POV Bralcus
Walking through Ironblood HQ, or Fort Ironblood as its technically called, I kept thinking about the insanity that my son has dragged me into. We Bartforts have always spent our lives staying quiet in our corner of the sky, steering clear of politics, and minding our own business...but not anymore. Whether it's the small frontier nobles seeking to gain the Legion's protection, or the larger noble family's seeking to gain our allegiance, everyone in the kingdom seems to be focused on us.
Just last week I had to once again explain to my bitch of a legal wife that the Legion is my son's mercenary organization not mine, so I can't force them to hand over any percentage of the Legion's profits to her. When she started screaming about it, I just shrugged and said that she could talk to Serena about it. I haven't heard from her since.
Frankly I couldn't understand how my daughters-in-law can handle all this by themselves, and then there's that! How the hell did my son manage to seduce not one, but three stunning ladies. He might be the most attractive of my children, much to Jeanna's chagrin, but those girls are far too good for someone like him...then again, the same could be said about their mother and I, so maybe catching ladies way out of our league is just a secret power of Bartfort men. Yes that has to be it!
"Excuse me Lord Bartfort," I was broken from my thoughts by my escort. "We have arrived sir. Admiral Holz, and Colonel Bernhard are waiting inside." The young corporal said with a salute. I responded with a nod. "Thank you corporal." I took a deep breath before opening the door and entering the command center.
The inside of the command center was similar to the majority of Ironblood facilities I'd been in. Smooth white walls with various pictures and a slate grey floor that was so clean you could see your reflection in it. Large windows made from the clearest glass I've ever seen filled the room with a welcoming natural light. Several work stations dotted the room surrounding the raised platform in the center. On said platform sat the holotable, and two of my daughters-in-law, Irisdina and Serena.
My daughters-in-law looked at me, before Irisdina waved me over. I walked over to join them, my face barely able to stay serious. "Sere-admiral, Colonel." The level of professionalism the Ironblood Legion maintains is hard for me to adapt to.
Serena chuckled. "There is no need for such formality. We are all family here, are we not, father-in-law?" Her smile was so radiant, it was blinding! Maybe this is what Leon means when he says 'main heroine' aura?
"Ah, yeah. By the way-" I said while looking around the room. "-where's Beatrix at? Shouldn't we wait for her?"
Irisdina shook her head. "Beatrix is currently undertaking a critical operation in Fanoss. She'll be there for some time."
My eyes went wide! "In Fanoss! What the hell she doing there?!" I roared.
My daughters shared a serious look before meeting my gaze. "It's classified." Serena said with a firm gaze that left no room for argument. I clenched my fists while trying to calm down. I felt a hand grab my shoulder ever so gently, looking up I was met with Irisdina's compassionate gaze.
"She'll be alright. She is not there to fight."
Serena smirked. "Besides, it would be the Fanoss I'd be worried for. Heaven help any who cause Beatrix to disregard subtlety."
I looked at her with eyes steeped in doubt. "You girls are strong, but you've never fought against the Principality...I have. It's nothing like the pirates you've hunted, even the Offley's forces were nothing compared to Fanoss."
Irisdina pulled me into a hug. "Beatrix is the best pilot alive. She's better than Leon, better than me, and better than the Black Knight."
"That is quite true. A gap in skill that has only widened with the pilot augmentation package."
I looked at her confused. "What augmentations?"
Serena tapped several times on her arms before swiping towards the holotable. A so-called 'video' of a grey knight armor fighting against two black armor, started playing over the holotable. The grey knight managed to survive against his opponents for nearly two minutes before finally taking a round through the back of his armor. "That was first lieutenant Conrad Thompson prior to receiving the augmentation package," she said before swiping again. The video changing once more, this time the grey knight was able to manage both opponents much more easily, defeating both in under a minute and a half.
"Let me guess, that was him after the augmentations?" I said in awe.
