Part 1

Caelienn sighed in irritation at the royal guardsman before her. “Yes, but what am I to do? I have done what I can for now.”
Jaspar was a little less than pleased at the moment. “My Lady, if you’re going to aid humans, then I would like to see more done for them. Simply lowering their taxes wouldn’t be nearly enough.”
“It would ensure a higher survival rate”, she argued. “I have told you that I am only able to do as much as this for now. You may be surprised at how much a lower tax rate would help them. Perhaps if we allowed them more—“
“Educate them properly”, said Jaspar. “More money isn’t going to be enough. Speak with your father. I’m certain he can pull the necessary ears to allow a better education. My mother is more than willing to teach them.”
Caelienn almost gave a smile, but couldn’t. She was more than grateful that there were people willing to help humans attain a higher social status, of course. But there was so much that had to be done, and she wasn’t even sure she would see the fruits of their labor by the end of her life. It could be close to a hundred human generations before changes could really be seen, as per the longevity of the lives of non-humans. There would be more than a hundred years of the heaviest opposition, and didn’t count the rest of the opposition.
“We can not make such changes over night”, Caelienn reasoned. She watched the man carefully. “However, I will speak with my father on this. I do ask that you understand we must take small steps presently.”
Grudgingly, he accepted that fact and bowed to show respect. “As you wish, Lady Caelienn.”
She watched as he straightened and walked away. “Thank you”, she muttered under her breath, before taking her own leave of the corridor.
She wasn’t entirely certain what she was doing at times, but knew she had to press forward all the same. There was no way she would never fight for a better system of equality. She found no reason for humans to live so under their thumbs that they had few rights of their own. Perhaps it was because of her own status as a half-breed, but she genuinely wanted humans to have something better. They didn't live nearly so long, and she didn’t feel it right to fill their lives with more pain than most everyone else felt.
As she stalked back to her bedchambers which now accommodated for both herself and John, she let herself get lost in her thoughts. Was she really doing the right thing? She certainly hoped so. Both her father and mother were convinced that humans deserved better than they got, and taught her the same. So why, then, were they treated so poorly now? Had everyone else really just completely misinterpreted their role in the lives of humans? Caelienn felt so. She felt as if they were intended to do no more than guide and look after humans, not enslave them for labor and even food. She was repulsed by their treatment from the moment she learned of it. Surely this was never meant to be.
Before she could reach the door of her room, she stopped and turned to see a woman behind her. “Lunette”, she said.
The woman blushed and quickly bowed. “Good evenin’, M’lady”, she said.
Caelienn walked back to the human and rested a hand on her shoulder. “Was there something you wished to speak to me for?”
Lunette straightened up and quickly shook her head. “No, M’lady… I jus’ came to see tha’ ya were well.”
There was a small pause, then Caelienn spoke. “Thank you, I am well”, she said.
“If I migh’, M’lady, ya look… upset by somethin’”, Lunette said carefully.
Caelienn paused briefly again. “I spoke with Jaspar”, she finally said. “He wishes to see more done, yet I know that I can not force movement too quickly. I will face great opposition as it is.”
The woman sighed a little. “If I migh’, why’re ya workin’ so hard fer us”, she asked.
Caelienn watched the woman carefully for a moment. She had never told her the truth of what she was. Lunette was by no means ungrateful for the turn her life had taken. Quite the opposite, in fact, as she was perhaps one of the most loyal people there. Caelienn had saved her life when she was half dead ten years prior, and had personally made certain she regained her strength and was well. It was quite rare for humans to get such good care from the supposedly superior races. She remembered the human’s shock at such unusual care.
She took Lunette’s hand and pulled her along to her bedchambers. “There is something I must speak to you in private of”, she said quickly.
Lunette wasn’t sure what to think, but followed her master eagerly all the same. “Yes, M’lady”, she said.
When Caelienn reached her bedchambers and pulled Lunette in behind her, she sealed the door and set up protective spells around them. She turned to the young woman and watched her for a silent moment, expression betraying nothing. It was time to be honest with her, possibly as she should have done a few years ago. Lunette was completely devoted to her, and said she would offer up her own life for her. She had even stepped between Caelienn and her wretched stepmother, to be hurt, herself.
“M’lady, wha’ is it?”
Caelienn forced herself to admit it—she really wasn’t entirely sure how to tell Lunette. But she had to do so at some point. The woman was loyal to a fault, and deserved to know. “That wretched woman is not my mother”, she stated after a moment of thought.
Lunette’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Well, is’ true ya don’ like each other… But…”
The half-breed forced down all nervousness—it was uncharacteristic of her to show many emotions so blatantly. “Father has had at least one affair that I am aware of”, she said. “I am the product of that affair, and he has raised me as if I never was such a result. Yet the fact remains that he has committed what is seen as a crime.” She didn’t miss a beat, but noted how surprised Lunette was becoming. “And the fact remains that my birth mother is a vampire.”
Lunette felt as if she would faint soon. Her heart raced a little, unsure of what she was supposed to think. Of course, she knew that half-breeds were always shunned by everyone else. At least, they certainly always seemed to be shunned. Those who questioned that were often ostracized by everyone around them, as done with those who went quite far out of their way to defend humans. And yet the lord of the cluster of cities and villages had committed such an assumed crime with a vampire and seemed to intend for their daughter to take his place one day.
