Звездопад / Starfall: Глава 13

Chapter 13

Camrad_RIP 14.06.23 в 20:45

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Camrad_RIP 14.06.23 в 20:45

"Thus, the councils of the First Blades, or the Ruling Lord's representative, submit petitions directly to the First Lord of the High Side." Nadine Pell's voice echoed through the Admiralty's Great Hall of Councils, a gloomy room with high vaulted ceilings and black marble walls decorated with frequent strips of polished bronze throughout.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.23 в 18:01

In the Admiralty, the whole atmosphere inspired a sense of grim grandeur, which was only emphasized by the effect of "emptiness." Behind a huge long table in the center of the room designed for at least forty people, at the head of which, in a chair more like a black throne, sat Alex, there were only three of them.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.23 в 18:03

// Yes, it's not a workplace for those with a fear of attention. He was going to spend quite a bit of time here; the Admiralty Council was run by the first lord, and his office was right there, in the Admiralty. //One of the offices." - He corrected himself mentally, for it still had the Court of Blood Grudges on him and the Ergo Seneschal's office located in the palace.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.23 в 18:04

"... Notices, on the other hand, are given through a Second Lord, in this case, a Second Lady." Nadine bowed her head graciously toward Baroness Tayor, who responded with the distracted smile of someone who has heard her name but doesn't know what it was about. "Who in turn, after proper elaboration, if any, will forward them already to the First Lord, i.e. you, for a visa."

Camrad_RIP 15.06.23 в 18:07

"And after my visa, they go to the Emperor's office," Alex repeated tiredly. "I understand, Lady Pell."

Camrad_RIP 15.06.23 в 18:08

This went on for six hours. Two hours of "preliminary preparation," practically one-on-one, after which they made their way to the Admiralty, where they were joined by the Second Lady of the High Side, the polite and terse Baroness of the House of Rien, who had already received her assignment.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.23 в 18:10

Short, slightly swarthy, with shoulder-length platinum hair and a perpetually bewildered smile of a lost person, Baroness Iolaya Tayor looked like a pretty enough, blue-eyed woman in her forties. But her head was shaking almost constantly like a very old woman creating an unpleasant dissonance with her appearance. Because of that, Alex suspected that the baroness was much older than forty:

Camrad_RIP 15.06.23 в 18:11

// About a hundred." He thought, glancing at Lady Iolaya, who, as is often the case with very old people, seemed immersed in her own world, not paying attention to what was going on around her.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.23 в 18:12

"Lord Cassard." Nadine hissed angrily when she noticed his distraction.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.23 в 18:13

// Although maybe it's not about age, I would also love to disengage from what's going on. If it were possible.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.23 в 18:16

"You may believe me, Lord Cassard." Lady Pell continued, glaring at him. "The necessity of being in the same room with you gives me absolutely no joy either, so please, as much as you can, concentrate on my words so that we can both get this 'help' over with as quickly as possible."

Camrad_RIP 15.06.23 в 18:17

And it wasn't that she was neglecting her duties. Nadina was indeed an honest help. Without her explanations, it would have been much worse, despite all his attempts to study the matter on his own, with the help of Sir Ulter and Liora, who proved to be a treasure trove of information on everything concerning the intricacies of palace protocol. Nadina did help, but:

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 20:45

// How that redheaded bastard twists and turns. Alex rolled his eyes. He hoped Lady Pell would cool down in a day. But she missed no opportunity to verbally abuse the House of Fyron in general, much less him in particular. And while this was tolerable for the first couple of hours, by the sixth hour, it began to be quite annoying, even though the angry Nadine looked especially attractive for some reason:

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 20:47

// And okay, me. - Thought Alex, silently watching the monologue of Lady Pell, who began to flare up again. // At least I can, as compensation, ogle Nadina, but Taer and Baroness Tayor, not only do they suffer quite innocently and so put up with it all for free."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 20:49

Fortunately, Lady Iolaya, being mostly in her own world, did not react to what was happening, and Taer managed to keep a positive attitude and even smiled, despite all Nadine's words.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 20:53

// I suppose I should be thankful for the long sleep." Such cheerfulness was not at all typical of his perpetually disgruntled first blade, but it impressed Alex a great deal. // With a Taer like that, it's more comforting... Should I force her to take more naps? - He smirked, "To improve her character.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 20:55

"Are you even listening to me, Lord Cassard?!" Nadine burst out, clearly noticing that he was in his thoughts.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 20:56

"Of course, Lady Pell, I'm all ears." He smiled at her sparkling, anger eyes.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 20:57

"Let me question that." She snorted, cocking her nose defiantly.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 20:58

"How could I ignore the words of such a charming lady?"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 20:58

