Chapter 20: Real Power

 A seat of power stands stall.
A world so new, yet strangely old.
A fate shared, but details divide.
Christina arrives at Wintermere.

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Day 56
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I can honestly say that I thought, having been in noble and royal circles all my life, that I was prepared for what ever the Southgard family's ancestral home looked like.

I was not.

It wasn't until well into the evening that we finally approached our destination. As we drew close, I got my first view of the settlement approaching the estate. The walls were massive, towering fifty feet high, a grand gate stood in the center of them, adorned with twin watchtowers. Even late into sunset, massive blue banners hung from either side illuminated by light sources I couldn't quite place. Marble statues stood below them, some purple light of some kind reflecting off of them. The area, otherwise dotted with dark green coniferous tree's, cleared for short hedge rows as the stone paved road cut through towards the massive gate. Even outside the grand walls, buildings dotted the area, stables, workshops, housing, and more who's purpose I couldn't even begin to guess. 

Getting closer, I saw now that the marble statues were knights, sentinels standing tall, wielding a polearm held in both hands. Adorned near the tip of the weapons, both had a strange glowing orb embedded in the weapon itself. Glowing and pulsating with animated life, tendrils of power sprouting from those orbs floated aimlessly, painting their white stone armour amethyst with reflections from the magic. I was already in awe before we even stepped foot inside the grounds. 

At first I thought this must have been the entrance to some city, but setting eyes inside the walls I realized; this entire thing didn't surround the estate, this was the estate.

As we passed through the front gates, I struggled to keep my mouth from hanging agape. Inside the walls was a massive stretch of land, dozens of acres across. The main road carved straight down through it, but the majority of the grounds were covered in gardens, carefully planned with geometric paths radiating out between them, connecting statues, fountains, disappearing between hedge mazes and snaking between ornamental trees. It was a struggle to even draw attention to it all. In the geographical center of the estate rose a grand fountain, carved from marble as white as snow, sculptures and silversmithing lining each detail of the majestic centerpiece. The central road carefully gave way to the fountain only to continue onward. I darted my head from side to side to catch glimpses to what was on the other side of the carriage that I couldn't see, but even my side alone was more than enough to keep me occupied. Nearer the gates I saw a small building I could only image was a kind of shrine or temple, connected to an outer road that lead to a massive long building that looked likely to be the servants quarters. 

But then as we pulled past the central fountain, I saw another massive building, three times the size as the last. Standing magnificently was this glass and iron domed conservatory. The circular building was lined on every side by massive glass planes that gave witness to the grand winter garden inside. I couldn't tell exactly the scope of what all was growing within, but even the massive triple-dome roof gave show to the tops of tree's, so the scale of the building was appropriately clear. 

Lastly, as we neared the central building, the coach slowly turned to follow the road leading to the main doors, giving me the clearest view of the magnificent structure before me. That's when I realized that this wasn't an estate, this was a fortress. Rising up from stone foundations were decades old walls, but with each story they rose they became newer and grander. Decades old watchtowers that gave way to magnificent slate spires. Gothic arches framed gorgeous stained-glass windows over old stone structure. Worked into every face was ornamentation, elaborate ironwork, polished marble, all of it decorating and obfuscating what had clearly once been built as an impenetrable fortress. But somehow, none of it looked wrong. 

I could tell the manor was old, but there were clear signs that overtime more aspects were built further and further on the bones of what was constructed previously. It was like every year they kept building their new home on top of the last one. The west wing of the manor stretched out in a single branch, ending in a massive spire that even still then connected directly to the ramparts of the outer walls. Whereas the east wing bulged out, built up over generations of new additions to the house, each somehow only adding to it's architectural beauty. Standing high piercing out the center of the manor was the oldest structure yet, a massive stone tower, dwarfing every other on the estate, still serving to support the newer sections of the home. Atop the highest points there were even more renovations that added to it's grandeur, though unnecessarily. The grand battlement seemed to serve as a reminder, this was the power of these lands. I looked over to my guardians riding next to me, and I saw the pride in all of their faces as they arrived home. It was powerful, indeed.

As the carriage slowly came to a stop, myself and the rest of our traveling party slowly piled out of the cabin. Standing now on the stone pathway in front of the magnificent structure before me, I felt Rowan clasp his hand on my shoulder. "Welcome to Wintermere, Christina." 

