Chapter Twenty-Three
_ We are inside a chessboard
" It is no longer mine .."
"..."
Everyone was in a state of silence; what could Duke **Erik Eastwin** possibly mean...
**Erik** smiled, and after a silence that lasted for seconds, he said cheerfully while looking at **Sophia**..
" Your Majesty, did I not grant my palace to my little niece?!"
The heated atmosphere calmed down slightly when **Sophia**, who had been barely trying to stay away from today's proceedings, stepped forward. She took two steps closer to the Emperor, with an apparent calmness despite the faint tension in her movements..
" I remember your promise to the Princess, but Your Highness... excuse me, isn't it too early to move her to a private palace.."
" No problem, it has become her palace and she can use it whenever she wishes. The workers will complete the move soon until a suitable place is found.."
**Erik**'s casual dialogue, as if he were speaking of something fleeting that held no meaning, was what left the nobles in a state of awe and silence. **Elite** looked at **Viola**, then at **Erik**, and thought:
' **Orlean** Palace never became the Princess's property.. never. '
It seemed that unexpected events were unfolding, but she tried to link the matter to the fact that **Erik** had never obtained the Dukedom of **Eastwin** in her previous life..
' **Erik**.. what are you planning?'
**Erik** realized he was the cause of this silence, so he felt a surge of excitement. He spoke in his playful manner while looking at his brother's stoic face—who smiled like a loving brother the moment he returned to the center of attention..
" I appreciate Your Majesty's concern for me, but I have thought of a place to receive me.."
**Erik** looked at the spot he had been eyeing before, then turned to **Arthur**, who said:
" Do you mean you have made up your mind?"
And inside, he wanted to ask him since when he had begun preparing this..
But **Erik**, with a mischievous smile, took wide strides toward the person he had wanted from the beginning. Once he arrived, he dropped to one knee to be closer to the eye level of **Ayan**, who felt confused for a moment when all attention focused on him..
" Duke **Ayan de Altan**, I apologize for my bluntness..."
"..."
**Ayan** raised an eyebrow and looked at his mother anxiously, then looked at **Erik** with suspicion..
" Since I am homeless.."
He smiled as he listened to the stunned chatter of the people, then said formally..
" I thought that I could find no better shelter for myself than the shadow of Duke **Altan**.."
"..."
" So, do I have the honor of staying as your guest until my palace is reconstructed?.."
**Ayan**'s mouth was agape for a moment. He looked at **Yohan**, who realized that what his uncle was doing was a form of madness, but he was in a position of helplessness. The expressions of those present did not differ from the shock of the two children..
**Ayan** looked at his hesitant mother, then at those around him, until his focus returned to **Erik**. He said, standing straight and with a steady voice..
" It would be my pleasure to host you, Duke **Eastwin**.."
**Erik** gave a side smile and patted **Ayan**'s head, then stood facing his brother and said with feigned helplessness..
" I have found a shelter for myself; it would be a pity not to stay under the wing of my older brother anymore.."
**Arthur** was silent for a while, then said:
" Good, it will be good for the family to stay together.."
**Arthur**'s expression had cracked, but he returned to his firmness within seconds. However, **Elite**, who was trying to process the matter—it was well known what had happened to the **Eastwin** palaces, but she did not expect **Erik**'s request for refuge with **Altan**..
**Elite** looked helplessly at her child, who, despite his frown, seemed intoxicated with happiness. Perhaps the dilemma of her being away from her child was solved for now..
" You won't be far from your mother.. congratulations.."
**Yohan** looked at **Ayan** happily; he had been worried about **Ayan** being away from his mother, but the matter was resolved. **Ayan** fell silent for a moment, then sighed, muttering in a voice **Yohan** could barely hear..
" We are inside a chessboard.."
**Yohan**'s hand, which had wanted to grab **Ayan**'s, retreated for a moment, then he reached back and held his friend encouragingly..
And it seemed that events would not end there, as **Louis Branet** stepped into the center of the hall. The attendees watched his steady steps, which did not seem casual..
