Long Live the Emperor: Chapter 23 (Patreon)

The next few days passed in relative peace. Magus Terrance’s death was swiftly fading from living memory as no new evidence of demons walking among the people of East Water resurfaced. The villagers started walking around after dark again without fear, and the guards had settled back down to their usual routine. General speculation suggested that the demon wouldn’t attack unless they provoked it, and Magus Terrance had done something to make it feel threatened in some way.

Clover’s absence had definitely been noted. She’d been seen before in the village, after all, and more than a few had suspected she was connected to the demon the magus had been hunting. When first the guards and then the villagers themselves saw the burned-out remains of her hut, they became even more certain. But that was behind them all now, as it seemed like the hut was abandoned, and whoever had lived there was long gone.

That, at least, was true. Clover hadn’t been by her hut since the day Alvin rescued her. Instead, she lived in the castle, completely unnoticed. It was rather impressive what a bit of hair dye and some actual clothes could do to make a woman look like a different person. Now with black hair and a maid’s uniform, Clover could wander the castle halls completely unnoticed. Mabel had been the one to arrange that. She’d gotten the hair dye years ago as a gift, and the maid’s uniform had been gathering dust in the manor since the real maids left.

She wasn’t all that good as a maid, but she could sweep enough to pass as a pity hire when Mabel gave her father’s treasurer a fake sob story, and so she was given her own little nook in the manor to keep her safe. Alvin did hope she’d become a little better at passing as a maid over time, though.

“Master, I must complete my maidly duties!” Clover cried as she lunged for Alvin’s trousers.

“For the last time, Clover, I’m still wearing these pants!” Alvin groaned as Clover tore his trousers right off his legs.

“I’m the maid. I have to clean them,” Clover said.

Alvin sighed. “Alright, fine. But please tell me you left me at least one set of pants somewhere in my room? I don’t want to spend the entire day walking around without pants.

Truthfully, Alvin was grateful all she’d taken this time were his pants. Other times, she’d been intent on cleaning a lot more of what he was wearing. Except she rarely ended up actually cleaning anything before becoming distracted with something else. If she didn’t get better as a maid soon, he and Mabel were going to have to find an opportunity to have her reassigned as a manor gardener or something. Alvin had a feeling she’d be more productive if put to work with plants.

A knock echoed out from his door, and Mabel called from the other side. Alvin yelled for her to enter, and she stepped inside wearing her armor with her sword belted to her hip.

“It’s time. The guards spotted my father’s carriage on the horizon. He’ll be here in half an hour,” Mabel said.

“Right. Clover, please prepare a guest room for him, if you can manage it. Mabel and I are going to greet the count at the manor doors,” Alvin nearly strode out the room before Mabel shot a glance downward toward his bare legs. “Ah, right. Pants.”

***

A few minutes later, Alvin was dressed once more and was standing side by side with Mabel as the count’s carriage rode into East Water. His guards led the way, a dozen knights in full plate armor. The sound of all the horse hooves and of people ducking out of the way made it seem like more of an affair than it was.

The carriage door swung open, and Count Grandhill burst forth. “Daughter! We’ve missed you at home.”

“Hi, Dad,” Mabel said as she gave her father a warm embrace. His guards took up position on either side of Alvin, just as cautious with him as they were before. Alvin sighed. He’d almost forgotten this part.

But then Count Grandhill turned from Mabel and reached out his hand to take Alvin’s.

“Aldrich, my boy.l I’ve heard you’ve been treating my daughter well! My people say the two of you have gone out on a few private adventures?” Count Grandhill gave Alvin a wink, and his lecherous smile made it clear exactly what he thought they were doing on their long walks alone. “I hope you’re ready to take responsibility for anything you might have done.”

Alvin chuckled awkwardly. This wasn’t a conversation he’d prepared for.

Mabel escorted her father into the manor, and her father’s guards made sure Alvin kept his distance from the two of them, at least until Count Grandhill shot a look over his shoulders.