"Indeed." Serena started counting with her fingers. "The pilot augmentation package includes genetic alterations to strengthen your body and immune system, corrective optical surgery to improve eyesight, telomere treatment to extend one's life, and artificial nerves to improve reaction speed. This was the reason we invited you here today."
I didn't understand what all of those terms meant, but I could understand how the stated enhancements would be useful. The ability to turn average pilots into good pilots, and good pilots into ace-level pilots could shift the balance of power far to whatever side had it. And that's not even mentioning how dangerous prolonging one's life is, every noble around wants to rule for as long as possible.
"You need to be careful with that information. If the more powerful nobles learned about that, they would do anything to get their hands on it."
They both nodded. "Indeed. In order to prevent the leak of such information, only the pilots chosen are informed of this procedure." Serena explained.
"Not to mention that only the most loyal pilots are chosen. Each are forced to undergo a series of interviews, background checks, and psychological evaluations before being offered the chance."
I nodded. It seems they were more prepared than I thought, then again, they've always been ready for seemingly anything.
After thinking it over for sometime, I had my decision. "Very well, I'll undergo the procedure, but only if Luce receives the life extension as well. She my other half after all."
My daughters smiled at me. "Of course father-in-law. We were already planning on offering it to mother-in-law, and Nicks. We'll offer it it to Colin when he's older." Irisdina said with a nod.
"What about Jeanna and Finley?"
Serena looked back at me with a somewhat guilty look. "Unfortunately for those two, neither have been deemed trustworthy to maintain the secrecy of the procedure."
What they were saying made sense, but that didn't stop my mood from dropping a bit. "Is there really no chance of them receiving it too?" The idea of outliving my children was like a vise on my heart. No father should have to bury their daughters, no matter how many years away that may be.
Irisdina and Serena looked at each other, sharing a silent conversation. After a few moments, Serena heaved a sigh. She looked at me with troubled eyes. "We will observe those two throughout their time in the academy. If they prove trustworthy, then we will offer it to them; HOWEVER, if they prove themselves untrustworthy, then no such offer will be made."
I wanted to argue, knowing that Jeanna would most likely fail that evaluation. Unfortunately, I was the one telling them to be careful about it in the first place, so I really couldn't argue with Serena's decision. While she may be my daughter-in-law, she's also the Admiral in charge of the most valuable mercenary unit on this side of the world. While my son might be the leader on paper, Serena was the one who really is in control. I'd often see Leon taking orders from her without complaint.
With her position came the immense responsibility of protecting her people. Her decision was quite generous, considering their horrible impressions of Jeanna and Finley...mostly Jeanna. I resolved myself to teach those girls to be better, and to earn the trust of my daughters-in-law.
"Thank you Serena, truly. Those girls might be brats, but I love them more than you could imagine."
Irisdina and Serena gave me soft compassionate smiles. Just then remembered how Zola swore to show my daughters-in-law "their proper places", and extract every bit of wealth she "rightfully deserved" from the Legion.
"By the way, did Zola happen to make her way here?" I asked rather reluctantly.
Serena smile immediately dropped into a frown. "Yes she attempted to force her way into the command center, but didn't make it past the reception hall. Currently she is sitting in a cell."
I froze. "What?"
"Zola Fou Brownhill is currently in a cell after a failed attempt to force her way into the command center, a restricted area."
I blinked, once, then twice before my eyes went wide. "She's...in prison?"
Irisdina spoke up with a smile on her face. "Jail, not prison."
I sat there stunned for a moment before I came back to my senses. "Girls, you know I have no love for Zola, but imprisoning a baroness is a serious offense. While you won't receive any backlash from me, house Brownhill will certainly use their connections to get you punished, the court may even try to take your titles. Besides, she's still the mother of my two eldest children."
