Chapter VI
"Let her work here, take her in. Please, I beg you." Count Escaben sat straight, eyes fixated upon the man in front of him. His resolute became stronger than ever.
I see now. Jayus was beginning to understand. Count Escaben was ready to bare that responsibility alone, by himself. Had he kept his daughter by his side, The Darisees would take her too. Leaving that girl here would guarantee her safety regardless of the Oath. Now the Oath that Count Escaben proposes is just to keep his mind at ease. So long as the Oath stands, he would be sure Yvette would be safe under Jayus' wing.
"However," Jayus said, staring at his reflection in his teacup "Why should I do this for you, Count Escaben?" He asked "What else would I gain from a man who has nothing more to give?"
Count Escaben swallowed a breath he had been holding, he was already prepared for whatever question the Duke had.
"Because you are Lady Histareth's son."
Quiet fills the room as gloved hand clenched on the cup Jayus held. To casually throw out his mother's name like that, did the Count finally lose his mind in his debt? How impudent. Seeing his reaction, Count Escaben decided he should do no more. He has said all that needs to be said. This was enough now. All that's left is to pray to the Goddess.
"You," Jayus forced out a small laugh. He had never looked so scary before than he did now. His eyes dilated in rage as he stared at the Count "You've got some nerve...!"
Count Escaben said nothing, whatever punishment or beating he'd receive for such an act- he'll take it. So long as he gets this Oath done and through. Jayus notices this and sighs. Looks like there's no point throwing a tantrum at someone now. Let's compose ourselves. You can do this, Jayus!
"Count," Jayus placed down his cracked teacup, he didn't mean to hold on to it that hard, he'd have to face Miss Leris scolding later on. For a second, he thought of just hiding the broken cup underneath his drawer. Miss Leris, for an elder, was quite terrifying.
"I'll accept your Oath," Hearing this brought immediate relief in the Count's chest, and he released a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.
"I'll also ignore the last thing you said, given your desperate situation, of course," That immediate relief soon passed by in an instant with such simple words. Count Escaben let out a chuckle.
"Yes, of course. Forgive me, Your Grace," Jayus nodded, accepting the other man's apology before standing up and holding out a hand, palm facing down the table.
"Shall we start the Oath?"
Count Escaben stared up at the man before him. For someone who would willingly participate in such a dangerous activity, he looked oddly calm. He needed to be strong too, he decided. Everything Escaben is doing now is for his daughter, Yvette. It's the only thing he can do for her in his situation. Escaben stood up, head high, and a resoluteness that never deterred from his face as he held up his hand below Jayus own hand, palm facing down.
"Regulus Oath, heed thy prayer," A sudden light shone before them as a magic circle burned on the back of their hands. Regulus Oath. There was no turning back on Regulus Oath now. As soon as the magic circle finished burning on their hand, without turning to look at him, Jayus spoke up to Count Escaben.
"What are your terms?"
"For my first term- The House of Malevos must take in my daughter. Watch over her until her coming-of-age. Ensure her safety..." Count Escaben trails off. As soon as his voice quiet down, Jayus glanced up at the man as the light casted upon their hand dimmed down along with the speaker.
"Is that all?" He asked. Squinting his eyes as he proceeded to think rationally, Count Escaben rests his eyes "I believe that is all,"
"Then," Jayus began, "For my own set of terms:
First- When The House of Escaban finally regains their reputation, they will return full support to House Malevos. Secondly, by the time of Lady Yvette's coming-of-age, I must ask she waits at least a year before fully on taking the name Escaban with her." He finished. That second part surely surprised Count Escaban to the point he held back tears, however, he was not upset, rather he felt quite the opposite. He agreed. Just like that, the magic circle on their hands dissipated. With magic binded in their blood, a secret untold, and a contract sealed.
By the time of Lady Yvette's coming-of-age. Jayus couldn't help but worry. Fully knowing about The Darisees, there is no way the Count could easily pay off such a debt. Even if he does, the Darisees won't easily let him go. Regardless, the Oath taken by his older brother would still pass towards the young lady of Escaban. Right now, Count Escaban is only stalling. One year passing Lady Yvette's eighteenth birthday should be more than enough time to get the Darisees off her back. And as for Count Escaben...
Count Escaben could only offer an empathetic smile towards the duke. He lowered his head in gratitude "Please do not worry about me, Your Grace. You have done more for me than anyone I have known all my life ever has," He raised his head, "Please do not let my daughter know of this. It will surely devastate her... Let her live with the memory of me abandoning her, her anger will help her grow stronger. That child is a feisty one, after all," Count Escaben let out a dry laugh. Jayus could only cross his arms, eyes indifferent as ever as he stared at the Count.
"I have let you get away with many things since barging into my home, but not this. She'll grow up to be a rather amazing person with your support rather than her hate leading her heart, Count." Count Escaben couldn't help his expression as his eyes grew in surprise. The duke surely gave him tons to think about since arriving here, and for a second, his heart lightened.
"I should bid my farewell to my daughter now,"
Those words would be the last thing Jayus would hear from Count Escaban in a long time as the door quietly shut behind him.
In within the Garden Dome, an unspeakable gorgeous rows of flowers bloomed rather bountiful. All around in which the human eye could reach littered different types of flowers for each corner of the garden. In one spot sat a bundle of tulips, from across the garden you would see different shades of blue, and near by the fountain sat lilies and flowers you couldn't even name in this country. And the statues. Only five statues seemed to have been chosen to be placed inside this garden and they were scattered all across the area. Gazing up above, one could only see the ceiling so high up, and only so little of the said ceiling could be seen. The dome was only built up on beams of wood, and the most green of vines climbed it's way to the top, leaving only rays of light to seep in through gaps of leaves. This was only the Duke's fifth garden. The fifth amongst the seven he owned.
Light blue eyes gazed upon the sight. Shining so wondrously in awe, it felt so ridiculously unreal. She clutched at the luggage she held in her hands. The girl, no older than fifteen, was told to stay put in this area as she waited for her father to finish her meeting with the duke. Her foot rubbed itself against the floor as a tight knot began to twist in her chest. Their family had not been in a good situation, she could tell as much but her father would not say anything else.
A brow curled. Father will leave me here. Long lashes lidded themselves as a sigh slipped her quivering lips. For a moment, she wishes the duke would turn down her father's request. Yvette was already made aware of Count Escaben's plans, aware of his struggles, her family's downfall, and everything she will lose. No, she would not cry. She promised herself that much already. There was no point in begging her father to change his made up mind, specially the fight they had those previous nights before due to his decision.
"Yvette." Emerging from the huge bushes of the garden revealed Count Escaben with a small smile on his face which only grew at the sight of his daughter. Yvette, with her long wavy pink hair tied behind in a bubble ponytail fashion, light blue eyes and fair skin, she was truly the most cherished daughter of the Count.