The heads of a few of the ducal and lesser noble Houses had been executed. Who, among the Princess’ friends at the Academy, were in on the whole thing we didn’t know, for certain. That might be a problem in the future. Nothing we could do about it without losing all the nobles. Which might not be a bad idea, but certainly wasn’t a good idea either.
The Empire was notified, by us, of what happened, when we sent a formal complaint about the Empire attacking us unprovoked. We claimed the entirety of Wallachia by Right of Conquest, and said we had removed and replaced the entire royal court. Which wasn’t entirely true. My ‘court’ was composed of my squad. For the time being. We sent notices to all the nobles and told them to appear before us and witness our official coronation, and revealed the poisoning of the former Queen with enough detail that everyone would be convinced.
It took a week for the Empire to send a peace delegation, but we knew they had an army at the border, where we had our own guard.
“Salutations, Ancient and Magnificent White Dragon Queen. I am your humble servant Angus Ó Sinéad. We have come to apologize for the unauthorized invasion of your lands by the foolish usurper Queen Vladimíra. The Empire has only ever wanted peace with your domains. We have come to listen to what claims you have, to make peace and regain good relations with your majesty,” Angus said, the leader of the peace delegation.
“First off, we claim this nation by Right of Conquest. Secondly, we accept your claim that the Empire was not the instigator, or even complicit in this illegal action. We personally knew the accursed usurper, and know her vile deeds and personality. Thirdly, we recognize that the kingdom of Wallachia is a vassal state of the Empire. Therefore, we swear the continued allegiance of Wallachia to the Empire. Fourth, we recognize the duties of the vassal state, and will continue to perform all the duties of the former rulers of Wallachia. Fifth, we will not disturb the established nobility in any way, but will ensure those nobles continue to give the Empire its due recognition and subservience. Sixth, our subservience applies only to the Kingdom of Wallachia as it was before the said usurper attacked us. It in no way changes the allegiances and state of the domains we now control outside the Empire. Seventh, we will not instigate, support, or conspire to commit any acts of insurrection against the Empire. Eighth, this allegiance grants no rights to allegiance of any independent nation who may at a later date fall under our control by conquest, or inheritance, or other legitimate means. We require no compensation or security, beyond the apology already given,” I said.
“You mean to continue to rule Wallachia in place of the former royal family, your most magnificent majesty?” Angus asked.
“We are pleased that you understand draconic etiquette, but it is unnecessary. You may speak to me as you would any human royal, at least while I am representing this mostly human realm. Yes, we intend to continue to rule Wallachia. However, not that it matters, the former royal family is extinct, as far as we know. We will be meeting with the resident nobles shortly, to extracts oaths of allegiance, and to inform them that nothing will change, except the person sitting on the Royal throne. We wish to disturb this nation as little as possible, so re-establishing order as quickly as possible is best for all,” I said.
“That is truly wonderful to hear, and is most wise, your majesty. We have only one concern. When it comes to the issue of heirs, there will be no tie to these lands or the Empire, and there is the worry that a future generation will not feel that the continued state of affairs is necessary,” Angus said.
“You wish us to take a mate from Wallachia nobility or the empire, and then to make a child of such union the heir to Wallachia. We expected such a request. We will accept this, but need a choice from a selection of potential suitors. Any such suitor will be a mate for life, and must be willing to accept such a fate,” I said.
“That is entirely reasonable. You are not going to demand any conditions on suitors?” Angus said.
“Any suitor who is agreeable, and of good heart is acceptable. Be warned that dragons cannot be lied to. Sending one with ill-intent will be immediately recognized, and keep in mind, that Dragons cannot be lied to, in your selections. I am Dragon enough to know a lying heart on sight,” I said.
“Your terms seem quite modest, and reasonable. Is there nothing else you seek,” Angus said.
“What I seek, I cannot attain, for Danu the Weaver has woven me a different fate. It has often been said she is the cruelest of the sisters. I seek only a quiet, peaceful life free of responsibility, and any power, except to be free to live a carefree life. I never wanted to be a princess, or queen, or responsible for anyone’s life but my own, and my children. That can never be my fate, though, and I accept that. So now I seek only to live the best life I can, doing the least damage as possible, and protecting as many as possible,” I said.
“Yes, we are all dealt our own fate. It takes wisdom to accept that which cannot be changed. The queen has given me authority to accept any agreement I feel is just to the Empire. I will not try to deceive you. I never expected such a fortuitous meeting. We will have to draw up a written vassalage agreement, your majesty,” Angus said.
