"I'm surprised a marriage is being suggested now." Mingzhe's father spoke for the first time. The man seemed utterly content to let his wife speak and act for him,
Eirian couldn't decide if his acceptance was survival or desire. There were some people who preferred to have someone else make. All their decisions made for them, giving up control and responsibility to someone else.
It wasn't a decision Eirian could ever make that choice herself, but to each their own.
Mingzhe stared at his plate, ashamed that his troubles were having such an effect on his family.
Under the table, Chenzhou pressed his foot to Mingzhe's in a silent show of support.
Eirian could understand the concern, but she knew telling Mingzhe it wasn't his wouldn't help. It might have been true, but sometimes hearing it didn't actually help.
She turned to answer his father instead. "While it may be a troubled time here, that means little to society in Aontacht. Especially since there's no evidence or trail yet. And even then, the Camelia is so far removed from them that even if leadership were to change, interest would be limited until the new leader had to swear to the throne or a war broke out that saw the Imperial Army and the Crimson Army working together. Unless the throne took personal offense and decided to intervene for some reason." Eirian added thoughtfully.
"That doesn't mean he'll intervene here," Chenzhou said, a warning not to make any expectations about possible interference on the Zhao's behalf. He didn't want to say it, but there were plenty of reasons why Eric couldn't step in even if he wanted to. Not the least of which was that it would lessen the Camelia's own independence from the throne. While the distance had always allowed the military estate a level of freedom no other estate or family in Sorrow enjoyed. The solid leadership of the Ye family and the lack of any conflict between them and the Soliel line had magnified that over the last few generations.
All of that would be gone if Eric had any reason to doubt Chenzhou's ability to lead.
Even if he removed Chenzhou and gave Eirian full control, her loyalty would always be more to his interests than the Camelia's. None of the court of the Camelia wanted that.
Chenzhou didn't know Mingzhe's parents well enough to know if they would consider a single child an acceptable sacrifice to maintain their wealth and power.
He hoped not, but there were certainly lots of families that would.
Linlin seemed to understand what he was saying. She gave a small nod in acknowledgement. She probably understood even better than her husband and children.
"Eric will only intervene if he perceives a threat to Sorrow's stability." Eirian agreed. "A great king." She reminded them. "He has been solidifying his role since he took the throne, and he has a firm grasp of things now."
"Hence the search for a wife," Zhuli pieced together.
Next to him, Marabelle clapped her hands together, excited despite the serious air around the table. "I've heard the balls have been incredible since he took the throne. And that there have been many more than usual. He is the first unmarried king in several generations after all, what a fun thing to have at a ball." Her eyes sparkled at the thought as her husband looked on indulgently.
She was so excited that she made Eirian feel tired just watching her. "Yes, I'm sure no one wants to miss the opportunity to throw their daughters at him. "Wed or unwed." She added under her breath. The mothers of Aontacht weren't known for their gentleness when it came to unwed daughters and advantageous marriages.
Marabelle let out a dreamy sigh. "All the decorations and dresses and the food! I miss them so much. I used to go to every ball of the season. Get a new dress and do my hair." Her smile turned sheepish. "Ate my weight in deserts. And the dancing. Oh, the dancing and the music. I wish I was talented enough to play an instrument. I tried to learn so many, but alas, I was never that skilled. Do you remember, my dear?" She looked at her husband. "The Midnight Ball at the Monnett. Gosh, it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen besides you." Zhuli flushed with pride. "It was like they took the stars from the sky and hung them from the ceiling."
The mention of Finn's family seat made Eirian still. She'd visited him every day he lay cold and still, waiting for his family to come and claim him, and every day was just as bad as the last. The reminder that the precious boy was gone and in such an unnecessarily brutal way.
Finn hadn't deserved that.
And Eirian was going to burn whoever was responsible to ash as soon as she found them.
Marabelle seemed to realize she'd mistepped, though only after she'd gone on a bit more about the way the Vermeers had decorated for their famous ball. "They were a lovely family. That poor boy didn't deserve what happened to him. Do you really think it's the same person who is after Mingzhe?"
There was no malice in her voice. No intention to hurt. Marabelle was being completely honest in her questioning and in her cluelessness, Eirian realized. Zhao Zhuli's wife was beautiful and charming, but she wasn't cunning. She didn't seem all that sharp, but she was clearly loved, and she definitely loved in return. The couple hadn't gone more than a few minutes between loving looks and heated gazes throughout the entire dinner.
Despite the sadness from the loss of Finn, it was nice to see such honest adoration. If a bit surprising to see it in a house run by Zhao Linlin. She didn't seem the type of matriarch to accept a daughter-in-law of so little use, but maybe she was the type of mother who would accept someone just because her child loved them.
Either way, it could have a significant effect on a marriage between Eric and Yunli.
"There will be a funeral, yes?" Marabelle asked. Chenzhou nodded weakly. "Then we will help."She glanced briefly at Zhuli. "We can host or supply the food for the ceremony. Oh! We can commission a statue or perhaps a painting, something that you can remember him by forever."
Eirian blinked; she hadn't even thought about how to honor Finn and his sacrifice. She'd mostly been stuck on the fact that he was gone, but he deserved something. Something to show the mark he'd left on the world.
Marabelle may have been clumsy and a bit slow, but she was genuinely kind.
~ tbc