The Thorn in My Shed-Chapter 20: The Political Party

Marix had spent the next morning in his office, informing Lieutenant General Briggs of Eilownia’s confession.

Briggs flopped into the opposite seat, his face astounded.

"An illegitimate daughter?"

"Or so she claims. What do you think?" Marix asked, "I have a few loose ends in my mind about it."

Briggs nodded, "You said she had scars all over her though. Would an illegitimate daughter have such scars? Especially the daughter of a noble..."

"Especially the daughter of Lord Evans." Marix said, shooting Briggs a knowing glance.

"King Solus’ right hand man. Second in power only to the King of Sola himself." Briggs looked up at Marix, wiggling his mouth from left to right.

"A predicament indeed."

Briggs thought for a moment, "So what of the scars? I guess if she snuck out as she claimed, being unattended at the festival makes sense. If Lord Evans was trying to protect her, maybe he didn’t tell her of the war, I guess it would make sense if she didn’t know that too."

Marix took a deep breath and exhaled sharply.

"The title of ’illegitimate child’ doesn’t come with much favor. It’s possible she experienced some bullying due to that. Lord Evans probably hid his precious daughter away from the abuses she suffered at the hands of society."

Briggs nodded in consideration.

"When I attended the Evans Annual Ball, I definitely didn’t see her there."

Briggs nodded again, "It makes sense, most nobles don’t tend to flaunt their illegitimacies to the public. I can’t imagine she would’ve been casually mingling and dancing at a ball."

Marix continued to think.

"Yes but, wouldn’t it be normal for a girl like her to be curious? To want to venture out and at least take a peek at the festivities she couldn’t? I mean she came all the way to Viraaz on her own to see the flower festival."

Briggs tilted his head left and right as he considered, "Isn’t it possible that she would be more timid? If she was being abused by people for being illegitimate, maybe she wouldn’t dare to risk being seen. In Viraaz no one would know her."

"Possibly."

Marix then rubbed his forehead as his eyebrows furrowed.

"If it’s true that we have his precious daughter that he’s painstakingly hidden away to protect....."

"That you’ve been torturing no less." Briggs added.

Marix shot him a death glare.

"This is no minor issue. This can cause significant damage in our war efforts. Lord Evans isn’t going to be pleased. Of course the King probably knows her as well, they can use this against us. They’ll rally."

"Yes, but, no one knows we have her. Would it be so awful to keep her in the dungeon like she requested?"

"Are you a fool? We can’t keep her there forever. Eventually their search efforts will reach here. It’ll get out somehow. We’ll get other prisoners in the future, word will spread. We’ll have to."

As Marix considered the best course of action, memories from the Evans ball suddenly flowed into his head.

Marix entered the Evans Estate. It was decorated floor to high ceiling of deep red banners with the Evans familial stamp on them.

Servants were dressed in special gold and red uniforms, ones he was sure Lord Evans had made just for this ball.

He tossed his emerald cape to the maid that was standing nearby, who then passed it off to another maid who carried it off to the coat room.

Servants lined the hall, their heads bowed, bodies stiff like perfect statues, as he walked towards the ballroom.

’Such control he has over his staff.’ He noted, his eyes darting around taking note of whatever he could.

"Ah! General Marix! So glad to have you!" Lord Evans approached, a large smile on his face, "Come, come. Let us indulge in conversation."

Before Marix would respond, Lord Evans turned to one of the servants, "Get the man a drink. He should already have one in his hand. My guests should want for nothing."

The maid, who looked to be very young, gasped and nodded frantically, "R-Right away sir!"

Lord Evans stopped and tsked, before lifting his hand and wiggling his index finger to call her back.

"What did you say?"

The young maid’s mouth hung open as she looked from side to side, searching for some sort of answer.

"I-I said ’Right away, sir’ Sir."

Lord Evans turned away from Marix to face the maid fully.

"Sir? Do you think that’s any way to address me?"

Marix slowly tilted his head as he observed.

"N-No si-! I mean....Lord Evans.....?"

"And you’re so familiar to use my name?"