Within moments of us arriving, nearly a dozen attendants all flocked towards our carriage, quickly sorting to our bags. One older woman, dressed formally in black and grey, hair pushed back into the neatest headscarf I had ever seen, stood tall and firm at the house entrance. Seemingly to be at the head of the group of attendants, it was Cynthia who walked forward ahead of the rest of us to meet her. 

"Ethel, wonderful of you to greet us! Thank you for the warm welcome. If I didn't know any better I'd say you were trying to show me up." Cynthia remarked as she offered the woman her arm.

The elderly woman, seemingly Ethel, straightened up her back as best she could given her age, and swatted Cynthia's bent elbow away. "I do that without even trying dearest, and we both know it." She said with some lip. She quickly turned her attention to the rest of us. "Mister and Missus Southgard, it's wonderful to see your safe return home." 

Despite how long it had been since I was part of noble society, even I recognized the lack of a title given to both Lena and Rowan. Having gotten used to hearing them be referred to as Lord and Lady Southgard, I started to wonder, did they not hold any formal lordship in this house? 

My guardians on the other hand seemed not to notice. Lena quickly stepped towards the woman for a hug, while Rowan smiled broadly at her. "Thank you, Mistress Hargrove. It was a long journey, and it's nice to be back after some time away." He said with both a level of formality and familiarity. 

She accepted Lena's hug with the warmth of a pine tree, before beginning to guide us all to the front door. "May we move your bags back to your old rooms? Very little has changed since you left. And of course we'll have a room for Mister Norrington as well, his old favourite is available if he likes," She said, walking faster than her old bones would have likely found comfortable, before giving a quick look over to Cynthia. ". . . well, second favourite I suppose." 

Lena silently chuckled and then nodded, and Rowan continued. "Our old rooms would be lovely, Ethel. Very kind of you."

"And what of the child? Shall I have a bed set up with one of the adults' rooms? Does she need a cot? Would it be with yourselves, or will Mistress Arkinian be looking after her?" 

Her questions like rapid fire left me stunned. I had the sudden realization that she was somehow referring to me. What did she mean, 'with the adults'? What exactly did she think I was? And cot, I had never heard that word before, I had to assume it was from some regional Silencian dialect . . . what were they talking about?

This time it was Lena who replied. "No, nothing like that. The only thing we might request is if Christina can have a room nearby mine and Rowan's."

"Of course, ma'am. Will she need any supervision getting herself into bed each night, or getting ready each morning?" She asked with a dry demeanor. She hadn't even looked at me once since we'd got here, she must have barely known my name, and yet she was treating me like a child who needed to be managed? I could feel my face twisting into a glare.

Lena giggled slightly, but refused. "Thank you for being so considerate, but no. If Christina need's anything, she knows to come to myself or Cynthia. And I'm sure she'll be on her best behaviour." She said without even looking back at me.

Despite how small a margin, part of me was relieved to have Lena speak of me like I was at least slightly more mature than than this elderly woman seemed to believe. With that my expression lifted more, now solidly into a pout.  

"Very good, ma'am. If for any reason you need someone watch the tyke, I'd be happy to see to that myself. I've heard she can be a handful, I'll make sure to keep her in check."

"That's very generous of you, Ethel. If we need you at all, I'll let you know." Smiled Lena. I felt a small shiver hit me, one that wasn't even from the cold. Lena wouldn't actually leave me alone with this gruff elderly woman, would she? I gripped my the edge of my skirt, suddenly wishing I had a hand to hold.

Rowan dropped half a step behind his wife, and bent over ever so slightly to speak to me. "Christina, this is Ethel Hargrove, the House Mistress of Wintermere estate. Think of her as this place's version of Cynthia." 

Quickly everything made more sense, Cynthia's initial reaction to her, Lena's fondness, and this woman's own cold professional nature. Seemed likely that she was someone my guardians had known all their life, and maybe had even been the one to teach Cynthia how to do her job, signature attitude and all. Though, with the comparison to Cynthia, I could feel an ounce of fear start to creep up my leg.

"Your Uncle is still greeting Lord Minister Highcastle, otherwise he would have been here to meet you personally. They're currently enjoying a drink in the sitting room, you're all more than welcome to join them if you wish. Although of course, if you would rather retreat to your rooms after your long trip, I'm sure your uncle and the Grand Minister would take no mind." 

