Unless the (former) duke had a vested interest in the downfall of the Pyreborn?
This was mere speculation, but I couldn’t think of any other reason. For the family known as “the sword of the empire” to act in such a careless manner, the potential to eliminate the Pyreborn would have been the only risk worth the cost. All this violence and upheaval, all over a personal grudge...
Teodore interrupted my thoughts, clarifying his position. “The duke, of course, never confessed to anything of the sort. But during our interrogation—excuse me, interview—he revealed a great deal about the extremists. Now, I cannot say with absolute certainty, but the level of information he was privy to was not...shall we say, surface level.”
I smiled sympathetically. Teodore’s words gave his position on the matter a little more nuance, making it clear that since he had no concrete evidence of the duke’s intentions, what else could he really do? Absent a mind-reading device, there was no way to determine when the duke had become privy to his information and for what purpose he had done so. The duke could claim that he had only recently acquired this knowledge and he had been planning to report it as soon as he was able, and we would have to accept that as plausible.
Teodore cleared his throat. “What details he did share allowed the Pyreborn to conduct simultaneous raids at the estates of two marquesses, four counts, and one viscount. All of the known ringleaders of this little group have been arrested and indicted on treason charges. The element of surprise was on our side, so we managed to get our hands on ample evidence before any proof could be destroyed. Do believe me when I say that these unfortunate aristocrats will not be worming their way out of this one.” His words tapered off into a broad smile, expressing a fierce joy in this outcome. In such a context, that dubious smile of his took on a wholly different definition of terrifying, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t flinch. As I’d found myself fervently wishing many a time and oft, I silently prayed to remain in Teodore’s good graces forever.
“I... I see,” I stammered, trying to hide my discomfort. “Is that why the Pyreborn have been so busy?”
“Indeed,” Teodore responded. “Though I suspect that now that we have a few rats in custody, the rest will begin turning on each other soon enough. When that happens, we will become even busier. But that is a blessing, not a curse.”
This was the first time I recalled ever seeing him downright giddy as he detailed the impending downfall of the extremists. Truly, he seemed satisfied that this whole affair was coming at last to a favorable conclusion. My mind briefly drifted to those poor individuals about to face Teodore’s tenacity when my eyes met Ed’s. In a stark contrast to Teodore’s buoyant mood, Ed seemed gravely sober, even nervous. It looked like he had something more to say, so I straightened up in order to listen more keenly.
“Lastly,” Ed began in a solemn tone, “you must know that Monica Arendt has been...sentenced to life imprisonment.” He cast his gaze downward, making his feelings about this slightly harder to discern, but I thought I could detect a hint of dissatisfaction in his mien. I suppose he was more upset than any of us when it came to her, I thought wryly.
“Due to the duke’s intervention, she was spared the death sentence,” Ed continued. “He was prepared to renounce his position, to throw away his entire life for his daughter’s sake, so we had no choice but to respect that.”
“But,” Teodore jumped in with a lighter tone, “we successfully argued for and won the ability to strip away Lady Monica’s noble status. While incarcerated, she will be treated like any other commoner. Given what I know of her predilections, I imagine that she will find this to be a fate worse than death.”
Teodore had managed to rob Monica of the part of her identity that she cherished most, snatching a minor victory from the jaws of defeat. Indeed, for someone as proud as she clearly was, she might very well spend the rest of her days wishing for death rather than face living a life beneath what she believed she deserved.
“In a way, this might’ve been the best possible outcome,” I muttered, almost unconsciously.
Ed’s face snapped up. The concern in his gaze practically shouted the unspoken question: Are you sure?
If I was honest with myself, I didn’t much care what happened to Lady Monica. Her ultimate fate was irrelevant to me. But Ed’s feelings mattered, and right now, he looked so glum and defeated. I couldn’t have that.
“In my opinion, Lady Monica is a woman of unmatched pride,” I explained. “To her, living out her days in prison as a nobody seems a far greater punishment than facing the gallows as the daughter of a duke. I don’t think she’ll be able to bear the thought of dying a lonely death after years spent in a bare cell rather than with dignity, surrounded by loved ones and family. So yes, I think this was for the best.” I smiled in my best imitation of Teodore, hoping to convey my satisfaction with the outcome.
Ed looked conflicted for a moment longer but eventually nodded in acceptance. The weight on his chest, the impotence he felt at not having successfully defended my honor, seemed to lift, and he sank back in his seat with evident relief.
I would hate for both of them to think their efforts had been for naught. “Ed, Teodore,” I began, my eyes crinkling at the edges with kindness, “I really can’t begin to thank you both enough for the time you’ve devoted to my cause. It gives me great strength and joy to know I have such a dependable husband and friend.”
A hint of sheepish pride colored their cheeks, gradually evolving into expressions of quiet fulfillment.
“Thank you for calling me a friend, Your Highness,” Teodore replied with grace. “And let it be known that I will continue to devote myself to your well-being without question.”
“Teo put it much better than I could have done,” Ed added. “We’re here to help, always.”
“I appreciate that, truly,” I replied, a smile curving my lips. As I gazed at them, feeling the profound depth of our unshakable bond, that smile blossomed into a radiant expression of gratitude and affection.
Once more, I was struck by the profound sense of comfort and belonging that the presence of these two men brought to me.