Chapter 198 – Vox Regis

Lilyth

‘Where are we going?’ Aki asked as we were packing. ‘Home?’

‘Not yet,’ I shook my head. ‘We have to deal with those fuckers first.’

‘The Viscount won’t be happy,’ Ren said in an indifferent tone.

‘I am fresh out of fucks about his desires.’

‘Oh, me too,’ Ren said. ‘Was just stating the fact.’

‘You know,’ Aki suddenly laughed, ‘I just realised that Persephone is the only blood relative of mine I met that doesn't suck. Well… that and Zaiven.’

I heard her add “and my mom” under her breath.

‘I wish we could have met her,’ I said and gave her a warm smile.

‘She would have loved you guys,’ Aki smiled back. ‘Once she finished processing well… you guys.’

‘At least it wouldn't be boring during family dinners.’

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. We readied ourselves for combat, and I slowly pulled the door open. It was Malika. She was standing there casually, looking more apologetic than anything.

‘Don’t worry, I am not here to enforce my dear husband's idiocy. We just want to talk with you. Could you please follow me to the throne room?’

We looked at each other, shrugged and told her to lead the way.

Dainyir, Kartyen, Ireela, Yachiro, Milten, Baerniel, Harkan and Vaeelia and the rest of our group, including Phosi, were waiting there for us.

How the fuck did they all get here? Persephone? Or can Malika also teleport?

‘All rise for Viscountess Lilyth of Terra,’ Kartyen shouted upon seeing us.

What.

‘We are already standing, Kart,’ Baerniel chuckled.

‘Umm… excuse me,’ I raised my hand. ‘Can someone explain what the fuck is happening?’

‘We are crowning you as the new ruler of the province, sweetie,’ Malika said. ‘You just deposed my husband, after all.’

‘I’m not sure I follow.’

‘My Lady,’ Baerniel began to address me,’ The old Viscount just tried to betray you, you proceeded to force the City Guard to stand down, and then to utterly humiliate him by ignoring all that was left of his authority and fighting back against the force he decided to align himself with. There is no recovering from that, especially the betrayal part.’

‘Yes,’ Yachiro agreed. ‘Choosing to sacrifice your allies to appease your enemies is a great way to ensure you will have no friends. Or people loyal to you in general.’

‘So, since we want to avoid anarchy or civil war, we decided to put you in power,’ Malika finished.

‘It has been ten minutes,’ I said, completely incredulous.

‘It wasn’t a hard decision,’ Yachiro replied. ‘Mal and I have been preparing for that since the debacle on Varlia. Baerniel was surprisingly easy to convince.’

‘I mean, you all are aware of the “Don’t Fuck With” list,’ the old soldier shrugged. ‘I fully expect our friends to make their way on it eventually.’

I turned towards Malika.

‘Isn’t this you betraying your husband?’

‘My loyalty is ultimately to my children, so Savri and Zaiven. Staying loyal to Wilhum would likely put me at odds with her, and after you pulled off a coup on Varlia…’

‘It was an accident!’ I protested.

‘Yes,’ Malika shook her head. ‘And you only killed twenty-five people. We know. While depowered. Which… you aren't now. So… we’d rather avoid heavy casualties caused by the chaos. I can easily imagine someone choosing to try to actually depose my husband, your group getting caught in the crossfire and… well… you know.’

‘Quite,’ Yachiro agreed. ‘While I will give you “The Talk” later, basically, you and your group reached a certain milestone in your adventuring career, and you are now in the Big Leagues. Your clash with people in power was inevitable, so we made… provisions for Ror-Bhyk.’

‘Indeed. I’d rather Zaiven live and have a normal childhood than inherit a title or die on his way to it.’

Oh.

‘But what does Wilhum think about it?’ I asked.

‘Good question,’ Aki chimed in. ‘Where is my brother?

‘In our rooms, readying his bedding on the couch,’ Malika said with a shrug. ‘I still love him, but, by the Gods, he is going to spend a lot of nights there.’

Ouch.

‘At any rate,’ Malika continued, ‘he does realise that due to the scale of his fuck-up he had choose whether to stay in power or to stay alive for longer than a month. Listen, you and your party are viewed as heroes of the city. Sure, there may be some misgivings about your actions in the Plaza, but it is nothing compared to how despised the Church of Light is right now.’

‘And, Wilhum trying to sell you to them… well… people would never forget that,’ Baerniel added. ‘Especially those serving under him. “He was willing to betray the Heroes of Ror-Bhyk. What will he do to me?” So we had to act fast before the news spread and start consolidating power around a popular figure, like say… the Chainbreaker of Varlia.’

FUCK!

‘What about Aki, though? She is Wilhum's sister.’

‘Yes,’ Malika nodded. ‘But she deferred to you with regard to challenging Wilhum. Believe me… people noticed that. Also, Aki coming to power due to this would cause an unholy mess. Look at the perception of it. Me… supporting my husband's half-sister over him and my own son. Hope you don't mind, Aki.’

