Inside the grand salon of the manor, the tall windows let in a gray light.
Dyana and Randal stood side by side near the large fireplace where the fire ward the air. Dyana had removed her soaked veil; her hair clung in strands to her temples and nape. Randal, for his part, maintained an inflexible posture, hands firmly clasped behind his back.
The condolences began in murmurs.
An elderly baron, his graying beard still beaded with water, bowed deeply before Dyana.
"My most sincere condolences, Madam Duchess. Isabella was an admirable young woman. May the Seraphs, in their rcy, grant her eternal rest."
Dyana inclined her head, her parched lips trembling slightly.
"Thank you very much for your words, Baron Duin."
The sa essential phrase returned, declined with infinitesimal variations.
"Our thoughts are with you in this terrible ordeal."
"The duchy has lost one of its most promising lights. Our deepest condolences and unwavering support are yours."
Randal replied each ti with a simple rigid nod, sotis with a brief "Thank you."
When Prince Adrian’s turn ca, a more attentive silence fell over those close by. He stopped in front of Dyana and, with unusual delicacy, took her inert hand between his own before bowing.
"Madam Duchess... I am deeply sorry, shaken. Isabella ant so much to all of us. Her loss leaves a void that seems impossible to fill."
Dyana weakly squeezed his fingers, a semblance of life returning to her extinguished gaze.
"You were... very attached to her, weren’t you, Your Highness?"
Adrian lowered his eyes, a shadow passing over his face.
"No more than my brother was, madam. Right now, I imagine he must feel completely devastated."
Dyana sketched a smile as pale as it was fleeting.
"Yes... that must be the case."
Julius, standing just behind him, bowed in turn with grace. His voice was calm, composed.
"My most sincere condolences, madam, my lord duke. The entire Empire shares your grief and acknowledges the magnitude of your loss."
Randal finally raised his eyes to et the gaze of the crown prince. He replied with a faint smile.
"The Empire is generous with its presence in these dark hours. We take note. Thank you, crown prince."
After the princes, it was the turn of the Paragon house. Count Paragon bowed with solemnity.
"Our most affectionate thoughts are with you, as is our promise. We of the Paragon house, as loyal allies, will remain here to support you, today as tomorrow."
Duke Randal then let out a slight smile, barely a crease of the lips, but significant in his impassivity. The count, perceiving this sign, departed with a dignified step.
Kaiser, at his side, followed his steps and stopped before the duke and duchess. He gave a brief salute, bowing in turn.
"My condolences, madam, my lord duke."
Dyana barely looked at him, her attention already drifting. Randal rely inclined his head a centiter, without uttering a word.
The line finally ran out, the last vassal slipping away. The guests then slowly dispersed into the imnse hall, forming small discreet groups. Servants appeared, silent, carrying trays laden with wine. A few conversations began, first in low and hesitant voices, then, as the glasses emptied, more assured. The oppressive silence finally broke.
Near a table where liqueurs were arranged, a noble fat as a pig seized a goblet with an audible sigh.
"I’m frankly glad we’re finally being offered sothing to drink a bit of warmth," he confided to his neighbor. "The atmosphere was starting to beco quite stifling."
His companion, slimr, swirled the amber liquid in his glass before nodding.
"I admit it’s pleasant to let a bit of tension leave one’s shoulders, even briefly, in these... chaotic tis."
...
Kaiser, a glass in hand, left the circle of a few nobles wanting to weave connections and approached Prince Julius who was observing, isolated from the nobles.
"Your Highness," he simply said. "Nasty day, isn’t it?"
Julius slowly turned his head.
"Very nasty, indeed. And endless. You are?"
Kaiser took a slow sip, his gaze sweeping the room over the rim of his glass.
Kaiser gave a bow: "Son of Count Paragon, loyal vassal of the Donoghan."
"Oh, Paragon... Pleased to et the heir of that noble house." Julius smiled slightly even though his expression was quite dull.
Strangely, Kaiser noticed that he cared a great deal about Isabella.
"Are you holding up? You look like today’s rain has washed you out from the inside."
"You could say that. And you? You seem, how shall I put it... very calm about the situation."
Kaiser shrugged slightly, a nonchalant gesture.
"Habit, I suppose. Death eventually becos part of the scenery when you’ve been around it enough. You learn not to show too much grief."
Julius stared at him for a mont.
"Were you close to her? To Isabella?"
Kaiser averted his eyes, suddenly seeming interested in the flas in the hearth.
"As a vassal house of the Donoghan, our families frequented each other. We knew each other since childhood. On that basis, yes, you could say we were close."
Julius remained silent for a few seconds, absorbing the nuance of the answer.
"I see."
It was at that mont that Adrian approached, breaking the face-to-face. He greeted Kaiser with a cordial but distant nod.
"Paragon, since you were also present, you undoubtedly had so unheard-of information?"
Kaiser inclined his head slightly in return, in a gesture that could pass for respect.
"I’m afraid not, Your Highness, being in the company of Princess Olivia during the events. My renewed condolences, to you personally."
Adrian nodded. Then cast a glance toward his brother Julius.
"This must really affect you, brother. Enough to make them pay!?"
Kaiser, preferring to stay on the margins of their conflict, slipped away without waiting.
After all, he knew what was going to happen.
’This conflict that had just begun would escalate afterward. Because the Holy Cathedral did not want war, which Julius obeyed without saying anything unlike Adrian who wanted violent reprisals.’
He crossed the room, went to lean back at a respectable distance from the agitation, and turned his attention toward Dyana. She had slumped into an armchair, her gaze vacant, lost in her thoughts.
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