.

I wanted to see it. Perhaps I can make Lionel tell me about it in deeper detail, since he'd been on the front line. When I think back, Lionel might've started reckless because of Augustus.

"Yes, milord. Lady Lily and Lord Lionel met with Prince Jacques and Princess Catarina. I didn't manage to find out what happened at the meeting, and Lady Lily's bodyguard ended up getting in the way of the aphrodisiac plan. Though, despite that it seems as though Lord Lionel and Lady Lily began getting along. I ended up sleeping with the bodyguard though, so I may be able to distract him once or twice later. To make up for the bad news, however, I removed a threat to Lady Lily's identity. The final note being that the Celeste Knights left the keep without stocking water, only food."

No water? I guess I should expect as much from an army with a good deal of water mages, effective for transport.

I watch Alva closely and think for a while. Bodyguard... The one with mauve colored eyes, if I don't remember wrong. I did a brief background check on him when I found out about him. Looks like he was adopted and raised by a baker family. By the time the family arrived by Castle Celeste they'd already adopted him as an infant. It doesn't surprise me he didn't awaken until he turned ten though. I'm certain that siege on castle Celeste did a lot for him in return though, seeing his skill level and motivation to protect Lily. I look back to Alva after determining he would probably be a suitable target for blackmail.

"What's the probability you're pregnant?"

Alva jolts at my words and quickly places a hand on her stomach. She's visibly uncomfortable at my words, but it's important information. She ends up gripping her shirt a bit while her brows furrow. She probably hadn't thought of it properly till now, and the risks that follow with it. It takes a little while before she answers, but she isn't looking me in the eyes as she does. For someone that likes observing me this is unusual.

"... pretty low Milord."

She is lying. I know what the gentle eyes she sent me earlier mean, and I know that I'm the one she wants to comment on a pregnancy the least... Even though she knows her place... and that she can never replace Ellie. I shake off the thoughts and straighten up.

"Very well, you're dismissed, Alva."

She stands up from her kneeling position and slips out quietly with a bit of bitterness on her thin lips.

I glance to the side of my desk to Ellie's small hand painted portrait. I feel like no matter how many times I paint her, I can never quite capture all of her facets.

"Ah, Ellie, I miss you," I whisper quietly, as I caress her painting with a finger. I feel my breath hitch as I close my eyes and try to remember that last time I got to hold her in my arms.

For a while I thought that Claire might have been like her, but while Claire has her innocent loveliness, her meddlesomeness and some of her charm... But she has none of Ellie's shadow. Instead Claire can't keep her eyes the right places. I'm sure Alstair will be happy with her, but she she can never even be close to Ellie's loveliness.

"See, Ellie, no one can replace you."

I smile to her portrait.

If the worst happens... Will I be able to see you again just once?

♦

I look back to the stack of written reports from our spies. Far from all of them are well written, but it's more effective than have them return every time. That's right, we teach our spies to read and write. Those who do well can retire in a comfortable position. Alva is one of those doing the best, and if we can control Lily-Chan's bodyguard it'll be a lot easier to keep track of her so we won't end up in a situation like we are with House Stanbell.

You see, we are in a complete lack of information from House Stanbell. The spies and scouts quite literally lost track of House Stanbell, their knights and Claire once they entered the northern forests. That was nearly three months ago. We are quite sure House Stanbell has been keeping us from reaching the castles and forts as well by using multiple illusions to mislead. It's a nightmare. The only people confirmed to make it through are the regular messengers from House Tepet. One of our spies is even off duty since his foot got stuck in a bear trap. House Stanbell has been acting worse than usual the last few years. Yes, this is not the first time.

Another reason I'm relieved about the bodyguard perhaps ending under our control, is because of Magdalin Ruche's disappearance. After she was harmed by her brother, the spy I had assigned decided to extract her from the location as Lily would be furious about seeing Magdalin harmed. The spy apparently distracted the brother during the second escape attempt, but when he went to look for her Magdalin's tracks disappeared from the ground behind the house. There was no track of her whatsoever. The spy suspects an earth blessed Headal spy may have been interfering... I admit I would be doubtful of this if not for the way the spy's terror shows in his writing. Though, he may have ended up killing Magdalin and tried to blame it on Headal. If that is what happened he will have a very long and painful death.

I promise.

Headal never kidnaps people. It's not their style. However, Crinia may finally be done sacrificing their spies and have decided to use them effectively. I'll take this as the working theory. Either way, Lily is going to be furious, and I don't know whether that will be a good or a bad thing at this point. If she aims the hate at Crinia then that would be the best outcome for us.

