Are you all right?
Tori brought the wooden brush down against Laylas mane in gentle, rhythmic motions as she zoned out. The wooden brush with the boar bristles was strapped to her hand with a piece of leather. Her godfather had prepared all sorts of things related to caring for her horse for her.
This is an unexpected series of events, she said in a dazed voice. I never expected Montan Alvere to beco my godbrother.
He has yet to accept, Piers said.
Only because Mama told him to think about it and then went inside, Tori replied as she continued to brush her horse. If the Duchess had asked her mother to be Montans godmother years ago, then it mustve happened in the original ga. Did that an her prospective godbrother had a hand in Victorias death?
She paused and gave her head a little shake. It was unfair to put guilt on Montan who hadnt done such a thing in this world. His worst case against her was threatening her with a charm, which was laughable in retrospect. Hed been rude, but considering what was going on in his personal life, Tori could brush it off a bit.
Do you think he will accept? Piers asked.
She turned her head to look at him. This is sothing the woman he loved like a mother arranged for him before her death. Dont you think he will?
It is not certain. He seems afraid of your mother.
Many people are afraid of Mama, Tori said with a wave of her hand. She stepped back to look over Laylas mane. She should move on with the dense goat hairbrush to brush her body.
Axton is speaking to him about this. My mother is trying to explain to your mother why she should be gentler to the boy.
Tori took a deep breath and tilted her head back. Whats the Marquis General doing?
Hes sitting in the mausoleum, telling the Duchess that hes about to beco a father.
It was a bit strange to think that a man who was going to beco a father had secretly abandoned his post for a few days to entomb the woman he loved, but considering the situation, the Marquis General and his subordinate had co to an arrangent to try for an heir. It wasnt as if there was deep romantic love between them, though they clearly cared for and trusted each other if they agreed to have a child.
If Tori were the Duchess, she wouldve felt relieved that he was finally going to have an heir. Though he didnt look it, the Marquis General was old. He really didnt love another woman like he loved the Duchess, even after she passed.
How old is the Marquis General?
Piers frowned. He is too old for you. Tori gave him an annoyed look. In his fifties. Tori let out a low whistle and Piers narrowed his eyes. You are thinking that he is still attractive at that age.
Tori choked and tried to push down her flush. No, Im not. Yes, she was. Piers didnt look convinced. She put the boar bristle brush into a leather kit hanging on the wall and walked to the door of the pen. She stood on the other side and t his gaze confidently to console him. Piers, no matter how attractive the Marquis General is, you are better looking than your uncle.
Well...that hurts. Tori snapped her head towards the owner of the voice and clenched her jaw. Her face heated up as she saw the fifty-sothing year old man approaching the pen where Layla was being grood and rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish expression.
Goddamn swordsn and their silent footsteps! Tori wondered if she could use terracrystal to get the earth to swallow her.
The Marquis General laughed as Tori grimaced and ran a hand down her face. I ca here to ask the Countess if shell speak to Young Master Alvere, but I didnt expect to get such a blow to my ego.
Uncle, even if you are graying and have wrinkles, you are still very handso for your age, Piers said with a straight face. The Marquis General laughed once more.
An insult disguised as a complint. You get that from your father, he said with a playful look. He looked back at Tori. My lady, if you could go inside and speak to Young Master Alvere. It seems he has so concerns, and you have sothing to do with them.
Tori drew her head back and frowned. She gave him a nod and turned back to her horse. Ill be back later. I will have them bring you so treats. You are a good horse and I love you. Tori gently rubbed Laylas neck and slipped out of the gate. She made sure it was locked before she walked past the Marquis General and Piers to go back inside. She heard Piers asking his uncle to have a match with him, but the Marquis General snorted that he was old and tired.
Inside the chateau, Mr. rced told her that Axton was with Montan out in the garden where the chapel was. Tori traced her steps back and found the two seated on a bench quietly talking.
She approached them and gave them a small nod. What did you want to talk to about?
Axton and Montan stopped talking. They looked taken aback and Montan appeared confused. Axton furrowed his brows. I didnt need to talk to you.
Tori drew her lips into a tight line. It seed they didnt ask for her, but the Marquis General sent her. Tori took a deep breath.
The Marquis General told to co and discuss, as it seems there is so hesitation about the trifecta godparent, she said. She fixed her eyes on Montan as she stood above him. Do you have a problem with my mother?
If she thought about it, even knowing how intimidating and cold her mother could be to others, Tori was a bit insulted that Montan would take so long to consider it.
Montan sucked in a sharp breath, and he shook his head. Axton stood up and tried to explain. He has nothing against the Marquess. Its just that-
Does he find my mother lacking in any way?
No-
Is he afraid of my mother?
Axton looked as if he were about to say no, but instead grimaced and turned to Montan. Montans face paled and he looked away. Tori shouldnt have been surprised. To others, her mother was assertive and cold, very direct, dominating, and at first glance, did not compromise. Most people assud she was only soft and gentle to those she loved, but she loved the Empress and argued with her all the ti.