‘Not at all,’ the blue-haired traitor said, clearly relieved.

‘See? And now you have hers and my support. The perception is still nasty, coups are like that, but at least there is a unified front.’

‘But I know next to nothing about ruling!’ I desperately tried to find another argument.

‘I will teach you all the protocol,’ Kartyen beamed at me.

‘And you will have advisors,’ Malika added.

‘Won’t she be gone for prolonged periods of time?’ Aki finally came to my defence.

‘Good point,’ Malika said. ‘Dainyir, do you?’

‘Uh…’ he replied.

‘Perfect. Lilyth and you?’

‘What?’

‘Splendid,’ Kartyen noted. ‘Those are valid vows. All hail Prince Dainyir of Varlia, the Viscount Consort of Ror-Bhyk.’

‘What,’ we both said.

‘Sorry, My Lady,’ Yachiro laughed. ‘The locals will find it easier to stomach a marriage between a man and a woman, rather than between four, or even two, women. Don’t worry. It is just for show. Plus, I imagine Dainyir will make for an excellent administrator while you are away.’

‘We really covered all the bases,’ Malika smiled, ‘including production of an heir. Now what shall we name your House?’

House? What house? I don’t own real es… Oh. She mentioned an heir… meaning it is not that kind of a house. Welp. Good thing I wanted to change my surname a few years back.

‘Geist,’ I replied.

What followed next was everyone, other than our party, swearing their loyalty to me. I was surprised that the Yamaoka Clan and the Bloody Perch Clan joined in, but it was their decision. I would say that I hoped it wouldn't cause trouble, but it would.

Fuck my life.

Finally, we were left alone while my new… courtiers began setting things up to arrange a peaceful transition of power.

‘What just happened?’ Caei asked.

‘I have no idea,’ I said.

‘I guess, congrats on your marriage?’ Savri scratched her head. ‘Sorry, I don’t have any gifts. I suppose you two should now go fuck?’

‘We covered the bedding the last time we got married,’ I said absentmindedly, ‘so I think we can dispense with that.’

‘You are in charge, hon,’ Ren said, also in a deep state of shock. ‘You decide this stuff.’

Oh… fuck.

‘But I don’t want to.’

‘We’ll figure it out,’ Aki said.

Hopefully.

‘So, Dain, how do you feel about this situation?’ I asked the poor boy.

He let out a series of terrified noises.

‘Sums it about right,’ I said meekly.

Persephone suddenly chimed in with the best suggestion ever:

‘Wanna go hunt down some Red Masks as a pick-me-up?’

As much as I wanted to do that, I realised I had to try diplomacy with the Church first, and only if that failed, murder would be acceptable.

I wanted to head to the Cathedral immediately, but Ren reminded me that I could order people around now. So I summoned Kartyen, well… had Dainyir fetch her anyway, and asked her to send someone to “invite” the Bishop.

‘Yes, Viscountess,’ she replied.

‘Let’s go with Viscount,’ I said. ‘Sounds better to me.’

‘Yes, Viscount.’

While we were waiting, I went to change into Nyx’s Suit and activated my [Cloud Form].

Might as well keep up the appearances.

My friends also decided to freshen up, despite my telling them not to bother.

‘Sorry, hon,’ Caei said. ‘We need to make sure you look good on your first official… thingie.’

‘Audience,’ Ren suggested.

Sweet Jesus, I used to be terrified of organising conf calls. Now I will be holding audiences.

Then, Dainyir and I were left alone in the throne room.

My throne room, the very thought made me want to scream, but luckily, Nyx chose that moment to pop up.

‘I couldn't let your first official thingie be some decrepit old man.’

I stood up as the goddess approached me, and she hugged me.

‘Be strong, dearie,’ she said. ‘I know you didn't ask for this. Remember, I believe in you. If it doesn't work out… just step down. No one can force you to actually be here.’

‘I guess that's always an option,’ I hugged her back.

‘I will love you no matter what.’

‘Thank you,’ I replied and buried my face in her chest. ‘You have no idea how much this means to me.’

I soaked in her presence for a few moments.

‘Trust your friends,’ she said after we detached. ‘And ask them for advice.’

We hugged again, and then she was gone.

‘She is so pretty,’ Dainyir sighed dreamily.

‘That she is,’ I agreed.

At times, I was sad that it was Savri that landed Nyx instead of me, not that I would trade Aki, Caei and Ren for anyone, and I was happy for the two…

Wait. Savri.

‘Dain…’ I turned to my husband. ‘Sorry to use you like an errand boy, but could you go and grab Sergeant Milten? A few of his men, too. I have an idea, but I will need his and Savri’s advice.’

‘It will be my pleasure,’ Dain saluted. ‘Happy to help you take down those bastards.’