Another knight was guarding the door to the owners suite, where Axton was staying with the two princes. Sir Dobchek stopped at the door and knocked.
Enter. Piers called through the door and Sir Dobchek used a crystal key fob to unlock the door. He held it open for Tori.
Your Highness, Countess Guevera has arrived. He bowed his head in the direction of the sofas just past the foyer. Piers was seated at the far end of one sofa and rose to his feet as Tori entered. Gideon was seated in the center of the sa sofa and wiped at his eyes as he quietly stood up, as well.
Your Highnesses. Tori stopped a few paces away and bowed her head. Sir Dobchek slipped out of the suite, closing the door behind him. She waited to hear it shut before speaking. I heard about the dismissal.
Piers gave her a solemn nod and then motioned for her to take a seat. She rounded the sofa and sat across from the brothers. Gideon sat back down, but Piers remained standing.
Father called us and told us that Sir von Dorn had co to confirm his dismissal. The paperwork regarding his dismissal is all signed and he will move out of the imperial palace tomorrow morning, Piers told her.
Tori drew her lips inward and nodded. Have the backup arrangents been discussed with Prince Gideon?
That is why I called for you, Piers said. He frowned. Father has left the explanation to .
She was just as annoyed as Piers. This was an arrangent the Emperor made; he shouldve been the one to properly discuss it with Gideon, not Piers. The weight of the Emperors words shouldve been heavier than Piers. Tori had hoped that it would give her at least so appearance of authority in Gideons eyes.
If he didnt acknowledge any authority, Gideon would be difficult to manage, even if her new job was only to watch him during school hours.
She took a deep breath. Have you told him?
Piers shook his head. From the other sofa, Gideon lifted his head. His red, sowhat puffy eyes looked at Piers with uncertainty. Whats going on? Why did you call for Guevera?
Tori had imagined this mont multiple tis, but still wasnt sure how Gideon would react.
Has Father made you aware of the protocol should a personal knight leave your side, for whatever reason, during your ti at Lyce? Piers asked his brother. He didnt sound irritated, but simply wanted to confirm what Gideon knew before he proceeded.
His brother shook his head. Only that there would be more escort knights assigned to .
Escort knights cannot enter Lyce grounds. Only students are allowed in, except for the Spring Festival, when guests are allowed entry, Piers replied. In the case that a personal knight leaves an imdiate imperial family mber, additional escort knights will be assigned outside of Lyce. Within Lyce, another student will be selected as a secondary guard responsible for another layer of protection and observation.
Gideon wasnt as stupid as Tori thought in so cases. He perked up when another student was ntioned and his eyes seed to automatically drift towards her. His lips tightened into a line and his eyes narrowed.
What are the requirents of such a student?
Proficient in defense, both with weapons and empty handed, and loyalty to the imperial family, Piers replied. Those are the basic requirents; they should be trusted to defend you.
Gideon shook his head as he looked at Piers with disbelief. You cant be serious. Shes a girl!
Piers raised a brow and Tori scoffed. She is a girl who beat your personal knight twice.
No, I an, not because shes a girl, but.... Gideon nearly tugged at his hair. He pointed at Tori. How is she going to protect if she cant enter my dorm floor, let alone my room? Wont that leave vulnerable?
You would not be the first to be guarded by a female student, Piers told him. When Chamberlain Thorpson went to La Garda, Father was guarded by Madam Biancci, Toris paternal aunt. At the ti, her title was Lady Guevera and she ranked first amongst the swordsn of Lyce during her first year, when she beca Fathers guard. She also was prohibited access to Fathers dorm.
Gideons twisted face couldnt seem to wrap around the idea. How can she guard him if she isnt present?
I was told that Auntie arranged for her swordsn peers to stay in the Emperors floor, surrounding him and reporting directly to her, Tori said. In addition, she was supplented by a few crystals used for defense provided by our march.
Gideon narrowed his eyes and glared at her. Youre going to leave my life in the hands of crystals?
Your father is leaving your life in the hands of crystals in my hands, Tori said with an air of arrogance. Aside from my swordsmanship and proficiency in dagger, I also have moderate skill in charms and crystals.
Piers chuckled. Moderate? He looked at her with a glint of pride. You are modest.
Tori gave a noncommittal shrug. She looked back at Gideon. I understand your hesitation to accept this arrangent. I also resisted the request when the Emperor summoned .
Gideon looked even more displeased. If you didnt want to beco my guard, why did you agree?
Money.
Gideon slamd his hands on either side of him. You co from one of the wealthiest families in the empire! How can you be in need of money?