The poor spy that reported this must've been terrified though. His writing is usually quite neat but today it's all squiggly, and I'm having a hard time trying to read it. I replied quite shortly that he would not get paid until he finds her. It's cruel, but my spies should be better than the flimsy people from Crinia. Thus, if he cannot find her I take it as proof of his sin. 

Mother should be checking up on the scribes sending out blackmail threats to the noble houses we have information on while I'm responding to reports. She usually takes care of politics and blackmail between noble houses. Father on the other hand likes to focus on foreign politics and recruitment. If it comes to one of our four neighbors or the four marquesses it ends up being my work only. My mother's hidden reason for this is probably that she doesn't want to deal with Adela Celeste.

I gaze over the papers and then up to the window. It's almost morning again.

I've almost finished sending out orders, but there's still these letters from Soleil. I arrived back here this morning and haven't gotten to read all of them yet. Soleil was kind of calm and started being all responsible after the kidnapping. It's actually been enough to drive William into a corner.

I really don't have the time to deal with William's insecurity over Soleil, or Soleil complaining over William. I'll see if I can't make Alstair deal with it.

... the longer I wait the worse it's going to be though. Oh well. I grab the letter opener and open the newest one. It's probably the most relevant one.

'Your highness,

I regret to inform you that I will not be attending the meeting at the palace due to problems at our mansion that requires immediate attention.

Soleil Listere.'

What?

I check the envelope and see it addressed to Alstair. Why do I have this? I start flipping through the letters, which are all addressed to Alstair. A momentary irritation and craving for either sweets or vacation hits my stomach as a sign of a bad premonition. I start opening the letters one by one and find that multiple of them have already been opened... 

They were all pretty much the exact same message.

When I finally find Alstair's letter for me together with this stack of refusals to attend, the bad premonition shows itself to be true.

'Gil. Soleil is being odd. Fix it.'

Do I look like an octopus Alstair?! I'm a bunny! With how you're overworking me I'll die from loneliness!

I look down to the end wall, covered with paintings of Ellie, while holding the letter tightly. I'll make her favourite cookies when this is all over.

—-♦—-

After calming down a bit I talked with William, since I heard the two of them had a small fall out, and according to William he had talked with Soleil about a loss of favor, and then said something like that Soleil seemed mad that the royal family only favored House Listere when they were kids... I can't tell if he's right or if he's ignorant. He's book smart, but with people, not so much. If Lionel is a honey-badger then William is a mole. Not an owl. A mole. Like the one in the picture book that has glasses and is smart but awkward with people.

As for Lily... with her size and temper... a stoat? Adorable but fierce.

Either way, I checked out what happened with house Listere by sending someone to check up with the spy placed in house Listere and found a nasty surprise. The spy had been killed, and there had been left a 'I quit' note for the head maid of the house.

I knew nothing of what happened in the time frame of the kill and now, and Soleil only made up excuses when I started asking him.

He didn't look me in the eyes even once and just said something along the lines of what William said, even if he didn't look angry at all. Just uncomfortable.

—-♦—-

"Should I focus the efforts in controlling the insurrections, or should I attempt to assassinate the king of Headal, Alstair?"

He looks up at me quietly for a while and then glances out the window.

"There will be no need for you to worry about any insurrections, Gil. Punish them for taking us lightly."

He pauses and then looks to me.

"If they do not respond to our first attempt of negotiation, make sure to drive Lady Bianca mad."

I give a brief nod. Alstair seems to be scheming a response to what is likely going to be refused.

I'll be withdrawing spies and assassins from large parts of Ristaze and send them to Headal. I'll put up an underground bounty as well just to create chaos in Headal. Hopefully the ghosts won't be able to report all of it even if they find it.

Of course I have also properly reported what I found out about Soleil. You have to choose your secrets, and I'd rather sacrifice Soleil than Lily-chan.

"What do you want to do about Soleil?"

Alstair just shakes his head briefly.

"Nothing. You said there weren't any signs of why he was avoiding me, so for now we leave it be. As you said, it doesn't seem like he's meeting with anyone openly or in secret and they aren't moving their military from their fief. There's no sign of him going against me."

He kind of brushes me off the same way he does when it's about Lionel. Though, I'm sure that if it came down to it Alstair would be able to sacrifice Soleil. I'm not sure he'd be able to do the same with Lionel. Lionel was always by Alstair's side after all. 

Hopefully Lily will be too.