Antonia de Guevera was, if Tori could describe her in her terms, a softie. Her father once told her that if Antonia didnt appear cold and aloof to others, she would likely be taken advantage of because her mother did not like seeing others suffer. It also explained why Antonia had given up on her friendship with Genevieve for so ti; she couldnt stand watching a trainwreck.
Montan lowered his eyes. His skinny hands dug into his lap.
I dont believe that your mother wants to be her godson, he told her.
No, she wouldnt have brought it up-
Yeah, she probably didnt at first. Tori cut off Axton, who whirled to look at her with a horrified expression. Tori didnt move from her spot or look as if she regretted her words. Her eyes were fixed on Montan. She hated your birth parents. So much that if we werent trying to get here in ti, we wouldve gone to the village to make sure they were really dead. One would think that she has no reason to like you, their progeny, so she wouldnt even consider you as her godchild.
Tori! Axton grabbed her arm to try to stop her, but she tore her arm away and sent him a silencing look.
I know you want to coddle him. I know you want to protect him and keep him safe from anything that would harm him. Axton, you are like your mother, Tori told him. Her face softened just a bit. And thats not a bad thing. But my mother is Antonia de Guevera, and we are not saints. She looked back at Montan. We have a sense of responsibility, but we carefully consider our choices before we commit. If my mother really didnt want to have you as her godson, do you think that she, a woman from a scholarly family who beca a ruler of a march, would even speak of the prospect?
She only wants to fulfill a promise to her friend.
So what? Tori said, raising a brow. What is so terrible about fulfilling a promise? Is it because she agreed so late? That its too late now?
Isnt it? Montan looked at her with dismay and pain. If she was my godmother when I was a child, it wouldve made a difference. I needed a godmother when I was small, and Mama died. My father dragged out of the room; I still rember. He locked in another wing; I didnt know she died until Mr. rced snuck into the room to bring food. Why didnt she beco my godmother then?
Because she couldnt, Axton said in a quiet voice. He sat down beside Montan as Montan wiped his eyes. Only parents...or your legal guardians can assign you a godparent. My godmother was able to take because my mother had passed, and she gave guardianship to her. My father also had guardianship, but how could he go against the Empress? Both your birth parents were alive...the Marquess couldnt take you. She wouldnt even have been recognized as your godmother.
Tori nodded. It wouldve been kidnapping.
I admit, I didnt want to at first, as Tori said, a voice said from behind the bench. Tori looked over them and saw her mother and the Empress standing beneath the walkway a few paces away. She hadnt noticed them standing there. I didnt think I could be a proper godmother to a child whose parents hurt my friend. Could I be sincere? Could I ignore my hatred? Could I love you? These are all important questions. I could not agree to take such a responsibility if I could not do it properly. It would be a betrayal to the one who asked. As for whether I would be allowed to or not...I didnt consider that until later.
Montan didnt turn to look at her. He lowered his head and wrung his hands. I dont bla you if you hate .
Tori watched her mother silently walk out into the garden. She stepped to the side to let Antonia stand in front of Montan.
Your hair reminds of your mother. You look more like your father than your brother does.
Toni, be gentle.... the Empress whispered a few paces away.
I wont lie to you, Montan. There are parts of you that remind of them, and when I think of them I am angered, but...the more you care about soone, the less you see parts of them that you dont like. That is simply how it is. But to be clear, I do not hate you. You are the baby Genevieve saved and loved, and tried to raise until she died. How can I hate you?
Tori thought for a mont. He did threaten one ti, and he got kidnapped and almost got Sebby mauled by a tiger.
Tori! Axton gave her a pained look, as if asking why of all the tis to remind everyone of that incident, it had to be now.
He did. The kidnapping isnt his fault, so Ill ignore that, but he did threaten with a charm once. I pulled a dagger on him, so were even, Tori said with a shrug. I just want to make it clear that I also dont hate him. I an, I did hire him and invite him to my delta. If I really didnt like him, do you think Id do so even if he were your brother? Look at how long it took Prince Gideon to visit again.
You see, my daughter accepts you. I accept you. If this is not good enough for you and you truly do not feel comfortable being my godson, then this is likely the last well see of each other. I tried to fulfill what Genevieve asked of . This is all I can do, Antonia said. She took a step back and turned around. She paused and looked to the side. But, if you decide to accept, you have not only a godmother, but a godfamily. That is what Genevieve wanted for you. That is why she asked .
She gave a little nod, looped arms with the Empress, and began to walk away.
Marquess, if you could have beco my godmother when I was a baby; if my parents had no say in the matter, would you have? Montan asked as he shot to his feet. He looked at the back of the woman with heated eyes as his hands clenched at his sides.
Antonia stopped. She turned around to face him. After considering the circumstances of your birth thoroughly...yes. The corner of her lip rose, a bit amused. Otherwise, why would I ntion it now that there is a chance?
Montan dropped his head. He took a deep breath. I accept.
Antonia tilted her head and raised a brow. I cannot hear you.
Montan lifted his head and straightened up. I accept. Godmother.
Antonia stared at him a little longer. Her eyes narrowed. She suddenly began to chuckle. You are unexpectedly stubborn, she said as her eyes crinkled up. You must have gotten that from your Mama.
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