[B2] Chapter 82 — A Reason For Murder (Part I)

The stairs led to a pleasantly blue hallway with whitewash on the woodwork, doors, and decoratively-framed paintings of city landmarks. The chalky white floorboards only creaked slightly as they followed the hallway back toward the front of the house. The house owners’ style was unpretentious, and the comfortable cleanliness reminded Ria of Jarrel’s parent’s house.

“Cassielle?” Hulle called out as he knocked on an open door at the end.

“Come in, Hulle! Come in!” an older girl’s voice called back from within the room.

The doorway opened into a well-appointed sitting room with several bookcases chock full with books and loosely bound paper. By one of the room’s two windows, a cute teen girl with ribbon-tied brown hair and a slight dusting of freckles sat primly beside a writing desk, the top button of her lightly-embroidered shirt undone and a blanket over her lap draping to the floor. A familiar splash of warm yellows in the room drew Ria’s eyes, and amidst a selection of carved crystal figurines atop a curio table, drooping flowers filled a lovely vase.

“I’m surprised to see you so soon. Pleasantly surprised, of course-” the girl was saying but cut off mid gush as she noticed Hulle wasn’t alone, tilting her head in interest upon catching sight of Ranger. “Oh? You’ve brought a pair of new guests! To whom do I owe the honor?”

Hulle smiled a genuine smile at the eager interest. “I thought it would be fun to introduce you to one of the two underclassmen that I’m mentoring and sponsoring into the Sages this year. Today happened to be mutually convenient.”

“Hi, I’m Ria,” Ria volunteered and motioned toward Ranger who was sitting at attention, practicing proper poise as Lady Janacythe had taught him. “And this is my familiar, Ranger.”

“Woof!” Ranger happily greeted and, to Cassielle’s clear delight, performed an adorable mimicry of a gentleman’s bow.

“Hello there and welcome, Lady Ria, Ranger,” Cassielle offered, returning the gesture with an awkward half curtsy using her blanket, dipping forward in her chair, one hand gripping the armrest. “I’d stand and give a proper curtsy, but…”

“No need to worry about etiquette,” Ria assured, waving aside the girl’s concern. “I’m not a noble-”

“She’s a visiting princess,” Hulle cut in with a smirk as he stopped by at the curio table to freshen the flowers in the vase, replacing the old ones with the newly purchased ones.

Ria shot Hulle a surprised look. Did he know? Not that it wasn’t obvious to some extent with the aura practice. Ugh. But why was he telling this girl?

“You’re teasing me, Hulle!” Cassielle complained after looking back and forth between her guests. “Why would you be mentoring a princess from another country, and why would she want to be here, in my room, visiting me?”

“Maybe I am? But, oh, I don’t know. Perhaps a certain someone let slip that he knew the great Raselli Quillsilver, writer of some renown?” Hulle slyly suggested.

Ria looked from Hulle to Cassielle and back. “Really?”

Cassielle rolled her eyes. “I doubt a princess would be interested in my stories.”

“Woof!” Ranger objected.

Ranger was right, of course. She did read a lot of books. “I’m afraid I haven’t had time of late to read anything new, but my friend who Hulle is also mentoring was reading one of your books the other day, and I was going to ask about it at the bookstore when next I went.”

“There’s no need for that,” Cassielle objected. “Hulle, can you grab a signed original of the first book in the series for her.”

“Can you really call it an original if I scribed the early copies for you?” Hulle playfully disputed as he lazily crossed the room to browse one of the more disorderly bookshelves.

“Shush, you. You offered, and your handwriting is somehow better than mine even though we had the same tutor.” Still gripping the armrest, Cassielle turned her shoulders back in Ria’s direction and motioned for Ria to sit, leaning forward and whispering with a conspiratorial gleam in her eyes, “Are you really a princess?”

“Well…” Ria hesitated as she settled upon an upholstered divan, scooting to the edge closest to the curious girl before admitting, “It’s complicated.”

Cassielle’s eyes widened. “Hulle’s not just teasing me?”

“I only recently learned about it myself, and my status isn’t recognized, so…” Ria hedged. “Whether to say I’m a commoner or a princess, I’m not sure which is the lie…”

The girl scrunched up her face. “I can bet there’s a fascinating story behind that, but the situation still leaves me at a loss for the polite way to address such a guest.”

