Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 572

After Argrave and Elenore had come to a similar conclusion about their actions vis-à-vis Sataistador’s connection to the governor, they finally answered Stain, who’d been on hold for quite a long time.

“Argrave is willing to consider… further concessions regarding this alliance,” Elenore conceded on his behalf. “But you speak so much of how your family is at the heart of your influence, while you’ve introduced us only to a small few. I think a family gathering is in order, where we can work out the details of any further arrangements over the course of a day. We can furthermore iron out our plans to take the Palace of Heaven.”

Governor Zen looked to some family advisors, and they leaned in to whisper words of advice to the governor. When he’d received all he needed, he faced Stain clearly and said, “Alright. I can call over the vast majority of my family to join in for Orion’s wedding.” He raised his hand to preempt interruption. “I know that we agreed that it should take place after the war. But times have changed, as I’m sure you’ll agree.”

“You want to move up the date for the wedding?” Elenore was genuinely surprised—she thought it would benefit the governor more if they were betrothed, yet unwed. Bound, yet not fully.

“We both want the same thing—certainly, surety.” Governor Zen rose to his feet and held his arms out as if to embrace. “What better way to do so than to stop dragging out feet and tie our families together?”

Argrave hesitated somewhat, but he felt none of that same hesitation from Elenore. After a few moments, he bent to Elenore’s will. Orion had, after all, long ago agreed to this match. It did complicate matters somewhat. He had absolute trust in his brother after how far they’d come, but that trust didn’t blind Argrave to some of his… odder impulses. He didn’t know how Orion would deal with something like this—it was totally untested territory.

“We’re in the middle of a war,” Elenore reminded Zen. “Hardly suitable for festivities.”

“I don’t need reminder. But what better than a day of happiness amidst the tragedy? Besides—it’ll take some time to get armies in place, and to get the leash back on Ji Meng.”

Elenore advocated for accepting, but waited for Argrave’s consent. He could feel her thoughts through Vasquer, and she argued they needed time to plan our their method of attack. Moreover, they needed to start unraveling the web that Zen had woven with his family, and as they did so, they could put a nice bow atop their other schemes.

“Speaking of the leash… Emperor Ji Meng will be attending this wedding,” Elenore stated plainly. “He doesn’t have a good excuse to refuse attending and blessing his daughter’s wedding. There, we’ll ask for your aid in muzzling the rabid dog.”

“Very well,” Governor Zen agreed—his haste made Argrave satisfied, but it left Elenore wondering if they had missed something. “I’ll make all of the preparations. If Ji Meng is participating, we’ll hold it in the imperial palace.”

“The palace? Can you decide that so easily?”

can,” Governor Zen stated proudly. “Ji Meng won’t be able to

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his two spearheads for this invasion of the Great Chu. “A wedding. Orion’s wedding. It’s like an elephant and a horse… he’s probably two feet taller than

words with a curt nod. “But

people… not exactly pleasant unless you like the pair. Thought my own would be fun, maybe. Anne and I took a different route in light of everything, and I don’t regret it. I still remember that night. Quiet. Fun.” Argrave sighed in wistful remembrance, and Anneliese smiled at him in silence. “Is it wrong to say I never pictured Orion,

shrugged. “It doesn’t need to

makes the vow, he’ll keep it.” Argrave

commanded him to divorce, I’m sure he would.” Elenore crossed her arms and leaned up against the wall of the ship. “He may value the Vasquer family above all, but

at

be aware that it

she’s right,”

think you’re my… you know what I mean,” Elenore trailed off quietly. “Orion was the only one our father really fooled. Induen, Magnus, Levin, myself… we knew Felipe was wrong, twisted. Evil, even. But

young at heart, I guess, while I’m the old soul.” Argrave cracked his knuckles, somewhat dreading what he needed to do. “I guess… I guess I have

at this wedding, too.” Elenore closed her eyes. “Given what Felipe made out of Orion, we have to make sure the woman he’s to be married to won’t make a monster of him. We have to protect him from that

with conviction.

#####

so soon?” Orion, resplendent in his golden royal guard’s armor, raised his brows in surprise

events. Only the bombardment from the sky tower, like distant fireworks, disturbed the

Argrave said, feeling

needn’t apologize!” Orion said in comforting disbelief. “You are the family patriarch, and I am one of the members of House Vasquer. It is only the natural order of things that you should decide my marriage.” He put his hand to his heart. “The house’s prestige won’t be diminished by this. The daughter of an empire as vast as the Great Chu is a finer jewel than I deserve. She has all four limbs,

looked at him squarely. “I’m not Your Majesty, now. I’m your brother. We’ve never talked about what you want for your family. I’d even venture to say you spend too much time

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