I am in the midst of nurous investnts including the establishnt of a county, Tori said in a sharp voice. Do you think its cheap? Also, it is my family that is wealthy. Not , personally. I cant drain my familys wealth for my personal endeavors. They have already given so much to fund my Lyce project.
If youre low on money, why are you still spending it? Gideon demanded as his face reddened.
Because it is unfortunate that it takes money to make money, and I need to make money to support my county. And petty revenge. Tori huffed and glanced at his brothers. Piers, does he have a choice in the matter of who guards him?
No. Piers replied at once and Gideons face fell.
Why not? She doesnt want to guard ! Shes only doing it for the money.
She needs the money. If she is paid, we can rest assured that she will take her responsibility seriously, Piers told him.
But what if soone bribes her to turn against ?
I doubt anyone will be able to bribe more than your father, Tori said with sneer. And even if soone did, you are sorely underestimating my loyalty to your family. I gave your father my word. And signed a contract of employnt. I have standards.
Gideon scowled. I dont trust you. Weve never gotten along, Guevera. You dont like , and I dont like you.
My personal feelings towards you are irrelevant. I have accepted a duty.
Gideon, I trust Tori with my life, Piers said in a matter-of-fact voice. He took a seat beside her. If I trust her with my life, you can trust her with yours.
Yes, but she likes you! Gideon looked as if he were on the verge of a tantrum. Its not the sa! She doesnt like . How can I be assured that she wont act against in small matters? Everyone knows shes petty!
Thats true. Tori nodded, conceding to that statent.
Piers frowned. She will not put personal grudges above the importance of her duty.
Gideon huffed and slumped back against the sofa, crossing his arms over his chest, stubborn. Im not convinced.
Piers narrowed his eyes. Gideon-
You should be convinced. Even if I dont like you, I have a duty. After all, Im bound, Tori said suddenly as she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back against the chair, mirroring his position as her own act of defiance.
Bound? Gideon gave her a confused and doubtful look. What are you talking about?
The corner of Toris lips lowered. Your father isnt blind. He and everyone else knows that we dont get along. He would be insane if he ordered to guard you knowing that we have been at odds with each other multiple tis without fully understanding the overall situation. What he is trusting isnt necessarily , but the fact that I am a Guevera. I am the daughter of a march; our loyalty is firm.
There have been exceptions. Gideon t her eyes. I know there have been records of march mbers who wanted or tried to rebel against the imperial family.
Yes, and theyre all dead, Tori replied. Every single one of them was killed by the march for breaching loyalty. And, if I let sothing injure you on purpose, thats still far from rebellion. She didnt know how he made the jump to rebellion so quickly. In the original ga plot, Victoria didnt rebel.
Her brothers did, and only after she was tortured and killed.
So, you would allow to get hurt!
Oh my God.... Tori turned her head towards Piers, her eyes wide and expectant as she made a small motion of her head towards Gideon.
Piers looked back at his brother. Father has already agreed to Tori guarding you at Lyce. She will keep watch over you and provide charms and crystals to you and your escort knights.
Piers! Gideon protested, but Piers lifted his hand to silence him.
This is not negotiable. I did not call Tori here to ask you, but to inform you. If you feel threatened or face difficulty, you are to contact Tori while at Lyce.
Gideon snorted. And what if shes the one threatening or causing difficulty.
Rest assured if I do, it wont kill you.
Tori. Piers gave her a knowing look and she rolled her eyes.
All right, fine. Tori sat up straight and leaned forward, towards Gideon. When I say I am bound, it ans I am literally bound. A several thousand-year-old empire still has its original families leading it, from the imperial family to the four marches from the warrior class that swore to protect them. Why do you think such a balance has remained after so long? It is a bit difficult to believe that there would be no one who disagreed and would rebel for more power.
And they have, but they never succeeded. This is because the marches are bound to the imperial family. Horizon was built over an energy vein, though not nearly as strong as Viclyas. Blood oaths were sworn over crystals on the vein; if a warrior class mber betrayed the chiefs family, they would die. The crystals would activate and slowly drain the energy from the traitor, weakening them severely. That is death to a warrior, do you understand? If I purposely cause you harm, I risk my own life.
Her eyes fixed on Gideons, who narrowed his eyes and shook his head. I dont believe you.
Youve seen what crystals can do, Tori said. I was able to track Guthry with them. The crystals around an island in the delta can turn ships away. Carved crystals can heighten an individuals senses, reflexes, and even strength and speed during battle. Do you really think such a thing as a crystal blood oath is impossible?