“M-M’lady…?” She tried not to feel afraid—Caelienn may not have always seemed the kindest, but she was nothing short of good.
“Lunette, my reasons for helping you are that no matter what one is, all life is meant to be treated as precious”, said Caelienn. “This is why I aided you and Acelle. It is why I abstain from treating you as many others would.” She stepped closer. “Perhaps I understand this best due to my position of power, yet being of impure blood.” She placed a hand on the human’s cheek. “Why fill a human’s life with more suffering than necessary when you already have such shorter lives than the rest of us? I do not understand it.”
Lunette couldn’t look away from her master. Brown eyes were locked into place by icy grey ones. “I… M’lady, ya’re nice…” She quickly braced herself, unsure if Caelienn would smack her for saying such. She was well aware of the fact that she tended to deny being kind whenever she heard someone speak that she was.
For a few seconds, Caelienn wasn’t able to speak. “I suppose that I am”, she admitted, if quietly. She pulled away from the woman. “It goes without saying that I expect you to never speak of this to anyone but Scarlet, John, or my father. I am not aware if Stone knows the truth or not. I certainly have never told him.”
Lunette simply nodded, before tentatively touching her neck. “Are ya… thirs’y…?”
Caelienn regarded the servant carefully. “Not presently”, she said. “And I have only just told you of what I am. Take some time and fully accept this before anything else.”
“M’lady—“ Lunette stopped herself and just nodded again. There was no use arguing, and it might only end in her being smacked. “Yes, M’lady.”
“If you wish, you may go now”, said Caelienn. “I do believe you have not seen your friend in a while. She may be worried.”
A blush crept onto Lunette’s face and she bowed, moving towards the door. “Ah, yeah”, she said. “An’ Stone said he was gonna show me somethin’. I don’ wanna keep either of ‘em waitin’.”
Caelienn nodded and watched as the woman left her room and sat down on her bed, unsure of what to do now. While life as a noble could be easier at times, it often lent itself to a certain amount of isolation and boredom. As herself, she could never really go out into the city and just be herself. She couldn’t even really go out and do as commoners would. No, she had to wear a disguise just to do so. And even then, she wasn’t able to truly be herself in the way she so wanted. Were she to let anyone else know of her status as a half-breed, she would only condemn her mother and possibly alert them to who her father was. And then she would be pushed out of the city and neighboring areas. It would end in a disaster.
She stood to walk over to her desk and record her present feelings when a knock was heard on the door. She turned and walked over, opening it a crack to see John on the other side. Sighing, she opened the door farther to let him in.
“You do not have to knock, you know”, she said. “It is also your room now that we have married.”
John turned to her after entering and simply gave a crooked little smile. “I also know you do not care for others simply walking into a room without warning.”
There was a second’s pause before Caelienn closed the door and smacked the tall nobleman on the back of his head. “You have hardly changed from the day we met.”
He just rubbed the back of his head, smiling still. “You have not changed much, yourself”, he said, turning to her fully. He leaned down some and kissed her. “When are you ever going to smile? It would light the rooms up.”
“That is asking of me quite a lot”, she sighed, averting her gaze. “I fear that I do not remember how to smile.”
John gave a small sigh of his own and wrapped his arms around the short woman. “And yet you still know how to cry”, he whispered. “I suppose that you should simply give yourself time for it to happen on its own. Do not force yourself.”
Caelienn blushed and still stiffened in John’s soft embrace, but relaxed after a few seconds. Regardless of her long-time affair with Astraea, she was still unused to being shown romantic affection. Though perhaps it had something to do with the fact that she was also in a disguise around Astraea most of the time, unlike with John. It would certainly explain it—she could be more of herself more often while under that disguise. As Caelienn, however, she was supposed to be far more aloof than much else, lending to a lack of skills in affection.
She awkwardly returned the embrace, burying her face in the man’s chest just as awkwardly. To let herself relax in such a situation, private or not, made her feel vulnerable, and she didn’t like it. Still, she had to show her husband that she could feel emotion at least somewhat. And though she may not admit it to everyone, she had grown to love the man for his often quirky self. Nobleman he may have been, but in private, he was also more than a little silly. Once Caelienn finally stopped trying to fight him on a vaguely regular basis, she quickly realized such.
“Honestly”, she muttered. “You are so infuriating.”
John just chuckled a moment. “Yes, and you still love me.”
Caelienn popped her head up to watch the man a moment before pushing him against a wall. She leaned up a little and sucked on his neck, making him gasp a little. While she wasn’t in need of blood per say as she’d told Lunette, she certainly wouldn’t mind having some. As it was, only a human or beast’s blood would really do much good for her. This—biting someone other than a human or beast—was simply a treat she was happy to have.
John arched his back as the woman bit down into his neck and began to suck in some of the blood. Certainly, he didn’t mind letting her have some of his blood, and it wasn’t even really that painful. Though he had to admit, why it so much as felt good in the end, even to the point of causing a few other issues that would sequentially need dealt with, was beyond him. He had been under the impression that vampire bites always hurt instead of giving pleasure. Though he wouldn’t be surprised if it had a certain something to do with the fact she actually was kind and that she also could use magic.
“Do give me some warning the next time”, he gasped as the woman pulled away. He touched his neck and sighed, feeling the now healed holes.
