Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 64: Self-Invitation

Chapter 64: Self-Invitation

The bright orange candlelight bathed the narrow wooden desk in the castle’s highest tower with its warm glow. Each time a chilly draft brushed against the tiny flame, it elicited a peculiar dance of tall shadows on the bedroom’s empty walls. The room seemed filled with ominous black phantoms, compelled to move as if under the influence of a mysterious magic spell.

Ahspid lethargically turned another page of a thick notebook adorned with a black leather cover and runic writings in glowing purple ink. His deep, narrowed eyes remained fixed on the notes meticulously written on the yellowed pages.

With a long sigh, he rubbed his tired eyes, shaking his head in an attempt to dispel the encroaching sense of unwelcome fatigue.

"I have never been able to do that myself even when combining both magic and alchemy. She managed to overcome the illusion spell and created real snow out of nowhere... Does this mean she can control the weather? I would have expected something like this from a mage with the ice mana, but even with that, it’s impossible to use such spells this way. What else can she do?"

He turned another page of his notebook, his eyes scanning its contents rather absent-mindedly. With a decisive thud, he shut the notebook, leaned back in his chair, and directed his purple gaze toward the gray ceiling above his head.

"As a mage specializing in illusions and manipulations, I can probably teach her that as well. Alchemy, on the other hand, can be learned by practically everyone, but it will require extensive study of different writings... Well, she did express a strong desire to learn how to read and write anyway..."

Another long sigh escaped the mage’s lips as he closed his eyes and whispered,

"This will take a lot longer than I planned unless she happens to be unusually bright."

Ahspid fidgeted with the small ring on his left pinkie and added quietly,

"I need to ascertain whether she, much like Navia, can wield various types of magic. Most likely, her blindness results from these innate abilities being sealed, just as Navia initially desired. Will she regain her sight once these abilities are unsealed? None of the legends make mention of anything special about the snow dragon’s eyes, aside from their color... What if there are latent powers associated with them as well? What will she see when she can finally see?"

Straightening his posture once more, Ahspid placed his left hand on the desk, fixing his tired eyes on the diamond ring adorning his pinkie. His pale face turned serious and even somewhat melancholic.

Closing his eyes again, he winced as the stinging sensation intensified. In a quiet, unexpectedly broken voice, he added,

"She reminds me a lot of you... Perhaps that is why I can’t help but want to help her become stronger. Then maybe... the same fate won’t befall her."

***

Engrossed in looking through his correspondence, Tillian methodically opened sealed envelopes, carelessly scanning their contents. He then determined their fate, either stacking them among the letters requiring his response or consigning them to a one-way journey to the burning fireplace.

With his red eyes focused on yet another letter, he inquired,

"How is Aideen doing? Where is she right now?"

Stanis, who had silently observed his lord’s actions until now, winced at the unexpected interruption in the quiet routine. Clearing his throat, he replied,

"The usual, Your Grace. She is currently immersed in her lessons with the magus."

"Even on the weekend?"

The knight confirmed with a brief nod.

"Yes, even on the weekends. She is quite diligent from what I’ve heard."

"Well, that’s admirable."

The Duke’s rather cold response prompted Stanis to offer a friendly suggestion,

"Perhaps you should consider stopping avoiding her and spend some quality time with the princess. Just the two of you. Inquire about her progress; I’m certain she’ll appreciate it. And... It might help bring you closer."

The knight was right. Since that night when Tillian confessed that he was the mystery boy who saved Aideen and her puppy, their relationship took a noticeable step backward, distancing the two from each other.

Before, Aideen would eagerly await the Duke’s return from his patrolling route just to exchange greetings and briefly share details about her day. Now, even those occasional meetings had dwindled to zero.

Releasing a rather defeated sigh, the man nodded and agreed,

"Yes, you are right. I should be the one to take a step towards her and erase this wall that we have inadvertently put between each other because we have yet to get closer and comfortable around one another. If she finds it difficult to trust me, then it is only my fault."

Stanis could not help but chuckle – his lord’s wise words warmed his heart yet again. While he credited much of the Duke’s education to himself, Tillian’s insights into romantic endeavors were not lessons he could teach. Thus, he was grateful that the young Duke still managed to exhibit maturity even when dealing with the challenging matter of love.

The knight noticed that Tillian had been quiet for quite some time, his glowing red eyes focused on one single letter which he kept re-reading over and over.

Arching his eyebrows, he finally asked,

"Is something the matter, Your Grace?"

"It’s the letter from the King of Davoor."

Running his large scarred hand over his brown spiky hair, Stanis furrowed his eyebrows and asked somewhat annoyed,

"What does he want now?"

Acquiring the same irritated tone, Tillian leaned on his left elbow and sighed again,

"I had to reject his invitation to the trader’s meeting this year because of my wedding and now... This brat wants to attend the ceremony instead."

Although Sir Stanis understood the Duke’s discontent with the King’s self-invitation to his lord’s wedding, he had to admit that it was still a rather good opportunity for both men, and the two of them would greatly benefit from it in the future.

"I think you should grant King Yuraon your permission to attend both the wedding ceremony and celebration. He is still very young and lacks support, the two of you becoming friends would definitely benefit you both. Davoor has one of the strongest armies on the Continent, if you should ever require their military support, this connection would be very helpful."

Duke Valentine finally set the letter aside, then reclined in his chair, and crossed his arms in front of his chair, taking a moment to contemplate his aide’s words. Shaking his head, he answered,

"It doesn’t matter, my support won’t mean much anyway. I hold no political power in this Kingdom."

"For now, Your Grace. However, do not forget that there is still a silent opposition that remains neutral in this Kingdom. If the political scale finally tips against the current ruling family, your friendship with foreign Kings would be an immense help. And who knows..."

Stanis paused, took a few steps towards the Duke’s desk, and continued now in a quieter tone,

"If it indeed comes to war, even Anathaen will not be able to defeat our combined powers."

"Yes, I suppose you are right."

Tillian closed his eyes for a moment in order to collect his thoughts while the knight continued,

"What about King Zelon? Has he been already informed about the wedding?"

The Duke nodded.

"Yes, since I am still keeping the correspondence with his son Ivar, the two of them are aware of the upcoming wedding. Neither of them, however, expressed any interest in attending."

Stanis could not help but widen his eyes in bewilderment.

"This seems like a rather extreme negligence on their part."

"Not really..." Tillian ran his long fingers through his messy blond hair before continuing, "Given our complicated circumstances, the King’s presence here would only overwhelm Aideen and the old man understands it. That is precisely why he entrusted me his granddaughter in the first place."

The knight agreed to his lord’s response with a silent nod. Then, he, too, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and asked again,

"So? Are you going to decline Yuraon’s self-invitation to your wedding?"

Duke Valentine picked up the letter again, scanned it with his red eyes one more time as if to make sure that what he had already read multiple times was indeed true and not a figment of his imagination, then folded it, and stuffed it carelessly back into the white envelope, finally giving his aide an answer,

"No. King Ruan treats Yuraon like a child and dismisses his attempts at forming any kind of friendly relationship with him because he is only nineteen. It will be better for me to show him my support; maybe I can teach him a thing or two as well. I don’t think he will be stupid enough to refuse my mentorship."

Stretching his lips into an approving grin, Stanis nodded and concluded,

"Very well, Your Grace. Write a response and I will send a messenger right away."