Tainted (nonbinary mc x man)

Chapter 19

A/N: This chapter includes mentions of rape and murder and depictions of violence. 

Toma was completely surprised when, the very night of the welcome banquet, he was sent a request to meet Duchess Teval in her room. It was after the celebration had ended when a servant had walked over with the letter and nervously handed it to him.

Toma had a few ideas as to what she wanted. For one, if Duchess Teval was from Vera and Monrie had mentioned the bridge incident, she'd know about Toma's magic. Truthfully, he'd barely had a chance to explain himself to Monrie and Arville, but neither of them had been surprised when Toma had told them that he had magic. And neither asked how he'd gotten. Though, technically, there was really only one way someone who wasn't born on Vera could gain this type of magic.

Or perhaps the duchess had seen him being close with her son and wanted to speak to him. If that was it, Toma was a bit wary. Afterall, Monrie had warned him to be careful around his mother. Surely she wasn't so horrible that she'd harm the royal who was hosting them, but then again... maybe he should have told Monrie about this before he'd gone over.

But, as it was, Toma was already meandering outside of Duchess Teval's door. He did this for a few minutes before he worked up the courage to knock. The door opened swiftly and Toma was ushered in by the duchess. It was almost like she'd been waiting by the door.

He stood just inside the door as Duchess Teval closed it and asked gently,"Why have you requested to see me, Duchess Teval?"

Duchess Teval moved to sit in one of the chairs around a low table. She reached forward to pick up a teacup. She didn't say anything for a long time, nor did she look at Toma. Eventually, he became a little annoyed and went to take a seat opposite her without an invitation.

Duchess Teval glared at him when he did this. "I called you to discuss something I witnessed earlier." Duchess Teval's voice felt threatening. Toma was worried. What had she witnessed to make her call Toma to his room? Was it something that serious? Was it related to Monrie? Toma's stomach dropped. Had she heard the comment Thomsyn had made earlier?

Duchess Teval lifted her cup and spoke harshly. "It's about the cake."

Toma's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. The cake? Duchess Teval set down her teacup and looked Toma straight in the eyes, waiting for his response.

Still very confused, Toma could only ask, "Was there something wrong with the cake?"

Duchess Teval sighed and uncrossed her legs. She stood and walked over to a trunk that was sitting on her bed. She opened it and said, "I wanted to give you a chance to admit your mistake and beg for forgiveness, but you seem to be exactly the type of person I thought. Good. It's more fun for me that way."

Duchess Teval pulled something from the truck and held it close to her side, making it difficult for Toma to see what it was.

"Duchess," he began slowly, "please tell me what's troubling you plainly. I'm afraid I don't understand."

"You!" Duchess Teval said callously, her eyes glazed over with fury. "You dare pretend you don't know? How rude of you! How horribly obstinate." She moved forward in an instant, grabbing Toma's chin and squeezing. In a chilling voice, she spoke, sending shivers down Toma's spine, "You dare act so familiar with my dear son when you are nothing? Vulgar being."

Toma froze and it took a moment for his brain to start working again. When it did, he could only utter, "Duchess, I'm confused."

Duchess Teval cut him off, "I should have kept a better eye on them. Especially after Arville's case. Why do all my sons think they can be with just anyone? Don't they know they should have the best? My eldest knew. Look who he married! A queen! But Arville runs around with baker girls, and then that brother of his, who I enlisted to help me solve the horrendous issue, runs off with her? Then Nellieven refuses to marry anyone I send his way? And now Monrie?"