The woman gave a wry smirk and inclined her head some. “Warning, you say. And I was under the distinct impression pushing you against the wall would do well enough.”
John watched her pointedly, but couldn’t continue for more than a few seconds before chuckling and shaking his head. “Then in that event…” He turned and pushed the woman down onto their bed. “I have a small problem that will need attended to.”
The woman just rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “I suppose that could be easily arranged.”
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As the merchant handed over the fresh vegetables, Caelienn shifted the goods already in her arms around. It was something of a nuisance that under her commoner disguise, she couldn’t use her magic. She couldn’t simply let the goods levitate at any point and rearrange them from there. It would mean the end of her well-kept secret, and possibly the end of her life as Reta and her mother’s life. Those were the last things she was going to forfeit. And then gods forbid that she be caught as who she really was—her father would lose his power and then possibly be executed. She reminded herself of this every time she left the palace, whether as James’ or Daliha’s daughter.
Once she had finished rearranging the various goods again to take back to her mother, she headed towards the small, yet cozy home. There were many times where she offered to get any items the vampire woman needed, just so she could mingle with others and be treated as a normal person. She loved how she could do that, unlike other nobles. It was the only real highlight she had, Astraea aside, to being a half-breed and torn between social statuses. It was the one way, sneaking out not withstanding, that she could get out without a guard going along to supposedly protect her. And she hardly even needed protecting, so it was more like they were there to simply control what she did.
“Oh, Reta!”, a voice called out happily behind her.
Caelienn turned to face the woman who had called her, sighing a little. “Oh, Starr. Hello”, she said, trying to keep the items in her arms. “How are you today?” It wasn’t always easy, however she did try to be cordial with the people in the town. “I have not seen you in a while.”
Starr smiled and took some of the overflowing goods from Caelienn’s arms without her consent, earning a small scowl. She simply ignored it. “Oh, I’ve been well. I’ve been busy, though.” She gave a small sigh and chuckled while fanning her face with her free hand. “Lady Caelienn requested I teach human children how to read and write several weeks ago. It’s not as easy as I thought it would be.” Her expression dulled into melancholy. “They seem nervous…”
“Actually, I am not surprised they are nervous”, said Caelienn. “They do not get very good treatment by and large. I see their villages. The conditions could be much better. Though it is good to hear Lady Caelienn has asked that at least someone teach them.”
The brunette woman smiled again and brushed some of her hair back behind an ear. “It’s going to take time, but I think they’ll accept me eventually.” Her smile softened a bit. “I have to admit, my respect for Lady Caelienn has grown over the seasons. Were it at all possible, I’d say she was more daring than her father.”
Starr’s smile was almost too contagious to resist, but Caelienn could still not bring herself to smile. “I have come under the impression that she wants to change the status quo. I hope she does not expect to see much change before she dies… This empire is slow to accept change.”
The nature sprite simply gave a small shrug as Caelienn began to walk again. She quickly followed. “I don’t know when she hopes that much change will happen. I only know she seems to want to cause a domino effect. She seems to think lowering taxes will enable humans to spend more and effectively give more to the taxes.”
Caelienn pretended to think about that. She already knew that had been proven when she gave money to Lunette’s friend upon saving the both of their lives. Acelle had been able to spend more on food, and the taxes taken from that had been greater than usual. She knew that for a fact because word had quickly spread about it one way or another. She wasn’t entirely certain who had started the rumor, but she did know it was truer than most were. That had been what made her think of it in the first place. It was simple mathematics when one got down to the numbers.
“Well, if you look at the numbers, it would make sense”, she said, inclining her head slightly. “She seems to know what she is doing.”
Starr chuckled again. “I have a feeling she inherited Lord James’ genius. I know she certainly has his heart.”
Caelienn didn’t voice what she was really thinking—she didn’t get her loathsome step-mother’s heart, at least. No, she altered that to make more sense to the older woman. “Well, it would seem she does not have Lady Marrana’s sour attitude. I have noticed that no one seems to like her.”
“You don’t seem to like her much, yourself”, Starr commented.
“That is because she sees herself as better than others”, Caelienn said briskly, refusing to meet Starr’s eyes. “Lady Marrana also seems fond of giving Lady Caelienn trouble in her own way, if what I have heard is correct.”
There was a brief silence before Starr sighed and spoke again. “Jaspar seems fond of venting on the fact that he’s had to witness several of their disputes. Lady Caelienn seems to irritate him at times. But I suppose that’s just her rebelliousness. There’s a rumor she can be as rowdy as you are.”
Caelienn just gave a small shrug. There wasn’t much she could really say to that without giving away the fact that she knew a lot more than she was probably supposed to. And she really didn’t want Starr to know much more about herself than she already did. She didn’t trust her well enough yet, and wasn’t sure she ever would. As it was, the more people who knew her secret, the easier it would be for someone who wasn’t supposed to know to find out. And that would certainly spell disaster. She could not allow that to happen.
But as she finally opened her mouth to speak and change the subject, she froze where her feet were planted. Something was wrong—very wrong.
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Caelienn ran from the scene—this was not good. Her life as Reta was now over, and she could never use that disguise again. At least, she highly doubted she could. Reta was completely ruined now, and all due to one small accident that lead to such horrible exposure in the middle of the market. This wasn’t good—too many people had seen what happened.
