FaRtaL Chpt 14

==From a Ristar to a Lady - Chapter 14 -==
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Kalinski Estate
Innerman City, Inman
Milligan PDZ, Woodbine Operational Area,
26th February, 3061
0600 hrs (1400 hrs on local 28 hr cycle)
“Send him back.” Anastasia spoke without thinking.
The maid replied, “My lady, you said he could come.”
Anastasia tilted her head, considering. She did say that, but given the circumstances…
“Should I send him back?” Unlike other maids, Luisa bravely asked her for confirmation.
Anastasia pondered for a moment, then shook her head. She did not know why. It was just strange, that she wanted to see Finn. Maybe because he was one of the memories of good times from her past life. Also weird, because they spent much of that time trying to defeat each other.
Her disheveled hair was quickly arranged, and a thick outer garment woven with warm wool was applied on top of the negligee. Anastasia was still slightly hazy about what was happening because she still had some fever.
“Do I go down?”
When asked if she should go down to her private suite for receiving guests, Luisa shook her head.
“The Viscount should come up to your room. You’re so sick!”
“Okay.” Anastasia agreed readily. It was really difficult for her to think straight.
When the maids finished their final makeover, Anastasia looked out of the window next to her in a dazed state.
The sky was grey, and all the scenery was hazy, perhaps foggy. Anastasia was lost in thought.
Where was Avryl now? Dead, or alive in Anastasia’s body? It was a question on her mind ever since she saw Pence again. After so many days, she still had no answer.
Then she heard footsteps in the direction of her room, and the door opened. Nevertheless, she kept her gaze fixed towards the window.
“Leave us.”
A familiar man’s voice echoed quietly in the room. Luisa seemed to greet him, and then went outside and closed the door.
The silence in the room seemed oppressive. Then more footsteps, nearing, and stopped next to her bed. Then there was silence again.
A man’s voice was heard with a very small sigh.
“Do you have to go crazy every few days?”
“……” Anastasia turned her head. Her eyes rested on his uniform coat.
He was dressed in the deep green uniform coat of the AFFC with silver cuffs and red piping indicating both his status as an officer and his branch of service. Strangely enough, he wore no decorations on his left, save only for the rank epaulettes of a Leftenant-Colonel. Like most mechwarriors who graduated from an academy of the old Federated Suns, he wore the traditional cavalry spurs on his boots.
“That’s the AFFC uniform, isn’t it?”
“What?”
Finn looked at Anastasia puzzledly. Finn was starting to conclude that Anastasia must be sick and out of her mind.
“Yes, it’s the AFFC uniform. I’m the commander of the local Trivet militia, I’m supposed to wear it.”
“Then where are your decorations?” She placed a hand on his left chest. “Didn’t you kill a lot of enemies to earn them?”
He stared at her, dumbfounded. Whatever he was expecting in a conversation with her, this was certainly not it. Green eyes scanned her face with a helpless expression.
“My lady, you must be really sick.”
Anastasia smirked at his words. It was a gloomy smile that was completely different from the dazzling one he saw at the banquet. Finn couldn’t understand this woman at all.
Anastasia looked up at Finn, since he was still standing. Strangely, his uniform did not repulse her. After all, she also wore a uniform, that of the Smoke Jaguars, until her death.
“What did you do today?” she asked
“What?”
“Did you log time in your mech?” asked
He frowned at her strange familiarity with mechwarrior lingo. “Yes, a few hours just before and after daybreak, in fact.”
“Even when it rains, you are diligent.” she commented
“As a mechwarrior, I have to be.” Finn told her.
Seeing Finn’s expression, Anastasia unknowingly bit her lips tightly. It was something that made her cry.
On the day she accepted Avryl’s death, Anastasia realized that she had no way to avenge herself on Pence. The skills that she had as Avryl, she had lost them after becoming Anastasia. Being a mechwarrior, in the weak body she was in? Impossible. And to even take on Pence outside of a mech? Even more impossible.
“You are a Viscount, so you must have great power here, not just on the battlefield, right?” she asked him.
“……”
Finn’s frown deepened. Her once-glittering eyes looked somewhat hazy. Anastasia looked at him with an aimless stare.
