FaRtaL Chpt 35

==From a Ristar to a Lady - Chapter 35 -==
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===Last Chat before I Go===
Codina Estate, Inman
Milligan PDZ, Woodbine Operational Area
2nd August, 3061
After Raymond left, Anastasia looked out the window at the darkening skies. Does it really have to be this way? No matter what happens, there is no way for me to distance myself from Finn while in the body of a lady. Everybody keeps telling me to use Finn.
She felt sad. The reason why Finn always seemed guarded must be because this is the environment he grew up in. Because of his status and power, everybody was constantly trying to take advantage of him. The way he acts…it is all from experience. In contrast, the Finn she saw on the frontlines of Operation Bulldog seemed more carefree, less burdened.
Being a powerful noble was not always a good thing, she surmised. She slumped forward, putting her face into her hands. Things were becoming too complicated for her to deal with.
Yes, she still had her skills as a MechWarrior. But she needed a better mech and the right conditions to force Pence into battle. If only she had those, then she would have been able to exact her revenge on Pence without worrying about anything else.
This is unbearable… nothing seems clear to me anymore. What is it I really want to do? The more I think about it, the more confused I become… She tried to focus. But one thing still remains the same… my revenge against Pence, everything I do must be directed towards achieving that.
There were several knocks against the door of the private lounge. She thought it could be Venice, but if so, she would have just entered the room without dithering.
“Come in,” said Anastasia.
“I’m sorry for being late,” said Finn as he opened the door and entered the lounge.
Despite herself, she felt a bit cross with him. “Why are you so late?”
“What, were you waiting for me?”
She replied sullenly, “Yeah, a little bit.”
“Really?” He chuckled, then he took a closer look at her. “Hmmm… did something happen? You seem a bit out of sorts.”
She flinched. How could he tell? “Oh, no, it’s nothing.”
He looked dubious. “Are you sure?”
Her heartbeat sounded very loud in her chest. I was that obvious? She patted the seat next to her, trying to change the subject of the conversation. “By the way, are you going to keep standing there like that?”
Finn frowned. “I just came by to see you. I need to leave again shortly.”
“You’re leaving so quickly? What’s going on?”
“Clifton’s Rangers on Abbeville got solid intel on some pirate locations in the Periphery, but they need somebody to cover for them while they go pirate-hunting, so AFFC command is scraping up whatever is within the region. I have to take our QRF and get there as soon as I can.”
“Pirates?” Anastasia was startled. “That’s serious business! Then you should have headed straight there instead of coming here first! Why did you even come here?”
“To see you, of course.” He leaned forward, one hand brushing across the top of one of her forearms. If I said I’d come but then never showed up, you would’ve been left waiting for me.” He gently squeezed her hand.
She protested, “I wasn’t particularly waiting for…”
“Plus, I don’t think I’ll be able to see you for a while. And I’ll miss your birthday.”
“Oh.” If he is going to the near Periphery, it’ll take some time, about two months, maybe more. And depending on how fast the pirates can be cleared out, he could be away for even longer. And when is Anastasia’s birthday exactly? It seems like everybody knows except me!
Finn looked sad as Raymond’s words echoed in her head. I’d like you to persuade Finn. Make it so that his heart completely belongs to you… then bring him into this fight.
Even though he’s in a hurry, he came all the way here to tell me this in case I was waiting for him. And I am supposed to manipulate him to get my revenge? One fist clenched in anger. That would be a complete betrayal of his trust.
Yes, Finn could have just sent a text message, but she had since learned that these messages often did not convey sufficient sincerity. And she thought Finn had another reason to see her in person… her mind refused to let her finish that line of thought.
“Ana, are you sure there’s nothing the matter?”
She gritted her teeth. “Finn, there’s something I need to tell you.”
After explaining what she could of Raymond’s offer to her, Finn said, “So what you’re saying is, Raymond said I’d side with him in the fight for the Countship, if you asked me to?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“All right, but why are you telling me all this?”
“Because I don’t want to betray your trust.” She declared adamantly. “If you found out I was asked to do something like this behind your back, then I…” she suddenly realised she could not finish her sentence. What am I even trying to say right now?
“You thought I’d be disappointed in you?” He smiled, as though he knew he was right on target.
She frantically replied, one hand springing up as if to refute him. “No, I just didn’t want you to misunderstand!”
“Misunderstand? How?”
Her hand faltered. “Uhm… If I’d chosen to keep quiet about it, you wouldn’t ever be able to trust me again, even if I treated you with sincerity.” She knew she was rambling, but she could not help it. “The idea that the person closest to you might be using you… it’s horrid!”
“Anyway…” she shouted, “I really detest that kind of dishonourable behaviour!”
He just grinned in response. “Yes, I understand what you mean.”
