The Summons

"Edgar, sweetheart, I heard something interesting from Cosette earlier," Honoria started a few minutes after the first course for dinner was served.

The two brothers straightened up in their seats for different reasons.

Ignoring the low chuckle that Brunilda sent for him to hear, Mattheus was rather surprised and a bit in awe. If this was because of what happened at the training grounds earlier in the day, the rumors must have traveled at lightspeed for it to reach Honoria Crown—who hadn't even gone out today. The telephone was only used for important communications rather than everyday conversation so, unless someone abused the use of a telephone, it would be done completely through word of mouth.

As for Edgar, it was probably being called and their mother mentioning Baroness Cosette Jennings, the biggest gossip and notorious busybody of the capital, in the same breath. The man had been a victim of Lady Jenning's multiple attempts of matchmaking and associated the plump woman with traumatizing situations.

"Baroness Jennings? What did the madam tell you that was… interesting?" Edgar reluctantly asked.

"Oh, Edgar, why did I have to find out from Cosette that you chose to be Duchess Sophily's knight not just because of duty and loyalty?"

Albert IV, who had been contemplating his glass of wine absentmindedly as the servants switched to the next course, finally looked up. The man blinked a bit owlishly. "What do you mean, 'Ria?"

Honoria turned to her husband. "Dear! I know the Crown family has always been subordinate to the Morgaine line—and it is a bit inappropriate—but this is the first time our son has a substantial scandal with a lady!"

"Isn't that a bad thing?" Albert IV immediately responded before he seemed to parse what his wife did not say. "Excuse me, are you talking about Her Grace?"

Mattheus could only act as the peanut gallery with Brunilda, watching as his father gave a look of such shock that it was almost comical. Albert IV didn't even act this surprised when he found out Mattheus had amnesia or could use a never-before-seen healing magic.

Also, he was pretty sure his older brother didn't have that many scandals to his name mostly because he didn't consort with ladies. Not that he was gay. Just probably avoided most women in high society, which their mother was very much a part of.

"Yes, but Albert! Edgar is interested in a woman! The Duchess would need to marry anyway and while Marquess Snowe would be the ideal match, who cares if it is for love. Our Edgar would be just as good a match as Illarion!"

"Mother—I—You—" His older brother was at a loss of words. His eyes wildly roved around the dining room before locking onto Mattheus. "Mattheus! Explain it since it's your fault this is happening!"

Mattheus couldn't hide the quirk of his lips in amusement as he heard Edgar mutter to himself in disbelief how fast the rumor traveled before he sobered up when looking at Honoria Crown.

"Mattheus, darling, what is your brother talking about?"

He felt a bit bad for bursting her bubble. Waving the servants off until only the most trusted staff were present, he replied to her. "After I had tea with Her Grace, I realized that she needed to learn how to use her magic. It would be a long endeavor that would inevitably be found out, causing the Queen to realize what is happening, unless everyone believed the lessons to be something else."

"Ah. Edgar will teach the Duchess?" Albert IV was enlightened and nodded agreeably to the idea. "Good. If you have any issues teaching her, come to me or Hugo."

"Yes, Father."

Mattheus had been staring at his mother the entire time, so saw her almost deflate in realization.

It still caused him to flinch a little, along with the other men, when Honoria Crown gave a small scream of frustration.

There was silence as the men stared at the normally well-bred woman in shock.

"'Ria, my love, are you okay?" Albert IV asked with slight worry at the out-of-character noise from his wife.

Honoria looked at her husband before glancing at Edgar and then returning her gaze to Albert IV. In the end, she huffed. "Mattheus, darling."

"Yes, Mother?"

"It is a very good plan and I approve. I am not upset with you. I just got my hopes up that Edgar has finally shown signs of not taking after Albert, only to be told it's a farce."

It was the earl's turn to sputter. "'Ria!"

"Mother! That's not fair," Edgar complained. "What about Mattheus? He takes after Father even more!"

Honoria just sniffed. "Mattheus is still young and at least he's charming. He also wouldn't complain if I offered up potential matches for him when the time comes. Edgar, you are the oldest, why are you bringing up your baby brother when it's your responsibility to lead by example?"

Mattheus grinned before turning to the butler and gesturing for them to reheat the soup while his family was busy being crazy. Yes, he felt a bit bad for getting Honoria's hopes up but he mostly just found the entire thing funny.

Such a good-looking face deserved a little pain and trouble in his personal life.

…

Mattheus had half-expected the summons from Sophily Morgaine a few days after meeting her for tea. It was the day after the Duchess's first lesson masqueraded as something else, which seemed to be appropriate timing considering the plan was sprung on her without her actual consent.

