Chapter 63 - Conversation with Aurelian [II]

Chapter 63: 63 - Conversation with Aurelian [II]

The door clicked shut behind Evelyne, leaving Adrien alone with the Crown Prince. The map of Arquenay remained spread across the table between them, its borders already looking less permanent than they had that morning.

Adrien rested one arm against the chair. His ribs still complained whenever he breathed too deeply, but the pain was easier to ignore than the man sitting across from him.

"Back at Oathday, you told me you wanted to remove your father from politics and deal with the Great Houses that had stopped answering properly to the Crown." Adrien tapped the map. "So I assume Arquenay was one of them."

Aurelian looked down at Gaspard’s former territory. "It was. They had been on my list for years, though I didn’t know about the slaving operation. If I had, this would’ve happened earlier."

"Then what exactly did you know?" Adrien asked.

"Enough to know Gaspard was becoming a problem. Money moving through accounts that never appeared in Crown reports, decisions made without approval, obligations delayed until somebody reminded him repeatedly." Aurelian leaned back slightly. "He’d started treating Arquenay territory like his own little kingdom."

Adrien studied him. "And you decided to watch." Aurelian’s expression barely changed.

"I decided not to move until I had something solid. Suspecting a Great House is one thing. Tearing one apart without making every other house wonder whether they’re next is another."

That part made sense. Destroying a Great House without proof would put the others on guard.

"So you couldn’t remove him without giving the rest a reason to fear the Crown." Adrien glanced toward the copied documents beside him.

"A Great House comes with alliances, marriages, debts and people who benefit from keeping it alive. If I moved without undeniable justification, every other house would start asking what loyalty was worth."

"Then I made your job considerably easier." Adrien’s eyes dropped to the documents.

"You did. You gave me something I didn’t have before."

"An excuse."

"A legal reason." Aurelian’s mouth shifted slightly. "There’s a difference, and in politics that difference matters."

Adrien looked back at the territory about to become Clairmont land. A city, villages, farmland, a mine and potentially more than a hundred Awakened. It was generous enough to make him suspicious.

"So how much of what you’re giving us is actually compensation?" Adrien asked. "The land, the soldiers, the mine. How much of that is for today, and how much of it is you deliberately rebuilding House Clairmont?"

Aurelian was quiet for a moment before giving him a faint smile. "More of the second than your mother would probably enjoy hearing."

"At least you’re admitting it." Adrien didn’t bother hiding his suspicion.

"You asked for honesty the first time we spoke privately. I see no reason to change that now." Aurelian rested one elbow against the table. "A weak House Clairmont is of very little use to me."

Adrien let out a short breath. "That’s refreshingly direct. I prefer knowing where the knife is."

Aurelian seemed almost amused. "Then we’re making progress." Adrien wasn’t sure he would call it that.

"If I’m going to change the balance of power in Valebrand, I need houses that have a reason to keep the kingdom stable," Aurelian continued. "Houses that aren’t already tied into every private arrangement being made behind the Crown’s back."

"And you think Clairmont can become one of them." Adrien watched him carefully.

"I think it can. Your house still has its name, its history and enough legitimacy that rebuilding it doesn’t look artificial. More importantly, you’re currently independent of most factions inside the kingdom."

Adrien gave him a flat look. "Currently."

Aurelian nodded once.

"Exactly. I don’t expect you to stay politically isolated forever."

Adrien shifted carefully in his chair. "If you’re expecting today’s rescue to buy my loyalty, Your Highness, you’re going to be disappointed."

Aurelian didn’t look offended. "If one rescue was enough to buy your loyalty, I’d have less interest in working with you. I’m not asking you to swear yourself to me, Adrien."

"Then what are you asking for?" Adrien asked.

"Three things. First, information. If you uncover something involving another Great House, I want to hear about it before it disappears into a Crown office." Aurelian moved the map aside before continuing.

"Second, cooperation when our interests align. I’m not asking House Clairmont to support every decision I make, but I don’t want you opposing me simply because of who my father is or what happened to yours."

"And the third?" Adrien asked.

"Stability. Rebuild what you’ve gained, govern it properly and make this region strong enough that I don’t have to worry about another crisis growing here."

Adrien considered that. "Information, cooperation when it benefits both sides, and a stable Clairmont territory. And if our interests stop lining up?"

"Then we’ll disagree. It doesn’t need to become more complicated than that."

Adrien almost laughed. "You make alliances sound remarkably simple."

"They usually become simpler when people stop pretending they require friendship." Aurelian’s voice stayed even. "I don’t need you to like me. I need to know that when our interests point in the same direction, you won’t refuse to work with me out of pride."

Adrien still didn’t trust him. Aurelian had removed one political problem and turned the remains into something useful for himself.

Useful people could also be dangerous people. Aurelian was clearly both.

"Arquenay disappearing changes your plans, doesn’t it?" Adrien asked.

"It changes the timetable."

"For taking the throne?" Adrien’s attention sharpened.

Aurelian didn’t bother pretending he misunderstood. "For everything around it. One unreliable Great House is gone, and another house I consider useful has gained enough resources to matter again."

Adrien stared at him. "You really know how to make compensation sound insulting."

"It wasn’t intended as a gift." Aurelian gave him a brief look. "I’d be more concerned if you were grateful enough to stop asking questions."

Adrien tapped his fingers once against the table. "How many Arquenays are there?"

That made Aurelian pause.

"If we’re turning his name into a category, two or three more could reasonably qualify."

"And I’m assuming you aren’t going to tell me which houses they are." Adrien already knew the answer.

"Not yet. If that changes, it’ll be because there’s a reason for you to know."

Adrien nodded slowly. "At least that answer sounds like you."

Aurelian gathered the reports into one stack and stood. Whatever he’d wanted from the conversation, he seemed satisfied.

"I think we understand the shape of this well enough for today," Aurelian said. "We can leave the rest until there’s actually a reason to discuss it."

Adrien stayed seated. "I wouldn’t call it an arrangement yet, Your Highness, but I understand what you’re asking."

"That’s enough for now. We’ll speak again when there’s a reason to."

Aurelian left without offering another handshake. Adrien watched the door close behind him, no closer to trusting Aurelian Valleroy than before the battle.

Knowing exactly what the Crown Prince wanted was useful enough.