It was all purely accidental. She was being too free with herself and let herself act a little too rashly as someone suddenly found a problem with her. She let out a burst of magic, when people already knew her as a vampire. And now she had to run and gather up her mother. She dreaded explaining what had happened to Daliha, because that would only cause her problems.
Her mind was a mess, and she tripped over herself accordingly. She stayed where she was for a few moments before picking herself back up. She sensed two people with her, and made to run again, not caring where she went for now. She just wanted to get away.
“Wait”, someone snapped, hurrying over and forcing the short woman to stop. She grabbed her shoulder. “Reta, what’s going on?”
Caelienn looked back to find Shinku with her, and Astraea slightly behind her. “I must go now”, she said, trying not to crack. She wouldn’t do that—it was uncharacteristic of her. “I am considered a monster by the townspeople.”
The golden-haired witch stepped closer and wrapped her arms around the half-breed. “Reta, not everyone will think that. I—“
“And I must gather my mother and take her out of this land”, Caelienn quickly interrupted. “We can not stay here.”
Shinku watched Caelienn for a moment before speaking. “Don’t run away”, she finally said. “Astraea loves you.” She gestured to the witch. “And you’re the only real close friend I’ve ever had.”
“You ran away”, Caelienn snapped. “Do not preach to me of that—“
“I was exiled”, Shinku interrupted. “People in Taimorei don’t take kindly to crazy people like me.”
The half-breed stared in silence for a moment. “Then what am I to do? I will not allow my mother to be executed, or my father. I… I care far too much for them to ever allow that to happen!”
Astraea watched as her lover verged onto tears and tightened her hug some. “I know you can do more than just run. Face this problem head-on. Use your power to do that. Challenge the way things work. If anyone can do that, it’s you. I know your father will support that.”
Shinku was a little lost, and made it clear on her expression as she watched the two women. “Well, you are from an influential family…”
There was a short pause before Caelienn could speak. “Why do you not run from me”, she asked the dark-skinned woman. “I have impure blood.”
The raven-haired woman quickly smacked her one real friend. “I said you’re my best friend. That, and should it really matter if you’re a half-breed? I think that’s something amazing. You can do a lot more things because of that immense power of yours. Those who fear that power on its own are weak and simple-minded! And they also don’t understand that all life is supposed to be precious!”
Caelienn stared for another silent moment. The pale green in her eyes faded and revealed a startlingly icy grey. “How would you have me challenge that? As a… Even with my power, what sense would it make of me to step in as my true self? I would quickly find the inquisition at my door.”
“This kind of thing is going to come to your attention”, said Astraea. “Your mother is the gate-keeper. Word will spread faster than fire in this event.”
Caelienn wasn’t entirely sure what to say or even think, so just looked between the other two women in silence. Still, she sent out a force-field of magic that would keep anyone else from stumbling upon them and hearing or seeing them. It wouldn’t do to have anyone else discover precisely who had committed such infidelity if it came up. The last thing she wanted was, if he were to be found out in the end, for her father to be ousted immediately. She could never allow such a thing to pass.
“Wait, hold on”, said Shinku. She crossed her arms. “Your father is from a noble family, and your mother is only a gatekeeper. You’re torn between social statuses. That, and your parents’ love—“
“I do not know if it was truly love or merely infatuation”, Caelienn quickly interrupted. “Yet they slept together and gave birth to me. My father has said that he wishes a change, and took great risks with me.”
Shinku watched a moment more before turning to Astraea. “You seem to know the whole story. So I’m the one missing out on details.”
The gold-haired woman gave a sigh. “I’ve known for approximately twelve years”, she said. “It was a good deal to take in, I will admit to that.”
Shinku turned back to her friend. “Reta isn’t your real name”, she said decisively. “And there are only so many… nobles of your stature in this city. Mind telling me who you really are?”
Caelienn felt trapped, and her eyes reflected resentment for the trap she was now in. “You will not turn me in”, she said, almost questioning it, and backing away defensively. “If you breathe a word to anyone, I swear that I will hunt you to the end of your—“
The immigrant let out a sharp laugh. “And betray the only real friend I have? Are you insane? Crazy, I may be. But I’m not a traitor.”
“I am not the most trusting due to my heritage”, Caelienn forced herself to admit. “Should I trust the wrong person, it could lead to my death.”
Shinku’s expression became insulted. “And what reason would I ever have to betray you? I’m shocked you can even think I might do that.”
Giving a sigh, Astraea kissed her lover’s cheek. “Please, learn to trust others more. It will do you more good than not trusting. But I can’t force you to trust any single person.”
There was still hesitation in Caelienn’s eyes, but she stepped back to her original position. “You will keep my secret…?”
Shinku watched her friend in mild irritation before speaking. “Do you really need to ask that? Don’t be stupid. I said you’re my best friend.”
She hesitated for a brief second again, but pulled the ties from her hair one by one before letting the dark red fade into caramel. “Shinku, my name is Caelienn.”
Dark eyes widened and Shinku stared at her in shock before grinning and pulling the short noblewoman into a tight hug. “Now I think I get it.”
Caelienn was unused to the close contact with the tall woman, and blushed awkwardly. However, she didn’t pull away. Nor did she return the hug, though. Affectionate was not her strongest trait by any means and she was only so with Astraea and John. And even that was often a little strained for her. But with the vice-like grip Shinku had on her, she eventually decided that she really needed more oxygen and pulled away.