Gideon swallowed hard. Instructor Ignatius did say that the strength of crystals was more powerful in ancient tis.
Precisely, Tori said with an approving nod. If you cant trust , then trust a several thousand-year-old blood oath that has proven to work as a fail-safe.
Gideon lowered his eyes. He mulled over the situation in silence and Tori leaned back against the sofa with confidence. Piers watched his brother carefully.
Are you going to arrange swordsn around my dorm room? Gideon asked, sounding almost hesitant to ask.
Hehe, got him. No, Tori said. She sat up straight once more. I will provide several crystals for placent around your dorm. It will take so ti to carve them with the correct Old Sulfae, so in the anti, I will give you temporary charms to use. There will be a crystal for your door and window; both of which will block entry even if theyre open to anyone but you. This will require you to personally charge each crystal or charm. No one other than you will be able to enter your room.
I will also be providing safety talismans to you and your escort knights. Your talisman will include a crystal to contact directly, as comcry are banned in class. From you, I will need to have your comcry registered to mine and will need to confirm your schedule daily to ensure that I am aware of where to find you should sothing happen.
Give him so silence charms and so defensive charms, Piers told her. Tori furrowed her brows and looked at him.
What defensive charms?
The one that freezes things, the one that lights up, and the one that detects poison in the air, Piers said.
Gideons head snapped towards Tori. She could feel his curious, intense eyes boring into the side of her head with suspicion. He had heard about her use of charms, but didnt know what exactly she could do with them.
Fine, Ill put so together, Tori said. Theyre one ti use, so Ill need to make a few.
Piers nodded, appearing satisfied by this. He looked back at Gideon. You must work with Tori for your safety. Listen to her.
Gideon drew his head back and clearly didnt want to agree.
Im not going to follow you around, Tori told him firmly. Nor will I keep track of you while youre outside of Lyce. My job is to guard you when we are on Lyce grounds. Once you leave the campus, your escort knights will resu their duties.
Is that all my father asked you to do?
There was one more thing, but its a confidential matter. It also deals with your safety, however, its more observational with little action. You dont need to do anything, Tori said with a dismissive wave.
Gideon looked at her critically for a mont longer. He turned towards Piers. His hands clenched at his sides, and he gave a single nod of agreent.
Since this is my fathers order, I cant reject it, he said. I have no choice but to depend on you, Guevera.
Tori gave him a nod. I will have the charms ready for you at the start of the school day this coming week. I will also need you to set aside so ti this week so I can et your escort knights and discuss what is to be expected. The sooner the better.
Gideon gritted his teeth and nodded. Na the ti and place.
Cafe Fortuna, after classes on the last day of school this week. I should at least have your safety talisman prepared by then, Tori told him.
I will arrange it. Gideon shot to his feet. He still looked resistant to the idea of her as a guard, but still extended his hand. I am trusting you, Guevera.
Tori lazily stood up and grasped his hand. And I am trusting you to trust . She squeezed his hand tight and gave him an intense stare. If your trust falters, I cant save you.
Gideon jerked his head back and almost snatched his hand away from hers. You said youll die if you betray . You should know what youre risking. He pulled his hand away from hers and stepped back. He looked at Piers. Im going to go downstairs.
Piers gave him a small nod and watched as Gideon marched out of the room. The door slamd shut behind him.
You didnt tell him about Hart.
He doesnt need to know about Hart, Tori said. It would only upset him further. As of right now, hes separated himself from them and is following your parents orders. I suspect that he may avoid von Dorn for a while and von Dorn may follow Hart. This should put so distance between them.
What if Hart approaches my brother?
Ill deal with that when the ti cos, Tori replied. She let out a heavy breath. Ill need to tell the others about this.
Are you going to announce it?
No, but Ilyana and the others should know if I have another responsibility to deal with. I can also use their extra eyes and ears. She turned to Piers and extended her hands towards him. He reached up and grabbed hold, then pulled himself up. I will depend on you, too. Your brother still has his doubts.
Piers nodded. I understand.
Tori let go of his hands and headed towards the door. This still went better than expected. I was worried hed put up more of a fight. She reached out to open the door but was stopped by Piers.
Tori, about what you said to my brother about the oaths over crystals. I have never heard of it, Piers said, appearing genuinely confused.
I know.
He furrowed his brows and t her eyes for a mont. Is it a march secret?
Tori shook her head. No. Its a lie, she said, unabashed. Your brothers just an idiot.
Reviews
All reviews (0)