Ria awkwardly chuckled. “Just ‘Ria’ is fine.”

Cassielle considered her for a moment then nodded. “Right, Just Ria, you can call me Cassi.”

Though internally cringing at having set up such an old joke, Ria couldn’t help a polite chuckle and self-deprecating smile.

“Ladies, the requested gift,” Hulle interrupted and with an exaggerated manner like a storybook butler offered Ria a clothbound book titled in silver script with Hulle’s familiar handwriting, a lightly painted illustration of two rings—no, circlets—below.

Ria received the book with grace and interest, running her hand along the cover to appreciate the materials. Using silver to protect the edges of the pages was an interesting choice, and she would have to decide whether to let it darken with patina.

Hands freed, Hulle smoothly turned and, with similar theatrics, gently placed the wrapped gift acquired during the carriage ride onto Cassi’s blanket-covered lap. “A gift for you as well, Cassielle.”

Cassi leaned back in the chair before releasing her grip on the armrest. “People might start to wonder things if you are always bringing gifts to a certain house in the merchant area of the city.” The girl gave him a coy smile. “Not that I’d mind the attention people might assume you are giving. I have to admit that my heart flutters each time my eyes catch sight of you these days.”

To Ria’s surprise, Hulle’s face might have darkened and jaw clenched at the light teasing. Though she couldn’t be sure as he quickly affected a humoring eyeroll and swaggered over to settle into a cushioned chair opposite the divan. “You well know, that can’t happen, and even if it could, I wouldn’t put you at risk like that.”

“Sadly, it is so.”

Ria glanced between the pair, wide-eyed at the exchange and the girl’s boldness.

The girl sent a grin and wink Ria’s way. “I doubt there’s any girl that wouldn’t feel that way. Right, Ria?”

Ria was caught off guard by the sudden question, but this was an easy one. She nodded vigorously and agreed, “It’s totally unfair how beautiful Novidus men are!”

Cassielle jabbed a finger in Ria’s direction. “Exactly! It’s that indeed!” Eyes crinkling with mirth, the girl again grabbed hold of the chair arm and leaned closer, lowering her voice. “You said ‘Novidus men’ though. What about Hulle specifically? What do you think of him?”

Did she really dare say it in front of him?

Though everything was pleasant and cordial, Ria still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about the whole situation. Even more so because of how tense Hulle had been during the carriage ride and when walking up the stairs. And then, the dark look at Cassi earlier.

The girl was friendly and affable, and she and Hulle seemed remarkably comfortable around each other, but it didn’t feel like romance or anything illicit… did it? Ria tilted her head at the thought. Was the girl a half-sister, maybe? She didn’t look anything like a Novidus though. Even without the House’s characteristic shade of blond hair, Iori and Rienne were still lovely in appearance in ways commoners and nobles not from the Greater Houses couldn’t compare with.

“I’m grateful for his support and mentorship, and the opportunities he’s helped make available to me,” Ria hedged.

“And?” the girl pressed, holding her gaze and not giving Ria room to escape. “We’re both Novidus-attracted girls here; you can tell me.”

Novidus-attracted… If it was just their commonsense-melting faces, god-touched golden-blond hair, soul-piercing ice-blue eyes, and sculpted bodies, then Cassi wasn’t wrong.

But, their personalities were all terrible! Presius was an arrogant, self-assured twit of a musclebrain who was likely to become head of the House someday. Duelleres was a creepy weirdo with hobbies—whatever that meant! Faris would be okay if he had even a fraction of Presius’ confidence, but he didn’t. Even Faris’ father. The man had recklessly insisted that she use her domain magic on him, and even rebuked her when she tried to politely warn him that it wasn’t a good idea! Rebuked her! Just remembering it still made her mad. She was trying to be nice! Argh!

And Hulle. Not only did he let Orlisi bully her terribly with that rigged test, but he used his physical charm to toy with her emotions, pretending to kiss her so he could get a better look at her bloodline progress—not just once, but twice! Ugh!

Before Ria could stop herself, honest words slipped out, “Even if Hulle looks like Anasari made flesh, he’s no good! He’s manipulative and a jerk!”

