Jean conveyed his message to Robert Joachim, who sent a prompt response back. The correspondence said that the duke deemed it greatly improper to reschedule Jean’s engagement ceremony and that he would implement the scheme once the ceremony started. Jean burned the letter with the candle.
Rumors did circulate in the capital that the emperor’s ailment showed clear signs of amelioration. Jean did not doubt that it was the doing of the Grand Duke. More curiously, the Crown Prince, who knew better than anyone the truth behind those rumors, kept silent regarding the issue. He had not ventured beyond the confines of the Royal Palace in the days just past. It seemed that there were barely a handful of occasions he had left the premises since the day he had met Jean at the church. Jean even heard rumors that the prince had abandoned the company of the Count de Palatine, whom he seemed to cherish so much.
“A... masquerade ball, did you say?”
“I have been told that one was held every year in the capital. My aversion to high society caused me to stay in the south, but masquerade is one thing I would like to experience for myself.”
In the meantime, Jean and Ariel had grown quite close to each other. They had been spending much time together in preparation for the execution of the deed and its ideas. It was also because they were much alike in thoughts and beliefs. As they grew closer to each other, the strange dissonance Jean felt whenever he made a comparison between the Little Pearl and Lady Ariel slowly crumbled. He felt like he had gained a good friend. A good friend who, occasionally, would make difficult requests. Jean simply smiled with a troubled look.
“I am afraid it would rather be too ostentatious and garner much attention...”
“Should everything proceed as intended, the royal funeral will commence on that day. I doubt that a mere masquerade would linger in people’s memories.”
“...It has not been so long since the annual event of the same nature had been held at the Royal Palace.”
“That is precisely why I wish to proceed with it. I have heard it is among the most cherished occasions. Rest aside, do you not agree it would be the most suitable occasion for our brethren to come and deliver us the news?”
At her response, Jean found himself unable to present any further arguments. He did not hide the trouble, but let it show in his smile. The two were discussing the reception banquet of the engagement ceremony. Ariel proceeded to sit atop the table.
“Or is there a reason you are against it?”
She had a pair of leather trousers that fit her legs. Her attire seemed like she was about to go hunting. Jean gazed at the face of his betrothed. She was smiling as well, with determination evident on her countenance. She would not surrender easily.
“...No, my lady.”
Even were it not for moments as such, Jean would have found himself unable to prevail against Ariel. Nor would he, so long as Ariel remained his Petite Perle.
“I shall tell them to make the preparation and write the announcement on the invitation.”
Regardless, Jean truly did not want a masquerade, and it was not because he deemed it inappropriate for his one and only engagement reception. He hindered the memory that kept crawling back into his mind. He pushed them back like a sailor slapping fish with his paddle, stopping them from jumping into his boat. They were all useless memories now that the circumstances had changed.
“Excellent. Ah, I have heard from Chantelle Francis your suggestion about the church, and I have told her in response that the House of Baden shall do what it can to help.”
But the fragments of memories assailed him in moments like these, at unforeseen times and for unforeseen reasons. Jean could not understand—when had so many memories accumulated thus? He felt like he could hear a carriage from somewhere. Jean nodded, turning his gaze, and he saw that Ariel was lightly kicking the leg of the table with the heel of her shoes. The sound managed to bring Jean back to reality.
“...Ariel.”
Jean called his betrothed, who looked up, removing her eyes from the documents she had been perusing, deliberating many affairs. Their eyes met.
“Thank you,” said Jean.
Ariel did not hide her confusion, her countenance startled at the sudden utterance of gratitude. Jean continued serenely.
“For appearing before me.”
The lady did not respond but kept silent. She simply stared at Jean with an inscrutable expression. And Jean did not speak any further either. Silence filled the air between them.
“I shall send the invitation to the Royal Family.”