Meanwhile, Anastasia was thinking. Yes, it was impossible for ‘Anastasia’ to kill Pence. What kind of power did a Baron’s young daughter have to kill an enfeoffed knight and the commander of the Haynes household guards? If she were a man, she could at least have some physical strength, but Anastasia was a weak noblewoman who could barely do anything.
Anastasia took her eyes off Finn and looked at her hand.
White, fine, and beautifully trimmed hands. It was a hand that contrasted so much with Avryl’s hands, which were full of scars and calluses from years of practicing combat in all its forms.
“I’m really not following the flow of this conversation.”
Anastasia turned to look at Finn. Her expression was blank and she barely spoke.
“I’m just saying… that you are a fine man.”
He was dressed in a well-fitted dress uniform and had the build to accentuate its features. He was a Viscount of the Federated Commonwealth, or Suns, or whatever, so he had some level of political power even beyond the Trivet.
Within the Trivet itself, he had enormous power. He was also, she grudgingly admitted, a decent mechwarrior, and he had fought in actual battle, not just talked about it. He also exuded a refined masculinity that sent ladies swooning. And she knew, at least from glances around the banquet hall during the Feast of Bounty celebrations, that many noblewomen did just that.
He had everything, wealth, power, honor, health, even his own landholding.
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re also powerful.”
She envied him for what he possessed. When she saw Finn, who had everything she needed to take her vengeance, she was filled with jealousy.
“What are you talking about?”
She could never be like Finn. But if she wanted to get revenge on Khalid, what could, what would she do for it?
“Lady Kalinska?”
She shuffled to get out of her bed, struggling to get her body up with her arms. Her arms trembled so much that she was starting to sweat. A suffocating breath came out of her mouth.
“My lady.”
Finn helped her up. As he did so, their faces got closer.
Finn’s green eyes and her eyes met. At that moment, Anastasia stopped moving.
Her mind raced. After all, if I became his, I would be able to seduce this man and make him do what I want, right? I can use this man’s power. Women are like that in the Inner Sphere, that is just how it is.
Besides, she was the most beautiful lady in the Trivet, and hence the most valuable, as shallow as that line of thinking was. It would be easy for her to win the heart of this man. Then, she would belong to him and his power would also be hers? There was one thing beautiful women are good at… Yes, she can seduce this man.
What was that term used in one of those holovids? Femme fatale.
His hand was firmly on Anastasia’s back. Anastasia reached out, supporting herself in his arms. Her stretched hand slowly swept down his hard face.
“You…”
Heedless of what Finn was going to say, Anastasia reached out and put her arm around his neck and pulled him down to reach his face. Then she kissed him without hesitation.
It seemed as though a soft sound rang in both their ears at that moment.
She drew back. “You don’t like it?”
Finn seemed speechless at the question.
Her eyes, white face, and cheeks, which had a strange light, had a lovely flush. And there was an enticing curve on her blood-red lips, an obvious temptation when contrasted against her long loose black hair and white skin.
Finn stared blankly at the dizzying sight in front of him for a moment. He quickly raised one corner of his mouth at that short and simple provocation.
“Well, how about it?” she asked
He pulled Anastasia’s waist and stuck her close to his body. Then their lips touched.
Although she started it, he took over the lead. Unfamiliar with the act of kissing, she could only follow awkwardly. Finn pressed his hand to her cheek and licked Anastasia’s lips open. In an instant, his tongue came in and brushed her even teeth.
“Ugh!”
The arm wrapped around his neck tightened, but Finn’s hand rubbed Anastasia’s back as if reassuringly. At that, she shut her eyes tightly. The black eyelashes trembled.
His hand, which had been on her cheek, moved behind her ear, stroking her head, and then went down to her neck and chest. Anastasia flinched, her eyes trembling, and finally tried to push him away.
Finn opened his eyes. For a moment, something brushed against his green eyes as he separated from Anastasia.
Anastasia breathed heavily, disturbed by the afterglow of their fierce kiss. Finn found himself a bit winded from the unexpected intensity.
A strange heat settled in the room.
Finn stared at Anastasia’s face for a long time with an incredulous expression, realization dawning on him. Then he reached out a hand to tidy up his messy hair, and adjusted his uniform coat.
His face stiffened into a cold angry mask. He did not attempt to make any more conversation. The eruption of heat in the room cooled down just as quickly.
Anastasia stiffened with a surprised expression with her hand to her lips. Finn looked at her and frowned slightly. Then he turned around and left the room.
