Chapter 132: Brothers by Blood (3)
Lucard smiled faintly. "That part is ours."
Caelan looked at him. "Yes."
Aldric watched that exchange carefully.
The prince opened the folded document.
"There is another matter. Until Jake Vardros reaches the proper age and strength to carry the house openly, the emperor has decided that House Vardros requires a temporary head."
Jake looked up quickly.
Jenny also looked at Lucard before she could stop herself.
Caelan noticed.
"Jake Vardros is the proper future head by direct house inheritance," the prince said. "That will not be taken from him."
Jake’s shoulders relaxed slightly.
"But he is a child," Caelan continued. "A child carrying an old name becomes meat if adults are polite and fools if adults are kind. Therefore, by imperial recognition, Lucard Vardros will act as temporary head and heir-protector of House Vardros until Jake comes of age."
Peter’s face changed again.
Jenny closed her eyes for one small moment.
Lucard remained calm.
Caelan looked directly at him. "This will soon be announced. Not the archduke matter. Not yet. But your position as acting head and heir-protector will be made public. It gives you authority to speak for House Vardros, manage its property, command its retainers, accept service, make contracts, and protect Jake’s inheritance."
Aldric added, "It also places responsibility on you. If House Vardros causes disorder, answers will be demanded from you first."
Lucard looked at the document.
The emperor was clever again.
He could not openly reveal everything. He could not make Jake a target by saying too much. So he placed Lucard in front. A shield. A blade. A visible danger enemies could focus on while Jake grew behind him.
The old emperor had seen enough from Gravehold reports to understand one thing.
Lucard was already acting as the head.
Now the throne was only giving the act a legal skeleton.
Jenny said quietly, "What about my place?"
Caelan looked at her. "Lady Jenny Vardros remains senior daughter of House Vardros and guardian sister to Jake. Your word will carry weight inside the house. The emperor expects you to help keep the family stable."
Jenny bowed her head. "I understand."
Lucard glanced at her.
She understood more than the prince realized. Jenny would manage the human side of the house better than Lucard. She would remember names, faces, dignity, and wounds. Lucard would remember threats, blood, and usefulness. Together, that might become something that did not collapse immediately.
Jake looked at Lucard.
"So... Brother is the temporary head?"
Caelan answered before Lucard could. "Yes."
Jake thought for a moment. "That is good."
Aldric asked, "You are not upset?"
Jake shook his head. "No. I am ten. I cannot even make Peter let me train with a real sword yet. If someone asks me to lead a house, I will tell them to ask my brother."
Peter coughed once. "Young Lord, training with a real sword and leading a house are both dangerous in different ways."
Jake looked at him. "That means I am right."
Prince Caelan stared at Jake, then laughed once before he could stop himself.
The sound surprised the room.
Even Aldric’s mouth moved slightly.
Jenny looked embarrassed but relieved.
Lucard said, "Jake has useful moments."
Jake smiled faintly at the rare compliment.
Caelan looked back at Lucard. "Do you accept?"
Lucard did not answer immediately.
He looked at Jenny.
Jenny met his eyes. There was worry there, but not refusal. She knew what this meant. Danger would come faster. But refusing the emperor’s recognition would insult the only power currently stopping their enemies from cutting them down in the street.
Then Lucard looked at Jake.
Jake nodded with trust so simple it almost annoyed him.
The old Lucard would have laughed at it.
This Lucard only found it heavy.
He turned back to Caelan.
"I accept."
Caelan held out the document.
Lucard stepped forward and took it.
Their fingers almost touched.
Caelan said in a lower voice, "Then stand properly, brother of the old blood. The emperor is giving your house a road back. Whether you walk it or die on it is your matter."
Lucard looked into the prince’s eyes.
"Do not worry, Caelan. I know how to walk on roads made of blood."
Aldric’s eyes narrowed.
Caelan stared at him again, pride and irritation mixing on his face. "You really do enjoy being dangerous."
Lucard folded the document carefully. "No. I enjoy being understood."
The prince looked at him for a long moment, then smiled slightly.
"Then make sure you are not misunderstood by the wrong people."
Lucard replied, "Wrong people usually do not live long enough."
Jenny whispered, "Lucard."
Caelan laughed again, quieter this time. "Now I see why my father sent me."
Aldric looked at him. "Your Highness."
The prince lifted his hand. "I know. We are not done."
The room grew serious again.
Aldric stepped forward. "The public announcement of Lucard Vardros as acting head will be prepared soon. Until then, this discussion remains private. You will not speak of the archduke status, the vault, the seal, or the blood connection to the royal family without imperial permission."
Jenny bowed. "We understand."
Peter lowered his head. "I will protect their silence."
Jake nodded quickly. "I will not say anything."
Aldric looked at Lucard.
Lucard said, "Secrets spoken too early become invitations."
"Good," Aldric said. "Then you understand."
Caelan moved back toward the table. "Tomorrow, we will begin hearing reports from Marovain, Velkhur, Ravencroft, and the city office. House Vardros will also be called."
Lucard asked, "As witness or suspect?"
Caelan smiled. "That depends on how annoying you are."
"Then prepare both chairs."
The prince stared at him.
Aldric sighed very softly.
Jenny looked as if she wanted to disappear into the carpet.
Jake looked impressed.
Caelan finally shook his head. "Leave for tonight. The road has been prepared, and guards will watch your return. Do not make trouble before morning."
Lucard said, "I rarely make trouble without reason."
Caelan answered, "That is not as comforting as you think."
Jenny bowed again. "Thank you for receiving us, Your Highness. Lord Envoy."
Caelan gave her a more formal nod. "Lady Jenny."
Aldric’s eyes stayed on Lucard a little longer. "Young Master Lucard, one last thing."
Lucard looked at him.
"The emperor’s protection is not a wall you can hide behind forever. It is time. Use it well."
Lucard’s expression did not change.
"I already noticed."
Aldric nodded once.
The Vardros family left the receiving room under the eyes of the prince, the envoy, and the imperial clerk. The guards led them back through the hall and into the courtyard. Night air touched their faces when they stepped outside.
For a while, none of them spoke.
The carriage waited near the gate.
Jenny climbed in first. Jake followed her. Peter entered after checking the street twice. Lucard entered last and sat opposite them.
Only when the carriage began moving did Jake whisper, "Are we really royal blood?"
Jenny looked at him. "Quietly, yes."
Jake looked at Lucard. "And archduke?"
"Not yet," Lucard said.
"But one day?"
Lucard looked through the carriage window at the dark streets of Gravehold.
The emperor had given him legal power.
Enemies had been slowed.
A house thought dead had been given a hidden road back to the top.
He smiled faintly.
"One day, they will have to say it while kneeling."