“He is!” Cassi readily agreed, nodding with shared enthusiasm.

Gah! She really said it! One candle of sleep just wasn’t enough to save her-

Wait. What?

Did Cassi just agree?

“You wouldn’t believe the half of what he put me through when we were little,” Cassi commiserated, grinning.

Grinning…

Wha-? Ria stopped cringing. Slowly, timidly at first, a matching grin daring to spread on her own face, then with more confidence when Cassi’s grin grew brighter yet. This girl wasn’t some meek flower that she needed to be careful around. The girl had opinions of her own and wasn’t afraid to voice them!

“Woof?” Ranger asked.

“Being a manipulative jerk is definitely a bad trait,” Ria assured her familiar, and he nodded as if it was the expected answer.

“Great. Now there’s three of you feeling free to poke fun at my expense without concern for possible consequences,” Hulle half-heartedly complained.

“Woof…”

“Bah, since when did showing you respect save anyone from being a target or incidental casualty in your schemes whenever one popped into that devious head of yours?”

“Ah, such a short-sighted blunder! My whimsical unpredictability has made me predictable!” Hulle mock gasped, feigning hurt at the accusation before his eyes switched to calculating. “Besides, I seem to remember a certain former playmate eagerly assisting in both the planning and the execution of more than a few of those schemes.”

Cassi fake coughed into a fist. “That aside, I approve of this one.” The girl waved in Ria’s direction. “She’s not a snake full of ambition or blinded by your elfin beauty. She makes you smile again, and I’m willing to bet that her magic is strong, too, if the pressure of her presence is any judge.”

Wait, wait, wait. Did Cassi think…?

“Um, Cassi?” Ria tried, panicking a bit.

The older girl raised an eyebrow. “Why would you be going somewhere alone with a boy near your age if you weren’t interested? Verenzio was the only chaperone in the carriage, so I’m assuming you either snuck out, or you’re Hulle’s new House-arranged fiancée candidate. Am I wrong?”

F-fiancée candidate! Was that what this was about?!

Hulle’s grin seemed almost predatory as he casually offered, “I can’t say my parents are involved. They haven’t spoken to me or involved themselves in my affairs since Father cast me out of the family.”

“High Councilor Ulvari then?” Cassi probed.

“I can’t say he’s uninvolved in Ria’s affairs, but that is unrelated to me as far as I know,” Hulle clarified.

Or rather, that didn’t clear up anything! Why was Hulle giving such vague answers! He was teasing her again!

“Cassi, I’m not Hulle’s fiancée candidate or anything like that,” Ria hurriedly blurted out, vigorously waving away the idea with her arms. “We’re teammates. He just takes me on outings to help me improve for the Grand Games; that’s all it is!”

The girl smirked and observantly pointed out, “That still doesn’t explain Verenzio being the only chaperone.”

Ugh! It’s not like she could have borrowed Keira’s guards! Well, she could have, but she was already taking too much advantage of her friend’s hospitality.

Her only family was Jarrel, and he was always busy. Besides, wouldn’t that be even worse? That would be like bringing a boy to meet her parents! …like she did with Leon. Gah. She really asked for all the teasing she got from that blunder.

Think, think… How could she get out of this? Ah-!

“My usual chaperone is recovering at Healer’s Hall and unavailable,” Ria improvised, hoping it would be enough, but with the growing tangle of fate’s threads telling her it wouldn’t be, she rushed to more directly clarify the misunderstanding, “No one has said anything to me about marriage arrangements… er, I mean, there’s been some talk, but nothing serious, and it certainly didn’t have anything to do with Hulle!”

Cassi leveled her gaze at Ria, evaluating her for a long moment. “You wouldn’t say no if offered though, would you?”

Ria spared another glance in Hulle’s direction and immediately regretted it as her cheeks colored fiercely, and even while chanting ‘He’s a jerk! He’s a jerk!’ over and over in her head, she had to admit through gritted teeth, “I… wouldn’t.”

Even as a social outcast, Hulle had skills and connections that would be invaluable to her goals. And it certainly didn’t hurt that he could make her heart seize up with ease.

“See?” Cassi gloated. “And what about you, Hulle?”

Ah-! Cassi asked him directly!

One look at the Novidus boy’s smirking face was all she needed to know that consequences for her earlier honesty had arrived.