“I will also expect you to treat me no differently now from before”, she said as soon as Shinku agreed to relinquish her grip. “As myself, being treated as anyone else is rare.” She glanced to Astraea. “Few people treat me as if I was not nobility.”
Shinku just nodded and let her grin fade into a small smile. “So it’s not ‘Lady Caelienn’ like everyone else says?”
There was a small pause. “I am your friend, am I not?”
Shinku cheered up more. “You are”, she said. “We’re friends. Caelienn.”
The woman nodded.
“And one day, I will get you to smile”, Shinku quickly added, noting the stiff upper lip that only ever formed a smirk at most.
Astraea pulled away reluctantly. “Well, as happy as I am to see you as real friends, we still do have a problem.”
Caelienn grimaced and used magic to turn her hair back to its disguise and turned her eyes back to the pale green they were before. “Yes, I must speak with Mother now. If I do not go to her, someone else will get there first. I may just as well port there as I am ousted.”
“We’ll go, too”, said Shinku.
The caramel-haired woman shook her head. “I can not allow that.” Before either woman could protest, she continued. “I will not risk your reputations simply for my sake.”
“My reputation is already—“
“I do not want my only friend arrested”, Caelienn snapped back. “No matter if you are defending my mother, it will not do well for you!” She paused. “No, you will only face worse right now if you attempt to help us at this time.” She undid the protective spell. “And I must go. There is much I need do besides speaking with her.”
Before Astraea could so much as kiss the woman, she teleported away from the woods. The golden-haired woman sighed. “Confound it all!” She turned to Shinku. “We may as well report this to someone who will find a way to step in.”
Shinku gave a grin. “Then we’ll go to the palace and speak with Lord James. However, it’s getting in that might be difficult.”
Astraea sighed. “We must do something, though.”
Shinku moved to wrap an arm around Astraea’s shoulders and grinned widely. “You just took the words right out of my mouth. I may have a few ideas…”
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There was a long silence between the half-breed and sprite. After much use of her magic, Caelienn and her perfectly copied doppelganger were playing out their roles well. Presently, the doppelganger under the disguise of Reta was evading capture from less than sympathetic guards. The original, of course, now stood in one of the many rooms of the palace with an almost enraged Jaspar. And she could hardly blame him for being upset at the moment. He was close friends with her real mother and was worried for her safety and life.
“Jaspar”, she said finally. “There is not much I am able to do presently. I have called for counsel, but I must wait.”
“To decide her execution date”, the man asked accusingly. “Just because of a half-breed daughter.”
Caelienn felt insulted, but couldn’t let it show. Jaspar had been unaware of the conditions of ‘Reta’s’ birth and who she really was. Were Caelienn to act out in her own boiling rage, it would only cause more problems than they already had. And many of them would be for her father. She would never allow that to happen if she could help it.
“I am calling counsel to question why half-breeds are persecuted”, said Caelienn. “I am well aware of how powerful they are. However, I believe they are only dangerous because they must fight back in this land.”
“This blood purity nonsense”, Jaspar said heatedly. “And now Daliha must pay the price for such unfairness.”
“Have I ever told you once that I bought into this ‘blood purity’”, she asked. “I do not, and can not understand why people fear it.”
Jaspar forced himself to calm down. It wouldn’t do to get worked up against a woman who was more tied in what she could do than him. “You’re one of the sympathizers, aren’t you, Lady Caelienn?”
She couldn’t even come close to denying that. “I simply feel it is not fair to persecute them. Is not all life equal?”
“Then why not try to give them more rights like the humans”, Jaspar blew up again.
Caelienn resisted the urge to smack the man or roll her eyes. “Helping the half-breeds is much more difficult than helping the humans. Were it so simple, I would. However, unlike with humans, our kinds fear half-breeds.”
Jaspar was torn between trying to calm down and completely snapping at the infuriating woman. “Do something now”, he said. “Help Daliha somehow. It isn’t fair that she is imprisoned just for childbirth. Reta may be the rowdy type, but she is not some sort of demon. And yet the other guards are hunting her as if she was one.”
There was a pause, and Caelienn spoke again. “I will do something. If it is within my power, I will not let them execute her.”
The sprite searched Caelienn’s eyes, looking for something within the icy grey depths. He couldn’t pretend to understand how she was thinking at the moment, as her tone betrayed nothing. Perhaps she didn’t even really care who the woman was, and was only doing this because it was just the right thing to do. But something about that thought felt wrong, as if there was something going on behind her eyes, sealed away so no one could see. It might make sense, as the woman before him was the secretive type.
“I just want her to be safe”, he said.
Caelienn paused, but nodded. “You are loyal to a fault”, she said. “I must say that I appreciate that.”
Jaspar gave a vaguely relieved sigh. He stood there a moment in silence, unsure of what to say.
She thought quickly as the doppelganger tied to her disappeared. It was difficult to truly focus on something when one had been created, even when it acted more or less independently. And right now, she needed to focus. This situation demanded very careful actions and a well thought-out plan. She could leave nothing to chance, and leaving the doppelganger continue to run was still taking an unneeded chance.
When Jaspar stayed put after a moment of silence, she paused. Could she tell him? Was he someone else she could trust with her secret? Jaspar was never antagonistic towards her in the least, and one could even say he liked her disguise, Reta. He certainly didn’t seem to care that she was a half-breed, at any rate, now that he knew. But despite trusting Shinku, Caelienn was still unsure of how much she could really trust anyone else. Was she willing to risk her safety by telling him, or her father’s safety?