Fascinated with magic she might be, there was a reason Sophily never learned. Mattheus would not look down on her intelligence and think her clueless about the movements of her brother, the King, and what his own family were doing on the chessboard that was the continued reign of the Morgaine family over New Albion. But while she never disagreed, neither did the woman actually agree.

In a way, the Crowns were taking advantage of her lack of apparent disagreement as consent. Awful of them, but it was either Sophily being enthroned or the Crowns pulling away from New Albion—probably staying out of internal politics or outright retreating to Basilea depending on circumstances.

The Crown family and the Morgaine line have been coexisting for centuries together, a long line of vassals to their liege. It would be a terrible blow to the royal family if the Crowns turned their backs to New Albion and its monarch. On the other hand, it would be a huge blow to Albert IV to essentially diverge from longstanding family history and tradition.

But Mattheus's father would do it, even if it would make his ancestors roll in their graves. Albert IV would hate to do so but the family he built with Honoria meant more to him than pride and honor.

In a way, the rest of the family was making their moves so actively in an attempt to keep Albert IV from having to make that critical decision. If they could keep the earl from doing something that difficult, they would try as hard as they were able to.

Mattheus had already come up with various reasonings and inspiring words to say to convince the Duchess, only to realize she had called him because of a patient rather than the magic lessons.

He faltered for a moment, having built himself up for an argument.

Blinking, Mattheus gave himself time by grabbing the tea the lady's maid just placed before them on the low table. "Oh? Who may it be, for Her Grace to personally ask the Court Healer?"

Sophily ignored the tea herself, instead having the hands at her lap clasp together. The woman wore gloves but he could still tell that she was gripping rather strongly—a sign of worry when matched with her microexpressions.

"Countess Marcel collapsed at a meeting earlier today."

Mattheus straightened up in his seat at the couch with the name. He had double-checked Countess Marcel after the Duchess mentioned the woman and found out that Ophelia Marcel was a widow…

But a very powerful one. She had the power of her late husband in her hands. A moderate politically and very, very rich.

"She reasoned to me that it must have been the extra work and skipping breakfast that caused her to faint but I am worried." The Duchess continued. "Not just as a friend, Doctor Crown, but because this reminds me of the ball."

"Ah…" Mattheus murmured in understanding. He softly asked, "The Countess has enough votes to decide whether the reforms pass or not, doesn't she?"

Sophily's green eyes met his gaze before she gave a short nod.

Mattheus set the cup of tea down before rubbing his chin in thought. Why would the reforms matter enough that they would poison someone…?

"Lord Mattheus."

He focused back onto Sophily again as she called him in his capacity as a noble rather than his profession. "Lady Sophily?"

"I know you came expecting me to bring up the lessons masquerading as a… an illicit love affair but I won't say anything against it if you—"

"My lady!" Mattheus quickly cut her off in realization. "While I would appreciate your compliance with continued lessons, you do not need to barter it for me to take Countess Marcel as a patient. I am the Court Healer, a doctor, and it is my job and duty to heal others."

"… So you will help Ophelia?"

"My lady… of course. As long as it is my ability. Though I hope you don't mind if I use your name if the Countess argues against treatment?"

The Duchess nodded and Mattheus pretended to busy himself with the tea again as the woman quickly wiped away a tear.

…

"Do you think it's sabotage?" Mattheus asked once he got in the carriage after getting some more details from the Duchess.

(A part of him was also relieved when Sophily shyly admitted to her interest in magic and eagerness to learn it. Fear of another should not stop her from doing something that fascinated her since she was a child.)

Brunilda, who had been present at the summons but made herself scarce, gave her two cents. "There is the obvious internal disagreement being an option but it is just as likely some other country or group wanting to have the reformation fail."

Mattheus narrowed his eyes in thought. "It would cripple New Albion if it were delayed, wouldn't it? Air superiority and owning the sea routes gives us a lot of power."

"Yes," Brunilda affirmed. She then hopped over from where she had been sitting across from him. "If we are to leave soon, I need money and to do some errands."

"Ah, alright. I'll arrange it once we get back and I could bring the trip up to Mother after."

Mattheus readily agreed, not bothering to ask the specifics. He could afford it because the Original rarely used his savings and salary. Brunilda and Vincent were basically his arms and legs anyway, since he was limited to certain locations for his personal safety.

He was a bit curious when he found out the amount but figured Brunilda would tell him if it became relevant.

Sometimes, it was better to just not know.

…