He did not turn around to see her hold her head in her hands in utter shame and regret.
The rain continued unabated.
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26th February, 3061
1500 hrs (2300 hrs on local 28 hr cycle)
“What happened?” asked Baron Kalinski as he hurried down the corridor to Anastasia’s room. “I thought Ana was doing better!”
“She was! But after the Viscount’s visit, the fever bounced back.” said Luisa frantically, her eyes tearing up with concern for her mistress as she tried to keep up with the Baron.
“Ana!” He burst through the doors of her room, not caring for decorum. His heart sank when he saw his poor daughter lying on her bed, obviously still very sick. Yet she still tried to get up.
“Father, you’re here…”
“No, just lie down. You don’t have to push yourself.”
She fell back on her pillows, her breath coming in short pants.
He looked at her, his heart breaking at her condition.
“I can’t believe your health has deteriorated so much.” He made a decision. She won’t like it, but he felt he had not many options left. “How about going back to Altoona to rest and recover there? You’ll feel much better if you rest away from Inman.”
That provoked a strong reaction. She pushed herself from her sleeping position, and protested. “Why should I? I can recover just fine here! I don’t want to go anywhere else!”
He sighed quietly, “The thing is, there are some nasty rumours about you being spread here. They say you’ve gone insane.”
She stared at him in dawning realization. I know I brought it upon myself with my own actions, but I cannot help but feel maligned!
“Father, do you also think I am insane? Is that why you want to send me away, so that I won’t be a burden?”
His silence told her all she needed to know. Poor Anastasia, you were given a lot of love, but not a lot of trust, it seems.
“Ana, I’m sorry.”
“I don’t really want to know.” She was tired of his excuses. Her voice was cold and sharp. The original Anastasia always acted the perfect lady, with a bright smile pasted on her face. Even when angry, she would vent it on others, never her own father. Maybe that was why he had gotten away with his half-hearted attitude for so long.
Baron Kalinski loved Anastasia, but only with his words, not his actions.
And actions always speak louder than words.
Where was he when the original Anastasia jumped into the manor lake? Where was he during the Feast of Bounty banquet, where he left her to the mercy of the wolves-in-ladies clothing? Even when she almost died in the lake, he had not taken any action at all against Baron Haynes.
Was this what a loving father would have done?
She resolved she would not repeat Anastasia’s mistakes.
He took her fragile hands in his own, patting them gently. “I will explain everything later.”
It sounded like a promise made to a gullible child, but she had no energy left to argue anyway. Besides, he was not entirely wrong. If she stayed on Inman, she might end up doing even crazier things.
“All right, I will go to Altoona.” Anastasia nodded in numb acceptance.
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Rason Estate
1st March, 3061
1500 hrs (1100 hrs on local 28 hr cycle)
Despite what the various admiring ladies of the Trivet thought, Finn Rason wasn’t a paragon of virtue. At least, that’s Eric’s opinion.
Since entering the Viscount’s service as his personal secretary and valet, Eric had learned how to work around his master’s moods, achieving a sort of equanimity on how to advise and support his master on a variety of issues. He prided himself on having a broad outlook, despite not having attended a formal institution of higher education. Still, as the second son of a knight on Delacambre, he did have some private tutoring, and that had been enough for the Viscount to hire him in the first place after the Viscount was discharged from the AFFC.
In the short span of a few months, Eric quickly learned to accommodate his boss’s sometimes prickly attitude, and to find excuses when acting as the middleman between Viscount Rason and other notables.
But the Viscount was in a mood Eric had never seen before, and had been for the past three days. Everything seemed to set Finn off, from the weather to even the way the servants adjusted the paintings on the walls of the estate building.
Eric sighed. He had thought of quitting, but there weren’t that many prospects for a mere second son of a landholding knight in the Trivet. He had a plan - work for Viscount Finn for a few years, save up enough money, then seek a similar but better position on one of the more developed worlds.
“I have received a message from the Kolis Engine Consortium. Came in with the JumpShip today.”
“What’s their business?”
The Viscount sat at his desk, reading reports and making notes. After three days, he was still as prickly as ever.
“They’re asking for funds to develop fission engines.”
“Are we a charity? Tell them no.”