Jean said after a long while. Ariel, who seemed to be gauging something in her mind, soon handed him the invitation with enthusiasm. That night, Jean sent letters of invitation to the Royal Palace and to the residence of the Grand Duke. Each was addressed to Maximillian Joachim and Robert Joachim.
✦ ✦ ✦
Everything was calming down—Jean thought so, standing before his reflection in the mirror. His new attire for the ceremony, fashioned by his customary tailor, was somewhat oversized. He seemed to have lost weight, likely from his inability to sleep well in recent days. He felt his freshly shaved jaw. Thankfully, he had not dreamed in the past few days. His countenance looked acceptable, just right to look like a man to be betrothed.
“My lord.”
The ceremony would be held at the residence of the Erhardt residence. The Duke of Erhardt and the Grand Duke Robert would take turns delivering words of felicitations. The Grand Duke was to speak on behalf of the bedridden Count of Baden.
“’Tis time for your departure.”
It was an important day—not because of the betrothal ceremony but because of what would happen in the Royal Palace at the same time. Today was the day the emperor would die. Thinking to himself, Jean recounted the plan in his head again and again. There seemed to be no flaw in the scheme. The soldiers and guards in the streets would be positioned around the Robertian aristocrats. Lest trouble arise, the plan would succeed.
Jean felt none of the anxiety that typically accompanied events of such magnitude. Instead, the emotions that had tormented him had at last subsided, like remnants floating on water before submerging. And the memories began to fade, akin to pebbles sinking in the depth of the sea. Anger, betrayal, shame, and confusion as well; they all faded away. Like a patient who was recovering from a major surgery, every day felt different to Jean. With every morn upon which he awoke, his feelings and memories grew fainter and fainter, until even the pain that had been strangling his heart seemed but a dull, distant illusion.
“The honorable Lord Jean Erhardt, the heir to the Duke of Erhardt, has arrived!”
He did not feel any of the old pain. He no longer felt any of the old pain. It was as though some unseen force had compelled his heart to cease both feeling—and beating. A lethargy had overtaken him, accompanied by the ominous realization that, but for his brethren, he might have entirely ruined the deed.
“The honorable Lady Ariel Baden, the heir to the Count of Baden, has arrived!”
After the completion of the deed, Jean earnestly desired to live the rest of his life withdrawn from the arena of politics. He had no intention of nearing the Royal Palace; this, indeed, was his heartfelt opinion. The place reeked of despair, the sunlight reserved for an easel and only its shadow for a man. The spell cast upon Jean inside that palace was malevolent, so much so that it drained his zeal for the revolution, his passion overshadowed by the weariness it induced.
Jean held Ariel’s hand and stood before the pulpit. No vows were exchanged, for it was not a marital union but a betrothal. The congratulatory speeches of the Duke of Erhardt, whose visible unease betrayed his long absence from public gatherings, and of the Grand Duke Robert, unruffled and eloquent as ever, ensued. Jean slipped the engagement ring into Ariel’s finger. He then faced the attendants, seeing the specks of familiar faces under the chandeliers of the Erhardt mansion. He did not see any red hair. Jean lifted his glass of champagne in the air.
“I am greatly honored and grateful for your presence, my dearest lords and ladies. On this glorious day, the Houses of Erhardt and Baden have come together to promise the union of their prestigious legacy and history.”
Along with these words, the church bells tolled to announce the middle of the day. By now, the man of power, whose body had succumbed to age and illness, would have been laid to eternal rest. The tidings would reach the newly betrothed by the end of this celebration. Jean met Ariel’s eyes, which Ariel employed to gesture at him. It was high time to bring matters to a conclusion.
“I send my heartfelt thanks for the felicitations and blessings you have bestowed upon us. May all find pleasure in the festivities.”
Like it is your last time. These words, Jean swallowed with his champagne. The orchestra began playing a different piece. Jean glanced at Ariel, who climbed up to the chamber, seemingly excited. He followed her behind. He was of no mind to attend the banquet. He simply yearned to rest.