“Is there more you wished to speak of”, she asked.
The man suddenly felt flushed, and opened his mouth to speak, though nothing came out for a long moment. “My Lady,” he finally said, “are you well? I am aware it’s not my place to ask. However—“
Caelienn sighed. “This entire situation is irritating”, she said. “I have little control over what happens presently. I much prefer to be in control. And yet…” She glanced to the city beneath them almost distantly. “And yet my hands are tied in ways I wish they were not…”
Jaspar studied her a moment before speaking again. “But you have the power to make changes for us”, he said, not entirely understanding what she was getting at.
She crossed her arms and her expression turned to a small scowl of sorts. “Perhaps I do not wish to have this power at times. Perhaps I wish to have a simple life with…” She paused, and tried not to blush. “With people who would not treat me as a noblewoman.” She turned on him, and suddenly there was a little more depth to her eyes. “In truth, I suppose I would trade this entire palace for a vaguely normal lifestyle.”
He wasn’t sure what had possessed her to admit such, and his eyes widened in surprise. Despite their various interactions when it came to dealing with the public, Jaspar really knew little of who Caelienn really was. There was a lot she kept to herself, and he had never truly had the chance to know her very well. She was perhaps one of the most enigmatic people he had ever met in his entire life, though he still had a lot of time to meet other people. Still, it didn’t much change his view on Caelienn.
“Lady Caelienn, if your mother were to hear that, she surely wouldn’t be pleased with you”, Jaspar said carefully, knowing full well that they already didn’t like each other.
She wanted to rage against the man, tell him the wench was not her real mother, and that she only agreed to call her that to keep up pretenses. But that would only lead to an explanation she wasn’t entirely sure she was ready to give him. While he seemed to take the fact that Daliha gave birth to a half-breed fairly well, she wasn’t sure how he’d react to knowing who the father was. There were a number of ways he could react, and she wasn’t sure she could entirely contain each and every one of them. For now, it was best just to let him believe the wench in the palace with them was her mother.
“I am aware of this”, she said. “However, I must at times speak my mind. And I believe that I should trust you with some of my personal thoughts.”
If it were possible, Jaspar’s eyes would have simply rolled out of his head completely. The woman was absolutely full of surprises. And now, he wouldn’t be surprised if she held some very dangerous secrets, either. “L-Lady Caelienn… Why? I—“
“You have supported my decisions thus far”, she said. “I would like to repay that with some honesty. And I shall not let harm come to—“, she had trouble forcing herself to say her mother’s name without hesitating, “Daliha without a fight. I have heard rumor say a half-breed may bring about positive changes. If her daughter is that person, I see no reason to have her harmed for it.”
Jaspar was about ready to keel over. “If I may, My Lady, who are you? I can not see, even as Lord James’ daughter, a noblewoman being so—“
A small smirk spread on Caelienn’s face. “I am different”, she said. “And I feel great need to differ with the woman. It is quite satisfying to rebel against her wishes.”
The guard was unnerved completely. Caelienn never truly smiled, but her smirks were dangerously reminiscent of a predator. “Differ—“ He straightened up and stared at her in utter disbelief. There was absolutely no way. “What are you”, he breathed.
Caelienn raised an eyebrow. She could hear what he said, certainly, but she didn’t exactly want to tip him off to anything he might be thinking yet. And she wasn’t the type to give straight answers every time someone asked her something. “Hnn?”
“I—Nothing”, he stammered. She was confusing—utterly confusing beyond all comprehension. “I apologize, My Lady.”
She decided not to relent. Jaspar, presently, was absolutely hilarious. “What are you apologizing for? You have not said anything to insult me, have you?”
Jaspar knew he probably should have keeled over by now, but for some strange reason, he was still standing. “For a moment… I thought something heretical”, he admitted. It was never wise to lie to the woman. She would find out one way or another, and the liar would pay in the end.
“Oh? What had you thought?”
He froze for several long, agonizing seconds as he tried to pull his jumbled mind together for something coherent. Did he want to tell her what he had been thinking? Probably not. Did he have much of a choice but to do so? Again, that was also probably a no. She would certainly force the answer out of him should he try to refuse, and he really didn’t want that. Although he also knew that if he told her, he would run the risk of still being bruised up in the end if she didn’t take kindly to the thought.
Not wanting to risk much, he took a very careful step forward and bowed his head before whispering, “I thought… that you might be a half-breed, yourself, My Lady…”
He braced himself to be hit, unsure of her reaction. And he was quite terrified to look, as well. He didn’t want to come face to face with an expression that could be pure, untamed rage. The last thing he wanted to do was have to explain to his own mother why he might be bruised up. And he couldn’t very well share his heretical thoughts with her, even if it turned out that she wouldn’t say anything. That was one risk he really wasn’t about to take, particularly as word would inevitably reach Caelienn.
“That is a heretical thought”, she said lowly, though there was no particular emotion to her voice. “Why would you think that?”
Jaspar did not like that nearly emotionless tone she had, and paled accordingly. “It was simply a fleeting thought”, he said. “But it would explain your level of power… And also why you do not get along with that woman…”
“Tell me, Jaspar”, she said. “Do you intend to share this thought with anyone?”