She mentally cringed. Argh! What am I even saying right now?
He continued, “I understand you’re saying all this because you’re being considerate of me.”
“Yes, exactly! Because I’m your fiancee!”
“Of course,” he nodded, “I know you’re not the type of person to make rash decisions. But I have no intention of being involved in any political struggle, whether it’s for the Countship of the Trivet or the Federated Commonwealth… regardless of who asks or how they ask.”
She shrugged. “I know.”
“You know? Is that it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Didn’t what I just said bother you at all? I’m effectively saying that I would refuse even if you asked.”
She tilted her head in confusion. “I’d be asking you to risk your House and your life for me. Why would I be upset about you rejecting such a preposterous request?” Besides, the Way of the Clans, the Honor Road, practically mandated that she should also put her own life on the line in such matters, and to be honest in her dealings. Asking Finn to fight on her behalf was simply wrong.
His eyes were fond as he said, “Well, I always knew you were made of sterner stuff. So what did Raymond offer in exchange for your cooperation?”
She started. “Huh?”
He clarified. “The offer he made you? Raymond wouldn’t make an ask like that without offering something in return.”
“Oh…” My revenge on Pence… But how can I tell him that?
“Is it something I can grant?”
“If I tell you what it is, will you make it happen?”
“If it is within my power, of course.”
She smiled, “That makes me happy.”
“So, what is it?”
“Huh?” She tried to act dumb.
He pressed. “I need to know what it is if I’m to help you. So?”
She glanced right, then left, then at him again, smiling all the while.
He grinned. “Smiling in lieu of answering a question… did Lady Codina teach you that?”
She spun away from him. “Well, sort of. Why? Is it strange?”
“Well, no…”
“Besides, you did the exact same thing. You showed up late and simply flashed a smile by way of apology.”
His eyes widened. “What?”
Anastasia seized on her momentary advantage. “Hmmph! You’re also taking advantage of your good looks and flashing a smile to get yourself out of trouble. Also, what is that face you’re making?”
Finn smirked. “Okay, okay! I won’t pry any further into Raymond’s offer or your wish. Still, I should actually say thank you for ensuring that I keep my faith in you, instead of just flashing a smile.” He reached out with a hand to lightly caress her head.
Before Anastasia knew it, he had drawn her into his arms in an embrace.
“Thank you for telling me. I’m sorry you had to go through that.” Finn’s voice was low and calm. “I can always tell that bastard to stop pestering you, but if I did, he might make your life even more difficult, so I won’t do anything about it now.” He squeezed her gently.
“I know, I can take care of myself.” She could not move, and for some reason, her own body did not seem like it wanted to move either.
“Even so, tell me if he threatens you again. I’ll do what I can to end it.” He sighed. “I can’t believe I have to leave after all this… my feet don’t seem to want to move.”
Anastasia blinked in confusion. What is going on? We are not in a romantic relationship or anything, and since nobody else is here, there is no need for him to play the part of the doting fiance. So why is he making such a big deal about this? Is he hugging me to reassure himself just before a combat deployment?
“Take care of yourself and come back safely.” Her hands patted his back while he was still hugging her. “Don’t die pathetically at the hands of pirates, you hear me?” Yes, Finn was an idiot, but he was still more than a match for ramshackle pirates from the Periphery, right?
“It was definitely worth coming here to see you.” He chuckled and released her. “I’ll try to send HPG messages to you, so that you’re not waiting all by your lonesome. And since I won’t be around then, happy birthday in advance.” He leaned down and kissed her lightly on her forehead.
Anastasia found herself blushing from head to toe.
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===Reflection of a Kiss===
Leopard Class Dropship, Jurano
3rd August, 3061
0400 hours
They were outbound from Inman to the zenith jump point at a strained 1.5 Gees, to make up for the time lost when Viscount Rason delayed their departure so that he could visit his fiance.
Eric groaned as he stretched his body behind the desk he was using to do paperwork, while his boss was still energetically checking over the logistics for their jaunt to Abbeville.
As he cleared his own administrative tasks, Finn thought about his conversation with his fiancee.
It wasn’t that he didn’t expect Raymond to approach him. He knew just how much Raymond desired the Countship, but Raymond was more persistent than even he had anticipated. Nobles were often only spurred into action when they stood to gain or lose something. Friends, lovers, even their own family…
Since using and taking advantage of one another was always a given, even love and affection between nobles was never without shrewd calculation, and often resembled transactional exchanges instead of genuine love.
I suspected a day like this would come, but I am happy to see that I chose the right person. To think that Anastasia would come clean and tell me everything, especially since I doubt Raymond would lie to her, and he would have undoubtedly made her a tempting offer. And yet, Anastasia still chose to stand with Finn and House Rason. Of course, if it was all part of her plan to seduce Finn, that would be incredibly crafty of her.