She shook her head frantically, "N-No! Si- Lo- umm....ummm!"

The poor girl was about to burst into tears right then and there.

Lord Evans’ back was facing Marix, allowing him the freedom to make eye contact with the maid.

"Leave the servant, she isn’t worth the time. Let us discuss as you wanted, my Lord." He lifted his eyebrows and widened his eyes as he said those final two words.

Lord Evans gasped and turned to Marix with a large smile on his face. Marix quickly shifted his gaze to Lord Evans with a soft smile appearing on his own face.

"My Lord? Oh, General Marix you flatter me!"

The maid quickly gave a deep curtsy. "Y-Yes My Lord. I apologize for my indiscretions. I will ensure that your guests always have a drink in their hand!"

She scurried off after Lord Evans gave her a nod of approval.

After discussing with Lord Evans for most of the night, Marix moved to mix and mingle with everyone.

"Lord Smith. I can’t say I expected to see you here." Marix said, swirling his wine.

He was from the neutral kingdom, Greia, who had decided to stay neutral in the war. However, with the tensions between Sola and Viraaz, it would look suspicious if anyone appeared to show favoritism or sides.

Lord Smith smiled, his face a deep red, as he swayed back and forth. "Jjjjeeen’ral~ You liss’n ’ere," He shook his finger at Marix before swinging his arm around his neck and pulling him closer.

The bitter scent of alcohol filled Marix’s nose. He closed his eyes and lifted his eyebrows as it hit him.

With a shake of his head and a wrinkle of his nose, Marix leaned in.

"You know I looooovee a good party, wasss a few free dddddr’nks an food? Huuummm?" He tapped Marix on the arm with his index finger, "Jusss a fool I’d be tuh pass up such an topper...poppertunity~"

Lord Smith was known amongst nobility to be a drunkard who loved parties.

’I suppose the chase of alcohol has caused him to forget himself.’

"Lord Smith, tell me. I’ve heard rumors that Sola has employed spies to fight with Viraaz. You know, as someone from Greia, who claims to be neutral...how hiding this knowledge could prove to be....troublesome for your kingdom, right?"

Lord Smith gasped, his mouth open wide as if Marix had just told him something terribly scandalous.

"My Greia?" His voice was a hushed whisper as he leaned in closer to Marix’s ear, his face full of worry, "Theyrrrrrrr keep’n ssssszzecrits?"

Marix closed his eyes and tilted his head as he rubbed his eyebrow with his index finger.

"I would hope not. Do you know anything about spies? Surely you’d let me know. I’d hate for you to not be invited to the Viraaz Flower Festival."

Lord Smith practically drooled, "Ohhhhh your fest’vul hass the best wines....."

Marix shot him a pitiful look and nodded.

"Ionno anythin’ ’bout spiez, but lemme tell you, I’ll keep mah earz open."

Lord Smith’s eyes flickered as he pushed his lips out into a duck-like formation, looking around the room nodding.

Marix smiled and grabbed Lord Smith’s collar, pulling him close as he whispered.

"Good, because I’d hate for alcohol imports to be cut off from Greia. Why, you’re even wearing Viraaz’s green. Certainly you know where your best interests lie?" He then let him go, causing Lord Smith to stumble backwards.

Marix then shot him another smile and smoothed out Lord Smith’s collar before giving him a final pat on the chest.

Later that night, Marix trailed his fingers along the jaw of a stunning blonde woman, dressed in a sparkling pink dress.

She giggled as he placed his hand next to her head and caged her in.

Suddenly, he heard faint yelling "- THERE IS A SPY!!!!"

He lifted his head, "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what? How you were going to take me back to your carriage for a little rendezvous~?" The blonde shot him a mischievous smile and slid her fingers underneath his collar.

Marix stood up tall and turned his attention towards the door that lead outside, "Shush."

The girl pouted and let out a soft ’tsk’.

A few moments later, Marix was outside, staring at an empty yard. He cautiously walked into the garden, his movements slow and quiet.

There was nothing there but a dilapidated shed.

"Must’ve been the wine." He said quietly to himself before returning to the party.