“We have already drawn one up, predicting your positions. Please examine it and let us know if any changes are required,” I said, and Fergus handed him the document.
“Very impressive. You are a shrewd leader, especially for one who never desired such a position. This agreement is almost everything we had hoped for,” Angus said, after having read it carefully.
The agreement was signed, and I would be summoned to present myself before the Empress once a selection of suitors was arranged. Angus returned to the Empress, and we met with the local Nobles.
“Our first order of business, will be bringing you all up to date on what has happened. Here is a copy of the Vassalage Agreement we negotiated with the Empress’ envoy,” I said.
“Well, it is comforting to know that mostly there will be no more disruption, and we are at peace. However, we would have liked to have had some say in the terms. The Empire has been trying for ages to displace the heirs of these realms. You gave the Empire something for free, that they could not have obtained any other way. We much prefer you choose a suitor from one of our Noble Houses, but it looks as if we are precluded from that now. The Empress is unlikely to allow us to send suitors to comply with this agreement,” newly made Duke Malcorus said.
“Your houses are specifically included in the terms of the agreement. I don’t see how the Empress can deny you the right to send a suitor, when it is specifically designated in the Agreement. Granted you will each probably only be allowed to send one, as I doubt the Empress wants to give you much chance. She may also refuse some of the lower ranked houses. It does not say every House may send a suitor. She is also likely to send only the absolute worst candidates you send. So choose wisely. I will not choose an unwilling suitor, nor one who is likely a spy only, nor one who will be a poor husband, nor one with any animosity, or a liar. I am Dragonborn, and will instantly know whether one is a liar, or has any ill will against me,” I said.
“I see, well then we must endeavor to send you suitors who are the best we have,” said newly made Duke Vericus.
“Next, there is the issue, of your killing of our military leaders, nobles, and non-combatants in the recent conflict. We have been harmed by your actions how do you propose to compensate us,” Malcorus said.
“I did what was necessary. I cleansed the Palace of the treasonous employees of the Palace guards, cooks, maids, and others who were either active or complacent participants in the Assassination of Queen Draculina, through a conspiracy with the Poison Princess Vladimíra. There may have been some innocents among them, but there would be no way of determining who was truly innocent, nor who among the innocents were her adorers and followers while not being in the know of the poisoning. Executing them all was the only safe and fair thing to do. As for the Nobles, they were all complacent or active in the conspiracy and murder of the Queen. Even had they not, they were responsible for not stopping her from either, killing the Queen, or launching her reckless attack. Their deaths are justified as the treasonous people they were. Be happy they got more or less honorable deaths. It is more than they deserve,”
“Yes, well, you do have some valid points there, but we have only your word of this murder of the queen,” Vericus said.
Kiera tossed down the file we had on Vlada. One by one the nobles read through the file. Many becoming visibly upset by what they saw. Some became uncomfortable seeing the actions of their parent, or parents, revealed for all present to see.
“Thank you for your thorough, and open, explanation of the events that have precipitated this terrible occasion. I’m curious who collected this evidence and how you came into possession of this?” Vericus said.
“I’m sorry, that information is classified information. I can only say it was collected by intelligence officers in the field and service of another nation. It was incidental information collected in pursuit of another investigation. It was not intentionally collected about this nation, or its noble and royal families. I have vast networks myself, spanning several realms and nations. Sometimes I am gifted with information, I was not actually seeking, but is in my own self-interest to know. I am lucky to have connections to many who actually care about me, and consider me an important friend,” I said.
“Then you are truly blessed to have such friends. You are truly as formidable as the rumors say about you,” Vericus said.
“There are just as many half-truths and total fictions, as there are truths in the rumors about me. Be careful of your sources,” I said.
Vericus laughed. “That is completely unsurprising. Yes, I can see the truth of that, in having seen some of the fictions told about me, and my family.”
“This is why we all have our spies. It’s a bit depressing to see how far behind I am, from the White Dragon Queen. But I suppose that is to be expected from a living legend. Perhaps I could interest you in my younger brother Makoto. He’s only fifteen, but I think he meets all your requirements, and he’s also a fanboy of your majesty,” Said recently made Duchess Fumiko.
“Hey, don’t be jumping ahead of everyone! I plan to offer myself up for the position, as soon as I find a suitable guardian for my little sister,” Vericus laughed.