Serena looked me dead in the eye with a coldness that sent a shiver down my spine. "That disgusting wench attempted to force her way into Viscount Leon Fou Bartfort's private territory, and unlawfully seize funds belonging to said viscount, funds being used to carry out the duty of frontier defense assigned by his Majesty directly. This is in addition to tax fraud and embezzlement of royal funds via her lover Baron Marco Fia Dwidle. As for Rutart and Merce, the Legion's medical department have the ability to compare DNA samples to determine the relation two individuals. "
I must've looked pretty damn confused because Irisdina immediately started to explain. "DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is the body's blueprint that makes you...you."
I had a vague notion of what they were leading to. "Ok? And how does this DNA tell you if those brats are mine or not?"
"Well," Serena said with her signature smirk. "An individuals DNA is made up of a combination of their parents DNA. This means a child will have a number of similarities as each parents; however, neither Rutart nor Merce has anymore similarity to you, than Beatrix does to myself."
To me there was only one thing to say to that. "I see." Silence reigned as I mulled it over. The revelation didn't really surprise me. Those brats never resembled anyone from my family's history in either appearance or behavior. It definitely helped that Zola didn't exactly hide her infidelity from me. This DNA testing seemed incredible, but it wasn't without problems. "I believe you, but the royal court will only see fake results from a made up test. And if what Leon says is true about their agendas, then there's no way they'd accept something that'll allow a baron like me to legally divorce that parasite without punishment."
Irisdina and Serena shared an amused look before Serena tapped on her arm again. All of a sudden, I heard a female voice speak lovingly. "You worry too much Marco. There is no way that backwater hick could possibly figure out that Merce and Rutart are not his."
A low masculine voice responded in a curt manner. "It's not Bralcus I'm worried about. So what if he knows the truth, he can't do anything without evidence. Viscount Bartfort on the other hand, is a whole different beast."
The woman made a disgusted snort. "The little cretin isn't smart enough to figure it out. That beast only got were he is by getting lucky."
"I see. Well then my dear Zola, that's enough talk of the Bartforts. Shall we indulge in something a little more interesting?"
"Oh my! You took the words right out of my mouth!"
When the recording finished, I realized that I my hands were clenched hard enough to draw blood. Lucky! Fucking lucky! My son was putting his life on the line time and time again for this country, each time returning with victories impossible for anyone else! He rebuilt the western frontier into a safe haven, then destroyed an Earl practically alone. Even as this bitch tried to get him killed so her whale of a friend could collect the money!
I took a long and deep breath, something I've been doing a lot lately. Steeling myself for needs to be done, I turned to meet Serena's gaze. "How do we get rid of her?"
Serena's smile turned downright predatory. She and Irisdina started walking towards the exit while motioning me follow. The two of them walked side-by-side in near perfect synch.
"Our legal team has poured over the terms laid out in your marriage certificate, and one condition stands out above all. 'Zola Fou Brownhill shall birth a worthy true blood heir for Bralcus Fou Bartfort to inherit the position of Baron.' This is the key to removing her and her bastards from your household."
We took an elevator down to the basement levels where the cells were situated.
I remember that line very clearly. In the early years of my marriage, I must've reread it a hundred times, but it was a hope that I thought impossible. Until now that is. "What if the royal court sides with her?"
Irisdina chuckled. "If we prove that Rutart and Merce aren't yours, they will be forced to side with you. To side with Zola would be sending the message that marriage contracts are not legally binding. That is a standing they cannot afford to take."
Irisdina nodded. "Especially with the stability of the whole kingdom riding on the marriage of Prince Julius and Lady Angelica Redgrave. You can imagine how things would go if the prince were able to simply annual their engagement just cause he felt like." For some reason, that sounded more like a prediction rather than a hypothetical, but I must've been over thinking it.
We spent the rest of the trip making a plan of attack. From which witnesses we had, to the recordings we had. By the time we arrived at the holding area, I was feeling more hopeful than I had ever been before.
