Not Giving Into Fate

35- The Real Solon

After my party had ended, I made sure all the guests had evacuated before letting the Baron and his bastard niece walk out. They looked surprise to see an empty ballroom and the servants cleaning up the remnants of the extravagant party. I stand next to Butler Claude, letting him say there's a carriage ready to take her.

The carriage ended up being one of the city's. I refused to let them join my carriage, telling the butler to arrange another way to get to the bastard to the house. The Baron wanted to join his niece, but with a quick glare, I shut him up and the child looked at me with wary eyes. She will be arriving alone, I did not want two strangers in my house. 

The butler sat with me on the carriage ride home. We came up with a list on how to deal with the reveal of the bastard. I immediately told him to get a paternity test done whenever my father was available. I told him to send someone out to run a background check on her, her mother, her family and if anyone else new of the alleged affair. We came up with the room in the farthest wing of the house, on the floor that was rarely taken care of.

By the time we arrived back at my mansion, I had told him to make sure there is one maid who serves her. However, the maid must tend to her duties first and then see if the bastard child needs anything else. I tell him I don't trust an outsider, and to watch her hands and to keep proper inventory of what she has to make sure she doesn't steal. I tell him to make sure the maid bathes her and scrubs her down before settling into bed, that we weren't sure what she may carry.

I spot Sir Elliot, my private guard, standing by the stairs, ready to walk with me. I wave him forward. He comes and I grab his shirt, pulling him down so I can whisper to him. 'Escort the bastard child to her room. Be with the Butler and personally report her actions to me.' He stands as I let go of him.

"Oh, and Sir Claude", I call for him before I head up the stairs. He pauses and looks at me. "Meet me in my father's study. I want you to help me go through his financial records. They claimed to receive money from him. I need to confirm it with my own eyes."

"You aren't allowed in-"

I show him the ring my brother gave me, which rests on my finger. He shuts his mouth and gives me a nod. "Yes Master Giselle. I will meet with you after I finish checking in the guest." He turns around and leaves the atrium with Sir Elliot, leaving me to go up the stairs.

I make my way to a corridor I frequented to when I was a child, but never walked through the hall as an adult. The walls were bare save for the candles that lit the way. My father didn't have an appreciation for art, but he had some artwork to show off the money he had which was displayed in common areas. In his private corridor, he made it to be devoid of everything save for the bare necessities; only candles to light his way as he roamed the halls at night.

I stand in front of the door at the end of the hallway, his door. I take a deep breath, remembering the last time I entered, he condemned me to the Prince. I shake that thought away and open the door.

I look around the room, the scent of his cologne lingered in his study. I wave my hand, igniting all the candles to brighten the room. I take a brave step forward and look around the room I remembered as a child.

I walk slowly, scared that my father would be standing behind me. I stop at the first table, a grand table where his military generals would talk about their plans of victory. I look at the map of our country. I see cities circled and cities crossed out. Flags lay out on the map, indicating where our current armies stay. I remembered how he quizzed me. Forcing me to learn battle tactics and punishing me if my army lost to Elric and vice versa. 

I grab a red flag, a color that was always given to me. I remember stepping on the tips of my toes to see the entire table. The table hits my hip, a tall table now that I'm an adult. I try to imagine a little girl, fighting against her brother for their Father's favor. I must've been so small... why was he so cruel? I carefully set the flag down and continue.