“Alright, getting off track here. The next thing we need to discuss, is setting up some personnel to serve in the Palace and manage the domain, so I can get back to the Academy, and my eggs. I am a mother after all, and have a duty to my children,” I said.
“Eggs? Mother? When did all this happen?” Fumiko asked.
“You were at the Academy. Did none of you see my flying high in the sky mating with my Red Dragon mate? I have eggs from our mating. That’s the normal thing when dragons mate, When I mate with a human husband I will also get pregnant. I don’t know if those matings will produce human style embryos, or if I can have them as eggs as well. Something else I need to ask my Dragonkin nurse,” I said.
The Nobles were all staring at me now in utter shock that I was a mother with eggs. Or perhaps scheming, now that I was known to be fertile.
“Oh, congratulations, your majesty. I hope your eggs produce healthy children,” Fumiko said, once she overcame the shock.
The meeting went on for a while longer without much progress. Some of the older nobles stepped in, and assisted in getting the personnel search started. In the end, it took three weeks to get a functioning central government up to run the nation. Malcorus was going to be an enemy for sure. Surprisingly, most of the Nobles I had killed had not infected their children yet. Ériu and Celes sent some people I could trust to run things, so I didn’t need to be always present. Holding on to this domain might be tricky. I suppose, I needed to get a husband quickly, and let him manage it. I brought in some dragonkin willing to take the risk, for the interim.
“You are stretching yourself too thin, my Queen,” Hestia said.
“I don’t have a lot of choices, Hestia,” I said.
Then we were back to school. We were summoned by the Queen. When we arrived we were led to throne room.
“What’s all this?” I asked a guard. He just shrugged.
We entered, and the room was filled with nobles along the sides. Silence fell on the throne room as we entered.
“Perfect. She’s going to make some other presentation,” I muttered.
We walked forward our boots resounding through the silence like the pealing of many bells against the rose marble of the room. We knelt before Queen Matilde. She rose and approached us, as her chamberlain followed her bearing a crown and silver chain on a pink velvet pillow.
“Oh, fuck all, she’s raising my noble rank,” I whispered.
“He he he. Such a hard life, you have,” Kanae whispered.
“Viscountess Deirdre Ní Qin. Your service to us has been brief, and yet in your short time among us, you have shown unyielding valor, determination, and strength of arms and spirit in giving your all to the defense of our Realm, from all threats foreign and domestic. For the second time, you have held back an invasion of our Realm and defended our subjects. Such acts cannot go unrewarded. Your rank of viscountess is now dissolved, and we raise you to the noble rank of Countess of Gryffonsveil,” Matilde said, as she placed the circlet on my head, Then clipped the silver chain on my left shoulder, and rose me by the hand. There were, gasps, and whispers, and some clapping from the nobles. The ceremony then devolved into a party.
“Congratulations, Countess,” Ériu said as she approached.
“Ugh, how many targets is she going to paint on my back? I can feel the daggers in their eyes. And why are the men still looking at me so hungrily. I have two human husbands already, and they must know I’m going to be getting one from the Empire soon,” I said.
“You are a rare beauty, Little Queen. A beauty whose star is rapidly rising. You are queen of two realms, and now a countess of another. You are rich beyond the dreams of most nobles. You are powerful. And you are proven to be, oh, so fertile. Not to mention your very public display of your sexual prowess, well in dragon form. You are every man’s wet dream,” Ériu whispered in my ear.
“Eww! Can you not be so crude, Marquise?” I said. She just giggled, along with my ladies.
“Congratulations, Countess Deirdre. I am Brandolf Ó Carrigan. I have long been an admirer of you. It is my greatest honor to finally have a chance to meet your esteemed ladyship,” Brandolf said, taking a hold of my hand unexpectedly, and boldly kissing it.
“It is a such an honor to meet a member of the esteemed House of Carrigan, of the Western March. How fares the fortunes of the March, Lord Brandolf?” I said.
“We have had a brief decrease in trade due to the unseemly incursions of late, by the Empire, but with such a reassuring presence as yours along the southwestern reaches, we are assured even mightier profits soon. We really should get together soon, and discuss possible joint projects we can come together on to further our fortunes over some tea, or an evening ale,” Brandon said. His spies were too efficient knowing my penchant for ale. I’d need to be careful of him.