Even if Lady Kalinska had approached him with ulterior motives, he would have been happy to do whatever she asked of him, with two exceptions - getting involved in the struggle for the Countship of the Trivet or the dynastic struggle for rule of the Federated Commonwealth. Those were the two exceptions…
Finn knew that desperately wanting something was one of the biggest weaknesses a person could ever have. Just as Raymond’s desperation for the Countship had rendered himself his own weakness, Anastasia was Finn’s biggest weakness.
He smiled grimly as he continued ploughing through his paperwork, while Eric wondered why his boss seemed so happy even as they labored under the strain of 1.5 Gees acceleration.
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===Unexpected Correspondence===
Haynes Palatial Manor
4th August, 3061
2000 hours (0800 hrs on local 28 hr cycle)
Renard stood before his father in the Count’s office, wondering what had happened.
Strange. He glanced at his father. For the longest time, my father wouldn’t even grant me an audience. What could he possibly want with me all of a sudden?
“My lord…?”
Count Haynes looked at his son. He had not accomplished much during his rule of the Trivet, spending most of his time enjoying the power and wealth his position brought him. Yet even his time was coming to an end. His health was ailing, the doctors recommended that he step down soon and retire from the Countship in order to reduce the stress on himself.
“Have you reflected on your actions?” he asked Renard, his tone grim.
“Yes, my lord!” Renard grinned, realizing this was his chance to regain his position and power. “I am sorry for what I did! While confined to the manor, I had the opportunity to reflect on all my past shortcomings. I now have a clear understanding of what you’d criticized about me, my lord.”
“Oh?” Count Haynes arched an eyebrow. “And what might that be?”
Renard tried to look contrite. “I failed to realize that I need to be perfect. A ruler must be perfect.” He looked at his father with conviction. “He must eliminate all who may one day stand in his way.”
“I see.” The Count nodded. “If that is the answer you’ve found, then I suppose that too may be the correct answer. Renard, as of today, the confinement order placed on you is lifted. You are now free to resume your work.”
Renard beamed with joy. “Thank you, my lord!”
“And one more thing.” Count Haynes’ eyes turned shrewd. “What do you think of your brother?”
Renard froze. “What do you mean, what do I think of my brother?”
“It is exactly as I said. I never had a chance to hear your thoughts on Raymond.”
“He’s a disgrace.” Renard just barely stopped himself from sneering. “He whiles his days away reading books. He’s a coward who can’t even look me in the eye.”
“Is that so? Hmm…”
“Why do you ask, my lord?”
Count Haynes explained, “You said but a moment ago that you must eliminate all who may one day stand in your way. In that case, wouldn’t you need to eliminate Raymond as well?”
Renard flinched a bit. “He’s not even worth killing. Even if I keep him alive, he won’t be able to do anything to me. As he poses no threat to me, alive or dead, there is no need for me to go to the trouble of killing him.” Renard gulped. Is this the answer Father wants to hear? Everybody knew that Father framed and murdered his own brother in order to ascend to the Countship… but killing his own son is an entirely different matter.
“Still, you are far too cold and unfeeling towards your one and only brother.” Count Haynes stated. “I am deeply concerned about your lack of affection for your own blood relations.”
Those words jolted Renard into attention. Dammit! Is he trying to trick me or something? What exactly does this old man want from me? And isn’t he being hypocritical? Cold and uncaring? Lack of affection? Hell, he practically destroyed his own brother to become Count!
“I… I don’t really mean that, Father. My brother and I have grown up together since childhood! How could I ever raise a weapon at him? Earlier, I was simply being rational and describing how he would need to be dealt with as a member of House Haynes. I do love him like a brother.” He raised his hands, as if imploring the Count to believe him.
“I see…”
Did he buy that? Renard tried to keep his breathing calm.
“One more thing, Renard,” said the Count, “You have received a proposal of marriage.” He pushed an envelope across his desk to Renard.
“What?” Renard blinked in surprise. Marriage? Which House could have sent the proposal? If it’s from a small insignificant family, I’ll refuse. But if it’s with a daughter of a powerful noble House, I’ll take her as my wife and keep a few mistresses on the side! He took the envelope and opened it, then read the letter inside. His eyes widened in surprise.
Renard looked up at the Count. “This marriage proposal… is this real?”
“Yes, it is. You are, of course, free to refuse it.”
Renard immediately replied, “How could I possibly refuse? An offer from this family is more than I deserve!”
The Count nodded. “As it has not yet been officially announced, you are to stay silent on the subject for the time being.”
Renard grinned. “Yes, my lord. As you command!”
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==Chapter Note==
*;Chapter Note from the Author : Next few chapters are mostly political stuff, following the same trajectory as the original webcomic it was based on.
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Chapter 35