The Northern Noble is a Grinder (Chapter 11).

The Northern Noble is a Grinder (Chapter 11).

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Commissioned by Sivantic

Word count: 2500

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Lady Aigen sat in a gazebo in a frozen garden but was unperturbed by the frost. Clad in furs and leather strips across her body, she sipped heated tea from a fine porcelain cup without noticing the cold.

If I were a few days younger, I would’ve wondered how.

Instead, I walked to her in a formal dress without feeling the cold myself.

Steward Matthew declared my presence before retreating.

I stood still and waited to be called.

Nary a moment passed before she proved that she knew the etiquette of this land and that she established herself as my superior by not standing to meet with me.

“Come. Sit.” She turned her gaze to me. I fought many giant monsters today, but they did not make me feel nearly as small as Lady Aigen did. Every step towards her, towards the seat she offered me, felt like I was walking through miles and miles under the gaze of a being who could kill me at any moment. If I was told I aged a year whilst walking to take my seat, I would’ve believed whoever said it. “Your strength has grown immensely. You’ve taken to my fiancé’s teachings well.”

“Lord Trelawney is an excellent teacher… if a bit harsh.” I wracked my brain for means to suggest to her that I felt nothing for him while ensuring my own safety. Telling her directly that I felt nothing for him would merely arouse suspicion. Insulting him would also demean her. I wished to establish our situation as swiftly as possible, but my mind could provide little. “After I learn all that I can, I hope to use his teachings to keep my home safe.”

Lady Aigen reached for the tea kettle, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me as she glanced at my cup.

Deftly and gracefully, she poured me a cup of tea and faced me.

“I understand that you had no intentions towards my fiancé. Let that matter be cleansed from your mind. I abhor the whole event in its entirety.” Lady Aigen was more magnanimous than I realized. Then again, she had invaded my dreams and tried to bewitch me at our first meeting. My concerns would be considered well-founded by most who knew the entirety of the event. “I have called for you as I believe the restitution I granted you was lacking, especially as you have showcased to me your true potential.”

Ah.

She has seen my growth from yesterday to today and judged me worthy of more respect.

That fact complicated matters greatly.

“I am greatly pleased by the blade that you have granted me. Coupled with your acknowledgement of my strength, I can ask for no more.” My attempt sounded poor even to my ears, and it was poor enough that Lady Aigen smiled and laughed beneath her breath. Though I felt my cheeks redden, I felt relieved. “You have my thanks, Lady Aigen. I am ill-trained in diplomacy.”

“Against those who are superior to you. You act with great dignity around those of lesser strength and status. You come from a peaceful land, then. A peaceful land where hubris has arisen in the hearts of the next generation.” Lady Aigen spoke, and I realized that she knew my story now. She must have been truly informed of my station now. It was both a blessing and a curse to not have to fret. “It would be a lie to say that you have my sympathy. Your nation should have chosen to wage war upon a weaker neighbor so that those who hunger for glory would be sated. Now, instead, kin shall fight against kin for more power within a closed land.”

I saw the logic behind her words.

Though I wished to speak of justice and of honor, of how we did not wish to bring war upon our neighbors who did us no wrong, the impending civil strife stopped my tongue.

My shoulders slumped, and I felt resignation take hold of my heart.

“I only know now that I must gain strength to protect my family and our territory. I cannot speak for the rest of the Empire or those who rule it.” I admitted.

Only for Lady Aigen to speak up.

“Take it. Take the throne. You will have the means to do so with great effort with his aid. If you accept mine, then you will take it with far less.” I froze as the words struck me like a hammer blow. The audacity of her words, coupled with her immense power and strength, shook me to my core. She aimed to make me empress and place herself as my teacher. No. As the true power behind the crown, how could I possibly become stronger than her when she still sought out strength and lived countless years? “You will have more than vengeance. You will have the entirety of the empire, and your lineage will be safe for centuries. Is that not desirable to you?”

I opened my mouth to deny her, but I found myself unable to speak.

The moment the thought was placed in my mind, it ingratiated itself and carved out a niche. Suddenly, I was aware that it was possible. If I reached the strength that I was promised by Lord Trelawney and then accepted the teachings of Lady Aigen, then my strength would be more than enough.

Not only would I be able to protect those who still stood by my side, but I would also be able to take the throne.

Take the throne and perhaps stop the impending war to come.

Were it only a dream, I would’ve been more capable of resisting it.

But with the strength that I will soon have and what I can learn from her—

“That’s enough, Aigen.” A presence as dark and vast as the ocean on a moonless night appeared at my back. A massive armored hand settled on my shoulder. Something slipped away from my mind. The temptation was gone. Instantly I was aware that something had been done to me, even though I had been given all assurances that I would be safe by Lady Aigen! “But you were being an idiot. She’s invaded your dreams and tried to break your mind, but you lowered your defenses to her just because she followed a few customs? Customs that she doesn’t believe in?”

Lord Trelawney’s booming voice made my cheeks redden in shame.

When Lady Aigen spoke again, her voice was cold and deep.

“She is your guest. You gave her lacking protections, Lord Trelawney. Her body is strong, but her mind is weak. She will fall without being properly taught.”

“I’ll teach her how to keep her mind intact when she’s not pushed to the physical limit every day. Don’t pretend like you’re not taking advantage of the fact she’s exhausted.” Lord Trelawney waved with his hand, and the food on the table shimmered before my very eyes. Including the tea that I was served. “You’ve just lost any privilege to command my staff. I hope you enjoy earning that right again.”

Some part of me felt furious, but I commanded it to be silent before I spoke out of turn.

As much as it shamed me, I cowered behind Lord Trelawney and placed him between myself and Lady Aigen.