We were stopped at the entrance of the jail by several guards who saluted before double-checking our identities. According to Serena, they were supposed to confirm our identities BEFORE saluting, but I didn't really see the point. I figured it had something to do with discipline, but the result was the same either way.
The jail was relatively large for such a rapidly constructed building, the HQ having been built in only two months. For every empty cell, there was another packed with pirates. The bastards couldn't even lay down without laying on top of another prisoner. Serves em' right!
We arrived at the VIP area which had nicer accommodations for politically sensitive prisoners, which currently housed only one individual, Zola.
---
Zola
I've been stuck in the cesspool for two days now! I came to this pathetic island to merely claim the money that rightfully belonged to me, and yet they dare to refuse me, the nerves of these vermin. And then there is those two officer bitches. Mere baronetesses and yet they dare to arrest me for trespassing, who do they think they are! This island is owned by that brat Leon, so I can come and go as I please as his father's rightful wife.
The cell they stuffed my into is as small as my slave's room and lacking any decoration becoming of a room for nobles, just white walls with a few paintings, a pathetic bookshelf, and a desk. The bed is not even a third the size of my own, with only two pillows. How is anyone supposed to sleep in such a pitiful place? And do not get my started on the food. A bowl of pasta with cheese sauce, and a cup of green tea. No wine, no salad, and no cake. If I did not no any better, I would think they were trying to starve me.
After awhile the door slid open, and in walked that red-eyed bitch, followed by the blue-eyed one. I was about to yell at them when I saw my pathetic excuse of a legal husband. Bralcus must have worried that my house would destroy the Bartforts, and thus came to free me.
"Bralcus! Take me out of here at once! If you compensate me properly for this misconduct, then I might even be willing to keep this a secret." I smiled smugly at the two bitches, for this was my victory. Once I got back to the capital, I will have my family send mercenaries to destroy the Bartforts, and Rutart can take over as he should.
Bralcus looked over to the red-eyed bitch. "Play it."
The red-eyed bitch tapped her arm a few times before a voice started speaking. "You worry too much Marco, there is no way that backwater hick could possibly figure out that Merce and Rutart are not his."
The blood drained from my face. I have heard that Alzer can record people's voices, but how could these backwater hicks do that? Even if they can record voices, how did they record that conversation? We were all alone in my dear Marco's estate. Does that mean that there are traitors in Marco's household?
As the conversation continued, I noticed that Bralcus looked like he wanted to strangle me. "When you demanded a private airship, I bought it for you. When you demanded an estate in the capital to keep up appearances, I took out loans to buy one for you. And when you demanded money to spend on useless accessories, I bought them for you, even when I had to watch my children go hungry. I did that because you are my legal wife, and it was my duty to provide. Your duty was to give birth to my heir, and help protect this family. You have done neither."
For a second I felt scared, but then I remembered something. "This is just a fabrication. The royal court will see through your lies Bralcus, and then it will be over for you and your stupid son."
That red-eyed bitch started laughing. "What's so funny?!" I demanded.
"Oh nothing. I simply find it so amusing that you still have yet to realize the situation you find yourself in." Her smile sent shivers down my spine. I just had to stay strong until my beloved Marco comes to destroy these bumpkins!
---
The Royal Court
'How ridiculous' thought Malcolm Fia Frampton as he watched the head of house Bartfort use several letters as evidence to accuse his wife of breaking their marriage contract. The court had been enjoying a day of the usual stupidity, when they received word that one Zola Fou Bartfort was seeking to have her husband arrested after he removed her children from the family registry, imprisoned her, and divorced her illegally.
Frampton knew it was most likely all bullshit, but seeing the opportunity to hurt the family who destroyed the Offleys, his most valuable pawns, Malcolm decided to get even.
