Chapter 7.3: Death, Banquets and the Idea of Love
It was the first time you had actually killed a man personally, though you felt nothing as your father’s lifesblood washed over your hands, his eyes open in uncomprehending terror. He remains staring as the light fades from his eyes, a fool to the end. You were thankful that he had adopted you into House Camna, but his usefulness had ended once Arte died and you were heir. The Camna name was near worthless to you as long as he still lived, and now that he is dead, you will be able to leverage his old connections personally, as the new head of a House of one. If things didn’t work out… well, you could always make the most of your recently acquired inheritance to get yourself adopted again by an even more prestigious House, surrendering the name of Camna.
Still, it was such a simple trick that you could hit yourself for not thinking it up sooner. Drunk, sorrowful, ailing and alone, he receives a prank letter from a mysterious source taunting him about his eldest son’s death and he takes his own life in grief. The mysterious masked man had sent it, as part of his service. Whatever was inside you did not know – Velius had thrown it into the fireplace – but it had ended up with the old man crying, while clinging to you, right up until you drove his own dagger into his heart.
You look down at the rapidly cooling corpse with some distaste. You have always heard that people would panic and go crazy trying to wash the blood off their hands, but it appears those are just stories after all. It looks like it was time to call the servants in, as witnesses to their master’s unfortunate death. You prepare yourself to grieve – it is a good thing that everyone knows you were such a loyal son to the very end.
***
After you had fulfilled the masked man’s sole condition, everything went perfectly. The Emperor himself had asked for you as a host, apparently desiring to meet with the new head of a distantly related household. King Orgiano of Etruria had little choice but to agree. He was not too happy, but his staff gave a sigh of relief – in secret, of course – that they would not have to host the large entourage that Emperors always lugged around with them.
That heavy task fell to you. It would have been impossible to organize it without your betrothed’s help. Thania Unata was the sole daughter of House Unata, and looking at her parents you can't help but be intrigued at how they had managed to spawn a marvel such as her. She had brains, and to add to it, good looks. Even back when you were children, she was the one who had led you in schemes outsmarting Arte. She had a keen mind and a sharp eye for details, and Arte, the buffoon, had never appreciated it sufficiently. Sure, he loved her – as if that meant anything to you as you stole her heart and body from right under his nose – but he wouldn’t have known how to use her. Even with all her good traits, though, Thania was still an Unata. You did not really mind marrying her, but sometimes you wondered if you would not be more prudent to hold out for a chance to marry upwards.
“Dio?”
You are startled from your thoughts, and turn to look at Thania. She looked even more stunning than usual today, her brown hair cropped short after the Gallian fashion that was currently all the rage amongst the noblewomen of the Empire. The more discerning ladies would have been able to tell that it was a cheap cut, but she wore it well enough to outshine lesser women groomed by the best stylists. A rich-looking dark green dress, lined with blue satin trimmings, accentuated her assets. She notices you looking at the dress, and beams.
“Why, don’t tell me you are stunned by the dress? I must say… it fits me well.”
“Why would I be? I bought it. It’s just that… no, it doesn’t fit you well. It fits you perfectly.”
“Is that a compliment for me, or a compliment for your own taste, Diogenes Camna?”
“It is a compliment for my taste in women, Thania Unata.”
The both of you laugh, looking at the guests that were milling about in the reception hall of your manor. As she stops laughing, Thania sighs, a wistful look suddenly on her face.
“I wish Sir Velius would’ve been here to see this. He would’ve been so proud of you.”
You nod your head in agreement. “Father would’ve been overjoyed to see so many guests. House Camna hasn’t received so many people in years.”
She stretches her arms with a sigh of agreement, her dress slipping slightly to reveal part of her shoulder. You resist the urge to wince – her rural upbringing sometimes expressed itself distastefully. “I’m sure this won’t be the last time. There’ll be at least one more, won’t it?” Thania smiles. You know she’s talking about the impending marriage. “I feel that together, we can do anything. We always have, haven’t we, Dio?”
She was right, in a way – she had been extremely helpful to you over the years. Certainly, you knew that she thought of you as her best friend and lover, not some noble sop that she was to marry for upward mobility in the social strata. Out of the corner of your eye, you spot the Emperor at last. It looks like Thania would be helpful to you again tonight.
***
Emperor Rennephilio XIV was a dark-haired, stocky man of maybe 40 years of age. He had been on the throne for 15 years, and everyone agreed that he was the best Emperor they had ever had. Of course, everyone says that right up until the new Emperor takes his throne, so you had never bought into what people said, but instead observed what they did.