It was only in this moment that I truly started to feel out of my depth. I had been part of numerous high political meetings with my parents in my youth, nothing here should have intimidated me. But whether it was the titles I didn't recognize, the unfamiliar setting, or even just the scale and grandeur of this entire place, I felt small standing next to my guardians, even smaller than usual. I realized I would much rather retreat to my own room, find a space for myself I could feel a bit more at ease, but I also wasn't exactly asked for input on the matter.

"Oh no, we won't keep them waiting. Besides it will be best to make proper introductions before we all retire for the night." Rowan chimed in as he paced back closer to Lena and Mrs. Hargrove. Suddenly I found myself in the strange uncomfortable position of awkwardly pacing a step behind my guardians as each of them found themselves distracted with something that wasn't me. In any other situation that might have been a blessing, but now in this strange land so far away from anything I could call home, I felt my heartrate quicken as my only sources of familiarity became preoccupied.

"You see, Rowan has never actually met the current Grand Minister, or his family." Said the whispered voice of Oliver in my ear. Catching me slightly off guard, I realized he had been lagging behind us, but now had stepped up to keep me company. 

Cynthia then spoke up to inquire to our current guide as we neared the front doors of the manor. "And has Anders arrived yet today, or will he be joining us tomorrow?"

"Secretary Aldermere did arrive earlier today, but he's already retired for the night sadly. He did send his apologies to you specifically, Mistress Arkinian."

Another quiet whisper from Oliver filled me in. "Anders Aldermere was Cynthia's teacher back during her studies, he's also the current Secretary of the Arkane within the Kingdom." I wasn't quite sure what the second half of Oliver's statement even meant, but even regardless of that, I appreciated him keeping me in the loop, it was somehow helping keep me calm.

As we entered the manor itself, the interior very well lived up to the expectation set by the rest of the estate. Polished marble floors, grand pillars down the length of the grand hall, a magnificent silver chandelier slighting the entire room. Even as dusk settled on the world outside, here in Wintermere Manor it felt like sunshine still illuminated every corner. Far from empty, staff seemed to pop in and out, disappearing into many connected hallways, all looking determined, I had to assuming preparing for what ever brought us here from so far away?

I started to tune out of the idle chatter between my guardians and our hostess, letting my mind go blank as I followed aimlessly. We departed the front hallway, and as made our way through the mansion, I slowly started to feel like I was getting my bearings. After walking what would have been the length of our entire house back at home, we approached what I assumed was the sitting room. Lena seemed to suddenly remember me, as she looked back and reached her hand out, beckoning me to her side. Barely even thinking about it, I rushed a step towards her and took her hand. Not knowing what was behind these doors, next to Lena's side felt like the safest place I could be.

Giving us all a small cursory look over her shoulder, Ethel proceeded to knock on the doors to the sitting room, before opening them both to allow us all entry. Sat down in the center of the sitting room on two high back armchairs was a man who looked remarkably like Rowan, only a few decades older, grey hair occupying most of his head and parts of his beard, wrinkles showing past his glasses, the ages showing on his face and in his eyes. I had to assume this was Rowan's Uncle, presumably the lord of this house. Sat next to him holding his hand was a woman of similar age, with similar Silencian fashion as Lena, but considerably more elegant. Brown hair up in a fine woven bun, jewels braided within it. Looking around, the couple seemed to be alone, no 'Grand Minister' in sight.

"Rowan! It's good to see you, my boy!" Said Rowan's uncle, standing from his seat as he started to approach us.

Rowan smiled as he went to warmly embrace his family. "Uncle Richard, how have you been doing? You look well!" 

The older gentleman stood up to greet his family. "Oh, I've been just fine. It's been much quieter here since you left, and that fool brother of mine hasn't visited in months either. But, that's not to say it's been entirely boring, sometimes I feel like I've been doing more work since I retired." He said, with a hint of exhaustion in his words. "But such is the nature of empire building I suppose."

Lena let out a burst of laughter, startling me a small amount. "I'd hardly call it 'empire building', uncle." 

"Oh no, you're right. I suppose I shouldn't call it that." surrendered Lord Southgard, diplomatically.

A tense moment of silence passed over the group, as I saw a few cautious looks be shared throughout our party. Unclear on what exactly caused the sudden change, I just kept as still as I could. 

Rowan, ever the mediator, ended the silence by moving forward the conversation. "We had been told that you were busy greeting Lord Minister Highcastle? We haven't missed him have we?" 