"My fellow nobles," he said while meeting the gazes of as many continental nobles as he could. "I believe we have all heard enough to see who is in the wrong here, have we not?" A number of nobles nodded in response to his call. The queen was hard to read, but the fact that she hasn't rebuked him made Malcolm think that she took was inclined to use this opportunity to restrain house Bartfort. Malcolm smiled before continuing. "We have an honorable baroness who was imprisoned and abused by her dastardly husband who sought to replace her children with a concubine's." The crowd started to murmur amongst themselves.
All of a sudden the crowd started to die down at the sound of cold laughter. Serena Fou Holz stood there in her Ironblood uniform, arms crossed with her monomolecular sword waiting dangerously at her hip. "My, my. Poor Malcolm, I knew you were getting up there in years, but to think you would mistake the father for the son is quite sad indeed. Then again, you did keep traitors as your right hand, so..." Her cold glare was enough to send shivers down the old noble's spine.
"How dare you, you backwater harlot!" screeched Zola.
Frampton put up his hand to silence her. "I see house Holz is incapable of teaching their daughters proper manners. I suggest you watch yourself baronetess." The old Marquis tried desperately to not let his anger show.
"And I suggest you get your facts straight before you speak again, lest you make an ass of yourself." Serena then turned to the rest of the attending nobles. "Since Zola Fou Brownhill and the good Marquis seek to twist the truth, and blame Lord Bralcus Fou Bartfort for acts he did not commit, it is left to me to set the facts straight." As she met their gazes, Serena noticed that a number of those present seemed interested in what she had to say.
"Bralcus Fou Bartfort did not order the imprisonment of Zola Fou Brownhill...I did, under the authority of viscount Leon Fou Bartfort." A wave of energetic murmurs spread through out the crowd.
Stand beside the throne, Mylene Rapha Holfort stepped forward. As the crowd turned their attention to her, all wondered what their queen would make of this.
"Serena Fou Holz." She said with a coldness that would cause the average Holfort noble to cower in her presence.
"Yes your majesty," said Serena, without any change in tone.
Mylene was surprised how Serena managed to remain perfectly calm in this situation. "A mere two months ago, you were given the rank of Baronetess in recognition for your outstanding achievements. The royal family believed that you would continue to serve the kingdom with honor and dignity, yet here we are. Perhaps you care to explain why you imprisoned a baroness, lady Sserena?" 'I am sorry for doing this to you Serena, but viscount Bartfort needs to be restrained for the good of the kingdom,' thought Mylene as she bore down on Serena with all the presence she could muster.
The room silent as all eyes focused on Serena, expecting her to fold. What they didn't expect was for her to flash a brilliant smile. "Of course your majesty. In order to do so, I call the honorable Sir Darius Fia Noland of the royal guard as a witness." Mylene's eyes narrowed as she tried to figure out Serena's angle.
Sir Darius stepped forward, adorned in his silver and blue mithril plate, the middle-aged knight cut an imposing figure amongst the sea of court nobles. He bowed to Mylene before casting his gaze towards the red-eyed baroness.
Serena's eyes shined with mischievous intent. "Sir Darius Fia Noland, as a member of the royal guard, you stand as one of the most elite knights the kingdom has to offer, as well as, a paragon of honor and nobility.
"Tis my duty, lady Serena. Nothing more." While he remained stoic, Serena could see the pride in his eyes.
"Be that as it may, it is still admirable. Now then, were you on duty the day his majesty Roland bestowed titles to Beatrix Fou Bremhe, Irisdina Fou Bernhard, myself, and viscount Leon Fou Bartfort?"
"I was."
"And where exactly were you stationed during that particular event?
The knight pointed to his position to the left of the steps leading to the throne. "My position was standing as the left watcher of the throne."
Not willing to give her a chance, Marquis Frampton spoke with an irritated tone. "I do not see the point of this. This has no bearing on the issue at hand."
"Oh but it does my dear Marquis. You just need a little patience, something I assumed you had in abundance, given your...wealth of experience." The sarcasm in her voice caused a number of Redgrave faction nobles to begin laughing at the Marquis's expense. Serena turned back to Sir Darius, and continued before Mylene could take the opportunity chastise her. "Could you tell us what his majesty declared Leon Fou Bartfort at the end of the ceremony?"