“I considered it, and there’s no doubt I’d find it greatly amusing,” the cruel boy happily mused. “But, no. She has loftier ambitions involving someone more befitting her status, and Aunt Asara is already moving behind the scenes to see the pairing realized.”

Lady Asara was? With Phaelys? Did that mean she really had a chance?

Wait. Ria’s heart skipped a beat. Hulle had considered her? Her face heated up further again remembering his frost-scented breath against hers, eyes gazing into hers—a tormenting memory made all the more enticing by the recent feel of his deceptively strong arms as they danced through the night. And yet, her eyes narrowed in his direction, something about the way he said the second part irked her.

Amusing, he said.

She knew she couldn’t compete with noble girls in appearance or refinement, and admittedly she lacked even a commoner girl’s… charms, but to be regarded for her capability to provide endless amusement…

A girl’s uncontrollable laughter rollicked out until the source was shaking. “You definitely should… talk to your grandfather, Hulle. This one’s… a keeper,” Cassielle finally managed to gasp out between guffaws.

Hulle was looking insufferably amused as well. Ria mentally kicked herself for having again served as a source of entertainment and gave the pair annoyed looks.

“I apologize, Ria,” Cassielle offered and made a placating gesture, her breathing more under control even if her body was still trembling with occasional giggles and snickers. “There haven’t been many that didn’t harbor a jealousy for my proximity to Hulle since we were little children, and it’s refreshing to see someone so honest with their expressions.”

Though still somewhat annoyed, Ria blinked, confused at what Cassi was saying. If Cassi and Hulle were half-siblings as she was beginning to suspect, why would people be jealous of her being close with Hulle?

“Woof?” Ranger asked, also confused, but about something different. Ria didn’t really understand how her expressions had been so amusing either, so she couldn’t help him.

“Before we get too far into other matters, why don’t you open your gift, Cassielle?” Hulle prompted, mercifully directing the visit to a less dangerous topic.

Cassi nodded and sat back in the chair in a motion exactly like she had earlier. There was an odd deliberateness to the action. Was Cassi weak? Suffering from an illness? Her hands and face appeared healthy enough. Though… the flow of magic through her body was odd with an unusual tangle of energy near the base of her spine and a much-reduced flow to the pathways of her legs.

Did Cassi have difficulty standing, walking? Was that why Hulle readily fetched things for Cassi even though it was her house? Ria’s eyes went to the blanket hiding the girl’s legs from view as the girl carefully used her hands to untie the ribbon… careful in a way that kept her upright against the chair’s high backrest. Was it worse than a weakness or illness? A birth abnormality? An injury?

The wrapping fell away enough to reveal a decorative storage box with a quill and ink trademark. Cassi made a wry smile as she opened the box, revealing a matched set of colorful quills not unlike Ria’s own everflow quill.

“They’re beautiful of course, but don’t you think everflow quills are a bit too practical a gift, considering…?” the girl lightly complained and gestured around at the books and writing desk.

“Not just any everflow quills.” Hulle grinned, not put off at all by the girl’s reaction. “Those are ‘perfect copy’ quills. The paired quill will make a perfect copy of whatever you write with the other.”

Cassi groaned. “In other words, you’re telling me you won’t be helping by making copies for me anymore.”

Hulle chuckled. “Something like that.”

“Fine, fine. I get it that you’re busy tormenting your Ordermates and enemies alike.” Cassi closed the box and placed it on her angled writing desk, the lip keeping it from sliding off, and she looked Ria’s direction. “You’re not going to open yours?”

Ah-!

Ria had the good grace to make an embarrassed expression as she opened the book to the first page and her eyes drank in the opening scene of a messenger delivering a fateful correspondence to a prince four brothers removed from the line of succession. Hulle’s immaculate and flourished handwriting did indeed grace the pages and paired well with Cassi’s prose. Though clothbound the book had an expensive feel.

“Thank you, Cassi. I’ll treasure it.”

The girl looked down with a shy smile. “I’m glad.”

A silence between them stretched out just long enough to become uncomfortable before Ria worked up enough courage to ask her burning question.

“Um… Cassi. If you don’t mind my asking, what is your relationship to Hulle and House Novidus?”