“Oh, by the Goddess I would love that, but with my children, and Academy, and my latest challenges, I am run ragged. I don’t know when I could begin to plan. Perhaps, if you have your chamberlain contact mine, we might find some mutual free time, in the future, for just such a meeting of minds,” I said.
So the day labored on, with noble after noble wanting to ‘join with me’, or try to extract gossip, or trip me up.
The next day, when we showed up at class, there was a new student in our classroom, Duke Vericus of Wallachia.
“Salutations, Deirdre, how wonderful we find ourselves in the same class. I am glad you managed to settle your royal affairs and return to the Academy,” Vericus said.
“I see you have made it back as well. I imagine it was easy enough to settle your noble affairs, but I would hope you have looked closely at who is managing your estate. I doubt your father’s officers are the most trustworthy,” I said.
“Sadly, I had to replace all of Father’s officers. It appears they were all involved with shady dealings, and most are in the process of being tried on various charges,” Vericus said.
“I feared that would be the case. Sadly, I fear, I have much work in the kingdom to rid the nobles of such treacherous people. Likely it will be a difficult climb. So you have switched classes so that you may woo me as a suitor, outpacing the Empress. Will your name be one among the list the Empress will give me?” I said.
“Alas, my council advised against do such a self-serving thing as take such a valuable spot for myself. My sisters made the selection. I switched up my classes out of necessity, to accommodate my duties as duke,” Vericus said.
“Liar. You are not off to a great start, if you are trying to convince me to accept you as a suitor,” I said.
“It is a half-truth, I needed to shuffle my classes, but worked hard to get into at least one of your classes,” Vericus said.
“A half-truth is a half-lie. A half-lie is a lie, and the worst kind of lie, in that it is partially true,” I said.
“Yes, I knew better, but my sisters convinced me, that such a thin lie, would make me more desirable to you, a woman, would know it was a lie made to not embarrass a lady with a too direct truth,” Vericus said.
“You have never dated a woman,” I stated matter-of-factly.
“No. No, I have not,” Vericus said.
“Do not listen to your sisters for advice on women. They are misguided, and uninformed, and inexperienced. No woman would be flattered at such a self-serving approach. Be honest with women. Any woman flattered by lies is not worthy of chasing. She has ulterior motives. Much like you. Why are you seeking me as a bride? In all your years here in the Academy, you have shown zero interest in women,” I said.
“I have been focused on my studies. I want to become a powerful sorcerer,” Vericus said.
“Then, why court me?” I said.
“Why? Are you serious?” Vericus said.
“Yes, why me?”
“Why? Do you mean other than, you are the most beautiful and unattainable woman on the face of this globe? Or other than you are the most powerful witch, the White Dragon Queen, and very likely soon to be an Empress in her own right? Or that your children will be legendary? Other than, my children would become princes and princesses? You mean other than those reasons?” Vericus said.
“Yes, other than all those shallow reasons, why me?” I asked.
“Well, I’ve been fascinated with you, and your many adventures since you first came to the Academy. Also, I’m really infatuated with what little I’ve seen of your personality. And, I’ll probably never have another chance to chase after you for your hand in marriage,” Vericus said.
“Ah, so you are capable of the truth,” I said.
“Yes, I apologize for my shameful behavior,” Vericus said.
“Good. Then, I will find a suitable punishment for your bad behavior,” I said.
“What!? Punishment! But, I confessed right away and apologized, and been fully truthful ever since,” Vericus said.
“Precisely. I will be accepting you as a suitor, since my Agreement only states I will take a mate from the Wallachian nobles or the Imperial family. Further, since the Empress has yet to provide me with a list of suitors, I am free to accept suitors on my own, having no guardian and being of legal age. Hence since I have accepted you, you must be punished for your reproachable conduct,” I said.
“I suppose I have no choice but to accept responsibility for my breach of conduct becoming a knight,” Vericus said.
“Good,” I said. I reached into my storage and pulled out a cloth, ink, and a pen. I cut a hole in the middle of the cloth with a talon, and twice wrote, in two lines,
“I have lied to my beloved! Punish me!”
“Wear this,” I said.
His faced turned slightly pale, but he put it on.
I reached into storage and pulled out a short length of rope and kettle stirring paddle. I looped and tied the rope to the paddle’s handle and tied the rope around Vericus’ waist.
“You will wear this for three hours a day, for three days on the main quad near the beginning and end of the classes, and allow all takers. You will bend over and receive no more than twelve paddles per person, up three hours or nine persons per day. You will not recruit your friends to assist and make light your punishment,”
Vericus turned quite pale, but bowed and said,
“I accept this charge from my beloved interest,” Vericus said.
