King Richard looked over the list of attendees for Vicon's annual social gathering. He glanced calmly toward the Marquis De Costa who was presently seated below the steps of the throne.
The shine in King Richard’s eye was ever bright looking at the Marquis with affection, as he could not help but remember that old dog, Rodrigo.
In the year when King Aleksander ‘The Conqueror’ proposed nobility to the Southern family, there were many in opposition:
“I will accept nobility on the condition that will be titled as Marquis when generations pass and if the De Costa family achieve meritorious deeds our station will not be raised. If there is to be misconduct, do not bring in past feelings, and deal with the De Costa family’s fate in the measure of propriety.” Said Rodrigo.
The onlookers watched bewildered toward the restraint the Southerner placed upon his family's future. The chatter in the hall was quickly quieted as Rodrigo De Costa walked toward the ascending steps and took a knee at the base of the steps.
King Aleksander stood under the view of the Royal emblem as he wore the crown of the sovereign. Lifting his chin to look upon the bent head of his dear friend.
“Rodrigo De Costa, with the title as Vicon’s Marquis you shall bear the responsibility of foreign relations. Your conduct will be reflected as the conduct of the Kingdom, propriety shall be your matron.” The King's voice echoed through the throne room.
“This subject will accept, with propriety as my matron.” It wasn’t until Rodrigo’s voice settled among the pearlescent tiled halls did he stand.
King Aleksander laughed at his friend’s serious manner and patted him on the shoulder. The scene of sovereign and subject was burned in everyone’s memory and was talked about throughout the weeks to come. Many artists depicted the scene of the new Marquis, Rodrigo De Costa.
It was an unexpected turn of events that the scene between King Aleksander and Marquis De Costa would lead to a generation venerating the sovereign of Vicon.
The De Costas unknowingly bolstered the position of the royal family within the hearts of Vicon nobility.
King Richard gazed upon Marquis Arsenio and smiled at the man before him. “Arsenio, you are looking like your grandfather with each passing year.” King Richard spoke with deep affection. “My grandfather often spoke fondly of your grandfather and was deeply saddened at his passing. I too had a good relationship with your father and hoped for such a relationship between my son and yourself, but as fate would have it, my hopes were squandered.” A sense of longing and regret was painted in the King’s words. Arsenio bowed not willing to accept such praise.
“I may be lacking but I am honored by your words, Sire,” Arsenio spoke candidly. “I am inexperienced compared to my father but I believe that my loyalty is to Vicon’s reigning sovereign…” Arsenio waited a moment for King Richard’s expression to register its underlying meaning.
Arsenio’s words could be seen as slander if heard by others, but the head of the De Costa family must practice propriety. So Arsenio could not accept the Sovereign’s words easily, to announce clearly to King Richard, that the De Costa household’s loyalty does not depend on the person but on the position itself.
King Richard laughed at the straight-arrowed words and nodded at the strict teachings Youssef taught his son. Although the generations have passed, King Richard saw the essence of General Rodrigo within the young Marquis De Costa.
Arsenio wanted his stance on the two princes and this estranged Duke Gordon vying for power to be clear. To proclaim to the King, the De Costa household had no interest in the upcoming power struggle.
“Just see it as an old man reminiscing one’s past feelings.” King Richard accepted Marquis De Costa’s plight and eyed the attendance list once more. “It seems more people are accepting our invitation than expected.” King Richard felt satisfied but looked over at the slight weariness under the Marquis’ eyes. “Are you having any trouble with accommodations Arsenio?” King Richard questioned.
Arsenio revealed a small smile. “No trouble, Your Majesty,” The Marquis responded as he brought out a ledger for accommodation venues.
“A few of the villa’s on the Western part of the capital are currently vacant.” The smell of fresh ink unfurled in the air as Arsenio handed the parchment to the King. “Four of the hotels near the castle are willing to make renovations to suit the taste of noblemen.” Arsenio continued to update the King on his preparations for the arriving guests and did not leave out any detail. Early afternoon transfixed itself to late noon. A deep hue of orange spilled through the windows to urge Arsenio to wrap up his conversation.
“Before I depart Sire, I have been hearing of the Prince's frequent visits to the citadel .” Marquis De Costa’s statement stilled the once jovial atmosphere. The Marquis' tone did not have an ounce of concern but the increased correspondence between the Church and Prince Alexander was not something one could overlook. King Richard allowed frustration to show on his face. The King was an intelligent man and could understand the shallow actions of his grandson.
“It seems Alexander misses his maternal grandfather is all.” King Richard brushed off the conversation. Who didn’t know that High Priest Cunningham is the Grandfather of Queen Meredith? Who didn’t know the name Cunningham was prompt as a family of devout followers of Zulla?