Uncle Richard nodded before turning around towards a drink cart stationed nearby, pouring two drinks of what looked like brandy or Scotch. "Oh yes, we had just finished welcoming him actually. But he and Elizabeth have retired for the night. Apologies, you just missed them." He casually handed one of the drinks to his nephew, and kept the other for himself. "Please sit, we can discuss tomorrows formalities if you don't mind?" 

Rowan accepted the drink and took a seat on one of the sofa's across from his uncle. Cynthia paced and strangely half sat on one of the armrests of that sofa rather than take a proper seat herself, and Oliver sat between Rowan and Cynthia. Lena squeezed my hand, before changing her grip to my shoulders as she guided me forward to the sofa.

"Would anyone else care for a drink?" Our host asked before he returned to his own seat. I glanced around only for Ethel, who I assumed would be the one to pour drinks, only to see she had at some point disappeared.

Lena spoke up first. "Oh, none for me thank you." She said as she took a seat on the sofa. "And obviously none for this one either." She continued with a bit of a smile, simultaneously moving my shoulders down with her as she sat, as I realized I was being silently instructed to sit on the floor at her feet. My face went red.

I quickly adjusted my feet so that I could sit down resting on my knees, rather than force my legs crossed, exposing my skirt to the whole room. Looking up over my shoulder, I realized that sofa only comfortably sat three. I honestly wasn't sure what I expected either, and as I found myself looking up at all the others in the room I was glad it was at least Lena's feet I was sat at. I honestly didn't think twice at Lena declining a drink for me, I hated Scotch anyway.

Cynthia on the other hand, gave sly smile and held up a glass of her own, already poured. I blinked confusedly, unsure where exactly she had gotten the drink, I could have sworn her hands were empty the last time I looked at her not a few moments ago. It only took me a minute to realize it must have been magic. 

Oliver looked up at her, before turning back to the group. "You don't even want to know where she was hiding that, it's been there the entire trip." He joked in deadpan fashion. 

The group responded with a collective snicker, and Cynthia instinctively smacked his shoulder with the back of her hand. Even if it only lasted a second, she couldn't hold back a smile when she did. "None for me thank you." Oliver responded to the initial question. 

I let myself linger on the two of them for a moment, the way she was sitting next to him, Cynthia's posture was just ever so slouched, nearly leaning into him as she balanced on the arm of the sofa. I was realizing, there was a possibility that these two were more than just old friends. 

It wasn't until Cynthia caught my gaze that I realized I had been staring. Her own posture quickly snapped straight as she glared back at me. A cold wave washed over me as I darted my eyes downward. Her warning was clear. 'Don't test me, Christina.'

Lord Southgard returned to his own seat, but before he could continue his wife spoke up next to him. "Before we go any further, we haven't been introduced to this one, have we?" She asked in reference to me. Despite the fact that I had up until this point been completely silent, I still suddenly found myself at a loss for words. My mouth fell agape as I tried to contain my panic, turning up to Lena above me. 

Lena on the other hand smiled to our hosts without even looking down. "Oh yes, where are my manners. Aunt, Uncle, this is our recent ward from Silencia, Christina." She said, clasping both my shoulders. 

The Lady of the house smiled, attempting to make eye contact with me. "It's nice to meet you, dearest. I'm Victoria and this is my husband, Richard. Welcome to our home." 

My eyes shifted back between the floor and Victoria. I wasn't even sure what to do, I had no idea how to act. Surely. . . I had sat in on my parents important political meetings all my life, I had sat in courts with mayors, generals, bishops, even royalty. My father was one of the most important people in the entire country, surely I wasn't overwhelmed by this private sit down, how could I be? 

But at the same time; what was I supposed to say? What if I said something wrong? Cynthia was probably still glaring at me, just waiting for me to slip up. And what if I disappointed Lena? What would they even do with me in front of their family? Would Cynthia go easier on me, or would any punishment be that much worse for embarrassing them in front of others? 

"Christina. . . say hello." Gently whispered Lena's voice beside me, as she had bent over my shoulder, giving them a little squeeze. I realized just how long I had been trapped in my own thoughts, and the awkward silence that dragged on as they waited for me to respond. 

"H-hello. . ." I stammered. "It's nice to meet you."

Lena chuckled as she straightened up. "Forgive her. This is her first time outside of Crevicil, so she's a little shy." 

Victoria's look went from one of amusement to doting as she seemingly found my lack of words adorable. "Oh of course dear, no issue at all."

