Chapter 33 Oscar's Plan
“And so that’s where we stand,” Oscar finished explaining after recounting the entire story.
Abélie, Günther, and Frédéric listened attentively, somewhat bewildered. The young man launched into a tirade that lasted several long minutes, a truly unusual experience for him.
It was Günther who spoke first, clearing his throat a little.
“So, if I understand correctly, you’ve just made an enemy of the Emperor?”
“Let’s rather say that Lady Brynn’s actions have placed me in the middle of a field of fire, I’m afraid.”
The master-at-arms stroked his short beard thoughtfully.
“Well, that’s rather unfortunate.”
“I told you she was probably a witch!” Abélie chimed in, looking indignant.
“Abélie!” Oscar rebuked her.
She fell silent, pouting.
Frédéric simply listened.
“And what do you intend to do, my Lord? Cancel this union and return to Eau-Claire?” the old mentor asked, pulling up the collar of his coat.
Oscar paused for a few moments of reflection.
The small group was strolling through the streets of Mulberry on a beautiful sunny morning. The rain had spared them for once, and Oscar had taken advantage of it to slip away and arrange a small council with those closest to him. As for the duchess, she had most certainly gone about her own affairs.
It had only been two days since Lord Voston’s visit, and yet Oscar was still shaken by it. While he had readily accepted the state of things at first, he could not help but feel manipulated once again.
“I cannot return to Rivière—my father would never accept it,” he finally replied. Though the matter saddened him, it now stirred anger in him as well. He drew in a breath. “But I have no intention of allowing that woman to manipulate me. That is why I must establish my independence.”
The young majordomo raised an eyebrow.
“By being married to a witch? I’m not quite sure I understand what you mean by that, my Lord.”
“When my father grows too old—and no matter what he thinks—I will be the sole heir of Rivière. In that sense, my future is already mapped out. But he might well disown me if I renounced this marriage. Therefore, I must keep a low profile, marry the duchess, and make connections at court,” he explained very matter-of-factly.
“Hm… Yes, that could be an idea. A rather long one, with many opportunities for the plan to fail, but let’s say it’s a starting point,” the master-at-arms remarked.
At his side, the glint of his blade shone faintly in its scabbard.
“I have no other choice for now. I’m not going to confront my father head-on. I know very well what he would make of that.”
“You could consider more… devious methods,” the old man suggested very seriously.
Abélie and Oscar cast him sidelong looks, surprised that he, of all people, would propose such a course of action. He shrugged.
“War has never been kind to those who play fair,” he simply replied.
Oscar frowned and cleared his throat.
“I have no intention of going to such extremes. If I wield my weapon, it is to protect people, not to harm them.”
A few wrinkles appeared at the corners of the old man’s eyes as he patted his shoulder.
“I know, my Lord. I was teasing you. And besides, whatever happens, we will stand by your side to support you.”
A faint smile blossomed on Oscar’s lips.
“That’s kind of you, Günther.”
The wind continued to sweep through the streets, but fortunately, the sky remained very clear. Abélie could not help rubbing her fingers together every two minutes to warm them.
“By the way, my Lord,” she began, blowing on the tips of her bluish fingers. “The disappearance of the criminals is truly strange. The inhabitants of Mulberry have no information except that, overnight, their streets became quieter. Many attribute it to the duchess’s policies, but whenever I ask them exactly what she put in place to achieve that, they cannot really answer.”
The young man raised an eyebrow.
“In that case, what makes them say it is thanks to Lady Brynn?”
“It’s a fairly well-known fact among the aristocracy. At least among those who take even a slight interest in this duchess, and since she is the subject of many rather unflattering rumours, it’s something frequently repeated. But since she became Duchess of Wingfall after her father’s death, the duchess has made this once shabby and dilapidated duchy prosper.”
Günther burst out laughing.
“Well, if Wingfall is prospering now, I’d hate to imagine it when it was struggling.”
The young majordomo shook her head.
“Neither would I, but it is indeed the truth. Today, the duchy has harvests and financial income such that, despite its very austere nature, the inhabitants are not to be pitied. The crime rate is very low, and the duchy does not suffer from the same disparities between populations as Rivière does, for example. And all of that has happened since the duchess took command.”
Oscar scratched his chin.
“And how was it before Lady Brynn… became duchess?” the young lord asked.
“You didn’t look into the matter?” Abélie teased.
He gave her a sidelong glance.
“Why would I, when I have such an excellent majordomo to do it for me?”
She hesitated for a moment and shrugged.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” She also pulled out her small notebook. “Very well. Let me enlighten you."