“What do you mean…”
Eric knew engines were important. It was impossible to wage modern war without them. Even the humble internal combustion engine was still used in many combat vehicles. Fission engines were a major step up in the manufacturing capabilities of Delacambre, and a milestone towards achieving fusion engine production.
The Viscount was too hasty in his judgement and letting his emotions guide his decisions. Eric opened his mouth to protest.
Then his green eyes glared at Eric, as if he knew what he was thinking. Eric flinched.
“You think my decision is emotional and unreasonable right? Fission engines are too heavy because of their shielding to prevent radioactive leakage, and god forbids if one of them loses containment! Their maintenance is also a pain, and in short I’d avoid them unless absolutely necessary. If you really think I’m wrong, you can invest your own money.”
Eric looked down. “No, sir.”
“In the future, think about what reports are important before raising them to my attention. Is your head merely a flowerpot for growing hair?”
Eric squeezed his eyes shut. Maybe he should really just quit and find some other job? He didn’t have a family to take responsibility for, and he couldn’t even get married because he was too busy to go on dates, cleaning up after his boss.
Next, it was a report about some militia soldiers who were arrested for being drunk and causing a disturbance in public.
The Viscount’s foul mood struck again. This time he imposed a brutal punishment of hard labor for a week, which was far harsher than the usual extra guard duty.
In addition, when the umpteenth letter from Lady Yance, who was trying to pursue the Viscount despite his complete lack of interest in her, arrived, the Viscount just tossed it into the fireplace, saying that it was a waste of ink and time to write a letter.
The young lady’s flame-like love became a real flame in the fireplace and disappeared.
Even so, she was Baron Hoppe's daughter, and he wanted to say something because the Baron was the Minister of Finance, but he knew he didn’t want to become burned along with the letter and so kept his mouth shut.
Nope, he wasn't going to get burned, no sirree!
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The next tribulation was morning tea.
Somehow, Viscount Rason drank the hot tea down in a single gulp, yet he did not flinch in the least. Eric knew he wasn’t unscathed though, because his mood worsened. It was the Viscount’s own fault for not listening when the maid told him the tea was hot and to drink it with caution.
Then finally the Viscount looked out the window and shouted.
“Damn rain!”
He was annoyed that it was raining now?
“Damn it, it’s raining heavily!”
So… he was annoyed when the weather was clear, and he was annoyed when it rained. Eric sighed, crying internally. He really felt like leaving the Viscount’s office for the comfort of his own bachelor’s pad, but he had a job to do, no matter how shitty the job was.
Eric could guess why the Viscount was in one of his moods. It was after visiting Anastasia Kalinska.
As soon as he went, he came back almost immediately, and on top of that he was in one of the foulest moods Eric had ever seen him in.
What in Blake’s name happened to the crazy young lady? On the first day after going there, the Viscount seethed quietly. On the second day, everything irritated him, and on the third day, he was like a ticking time bomb liable to blow up at any moment.
Eric paused in his thoughts… Don’t tell me, the Viscount had fallen for Anastasia Kalinska?
The Kalinski family was considered high ranking enough to serve as a suitable match for the Viscount, but things would be different if Lady Anastasia was as crazy as the rumours said. She was still sick from what information he was able to obtain, so what the hell happened? Besides, what was so attractive about her?
“What is so attractive about her?”
“Yes, yes?!” Eric almost fainted at the words that seemed to have dug out of his head. Had the Viscount suddenly mastered mind-reading? He really thought his heart was popping out.
Long live Viscount Rason. Long live and prosper! He quickly enumerated the merits of his master in his head. He did not dare to think that the Viscount was a prickly bastard. He also tried hard to think of his own poor circumstances and how a healthy infusion of funds could do wonders for his welfare…
“It is nothing.”
Finn murmured gloomily, obviously unaware of the nonsense percolating through Eric’s mind.
“I’m going crazy.”
“What?”
“For someone who is insane…”
Eric decided not to jump to conclusions because he had not yet obtained any definite information. But he was almost sure it was related to Anastasia.
So since they were already somewhat on the issue of Lady Anastasia, Eric decided that he would make a report that he didn’t deliver when the Viscount made a fuss with his tea during tea time, simply out of concern for his own skin. He judged the timing was now right, as the Viscount seemed to have mellowed just a tad since scalding his tongue with the tea.
“My lord.”
The Viscount looked at him indifferently.