Richard on the other hand was seemingly more interested. "Your ward you say? How generous of you. I didn't realize there was a wardship system in place in Crevicil, how forward of them." 

"Oh, no the Crevician's never had anything like that themselves, I believe. But, we found Christina her in a bit of a pickle, so we went forward placing her under wardship using the usual provisions. I couldn't imagine anyone petitioning the court over it, after all we are working towards unification, and we've already largely enacted our penal code within the region. It was well within Lena's station to invoke the Privilege of the Crown in such a way." Rowan's words confused me. Privilege of the Crown? Penal code? Unification? I was at a loss as what exactly they were saying, I understood most of what they said individually but together, it made no sense.

"Oh, well how kind of you to take this poor girl in. I'm sure she must be very grateful." Responded Victoria, dotting at me once more. "Actually, the Highcastle's have brought their ward with them here as well. Distinguished young lad, Aiden I believe his name was. I'm sure it will be nice for them both to have another with something in common!" 

My ears perked up at this, my eyes picking up from the ground, and shifting between the others around me. There was someone else here like me? Where? Would I get to meet them? When?

My questions were somehow evident on my face as Lena continued the conversation. "Oh really? Well, I'm sure we'll get the chance to make proper introductions tomorrow." She said with a hidden tone. "I know I'm quite excited for me and Rowan to officially meet the Lord Minister and his wife, as I've never had the pleasure until this point." 

"Well, Morgan has been busy these last few months hunting down rogue military targets." Richard rattled on. "It rather amazed me he didn't set aside any of his old duties when he took my position. I'm quite impressed with his dedication, really." I could tell Rowan's uncle enjoyed casual conversations such as this, he hardly needed to take breaths between ideas. "We actually spoke about it earlier, he finally caught up to Teichos after being evaded for so long, I know that one was especially sweet for Morgan given their history."

Teichos? As in House Teichos? They were a great house from further north, in Arkstop. Their leader, Lucien, was a close friend of my father. What did they mean, 'hunt him down'?

"But a lot are still on the run. Could you believe that some of the exiles have taken up hiding in the Rocklands? And there's even rumours of the young Laskaras boy working with the head of one of their other houses, trying to drum up support in the Riverlands, whatever good that will do him."

Prince Andron? Is that who they could be talking about? As I actually managed to understand some of what they were saying, flashes of urgency erupted in my mind. My heart rate quickened as I wasn't sure what came over me, but I had to speak out. "Are you talking about Prince Andron? What others are still on the run?" I blurted out, recklessly. I didn't even think about it, but the panic that inspired it was slowly catching up with me as I was found myself suddenly short of breath.

Richard turned towards me and looked at me impatiently, and I quickly felt Lena's grip turn to steel at the base of my neck. "Excuse me young lady, I don't believe I was speaking to you. Nor is it your place to be asking questions like that."

Suddenly the energy in the room shifted, much more sharply this time. Everyone went quiet, like it was suddenly understood what my presence here meant, what exactly I represented. But there was also something else, not even Cynthia stepped forward to reprimand me, instead everyone simply went quiet and waited, giving deference to Richard, the Lord of this house. He looked me up and down, as if deciding how to deal with me. Meanwhile I just sat, petrified, the fear of consequence only now washing over me.

". . . It's late. Don't you think it's about time this one went to bed?" He said, his voice now absent of that warm gentlemanly tone.

Rowan was the one to finally speak, standing up from the couch. "Of course, quite right. Forgive her, Christina isn't usually up this late. She's probably a little cranky."

Ethel, who seemed to reappear back from nowhere, quickly volunteered. "I can escort her to her room if you like, Lord Southgard." She said, I suppose speaking to Rowan's uncle. I could feel a sudden sense of dread that accompanied the idea of being alone with this woman. Looking at her, I saw the same steeled discipline that was in Cynthia, but without the play like smug attitude, instead there was what I saw as complete apathy. Somehow, that scared me more.

"Oh no need, Ethel. I can handle her." Cynthia spoke up. Rising from her seat on the arm of the couth. Taking a few steps, she placed a hand on my shoulder instructing me to stand with her. As she placed her hand on the small of my back, even as it was in a much more forceful fashion than Lena, I still had never been so happy to have Cynthia be the one taking me to my room.