The brown-haired knight nodded. "Of course. His majesty declared him viscount Leon Fou Bartfort, Defender of the Frontier." Those nobles who were present for the ascension ceremony nodded in affirmation with the knight's statement.
"And when his majesty wrapped his arm around lord Bartfort shoulder, did you hear what he said to my lord?"
"I did."
"And what, pray tell, did his majesty Roland Rapha Holfort tell my lord, Leon Fou Bartfort?"
The knight took a deep breath. "His majesty said that there was a lot of frontier to defend, and he hoped the Ironblood legion was up to the task."
"And as a member of the royal guard, who spends my time by his majesty's side more than almost any other, would you say that was a request, or an order?"
"It was an order."
Serena gave the crowd a second to process that before continuing. "Since that day, has the court ever discussed funding for the Ironblood Legion to complete this task assigned to us by his Majesty?"
The knight looked rather nervous at the question. He looked towards the queen with pleading eyes, searching for some help, but her visage was completely unreadable. "I...have not seen it brought up since the ascension ceremony."
Serena looked him dead in the eye. "Do you know how much support, or compensation the Legion has received since we were assigned to protect the whole of the frontier?"
Darius mulled it over for a few moments before turning back to the red-eyed officer. "I would suspect cost of operation, plus thirty percent, as is standard for a retainer contract."
Serena shook her head in response. "That is incorrect. Since we were tasked with the defense of the whole frontier, the Ironblood Legion has not received any compensation or support at all. Not so much as a single grain of wheat, nor a single dia. In fact, no one has from court has even come to finalize the contract between the legion and the kingdom, despite no less than three different letters being sent for that very reason."
The revelation of such negligence caused the court to erupt in outrage! The nobles of the Redgrave faction, and the independents flew into rage at the treatment of the Ironblood legion. If word got out that the kingdom wasn't paying the Legion, then it would make hiring mercenaries nearly impossible in the future. Amongst the crowd, Davin Fou Roseblade, eldest child of lord Roseblade, stepped forth and glared at the stunned Mylene. "Your majesty, what is the meaning of this?"
Mylene Rapha Holfort looked to her ally Vince Rapha Redgrave for help, but he merely shook his head in disappointment. Mylene closed her eyes took a deep breathe in an attempt to recompose herself. She opened her eyes and met the Roseblade heir's gaze. "I assure you, I am surprised as you are by these developments. I shall meet with duke Redgrave and minister Atlee after this hearing. We will get to the bottom of this, I promise you that." That statement seemed to calm most of the nobles, but Mylene could still feel the sting of Serena's cold gaze. "Baronetess Serena, I assure you that the legion will receive the compensation you are due, I just ask for your patience."
Serena gave the queen a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Of course your majesty, I will remain in the capital for the next four days. I am so glad this matter could be settled diplomatically, after all, I would prefer to continue fighting for Holfort." Serena didn't strictly say that the legion was willing to leave Holfort, but Mylene would have to be idiot to not have understood the implication. Seeing the queen subdued, Serena turned back to Marquis Frampton.
"My dear marquis, you asked why all this was relevant to the case, well now its time to reveal just that. Zola Fou Brownhill attempted to steal the dia stored in within Fort Ironblood. This dia was taken from viscount Leon Fou Bartfort's personal vault to pay the legionaries, since we were not receiving pay from the kingdom. After being stopped by the guards, she ordered her personal servant to assault the guards. After the guards subdued him, Zola threatened us, saying that she would hire mercenaries to take what was rightfully hers."
As the crowd began glaring at her, Zola's face turned bright red. "That's not true! She's lying!"
