The beginning of something (3/3)

Ella's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Bella. "What?! N-no, what are you talking about?"

Bella's gaze was unflinching. "I thought that mumbling about marrying, having kids, and eating pizza was all about the marriage with the son of Count Cuthred, but it seems I was wrong."

"No, no, no, wait, Bella, you misunderstood, I..." Ella's voice faltered, as if something were lodged in her throat, preventing her from speaking.

"Misunderstood? Fine, then tell me, what were you doing back there in the garden?" Bella crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow, her tone both challenging and skeptical.

Ella felt her world begin to spin. The ground beneath her seemed to shift as panic took hold. Why is this happening? How does she know? Have I done something wrong? Will Father forgive me? Should I... Suddenly, everything went dark.

The next morning, Ella awoke in her bed, still feeling disoriented. She blinked against the light streaming in from the window, slowly recognizing her surroundings. Her mother, Avice, stood by the window, looking out at the gardens below.

"Mother?" Ella's voice was weak as she called out.

Avice turned and quickly moved to her side. "Ella, how are you feeling? What happened?" she asked, her voice filled with concern as she sat on the edge of the bed.

"I... I don't know," Ella murmured, confusion clouding her thoughts.

"You passed out yesterday. We were so afraid something bad had happened to you. Was it the food, honey?" Avice asked, her brow furrowed with worry.

"What? No, no," Ella replied, still trying to piece together the events of the previous day. She couldn't understand why her mother would think it was the food that had caused her to faint.

Avice sighed, her expression softening. "The best healers were called, and they said you must have fainted from anxiety. It's because of your marriage, isn't it? My love, I know it's strange to marry someone you've never even seen before, but it's normal. I only met your father on the altar during our marriage."

She paused, her tone gentle but firm. "Look, with time, you will understand the importance of this, and things will get better. Bella, fetch some water for her."

Ella turned her head slightly and saw Bella approaching with a cup of water. Bella's stare was intense, a silent judgment that pierced through Ella. Taking the cup with trembling hands, Ella finally looked at her mother. "Mom, what if I don't want this? Why don't I have a choice?"

Avice's face softened with sympathy, but her voice remained firm. "I'm sorry, Ella, but it's the way things are. This union between our family and theirs will make us stronger. Even if we remain Barons, just by having this connection with the family of a Count, we will be greater than any other Baron."

Ella's frustration bubbled over. "Why do you say that? What do they have that will make us stronger? They don't have paper! They don't have the printing press! They don't have... They don't have anything!"

"Silence!" Avice's voice was sharp as she raised her hand, and Ella instinctively flinched, bracing for a blow that never came. When she opened her eyes, she saw her mother turning away, leaving the room in silence. Tears welled up and fell down her face, her heart heavy with the weight of her situation.

Outside, Avice closed the door behind her, her expression hardened. She turned to one of the guards stationed nearby and spoke with quiet authority. "It wasn't the food. Release them." Without another word, she made her way to the head of the family.

Frederic was in his bedchamber, staring out the window as she entered. Without turning, he asked, "Is she awake?"

"Yes, she's fine. It really wasn't the food," Avice replied, her tone clipped.

Frederic let out a long sigh, relief evident in his voice. "That's a relief. It would have been a problem if something bad had happened to her."

"You mean it would have ended the connection with Count Cuthred," Avice said pointedly, her eyes narrowing as she finally caught his gaze.

Frederic turned to face her fully, his expression serious. "Avice, we've talked about this. Don't start again."

"No, now is the real time to talk about it. Can't you see what this arranged marriage is doing to our daughter? She doesn't want this."

"She doesn't have a choice!" Frederic snapped, his voice rising before he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He approached her, taking her hands in his. "This is important, Avice, you know that. Just from this marriage, my chances of becoming a Count will improve."

Avice held his gaze, her eyes searching his for understanding. "Frederic, I understand what you're saying, but look at us. We've been together for years, we've built a wonderful family, and our future looks promising. But tell me, do you truly understand what this is doing to Ella?"

"This marriage is for the betterment of our family," Frederic insisted.

"Then I know a better way to help our family," Avice said, stepping back and letting go of his hands. "Tell me, when they learn that we have the papermaking process, the printing press, and even how to make liquid stone, what do you think will happen?"

Frederic stared at her, his silence speaking volumes.

"Count Cuthred is a rank above yours. Why do you think he accepted this marriage proposal?" Avice pressed.

"Because of my power. He knows what I've been trying to accomplish and how Count Edwin has been blocking my efforts," Frederic answered, though there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"Maybe for now. But when he learns about everything else, are you sure he won't take it all for himself and use it for his own benefit?" Avice's voice was calm but relentless.

Frederic's face hardened. "What are you trying to say, woman?"

"We now have something greater than this 'friendship' with them. We have a gift, from wherever it came—from the heavens or hell."

Frederic's eyes widened as realization dawned. "You... You can't be talking about..."

Avice stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper as she nodded.

Their tense conversation was suddenly interrupted by frantic knocking at the door. "Come in!" Frederic barked, and the door swung open as two men hurried inside.

"Sir! A messenger just arrived from Tredember!" the commander announced, motioning to the man beside him. Frederic immediately recognized the soldier's attire—he was from Baron Ine's forces.

"Step forward and speak," Frederic commanded.

The soldier stepped forward, bowing slightly before delivering his urgent message. "Baron Frederic, I have an urgent message directly from Baron Ine. Yesterday, a group of scouts patrolling the borders with the Swabia kingdom was attacked by their troops!"

"One man barely escaped to inform us. He saw a large group preparing to advance through our borders. Baron Ine is fortifying the city and its defenses as we speak, and he requests your assistance, sir. Any soldiers you can send would be of great help."

Frederic exchanged a glance with Avice, then turned to the commander. "Servants!" he called, and two young servants quickly appeared. "Give this man some warm food and a place to rest. Commander, bring the three advisors to my office."

As the men left to carry out his orders, Frederic turned to Avice, his expression grave. "Avice... We will continue this conversation later."