" Since everyone has said their piece today.."
**Elite**'s eyes focused in confusion while **Arthur** remained silent for seconds, possessed by a mad urge to laugh. He smiled and signaled for **Louis** to speak..
" I know the time is not appropriate now, but I have decided to put things in their proper place..."
**Erik** felt puzzled; what was **Louis** aiming for? The latter turned to **Ayan**, then to the Emperor, then to **Erik** and **Elite**..
" Your Majesty, I wish to waive the right of guardianship of the young Duke **Ayan de Altan** to His Highness Duke **Erik Eastwin**.."
**Elite** opened her eyes in shock and looked at **Erik**, who was clearly in a state of non-understanding; it was evident he did not know..
"Huh..."
The silence of shock was broken by the sound of the Emperor's deep laughter. Everyone's features shifted from astonishment to confusion. Once **Arthur** finally stopped laughing, he smiled sideways and remained quiet for a bit while scanning everyone with his gaze..
" You shall have that..."
"..."
" The House of **Altan** and the House of **Eastwin**, a good alliance..."
**Elite** felt a chain tightening around her heart, but she settled for showing a grateful smile as she looked at **Erik**..
* * *
The hall had ignited anew with the recent conversation, as people gathered in groups to talk excitedly.
One of them spoke with enthusiasm, as if he had discovered a major solution to a puzzle:
" Is this what Duke **Erik Eastwin** is planning?"
" The Dukedom of **Eastwin** is in its worst state; it needs **Altan**'s support.."
Someone spoke in a somewhat loud voice:
" **Altan** is very wealthy..."
" He took the Dukedom and the right of guardianship."
Someone spoke while drinking enthusiastically, describing **Erik**:
" Duke **Eastwin** is truly shrewd.."
" For me, it was a foolish move by Count **Branet**."
The quiet voice in the midst of the excitement was striking. The group engaged in the heated talk looked toward the elegant young man with tied red hair, who was stirring his glass with boredom and looking at things with indifference. One of them spoke:
" Count **Nelson**, what are you implying?"
**Rohan** turned to the man speaking to him with a bored expression and said:
" Count **Branet** gave up the young Duke's guardianship.."
Someone spoke, justifying **Louis**'s actions..
" Perhaps Count **Branet** wanted to evade the task of caring for his nephew.."
**Rohan** spoke with a steady gaze while addressing the man:
" We are not talking about commoners who can barely find what to eat and fear adding a member to the family.."
"..."
Then someone said with understanding:
" Count **Nelson**, it is **Branet**, one of the ten wealthiest families in Sardia.."
" Then why do you think he left the guardianship?"
He spoke while smiling sideways, then excused himself to leave them with these matters swirling in their minds. Once he left them, his features shifted to coldness..
* * *
The two men lowered their heads while looking at each other, while a small woman with a firm face stood before them.
" I apologize for my haste, but I was worried about any intervention from the remnants of **Altan**."
Her angry features softened, and she relaxed her shoulders:
" I trust that my brother thinks of **Ayan**'s best interest first.."
" Then why do you look frustrated, sister.."
**Louis** raised his head as he looked at **Elite**, who looked at **Erik** and then at her brother, while **Ayan** stood between his mother and his maternal uncle, who held him by the shoulders with tenderness..
She sighed in the moments of their silence, approached her son, took his hands, placed them against her eyes, and said with clear anxiety..
" I will not allow a single strand of my child's hair to be touched.."
She raised her gaze and looked into the eyes of her child, who clearly saw no one but her, and said firmly..
" If it comes to fighting.. I will fight.."
**Erik** looked at **Louis**, who seemed worried, then looked calmly at **Elite**. With a playful smile, he placed his hands behind his head..
" Mmm.. then I won't leave my wife to fight alone.."
**Louis** looked at **Erik** with a complex feeling; this man had always been difficult to predict, elusive and sharp, but he believed in only one thing..
' That he truly loves **Elite**..'
**Louis** took a deep breath, trying to remain steady:
" I will count on you, Duke **Eastwin**. Sister, I apologize once again.."