Twice now, I’ve been tricked. The onus of the first betrayal was on her, but this time the mistake was wholly mine.

I will not fall for it a third time.

“My own servants will be arriving soon. They will tend to my needs.” Lady Aigen declared. I shivered. Plans within plans. I was but a passing objective to her aim to place more people that she can trust into the castle. “I believe that there is another guest wing—

Lord Trelawney didn’t care.

“If they come here, I’ll kill them. This land, the skies above it, and the seas that surround it are all mine.” Lord Trelawney spoke, and the whole world shook. Clouds high above parted as if blasted apart by wind. After a few moments of silence, I realized that the crashing waves in the distance were also gone. “I declare now that it will do as I will and be without mercy.”

Lady Argelia moved swiftly at his words, composing a spell and proceeding to speak in another tongue at a rapid pace to someone in another place entirely.

Lord Trelawney looked over his shoulder at me, and I thought that I would sense disappointment.

Instead, he raised a gauntleted hand my way and raised up a thumb.

“Good job breaking out of it right away. Next time, keep your guard up. Actually, next time, just tell her that you’re not allowed to do anything besides rest after a hunt.” True relief swept over me at his words. Then, the armor lifted from the ground, and he turned to leave. “Feel free to stick around. She’ll try to be nice to you now.”

I wondered exactly what that would entail, but I shook my head instead of allowing curiosity to get the better of me.

“I think that I’ll leave for now. I want to rest.”

“Smart.” Lord Trelawney stated, before moving away.

I followed.

…

I found Chloe on the floor, in a nightgown, holding a pillow, and staring into the ceiling with blank, wide eyes.

For a moment, I considered the fact that she had left my side and did not support me when I was thrown aside.

Then, I recalled the fact that Lord Trelawney took her into the dark, snowy night to kill several ogres while also being taught how to take in as much of their power as possible.

That night when I took in the rage, hate, and suffering of the first monster I slayed, it was still etched into my memory.

It was hard to believe it was just mere days ago.

I decided at that moment to do away with my grudge.

“C’mon, get up. You need rest on an actual bed.” Chloe flinched at my presence. I realized that I was still nervous from my meeting with Lady Argelia and was not restraining myself. The new power she received this evening placed her solidly within striking range of myself and Alice. Alice was in the corner of my eye, doing her best to stay unnoticed, until I just waved her over with a sigh. I picked Chloe up and plopped her onto one of the sofas in the living room. “If you can muster up the strength and will to catch up with us by tomorrow, I’ll have Lord Trelawney teach you in full to stand by my side.”

My original plan with her was to have her remain weaker than me.

But after considering the coming times of hardship, I decided against it.

Keeping Chloe weak felt like something that Lady Aigen would do.

“Lady Argelia…” Chloe stirred and managed to get through some of the mental burden that weighed on her. Fresh from the ship, she met with someone she failed, and then was pulled into the northern night to fight a great and terrible beast in the darkness. After succeeding, after imprinting on the essence of the creature that she was its killer, she was made to consume that creature herself. She may as well have fought and slain herself in pitched combat while feeling only rage and the desire to live. Could I still hold that moment where she failed me against her? Yes, I could. I was not beyond such pettiness. But could I forgive her? Yes. I was not so petty that I could not understand and forgive. “I am so, so sorry. I should have stood before you. I should have come to your aid. I should’ve been brave—

“I shall accept your apology, Chloe.” A mixture of surprise, relief, and confusion filtered across her face. Alice raised an eyebrow at my statement, but I could only helplessly gesture at myself and her, then towards Chloe. What did I mean to say with such movements? I didn’t know entirely myself, but the message seemed to be conveyed. Alice looked upon Chloe and gave a sigh before tersely nodding. “But I require penance. Endure this trial with us and never stray from coming to my aid again.”

For a moment, I wondered if Chloe would accept merely alluding to what we were doing as a trial, as it sparked fear in her eyes.

But she gritted her teeth and clenched her teeth.

The hesitation and fear that I saw only highlighted the courage that she summoned.

“I will. I shall. I will not fail you again, ever. I swear on my own name and my own soul.” She swore with all her being. Enough for faint flickers of magic to come to life. It was not a magical contract, not some soul-sworn fealty, but her conviction and her words were true. “Lady Argelia, please allow me to fight by your side and protect you once more.”

Some part of me still remembered being alone whilst surrounded by faces filled with glee, but when I closed my eyes and pierced through the veil of my own loathing… I saw faces of concern, of fear, and of hesitation amongst the crowd.

I saw Chloe’s face in the crowd, her hand on the ceremonial blade on her hip, but her body half-frozen as she tried and failed to act against the future heir of the whole empire.

The memory was still fresh.

Not even a month has passed since it happened.

But when given the chance to sail across the seas to join me, and after realizing the challenges that lay ahead to stay beside me, Chloe chose to still apologize and accepted my terms to stay by my side.

Though I already made the decision, I felt only content with it after I finished recalling that horrible moment in full.

Chloe failed then, but she was here, she admitted her mistakes, and swore to do everything to make up for it.

That was more than enough.

“Then, Chloe Rothwell, I bid you to gain strength by my side and to not stray from my side henceforth.” I offered her my hand, and she scrambled to get off the sofa. She strained, but she managed to kneel. It was ludicrous. I was in formal wear, she was in bedclothes, only Alice was watching, and we were in the far north in a living room. But she took my hand and pressed her lips against the back of my hand before placing it against her head. I gave her my blessing. “Swear by your name and honor that you shall not falter or fall ever again in my service.”

“I swear.”

With those two words, a great weight fell from my shoulders.

I will need to look back on that horrible night once more to see if there are others who I can forgive and accept once more.

With what is to come in the future, I could not let a singular moment such as that take away allies that will be sorely needed in the future.