I was still wracked with worry. I knew that what I did was wrong, but if I was completely honest I didn't understand why. All I wanted to know was what the fate of those I once knew was. . . and whether my family might have been one of the ones capture. Not that I even knew what it would mean if they had been. They wouldn't have killed them, would they? No. . . from everything Lena had told me, the Silencian people weren't possibly capable of that, right?  

As I was ushered to bed like the child some of my guardians seemed to believe I was, I looked back into the room behind me. A room so full of confusion and nuance, full of details that while so similar to my past, were so completely foreign to me. I didn't understand so much . . . why we came here, what we were doing, who anyone was, why they looked and treated me like that. . . . I was so completely lost in this strange, strange world. 

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Day 57
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The next day was, no surprise, strange. When I woke up in the morning, part of me expected to find the doorknob to my room to be magically locked, like the vast majority of unfamiliar doors I had encountered back at home. But to my surprise, it was fully unlocked. Sadly, unlike the door, my state upon waking was very familiar to me at this point. Wet, fully soaked. I was honestly almost relieved. Since departing for our trip, I had been in the same diaper for two full days. Now there was no possible excuse to keep me in it. Though, that likely would have been the case regardless of the state in which I woke up . . . hence, almost. Thankfully Lena had left my bags with me in my room, including the bag that had everything I needed to change myself, so I was able to take care of everything without needing to get one of my guardians. Well, almost everything. I had no idea where to dispose of my previous nights diaper. 

Scanning either side of the hallway outside my room, I went out, trying to get to Lena. I hated having to get help, but at the same time I wasn't willing to risk that someone else like that old House Mistress, Ethel, might come in and find my used diaper. Potentially punishing me for leaving it, despite the fact I had no way of disposing of it. I had rushed out to what I believed to be Lena and Rowan's room, gently knocking on the door. Only to be surprised to find Cynthia answering. Turned out I had completely confused their rooms when we all went to bed last night. A complete stuttering mess, I was forced to explain the situation to Cynthia, who demanded I tell her what was the matter. With enough snickering to make me feel the weight of my humiliating ask, she merely waved her hand with a faint purple glow, and told me it was taken care of. She also told me to go wait in my room until the rest of my guardians were ready, and they would come to collect me at that time.

Quickly returning to my room, I saw that Cynthia was, as always, correct. Everything was gone and cleaned up. I breathed a sigh of relief, and began to mentally prepare myself for the day ahead, or at least try to. Eventually Lena came to fetch me just as Cynthia said she would. As she started to lead me out my room she also took the time to tell me what exactly would be expected of me.

"You are to be on your absolute best behaviour, Christina." . . . "We'll be watching you very closely today, but we'll also be very busy with everything else going on." . . . "You're not to leave either my side or Cynthia's, am I clear?" I could feel the stress emanating off of Lena. She maintained her smile and warm attitude, but I could tell she was apprehensive about the day ahead of us. 

It was a question that had tingled the back of my head our entire trip, but I had never been given a proper reason as to why we were here, just that all three of my guardians were required in attendance, and that it was very important. The times I had asked Lena she simply responded with some variance of smiling and telling me "Nothing that you need to worry about, darling."

And now, I was just tailing behind them all, as we went around the manor, occasionally walking a short distance outside to the rest of the grounds, as my guardians engaged in various discussions with the hosts and other guests. Occasionally when a topic became too sensitive, I would be sent away with another one of my guardians. Until at one point, the only person who was able to escort me was Oliver, who offered to escort me to Cynthia while Lena had a discussion with her uncle-in-law, Richard.

"I'm sure this is all quite strange to you, isn't it?" Oliver asked, as we walked through a small garden section on our way back to the manor.

I looked over to him, not exactly sure how to answer. "What do you mean?" 

"Well, a brand new country, all these new people, being part of something that you're not actually allowed to be part of or even know too much about, building to some big important dinner, no doubt that you've been given no explanation for?" He said with a smile, recognizing the absurdity of it all.

Hearing him speak, I was reminded of our first interaction, and how he had been the only person in weeks to actually treat me with any kind of respect. A small part of me breathed a sigh of relief, and I found myself transported back to a different state of mind. "Actually, in a way this is all very familiar to me. Boring political gatherings in big fancy houses . . . I used to attend events like this with my family all the time. Though, our castles were a lot . . . smaller." I said, looking up at the massive central tower of Wintermere.

Oliver's step faltered for a moment as he looked at me surprised. "I had no idea. Was your family important back then?" 

