At Geoff’s utterance, the creature popped out from the shadows at my feet.
“Oh, my!” cried Claude.
This part was not so simple to explain. It was a secret concerned with the very capital itself, and to speak of it meant to speak of the box. And let us not forget that talk of the box came complete with a certain built-in magical security measure devised by Six himself—a spell that made any discussion of the mage simply disappear from people’s minds as if it had never happened.
When I touched on the topic of Six as a test of sorts, the three men looked suddenly confused, and in the next instant they had completely forgotten the question I’d asked. Geoff and Whateley still retained all the memories of the “human” they knew as Six, but they were apparently barred from remembering anything regarding his true form and identity.
“Hmm, I feel like I did just listen to something,” said Claude, “but now my head is ringing.”
“You’ll just have to accept the gaps in what I’ve told you,” I said. “Even if I wanted to tell you more about the imperial capital’s deeper secrets, clearly I can’t. Everything that’s happening to me is wrapped up in that same thing. In any case, what’s most important is that we keep the emperor and his allies from discovering my new friend here.”
“I understand there’s danger involved, but you can’t say anything on the matter?”
“It’s to do with magic, and it’s well beyond my means. I can’t do anything about it.”
There were some things that rank could do nothing about. Claude, too, was left frustrated, as he was used to digging up useful information.
“Unfortunately, magic is outside my realm of expertise,” he said.
“I’ll put some more thought into how to keep you informed. Until then, please stay vigilant. I must say, Claude... You don’t seem very surprised.”
“I find it all more intriguing than anything else.”
Whateley put his fingers to his temples.
“I’ll refrain from speaking on the matter of you and your friend,” continued Claude. “More importantly, I’m glad to hear that your neighbors are also close allies—it’s nice to know you have help to count on should you need it. All great news, is it not, Whateley? The family’s trustworthy group of allies grows still!”
“I had thought them awfully considerate,” said Geoff, “and I suspected they had their reasons, but...”
“Does it surprise you, Whateley?” I asked.
“No, I felt very much the same as Geoff. If anything, it’s more like all the pieces have come together.”
My steward and bodyguard had assumed something was going on, and they’d been right. With the matter of our neighbors clear, I moved on to the particulars as they pertained to the Bahre family, and how Bertrando had been at my award ceremony.
“I see,” said Claude, chuckling. “So Gerhard used you to get Bertrando to show his face in public.”
“Used me how?”
“As far as rumors go, Gerhard favors Bertrando among the three siblings vying for his position. Bertrando, of course, isn’t interested. If the rumors are true, then Gerhard has been rather desperate to put Bertrando in the limelight, so to speak.”
“He wants Bertrando as his heir? But if I remember correctly, the lord of the family is not allowed to put their support behind any one candidate in particular.”
“You do remember correctly. He has two other adopted children, and he cannot simply tell them to back down because he has found the one he believes is the most suitable candidate.”
Claude’s rumors were as of yet unproven, but if they were true, then it showed Gerhard was nothing if not bold. Upon consideration, I realized that most of the elderly I knew were bold and stubborn. I wondered if I’d ever meet one more reserved and unremarkable on that front.
“You seem rather knowledgeable on the topic of the Bahre family,” I said, “which is to say you kept information from me, yes?”
“Oh, I thought you might have forgotten. Worry not, there was no great meaning to my actions—but at the time we had a simple client-investigator relationship. It was all business. I only did what I did because once I accepted your request, I thought acting as such would result in a stronger bond of trust. It was always my intent to tell you in time.”
“But as a result, I ended up going elsewhere to learn more.”
“Misunderstandings happen. Regardless, we have an official relationship in place as of now, and I’ll endeavor to be faithful in my duties.”
How audacious of this old man. He might as well be in politics...
“In any case, we’ve something important to discuss. Whateley, Geoff,” said Claude, calling upon the two men directly. “As if we didn’t have enough troubles already, there will be a great, great many looking to get in with the next lord of the family. They’ll do whatever it takes, so make sure everybody knows to stay vigilant and on the lookout. The people of the capital are far greedier than you likely imagine.”
My initial understanding was that people getting in touch with Wendel would be thinking largely in terms of future potential, but many had their eyes firmly—and frighteningly—on the present.
And a few days later, Claude’s warning proved right...
“What shall I do with this marriage proposal?” asked Sofie.
“Send it back! Wendel is still far too young!” I screamed.
Sofie was nervous in the new job environment, but she had experience working with a variety of different people, and this made her an excellent team player. There was a certain strictness about her, a remnant from her military days, no doubt, but I felt that time would help her relax more into her role.
Sofie was quick to learn the ropes and handled her work without issue. In fact, the only issues to speak of were from Elena, who’d come to check on her friend only to make herself a bit of a nuisance. That said, her worry for her friend was understandable.
“Sofie!” she cried. “You look so amazing out of uniform! So cute! So cool!”
“What are you doing about your own house? You don’t have any servants. Go clean something.”
“It’s fine. The hubby takes care of that.”
We’d given Sofie an advance to pay for work clothes, and she’d had something properly tailored. Anybody meeting her for the first time was sure to be intimidated, but as far as I was concerned, we’d found ourselves a stately and dignified new clerk. She had no issues making use of the people around her, and so she was as good at giving orders as she was taking them. Whateley had wanted to hire her immediately, and seeing her at work made me realize that the man had an eye for talent.
Even when Luisa came flying into the room in a panic, Sofie never lost her cool.
“Chelsea has made a complete mess of the living room. I’ll tidy it up immediately, so just wait a few minutes, please!”
“Sir Claude uses the room,” replied Sofie. “I’ll check it out, so you can tidy it after. But the real mess is Chelsea, so please clean her up.”
Claude’s preference for more flowery speech meant he was often vague and spoke in circles, so I had feared that he and Sofie wouldn’t get along, but to my surprise, things went swimmingly. Sofie said the trick was to not take the man too seriously.
“He plays around and occasionally gets up to mischief, but he’s the type you can count on when you need him,” she said.
Sofie also had no issues whatsoever with the childlike Chelsea. The girl was placid with her innocent smile, and the fact that she never lashed out showed how calm she was now—a true reflection on the environment the family had made for her.
“I know it’s a lot of work all at once, and I understand it’s not easy,” I said. “If we had more staff, I’m sure things would be more relaxed...”
“I’m used to being busy,” replied Sofie. “And I know that the other girl—Martina, was it?—has her family to think about. I look forward to meeting her.”
Martina had been absent. She’d sent us a letter informing us that she had to leave the capital on an urgent matter, but that she would return in a few days. Everybody was terribly worried about her. I still hadn’t been able to talk to her about what was bothering her, and the matter would have to wait until her return.
“I know you’re both busy, but do you have a moment?” asked Humphrey, appearing at the door.
“We’re always busy, so pay it no mind. What is it?”
Whenever he had a free moment, Humphrey had been helping out doing odd jobs around the office.
“Another marriage proposal has arrived. Whateley is asking for you.”
“Another one?! Can’t we just say no to all of them?!”
“This one came together with money, and it would appear we should address it appropriately.”
“That sounds ominous.”
Claude’s warning had been bang on the money. We just kept on getting applications day after day, and they weren’t just directed at me. Many were sent with Wendel in mind.