He flinched some, uncomfortable under her gaze. Still, that didn’t change his answer. “No”, he said. “You’re working to help others, including humans, and not many others would do quite that. People like you, while severe with others, are a difficult find.”
Caelienn studied him for a few moments before speaking. “There are some who want me gone”, she finally said. “They will use anything they can to have me gone, even if it is no more than speculation and rumor. It would seem that I pose a threat to them. What would keep you from telling such a person this, true or not?”
Suddenly, he felt offended. But he tried not to let it show too much. “If I told them, not only would that mean betraying your trust, but also Daliha. And that is something I can not do”, he said, trying to avoid most of his newfound anger showing. His voice went all the quieter. “So even if it’s true, and even if I would be expected to tell, I won’t.”
There was a moment of pure silence. It was deafening, and Jaspar quickly wished she would speak again. Their present situation was more than just a little agonizing, and he had no idea what he was supposed to do about it. Caelienn had basically backed him into a corner by now, and he could really only follow her through the conversation. That also constituted for a decent part of his now growing aggravation with her. And for some reason, he desperately wanted to know if his suspicion was right or not, regardless of the heresy involved.
Her lips almost curved into a smile, but couldn’t quite do so. “You are a good man”, she said. “And if I must be truthful, I do admire that loyalty of yours. I am certain it is difficult to find someone such as you, so willing to stay by your friend regardless of such a situation.”
Jaspar felt compelled to straighten up and look the woman in the eyes, but felt just as compelled to stay as he was. “Thank you, My Lady”, he said, unsure of what she was doing now.
The woman finally sighed in exasperation. “Stand straight and face me”, she said. She watched as he straightened up, clearly trying to discern what she was planning this time, much to her grim amusement. “Do as you wish for now. I must go and speak with Daliha personally.”
Jaspar gave an inward sigh of relief as he saw not a single sign of irritation from the thought that she might actually be a half-breed. He bowed briefly and then straightened again before leaving, noting that she also turned to leave before he was making his own way. Though there was something that bothered him some, and he was half-minded to turn back and speak with her more. Was it possible she was a half-breed? She certainly never denied it, at any rate. So yes, there was always that possibility. But he wouldn’t be able to find out at this time, he was certain. They both had things that must be done, and they were on a time limit. He would have to speak to her about it at a later date, if he ever felt brave enough to risk the bruising.
________________________________________________________________
Shinku weaved her way through the shadows of the castle with Astraea behind her, carefully watching for any guards, workers, or other inhabitants of the place. Getting inside the place had been fairly difficult to manage due to the many guards that roamed around. If she had been anyone else at all and not as careful as she had been, she would probably have already been caught. It was enough of a bother that Astraea seemed to have no experience in truly sneaking around. Shinku had to be careful for the both of them to avoid being caught. That had made an already difficult job seem almost impossible. But for a woman as experienced as her, it was still possible.
Getting in had been difficult enough. Making their way through the many corridors that made up the palace without being caught was all the more so. It was so silent that a pin could have fallen and resounded through the entire place. But it wasn’t devoid of life. People were there, but they were all in other rooms doing their own things. They had yet to be made aware of the fact that there were intruders in the place. And if it were up to Shinku, only James would become aware of their presence before they left.
Astraea had to work not to make any noise. She wasn't used to sneaking around places she shouldn't be, or even sneaking around at all. But she didn't have a lot of choice. Commoners couldn't easily have counsel with nobility of any status, and especially not a lord of territories. This was the only viable idea Shinku really had for them, and even that was not a very sound plan. It was a very dangerous idea, as there were any number of things that could go wrong for them. It wouldn't take much for someone to stumble across them by accident and turn them in.
Suddenly, Shinku stopped and turned to the other woman. "This room has Caelienn's scent all over it", she said quietly. "Her father's room must be close by."
Before either woman could much more, the door to Caelienn's bedchambers opened and John stepped out with an aggravated sigh. And then he caught the sight and aura of the two women intruding in the palace. He turned on them and narrowed his gaze, wondering what they were doing there right now. He clearly recognized Astraea, the barmaid from the pub Caelienn liked to frequent, but had to think a few seconds to recognize Shinku. He quickly figured that Astraea was there because of what had recently happened, but wondered why Shinku was also there. Had the immigrant woman figured out that Caelienn and Reta were the same person in two entirely different roles?
Astraea paled some and stepped back behind Shinku. She had met John a few times before, but they didn't know each other too well. The only true link they had to each other was Caelienn. She wondered briefly if her worry for her would be enough to keep him from sending her out, escorted by one of the guards. Then again, he cared a lot for Caelienn's happiness and probably wouldn't want to upset her more than she presently was. With any luck, he might even help them gain immediate audience with Caelienn's father. As long as Shinku didn't create any issues, maybe Astraea could appeal to his better nature. It was always worth a try, at any rate.
Of course, Shinku simply stared him down fearlessly. In the past, she'd had very little love for the nobility and had even been hired to assassinate a few after her exile. The only aristocrat she knew and cared for was Caelienn, and that was primarily just a recent development. Until that very day, Shinku had as much use for her as any other aristocrat, unaware that she was Reta. And despite the clearly good influence the current lord was to her, Shinku still didn’t see much use for him yet. The same could easily be said for the noble in front of her now. If John was going to make a page in her proverbial book, he’d have to actually be of help.