Rennephilio was a good Emperor for you; that was your conclusion. He cared not for intrigue, but more for the pleasure of his rank, exercising a libido that was said to be legendary. In his youth he had been a good warrior, but that had not translated to steel in the battlefield of politics. This effectively meant that actual governance was left to the Council of Kings, though it also meant that when Rennephilio insisted on something, the Council were more inclined to give it to him without any debates as he rarely demanded anything of them. His lack of interest in politics meant that the kings and nobles had more or less dismissed him – not to his face – during his time on the throne. You know better, of course; Rennephilio is still the Emperor of the Shinari, and he wielded great power if he should choose to use it.
You would just have to find a way to entice him to.
Besides Rennephilio stood his son and heir, Runikylos, the eldest son of the the Emperor’s Egyptian consort, and the most promising prince in the entire Imperial family. Given all the talk of the rumoured return of the First Emperor in the more religious corners of the Empire, some have even taken to calling him Ean reborn. You could believe that, as he cut a dashing figure in contrast to his father; tall, handsome and intelligent. He was your age, and you had attended the Academy together, though in different classes.
As you approach them, the Emperor notices you and gives you a big grin of approval. He holds out his hand. You bow as you kiss it, and Thania repeats the same. Watching the Emperor closely, you note the gleam in his eye as he followed her curves as she bows. You had studied the Emperor’s interests, and the dress you bought for Thania had been tailored to it.
“My Emperor,” you say, with one hand held over your chest. “I hope our hospitality is to your liking?”
“Oh, yes, of course. The wine is superb, the food is excellent, and every beauty in Etruria seems to be present. So this is your fiancée, Camna?” As he says that, his gaze again wanders over Thania. You could sense that she was getting uncomfortable, but she kept her smile on her face and held her posture. You heave a sigh of relief inwardly that she was at least competent enough to do that. Thania bows again. “Yes, my Emperor, I have the great honour of being betrothed to Sir Camna.” The Emperor nods approvingly and slowly. “I’m sure the honour is his… You are a lucky man, Camna. A lucky man.”
“Indeed, my Emperor.” You bow again, as an expression of gratefulness.
“Ah, father, you must not monopolize their time to yourself. Sir Camna, a pleasure to meet you at last.” Prince Runikylos steps forward to change the topic, a smile on his face, and holds out his hand. It was not a gesture for you to kiss it, however, but to shake it. You do so.
“The pleasure is all mine, my prince, but what do you mean, at last?”
“We went to the Academy together, though we were in different classes. Your thesis on the benefits of the continued independence of Free Scania was extremely interesting.”
You open your eyes in amazement. “Truly, the imperial family is possessed of divine patience. This is the first I’ve heard of anyone that actually read that damned tome.”
The prince chuckles, knowing your mock surprise is in good humour. “Oh, it is a real damned thick tome indeed. My learning master said it was twice as thick as the usual submissions he received, so he gave it twice the marks.”
You laugh. “I should thank him for allowing me to top the class then. But come, my Emperor, Prince Runikylos, the banquet is just getting started. Shall I call for more wine? I must’ve raided every cellar in Etruria just to find a drink befitting the Imperial family.”
***
All the poison tasters in the world wouldn’t have been looking for a subtle aphrodisiac slipped into the wine. It had been hard to procure, but the effects could be easily passed off as a matter of the alcohol loosening inhibitions. As the night wore on, you called Thania over, in full view of the Emperor, and asked her to fetch something from your chambers. It didn’t take long before Rennephilio, slightly tipsy, excused himself too, and walked off after Thania. Soon after that, you notice a concerned Runikylos rise from his seat. This will not do – you walk over to him, putting on a slightly worried look on your face.
“My prince, I am the host here, so please leave this to me.”
He shakes his head. “I know my father’s vices, and as his son I will be better placed to deal with any problems that might occur.”
“It is not for a son to see his father’s shame. I do not want any family arguments to occur under my roof, not when…” your voice trails off, choking slightly, and the prince’s face turns slightly red. He was a smart one, and caught your intent immediately.
“I’m sorry, Sir Camna, I spoke without regard… I am sorry. You must still be grieving over the death of your esteemed father… I understand.”
“Please, let me handle the matter, my prince.”
He nods, and pats you on the shoulder. You give him a grateful smile, and walk off to your chambers. Although it was a short walk, you took your time, and when you opened the door to your room, you were greeted with the sight of Thania’s tear-stained face, her torn dress, and the Emperor attempting to hold her down. They turn to look at you, on one face an expression of hope, and the other one of surprise.
***
A. Your plan was proceeding smoothly. You allow the Emperor to continue his activities...
B. Somehow, you find yourself unable to go through with this. You stop the Emperor.