It was my turn to need to take a second out of shock. Did he really have no idea who my family was? Who I used to be? I had to think for a second, and as I did the creeping memory of all the times it was reinforced on me wormed it's way into my head. 'Your name doesn't mean anything any more.' 

Maybe it never did.

Suddenly I wanted nothing more than to move away from the conversation. "It is actually rather confusing though, you were right when you said that nobody has really told me why we're here." I admitted to Oliver, sidestepping his last question.

My escort gave me a quizzical look, but smiled back at me regardless. "Well, let me fill you in on at least a little something then. We've actually been requested as some of the highest ranking diplomats and service members working down south, the Grand Minister of Southern Silencia, that's Morgan Highcastle who you'll meet soon, wants to discuss how the annexation is going, and get thoughts." Despite us being the only ones around, Oliver leaned in a hushed his tone out of mock secrecy. "I heard he has a meeting with the crown, and want's to get as much information as he can beforehand." He said before standing back up straight. "For the same reason, Cynthia's old teacher, a man named Anders Aldermere, will also be in attendance today. He's the royal court's Secretary of the Arkane, and he requested Cynthia's presence, as she might just be the most sophisticated sorceress in Crevicil at the moment." He said with a small look of pride on his face. Or maybe it was something more . . .

  Despite the interesting tell regarding my guardian, something else had more of my attention. ". . . so, you're all deciding the fate of my home?" 

Oliver's eyes darted toward me, as he realized exactly what he had said and who he had said it to. I saw a flash of anxious guilt wash over him, and his smile turned to something more understanding. "I. . . suppose we are." He said, letting himself sit in his own realization.

I kept quiet. I had nothing else to say. I wasn't even sure if there was anything else I was allowed to say. 

"Christina, I've realized that I've never actually known. I apologize for not asking earlier, but if I may . . . what was your old family's name?" Asked Oliver, a look of discernment in his eye.

Instinctively, almost without realizing it, I shifted my eyes down to the ground, peeking from side to side out of worry. I wasn't sure what made me so ashamed of it, but the question made me feel guilty. Regardless of my feelings, the small part of me that remembered who I used to be also recognized the chance to right something I had once forgotten, and I mustered every last ounce of spine I still had left. "Christina Theodora Revallia, in grace."

The inquisitive look in Oliver's eye only sparkled a little bit brighter. "Revallia? As in, the Revallia of Napaea?" He paused before muttering to himself  ". . . Funny old world, isn't it."

'Napaea?' 

"Oh, there you both are. Lena told me you were trying to find me." 

Me and Oliver both looked up to see Cynthia making her way towards us. I had almost forgotten that we were supposed to be on our way to find her. At this point we had slowed down to a casual stroll, focusing more on enjoying the garden and the conversation. It was honestly quite strange, how rare these moments had become. But at the same time, Cynthia's interruption had also reminded me of just how cold it was this far north. While not unbearable, a gentle breeze would nip at my skin just enough to encourage me inside. 

Oliver smiled at Cynthia in a way that I just couldn't reciprocate as she drew near. Seeming to notice my own shift in demeanor, he offered me a small aside. "I'm sure she seems hard on you, but she has a good heart, I swear." 

I looked up at Oliver, suddenly questioning his sanity. 'Good hearted' was not the word that came to mind when I thought of Cynthia. "Still, if nothing else, I hope you enjoy getting to meet Aiden, the Highcastle's ward that we heard about last night. I think it will be nice for you to get to talk to someone else under wardship." 

He was right, and I had even almost forgotten about meeting Aiden at some point today. I had no idea what to expect, but I was hopeful. Hopeful that it might be my chance to meet someone who actually understands.

"Good thing I found you, who knows how long you'd have been wandering out otherwise. And outside? You're gonna give the kid a cold." Said Cynthia as she drew close. Her tone confused me, her jabs felt different, and I didn't just mean in the sense that they weren't aimed at me.

"Oh you know me, always chasing my own tail." He joked back with her. "I mean, I could always go back to chasing yours . . . "

Cynthia slapped Oliver's chest with the the edge of her hand, shooting her eyes in my direction as if to remind him of my presence. She tried to look serious, but even I could tell she was smiling under it all.

"What?" he responded innocently.

"You're an idiot."

"Yes Ma'am." 

Cynthia rolled her eyes before turning back to me, and into the Cynthia I knew. "Anyway, come with me, the Highcastles have called for dinner to be served within the hour. Time for us all to get dressed."