“Don’t elbow Aldrich out of the way. Bring the lad along, too. I’ll want to talk with him after I have a few words with my daughter here,” Count Grandhill said.

He and Mabel soon disappeared around the corner, with Alvin waiting quietly behind. He shuffled from foot to foot as Count Grandhill’s guards glared at him. They were just as vigilant toward him as before.

The door to Aldrich’s study opened. The count had naturally chosen to borrow it again, and soon Mabel left with a smile on her face. She closed the door quietly behind herself, then gently pushed her father’s knights aside to grab Alvin’s hand.

“My father wants to talk to you alone,” Mabel said. She had a blush on her face, and she wouldn’t meet his eyes.

Alvin gulped and soon entered the same way Mabel had just left. The knights held him back, and two of them streamed into the study in front of him, with the rest following close behind. They were as protective of the count as ever.

“Aldrich, my boy! My daughter confirmed a few things about you. I must say, you’re twice the man I’d always thought you were,” Count Grandhill left his chair, and much to his knight’s dismay, he placed a hand around Alvin’s shoulder and guided him to a nearby chair with a warm and fatherly expression on his face.

“So...” Alvin prodded once the two were seated.

Count Grandhill gestured to his knights for a few cups sitting on the shelf. Alvin had found them in the cellar and brought them to the study just the day before. The wine, however, must have been something Count Grandhill brought over himself.

“Ah, forgive my table manners. You’re the host here. You should have been able to pick the wine. I brought a chest of them over when I noticed your own cellars were sadly deficient. I was hoping to help you get a good start on your own collection! Every upstanding noble should have a wide selection of wine in his manor.”

“By that...” Alvin held his breath.

“Yes, your manor, my boy. I mean exactly what I said. My daughter’s words about you have been rather positive, and she’s in favor of a more permanent arrangement. Which is to say, the two of you are getting married! Congratulations. And I’m returning East Water and the old castle behind it to you to rule over in your own name, just as your ancestors always have. Of course, you’ll be a vassal to me, but Mabel said that shouldn’t be a problem now that you’ve turned over a new leaf.”

“Oh.” Alvin was surprised, but the count must have mistaken the look on his face for disappointment.

“Oh, don’t worry, there will certainly be a real dowry as well! I don’t expect you to take care of my daughter with the debts you racked up on those lands. I’ll leave her with a few chests of gold to get this place cleaned up to her satisfaction, and I’ll leave you with my men to keep an eye on things and rebuild your barony. A fair deal, is it not? It’s more than I offered you before.”

“Yes, quite fair!” Alvin hurried to say. He could hardly believe it. He was getting back everything Aldrich had lost, just like that! “I appreciate any financial assistance you can provide, count. As you said, these lands are steeped in debt, and there’s quite a bit to do.”

“I was hoping to leave you with a few of my advisors and administrators, but the one I sent here seems to have gotten himself into a bit of legal trouble. He arrested a couple of merchants, some with connections to larger guilds.” Count Grandhill sighed, and Alvin fought to keep a straight face. “I’ll have to recall him until the political winds from that die down.”

Alvin hadn’t expected that plan to work so well, either. Could things really be falling into place so easily? Magus Terrance was dead, Count Grandhill was giving him his barony back, and now he would have free rein to rule in his own name!

Ha, suck it, Aldrich! It looks like I’m getting what you promised me after all!

Alvin was just starting to imagine what he was going to do when he was baron once more when Count Grandhill downed the rest of his wine in one gulp.

“Now, let’s talk about war. As soon as the wedding is done, you’ll need to raise an army. I want you on the front lines, just like before! Only this time, you’ll be on my side...”

Alvin felt like his stomach had fallen out from underneath him.

Oh crap...

Note:

Sorry, the cliff was too tempting!
In other news, Patreon has finally implemented the billing system litterally everyone else uses, and I've switched us over. You will no longer be double charged for subscribing at the end of the month. Instead, you'll be billed the same day of the month you subscribe at every month. Long-term patrons will experience no change, but things will be easier for you guys who like to pop in and out as you read everything I've got on backlog.