“I hope you’re not planning on tossing us out”, she said rather quietly.
John was not entirely sure what to do at the moment, but he couldn’t just leave them to whatever they were up to. He gave a small sigh and turned to fully face them. “Clearly, the guards are not keeping a close enough watch over these halls for intruders to be here.”
Shinku crossed her arms and her lips formed a tight line. “It’s hardly that. I’m just that skilled at infiltration. Now, we have some business to take care of, if you don’t mind.”
“Er… What Shinku means is that we need immediate counsel with Lord James”, Astraea spoke up before the immigrant in question could start making things bad.
The noble regarded the two women for a moment before speaking. He could always have them escorted out, but that didn’t seem particularly fair to them despite being intruders. If nothing else, he at least had to hear them out before doing anything. As it was, he had a feeling he knew what they were at the palace for. He was already well aware of the fact that Caelienn was getting very worked up over the fact that her mother was now being held captive for what could become the largest scandal in Acceana. It didn’t take much to figure that Astraea and Shinku were there because of that very problem.
“Immediate counsel”, he repeated. “I hope you ladies are aware that Lord James is a very busy man.”
“When aren’t you people busy?”, Shinku muttered with disdain. “It’s about Daliha and Reta, and the fact that they might be dead soon.”
Astraea had to internally wince at Shinku’s lack of tact right now. Her present attitude wasn’t going to get them very far in regards to gaining James’ counsel. “I’m sorry about her, My Lord”, she said with a bow. “She doesn’t have much love for nobles…”
John could only sigh right now. “Lady Caelienn is already busy with this new problem”, he said. “There is not much you could tell Lord James that he does not already know.”
Shinku bit back a growl. “Aren’t we allowed to come to a friend’s aid?”, she asked disdainfully. “Can’t we even defend someone who has been incriminated wrongfully? You nobles are no different the others I’ve dealt with.”
The venom in the dark-skinned shape-shifter’s voice quickly took John by surprise. “That is hardly any way to address one in a higher position of power”, he stated coolly. He hated using is status against others, but if that was what it took to get through to the immigrant before him, he would do so. “Did your parents never teach you manners?”
“Tch… Can’t exactly say I ever knew them”, Shinku shot back, gaze narrowing. “Your kind had them killed.”
Astraea shifted uncomfortably in her spot, not wanting the two to start arguing and alert even more people to their presence. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a lot she could do. Still, she had to try something or another. She quickly stepped in front of the other woman to face John, herself. There was no way of knowing if that would even work at all, but it was worth a try. She desperately had to speak with James, if for no other purpose than to prove that someone cared enough to take action. And if she had to step up to both her friend and a noble to get there, she would simply have to do so.
“My Lord,” she said more firmly, “please forgive my friend. She’s from a vastly different kingdom where nobles hardly care about those below them. She’s used to them letting people do as they please until they disturb the peace in any major way.”
“I am afraid that is hardly an excuse”, said John. “She has been here long enough that she should know we are not that way.”
The witch’s mouth suddenly went completely dry. But she couldn’t stop now, as afraid as she really was. “Hatred takes a long time to die”, she said. She was suddenly aware that even what she was doing might count as insurgence, but she couldn’t stop herself. “I don’t think she’s entirely wrong for not liking the noble class. You and I both know the aristocracy is filled with corruption. Reta has given enough complaints about it in the past.”
There was a small silence that seemed to stretch on for eternity as John watched the barmaid and immigrant stare him down. Shinku really didn’t look pleased, and he didn’t honestly feel like dealing with the repercussions of further angering the woman Caelienn tended to refer to as a sociopath. He could clearly tell that she had good intentions, even if her method of reaching them and present attitude weren’t the best. And Astraea certainly seemed to show more of a backbone than before. He didn’t feel like finding out what she was truly capable of doing today
“It is clear that you are worried about your friend, and I must respect that”, he finally conceded. “However, the council can not take action without at least a day of deliberation, even in this case.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that we need to act immediately”, Shinku said rather tersely. “If you won’t let us pass, we’ll—“
“You are a stubborn woman”, John commented. “I can not guarantee Lord James will agree to meet with you. I do not wish to disturb him if he is busy. As it stands, he is more than likely taking action already.”
Astraea was about at her breaking point. Her eyes narrowed painfully. “I love Reta, and I care about Daliha. I can’t just sit by and watch them face this alone. If I can’t do something, I may as well just die now.”
John could see where this was going, and he really didn’t like it. Honor and loyalty were one thing, but this was absolute foolishness. Astraea knew that Reta wasn’t really going to die, if only because of who she really was. He knew that it wasn’t Daliha who was the true reason behind all of this. Was she just putting on a bit of a façade for the immigrant to see, for anyone who might pass them by and stop to listen? The back of his mind quickly told him that she was trying to manipulate him into letting her do as she pleased. There was sincerity, yes, but it was laced with dramatics that would melt anyone’s will who wasn’t used to dealing with them.
And even though he was used to dealing with Caelienn’s own dramatics, he couldn’t help but concede this as a victory to Astraea. Given the chance, she’d make a wonderful negotiator.
“I will take you to see him”, he said, finally giving in. He could see almost see a bit of relief on the women’s faces as he said that. “You are not likely to find him on your own.”

To Be Continued