**Louis** excused himself, bid **Ayan** farewell with a faint pat, and departed..
**Elite** and **Ayan** watched **Louis**'s back, then she turned to **Erik**, who felt her gaze and rolled his eyes with a victimized expression..
" What?"
" Should I scold you both now?"
**Ayan** felt wronged and turned to his mother with cute puppy eyes. **Erik** glanced at him and tried to imitate the child, making **Elite** feel exhausted..
' Is this the time for this?'
" Stop seeking pity.."
She spoke with a serious expression while looking at both of them, then looked at **Ayan** firmly:
" Both of you.."
**Ayan** stood straight before his mother and shot a glance at **Erik**, who seemed to be imitating him. He was irritated by him and went back to looking at his mother with wide, cute eyes..
' Is he a child?'
" Mother, I'm sorry, I didn't want to waste the opportunity.."
**Elite** knew her son was more mature than his peers, but he was also still a child. She sighed and said:
" It's not your fault, **Ayan**, and I know it was the only solution.. but"
"?!.."
"?!.."
She turned to **Erik** and with a steady expression:
" **Erik**, shouldn't you have asked me first?"
**Ayan** looked out of the corner of his eye at **Erik**, who seemed to know his mistake, but he teased **Ayan** with a wide smile and said, trying to ease **Elite**'s nerves:
" Mmm... in politics.."
"..."
" Deceive your ally to deceive your enemy.."
If there was one person **Elite** was unable to keep up with, it was **Erik**. She simply shrugged her shoulders in helplessness..
" So we will move directly to the palace after the party.. right? "
The serious atmosphere was broken by **Ayan**'s voice, asking with shining eyes. **Elite** approached her child, sat on the ground, and said:
" Correct, but I cannot return to the main palace.."
" Why?!"
**Ayan** felt anxious and clenched his fists.
" I am no longer of **Altan**.."
" But.."
" Rest assured, it is enough for me to be near you. Let's arrange the guest palace.."
" Then where will you stay today?!"
When **Ayan** asked, **Elite** looked at **Erik**, who answered simply:
" In my private palace."
" And me?!"
His eyes were truly tearful, which made **Elite**'s heart ache, but **Erik** patted **Ayan**'s hair a little and said seriously:
" Shouldn't the Duke of **Altan** prepare his palace for guests?"
" Will I go back without my mother?"
**Elite**'s heart had reached its limit, so she looked at **Erik** this time with sad eyes. He blinked and felt moved in his heart, saying after a few seconds of silence:
" Then why don't we all go to my palace?.."
"..."
" I mean, it would be better.."
**Erik** looked at them, but **Ayan** hugged his mother joyfully, leaving **Erik** as if he were a piece of furniture in the room..
* * *
The noise was significantly loud today—the sounds of sweeping and mopping mixed with the voices of excited servants; even the pungent food smells in the kitchen were more than usual.
" Are they really coming?"
" Their number is large, right.."
" Isn't it a lack of tact.."
" These are orders from His Majesty.."
" Our Duke is very young.."
" Her Majesty will not do anything that might harm His Majesty.."
The firm tone was what made the maids lower their heads in front of **Viola**, who was in a state of real anger. She realized that **Elite** had been reckless for the first time. She took several deep breaths, then returned to her kind and warm expression and approached **Ayan**, who was supervising the workers himself. She thought with internal frustration..
' I can't act normally, I fear I might complicate things..'
" It seems the young Duke is working hard.."
**Ayan** turned to **Viola**, who was smiling in her usual way. He raised an eyebrow for a moment, remained silent for a bit, then sighed and said with a frown:
" Everything must be as my mother does it.."
**Viola**'s heart softened, her eyes curved with tenderness, and she said:
" The child resembles his mother.."
"...!"
**Ayan**'s eyes sparkled at **Viola**'s words, and she continued gently while softly patting his cheek..
" So my young master will do well."
**Viola**'s words were like a sedative in that moment, so **Ayan**'s heart calmed down a little..
...... To be continued ......