The next day I was in the classroom when Vericus entered, or rather stumbled in, and stood beside his seat in class.
“What is Vericus doing? He doesn’t look well,” Kanae asked.
“He is enduring the punishment, I assigned to him,” I said.
“What did you do to him?” Kiera asked.
“Me? Nothing, I told him to wear a sign and a paddle and accept the punishment that passers-by gave him,” I said.
“He’s going to pass out,” Aoi said.
“Indeed, it seems I need to save him,” I said, getting up. I grabbed his arm just as he was about to collapse. I slung his arm over my shoulder and escorted him to the nurse’s office.
“What have we here?” the Nurse asked as we entered.
“A suitor who told a lie to his beloved, and has been punished by the passing students. I will tend to his wounds, as I am responsible for his being punished,” I said. The Nurse barely restrained laughing, and said,
“I leave the guilty in your tender care.”
I took him to a bed and closed the curtain.
“Turn around, drop your clothing and lean over the bed so I can see how bad your wounds are,” I said.
“I can’t do that we are not intimate,” Vericus said.
“Oh, grow up, this is purely for medical purposes, Just drop them. I’ve seen naked men before,” I said.
He gave in, and did as told.
“Great Goddess! How many paddlings did you get?” I said, as I healed up his wounds, so there was no danger to his health, but left enough to be still painful to sit.
“I endured the full nine this morning,” Vericus said.
“How many women?” I asked.
“Seven. Two men came over and asked what was happening. When I explained they took turns and went easy on me,” I said.
“So, you’ve only had seven in reality, but you are done for the day. Come see me after classes. You may get dressed, and I’ll walk you back to class,” I said.
“But it still hurts,” he said.
“Yes, it does, but you are no longer in danger. Perhaps now you understand that lies and words can hurt, but the wounds cannot be seen because they are words and nothing physical,” I said.
“Yes, my beloved, I understand,” Vericus said.
When he came to me after class, I granted him clemency from further punishment, gave him a whack on his butt with my hand and sent him to the dorms. He didn’t sit for two more days. The Empress summoned me the next day. On the weekend we made the trip to the capital of the Empire. I knelt before the Empress and made an oath of fealty.
“Having accepted your vow of fealty we now present you with your seven suitors, and our command that you choose an appropriate spouse, and respect the ancient rites of producing an heir to your throne. You may take your suitors with you to the Imperial Academy you are attending, Queen Deirdre,” said Empress Badh.
We headed for our carriages. Before loading into our carriages, I said,
“Salutations, my suitors. Now is as good a time as any for introductions. I am Deirdre Ní Qin, daughter of the former Red Queen, White Dragon Queen, Queen of Wallachia, Countess of Gryffonsveil, and Knight and Captain in service to Queen Matilde. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
“Greetings and Salutations, I am Ferdiad Mac Badh, Third son of Empress Badh. I am honored and overwhelmed to meet the Magnificent White Dragon Queen, and pray you find this mere human suitable as your humble mate,” said Ferdiad.
“Greetings and Salutations, oh, Noble and Glorious White Queen, who reigns supreme above this earthly life. I am Lugh Mac Mórrigan, Fourth son of Arch-Duchess Mórrigan,” said Lugh.
“Greetings and Salutations, Great and Glorious White Queen. I am not fit to kneel in your blazing presence. I am Martin Mac Branwyn, Third son of Arch-Duchess Branwyn,” said Martin.
“Greetings and Salutations, I am Malcolm Mac Moiré, Second son of Duchess Moiré. I am honored at our first meeting, and pray you consider me as a suitable consort. I have no lofty words to describe your magnificence with false praise,” said Malcolm.
“Greetings and Salutations, I am Barnard Mac Noella, Third son of Duchess Noella. It is an honor to meet you. May the Goddess grant you the wisdom to divine your true groom from among us,” said Barnard.
“Greetings and Salutations, I am Dorcan Mac Caitlin, First son of Countess Caitlin. It is a great honor to meet you. I remain your humble servant,” said Dorcan.
“Greetings and Salutations, I am Finn Mac Bran, Fourth son of Duke Bran. It is a pleasure to meet you,” said Finn.
Then we divvied up the suitors and headed back to the Academy. The Academy had provided us with a building to use as a dorm for my seven suitors.