At the turn of the last few decades, the church held a place in the people's hearts. It was an entity in the Kingdom that could rival the crown in reverence.
Arsenio lifted his eyes toward the King and if the sovereign was willing to pretend to be daft, Arsenio had no choice but to follow his lead.
“I find it comforting to know that Prince Alexander is so caring toward his family.” Arsenio gave a superficial compliment as he moved the conversation along.
The church has strengthened its bonds with the Queen ever since King Edwards' passing. As the King left this earth without naming an heir the miscalculation for the Queen was that her father-in-law was as healthy as ever.
King Richard’s existence was an obstruction of Prince Alexander’s path. It was obvious to both men that Queen Meredith intended for Prince Alexander to become a sovereign anointed by the Church.
The silence was thick. Arsenio’s gut pulled at the thought of Prince Alexander preparing to throw down the inevitable gauntlet. Arsenio tried his best to stray away from dealing with succession but the turbulence could be felt even from an outsider’s perspective. It was unnerving, Arsenio sensed the equilibrium Vicon maintained so far was about to tip but his only worry lay with Katarina.
Could an engagement with the Grand Duke be enough of a shelter? The Marquis grimaced.
Arsenio understood what he and in turn his children represents. Katarina was seen as someone with the ability to easily win the throne for anyone of the princes. The engagement with Grand Duke Devoncourt was out of necessity. A deterrent for the time being but Arsenio wasn’t foolish enough to believe that it would fully clear her from harm.
Not with his return.
Duke Gordon.
Arsenio’s eyes narrowed at the thought but buried his worries immediately. The King offered to dine with the Marquis but Arsenio politely declined. Explaining his wife’s insistence on eating together as a family. Seeing as the time together as four was soon to cease. King Richard’s ears perked up as his eyes glowed with his pure concern.
“I insist that preparations for our little Rinni’s engagement must be announced in the palace, isn’t that right Bertrand.” King Richard looked toward his longtime footmen whose hair was just as white as the King. The amicable face of Bertrand nodded in agreement but didn’t partake in the private conversation of the Sovereign and his subject.
King Richard knew how preposterous the arrangement was, when Princess Patricia married into the Devoncourt household there was no grand ceremony or announcement. The process for Princess Patricia’s engagement was subdued but the civilians were granted a month of foregoing that month's taxes as a present to show the event's importance.
The common people celebrated enthusiastically and the Devoncourt household bolstered their position in the people’s hearts.
At the comment, Arsenio looked up at the sovereign glancing over to old man Bertrand who was pretending to not be in the room, he could not suppress a laugh. Seeing King Richard’s casual smile left no room for Arsenio to decline.
“Our Katarina deserves the best, don’t you think Marquis De Costa?” King Richard pointed out the question that did not seem to need a response. Without much fuss, Arsenio stood up from his chair to only take a knee in agreement.
“The care for Katarina is a great honor for my family, Sire.” Arsenio bowed his head in respect to the sovereign. King Richard's eyes could see the image of General Rodrigo and Youssef embedded in the young Arsenio. The King released a chuckle filled with fond feelings soaked in loneliness.
“The years are catching up with me, young Marquis.” The King lamented. “And I seem to be envious that no matter the generation, the De Costa heir seems to be a splitting image of the General.” King Richard’s affection for Marquis Rodrigo was openly displayed in front of the current De Costa Marquis.
“If my son inherited an ounce of levelheadedness, there would be no need to rush Katarina’s engagement.” King Richard eyed his subject, his tone revealing nothing. No acceptance or rejection. His tone was immensely passive.
“Please lay your worries to rest, Your Majesty.” Arsenio sidestepped the heartfelt apology. “It is a blessing in disguise.” Arsenio joked. “You know how that little rascal is, if there was no reason, then Katarina would never be married within my lifetime.” Arsenio showed a kind smile toward King Richard. The words were merely to put the old sovereign at ease but Arsenio would not mind if Katarina stayed within the comforts of the De Costa manor for a few more years, but he would not tell that to the King.
As old as he is, King Richard understood the courtesy Arsenio’s words held and dropped the conversation altogether.
“The weeks to come will be arduous, My Dear Marquis,” The King said, no longer smiling he stared directly at Arsenio. Feeling the shift of mood, Arsenio received the King’s words. “Duke Gordon has sent another missive. He will be here in a few months’ time.” King Richard’s expression held no hurry or anxiety. It was simply informative. Arsenio’s eyes dulled at the sound of his name but buried his concern once more. “Although difficult, I will be relying on you once again.” The old sovereign straightened his posture as he commanded his subject. Arsenio bent his head and replied to the King's plight.
“This subject will accept, with propriety as my matron."
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