"And what did you get out of my words, then?" Nadine asked in a pallid tone, clearly anticipating his failure.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:00

"You advised me to hand over all unclosed petitions to the Emperor's Office at once to free up my time at the beginning of the Onstum while I get into the business of the service." Calmly replied Alex, who had mastered the art of listening half-heartedly while reading books under the desk.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:01

"Is that so? Very good." Mumbled Nadine, with a slight disappointment in her gaze. "At least my words don't fall into the void."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:02

"However, in this case," Alex continued, watching with interest the reaction of the red-haired beauty. "I don't think it's possible for me to take your advice. Though, I appreciate your attempt to ease my burden. But I've been told at least ten times how important the project about decommissioning of light cruisers, which you suggested at your previous onstum, is, and I really don't understand why. And in such a situation, it seems to me wrong to submit a petition to the Emperor without first figuring out for myself what the matter is."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:04

"Oh, I had no doubt you wouldn't miss this opportunity." Nadine snorted again, rolling her eyes defiantly. "I suppose that's what this was all about. If it were any other person, I'd just ask to be treated fairly, not thinking of the benefits to your house. But in your case, it doesn't make any sense. The only hope is that the Emperor will lash out at House Fyron if your abuse of office becomes so egregious."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:07

"It's rather ironic, given your views, that you rely on the Emperor." Alex couldn't resist a quip, for which he received, predictably, another attempt to drill him through the gaze of her angry green eyes.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:08

"His Majesty is simply a luminary of justice compared to the low, unprincipled greed of House Fyron. Particularly vivid among some of that house's ancient clans. He never stooped to meanness for the sake of a position needed only to be able to cheat in an already prearranged game in his favor without thinking it as his own incompetence..."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:10

The rumble and loud squeak of the legs of the chair being pushed back interrupted Nadine's angry tirade, and she froze, looking at Taer, who had suddenly jumped up from her seat.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:10

"I need to freshen up." Taer threw, not even looking at Lady Pell, and walked briskly toward the exit of the hall, covering her nose with the palm of her hand for some reason.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:15

//What's the matter with her? - Alex stared at his security specialist in silence, not quite sure what had happened because just a few seconds ago, Taer had looked completely serene, and Nadine's many slurs against House Fyron that she had made before didn't seem to affect his first blade at all.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:17

There was a pause. Nadine, who had been shot down in the middle of her denunciatory sermon, had clearly cooled down somewhat:

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:18

"Really, we should probably take a break." She said, rising from her seat, too. "We've been here long enough. Let's take a break."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:19

"Lord Cassard, please tell her already that it wasn't her fault." The baroness's voice rang out as soon as the door closed behind Nadine, making Alex flinch in surprise. "I don't know what exactly happened between you two, but the poor girl has been clinging so desperately for hours to any opportunity to show your sins in an attempt to prove that you are to blame, too, that it just hurts to look at her. A man should be lenient to his woman's weaknesses, especially if she's really wrong."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:21

Lady Iolaya, looking at him with mild dissatisfaction if not accusation. And if her sudden emergence from a prolonged confused-smiling prostration was surprising in itself, her words confounded Alex altogether. // Did she take us for a couple?"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:22

It was strange, to say the least nothing was going on between him and Nadine that even hinted at a relationship.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:23

// There's either some cultural quirk that I don't understand. Or the old lady is not quite in her right mind. - Confused, he thought, trying to figure out how best to respond to these words.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:24

"I don't think there is a context in which Lady Pell can be considered "my woman." Alex cautiously answered her.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:25

"'So?" The baroness seemed genuinely surprised. "You mean you're not dating?"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:29

"No," he assured her honestly. "You can't even call us good acquaintances."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:29

// We crossed paths with her, like, five or six times. But all of them fell within the three dozen days that I've been here.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:30

"I'm sorry, that was awkward." Lady Iolaya laughed embarrassedly. "And I thought I was witnessing a lover's quarrel... But, then, why do you tolerate it?"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:31

"I wish I knew myself." Alex sighed, genuinely not knowing the answer to that question. "Maybe I just like looking at her when she's angry."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:32

The Baroness only shook her head indulgently in response. She too rose from her seat and headed for the exit of the hall.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:33

It didn't take Alex long to admire the decorations alone; a few minutes later, Taer returned.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:35

"Is everything all right? You jumped up so quickly." He asked as he stared at her while Taer took her seat, a little disheveled but still positive, even pleased, judging by the slight smile on her lips. Her face was still a little glistening with moisture. She was obviously washing her face.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:37

"It's all right."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:37

"I think you have blood drops on your shirt." He remarked.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:38

"It's just a nosebleed." Taer smiled nonchalantly, buttoning the collar of her uniform tighter. "It's nothing."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.23 в 21:39