“Latest report came in on Baron Kalinski’s daughter.”
“What? Why is her name on a report?”
When Eric saw him leaning towards him and showing such immediate concern, Eric felt his conjectures were almost right.
“Baron Kalinski is sending her back to Altoona.”
Finn frowned. He thought for a long time, before asking, “Why?”
Eric had been ready with a response. “Well, the rumours…..”
“I ordered you to block or downplay them.”
“You know it’s not that easy to stop. It’s already spread to some extent. Rumours were already spreading about the last time she jumped into the manor lake, what happened in the guest room, and what happened in her estate. All these led to a new rumour.”
“So, what exactly is this new rumor?”
Eric said carefully, “They’re saying Lady Kalinska is mentally-ill.”
Finn gestured for Eric to continue.
“Inman is complicated. Too many intrigues going on. Baron Kalinski probably realizsed that and decided she would be better off away from here.”
“Right.” Yes, his boss agreed with him!
Finn looked quietly out the window for long moments, watching the raindrops falling from the sky.
“Eric.”
After a while, Finn talked again.
“Yes, sir.”
“Is Baron Haynes that attractive?”
“Yes?”
Finn had a serious expression on his face. Eric wondered what kind of bullshit his boss was on about this time.
“Is he more attractive than me?”
Could madness be contagious? Eric prayed hard that whatever afflicted Lady Kalinska would not infect his boss. He hesitated about what to say and came up with a deflective answer.
“There are many young lady with their eyes on Baron Haynes.”
“Then what about me?”
“The same goes for you.” Well, all these were common knowledge.
“Is Baron Haynes more popular than me?”
“Well, he hasn’t been betrothed yet. Every young lady dreams of becoming the future Countess.”
That said, Baron Haynes was still more popular than Viscount Rason. Baron Haynes had an impeccable PR service on his side to hide all his flaws, so it was easy for him to be popular with women.
“But my lord has spent years away from the Trivet, fighting for the Federated Commonwealth. It’s not exactly a fair comparison.”
Finn nodded, then asked, “Is the Countess such a coveted position?”
“Isn’t it the highest position a woman can have in the Trivet?”
Finn frowned. “Then, is Baron Haynes charming?”
At Finn’s words, Eric pretended to vomit. “I’m a citizen of the Trivet, but I can’t say anything nice about Baron Haynes. Even when I was a teenager, I’ve heard about his conduct and relationships with women, so a definite no there.” Renard Haynes might have very good PR staff, but the clues about his true shitty personality were all out there for anybody to just piece together, especially those in the aristocracy.
Then Eric’s face turned white. He feared Finn’s next question would be, “Am I charming?”
How in Blake’s Blood was he to answer this question? He didn’t feel like lying, that would have been too much for his conscience. Finn was a military man, blunt and direct. He focused his energies on staying sharp and the administration of his demesne, not on affairs with women.
In a way, that made him better than Baron Haynes, but it was not really a ringing endorsement of his ‘charms’! Eric agonised over how to end the conversation? Maybe it was a mistake to talk about Lady Kalinska? He knew a grievous mistake here could result with his neck on the chopping black, so he kept quiet and waited for Finn to make the next move.
Finn was muttering quietly to himself, but Eric feared to even listen to what he was saying. He did make out a few words and phrases here and there, as though the Viscount was grappling with something difficult to understand.
“Hey Eric.” The Viscount’s face looked entirely too serious. “What if a person gives you a hundred kroner when he is sick?”
His reply was firm and immediate. “I won’t take it.”
“That’s a hundred kroner, Eric. Taking it, no big deal right?”
Eric shook his head vehemently. “How could a sick person even make a proper and logical decision? Do you take stuff just because somebody wants to give it to you? You don’t even know where that money came from. If there is such a person, he should doubt his humanity. If somebody says it’s okay and takes it, then that person is trash. Trash!”
This time the explanation was so easy that Eric could answer without thinking too much. He might not be very educated, but it was what any decent person would think.
“Damn it…” Finn banged his head on his desk.
Eric thought that somehow the Viscount sounded very hurt. As if he were saying to himself ‘I’m trash’. But he was afraid to find out further, so he just kept his peace while his boss mentally flagellated himself.
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*; Chapter Note from the Author: Next chapter ends Act I.
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Chapter 14