"Lying? How about you all see for yourself." Serena tapped on her arm, and suddenly, a hologram of the event played for all to see. The gathered nobles were initially shocked by the footage, but quickly realized that everything happened just as Serena described. "What you just witnessed was a recording from the surveillance system built into every Ironblood facility. It is based on an advanced version of the video recording technology that was invented in the Republic of Alzer. I believe you all are smart enough to realize whose at fault here."
As the crowd murmured in agreement, Mylene realized that trying to restrain Leon or the legion in any way would cause many nobles to leave the royal faction. Left with no other choice, she decided to try an salvage the situation by looking as fair as possible. "Lady Serena. I believe your actions to be justified, done to protect your lord property from a thief. The royal court absolves you of all charges." Following her declaration, the court erupted into a round of applause.
Frampton watched the verdict with clenched fists. 'After insulting me, I'll be damned if I let house Bartfort get away unharmed.' He looked back at the pale Zola before smiling to himself. "Your majesty."
Mylene turned and gave him an exhausted look. "Do you take issue with my judgement Marquis?"
Fampton shook his head in denial. "Not at all, your majesty. I believe that your judgement was just; however, we still have the issue of the divorce to settle."
Mylene let out a sigh. "Yes, I suppose you are correct. Lord Bralcus you already presented the letters as evidence, do you have anything more to add?" The marquis believed that the queen would jump at the chance, but was shocked by her unenthusiastic response.
The large baron cleared his throat. "I do, your majesty. I call Baron Marco Fia Dwidle to act as a witness." The crowd became confused by such a request, after all, it was obvious no noble would admit their fault in a case like this. Frampton smiled at the Bralcus's apparent ignorance of courtly matters.
After a few moments, a tall blonde man stepped forward. His gentlemanly appearance was marred by the nervous energy he was giving off. Baron Marco bowed to Mylene. "Your majesty, I am Baron Marco Fia Dwidle." Mylene gave a slight nod in recognition.
Bralcus turned his steely gaze upon the skinny blonde baron. "Marco Fia Dwidle, I'll ask you straight. Are Rutart and Merce your children, or mine?"
"Ah...well, you see," he looked around nervously before meeting Serena's predatory smile which caused him to gulp. "They are both my children. Zola and I became romantically intimate during our second year at the academy, but I was already engaged, so when she married Bralcus, she would take contraceptive before sleeping with him."
His testimony caused all the life to drained from Zola face. Her gave way, and she found herself on the floor. 'Why Marco, why? I did that for us, for you!' thought Zola.
Bralcus stood there with his arms crossed, looking even more imposing than the members of the royal guard. "I see. Thank you for your honesty, its a rare thing these days." Bralcus looked to Mylene with a stoic façade. "There you have, your majesty. Zola Fou Brownhill was supposed to give birth to a worthy true blood heir, but she instead attempted to usurp the Bartfort family with another's child." The crowd murmured in agreement with Bralcus, how could they argue, when the supposed lover confessed in front of the queen?
Mylene felt relieved that she didn't try to use this to restrain the Bartforts, as getting burned twice could have been disastrous for her reputation. "I see. In accordance with stipulations laid out in the official marriage document, Zola Fou Brownhill has failed to fulfill her end of the contract, and even sought to actively usurp her husband's family. I declare this marriage null-and-void." She looked at Bralcus with tired eyes. "Is there anything that needs to be resolved lord Bartfort?"
Bralcus nodded. "Yes your majesty, there is one last matter to be settled. Throughout our sham of a marriage, Zola made constant demands for absurd amounts of money that far exceeded the revenue of our small farming territory. It got to the point where my family had to sell all of our possessions save for our clothes, in order to support her disgusting wasteful lifestyle. I was forced to watch as my children survived on a single bowl of porridge per day, something that resulted in my youngest daughter having her growth stunted by the malnutrition. This has left her with a child-like body that I fear will affect her ability to find a good husband in the future. I request that we be fairly compensated for the damage done by Zola." The sight of tears coming down from the eyes of such an intimidating man made a profound impact on the court. Several nobles began openly calling Zola a witch.
As a fellow parent, Mylene sympathized with older man. The thought of having to watch her own children go hungry so another could live a lush hedonistic life made Mylene's blood boil. She wanted to execute Zola on the spot, but she forced those emotions down. As the queen, she built her reputation on being logical and fair. Acting out in rage would only hurt her own reputation. She turned to Bralcus, who was wiping his tears. "Baron Bralcus Fou Bartfort."
"Ah...yes, your majesty" The tough persona Bralcus maintained throughout the hearing was gone. In its place was an abused man, who was out of his element, and afraid for his family.
"Zola Fou Brownhill has inflicted unrepairable damage to your family, something that as a mother myself, I sympathize with. As compensation, anything Zola purchased with money from house Bartfort will be returned to your family, and houses Brownhill and Dwidle will be forced to repay the rest you spent to support Zola and her children. I believe this such be satisfactory for all?" Mylene looked around, daring anyone to challenge her decision. Seeing none, see breathed a sigh of relief. "With that, this court is dismissed!"
---
The Queen's Study
After that disastrous hearing, Mylene was most certainly not pouting while definitely not flicking a pen back and forth. She let out a tired groan before resting her head on her desk.
"You certainly look like you have seen better days." Came a suave masculine voice from behind her.
Mylene sat up, and glared at the older gentleman from over her shoulder. "No thanks to you, Vince."
Vince Rapha Redgrave sat on one of her office twin sofas. He quirked an eyebrow. "I hope your not blaming me for how the hearing turned out. Especially since I already tried to warn you about siding against young Bartfort and his mercenary Legion."
Mylene got up and sat down opposite of her long time friend. "You did not say a single word the whole hearing. I was left without support when I needed it most. I thought we were allies, what with your daughter engaged to my son."
Vince titled his head ever so slightly. "We are. That is precisely why I did not speak against you; however, the Bartforts are also my allies. I chose to not to remain neutral, as a result, my reputation remains undamaged. Can you say the same?"
Mylene looked the old Duke in the eye. "Leon Fou Bartfort is too much of a threat to ignore. This was the perfect opportunity to restrain him. Instead, Lady Serena brings up Roland's declaration out of nowhere. She managed to blindside me, and control the court from then on."
Vince gave out a lighthearted chuckle. "It was part of her trap, she was waiting for you to side with Zola so she could use your treatment of the Legion to discredit you in front of the whole court. You lost the minute you sided against them, just be glad your actions haven't lost us the Legion services."
Mylene's eyes widened for a brief second. "If that were to happen, whole sections of the frontier would be left exposed. The legion's reputation as selfless defenders would be shattered, they can not afford to do something so careless."
Vince frowned at the younger woman. "After experiencing her skills today, do you honestly believe that Admiral Serena was not prepared for such an outcome? I would not be surprised if they had had people ready to spread their story across the whole kingdom in a moments notice. In such a scenario it would be the royal family who would pay the price, not the Legion. Heed my advice Mylene, let the Legion and the Bartforts be, before you lose the trust of the whole court." Having said his piece, Vince got up and left the queen alone with her thoughts.
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AN: Okay, we are fuckin done boys! It might've taken me a whole month to write, but its done...finally! For real though, this started out as one half of an interlude chapter, but it quickly spiralled into a 6k monster of a chapter. For those of you who enjoyed the politics in my other this chapter was for you.
So now we see the difference between Mylene, who was an excellent politician in a victorian type society vs Serena whose family ruled several entire star systems. Mylene did the best with her limited intelligence reports that Luxion allows he spy's to send, but its hard to beat a genetically modified super aristocrat, who can process information a couple dozen times faster than the average person, whose receiving information from Luxion's massive intelligence network.
The next chapter will be focused of Beatrix's mission, and possibly Leon's plans in the academy. I hope you all have a fantastic day!