The Future

Ryker felt a knot in the pit of his stomach as he heard his mother’s words. Everything they had been planning for the last few days had to be scrapped. He couldn’t avenge his father.

Not when the biggest problem to Westerwyn was living in the palace.

They had to take care of her first. Because it was only a matter of time before the Fallen Queen came back to Westerwyn to claim the dark witch coven.

“So, I guess my curse isn’t being removed any time soon.” Raquel murmured, bringing Ryker out of his thoughts.

“Afraid so… We’ll have to take care of Lady Diana before doing anything else.” Duchess Westerwyn answered. “She’s a threat to everything.”

“Yes…” Raquel paused for a second. “Just one question… How had the emperor not found out about Westerwyn?”

“Lady Diana is using the emperor's power while she strengthens her power. In her eyes, the emperor is beneath her, not even worth the dirt on her shoes. Once he becomes useless, my sister will discard him. There is no real need for him to know the truth.” Duchess Westerwyn responded. “Besides, revealing the truth to an outsider about Westerwyn would only damage her soul more.”

“Then how were you able to explain everything to me, Duke Ryker?” Raquel asked.

“Technically, you’re not an outsider seeing as we are to be wed.” Ryker shrugged. “Also Lady Diana is under a silencing vow. I’m under a mage pact so punishments and loopholes are different.”

Duchess Westerwyn sighed. “Well, I must be going now. I need to alert the Elders Council and Witch Queens about this news. One of the elders may know more about Hale’s Text.”

“Alright.” Ryker nodded in understanding. “Will you explain it to the noble houses too?”

“No…” Duchess Westerwyn answered. “There are still quite a few loyal to my sister. They’ve been silent since her defeat but if they hear she’s alive, it’ll be chaos. For now, keep your heads down. She likely doesn’t know that you’re my son so we have the element of surprise.”

“Does this mean you’ll not be attending?” Ryker asked, nervously.

While his marriage to the princess was a contact one, he was still hoping his mother would attend the wedding. To have her not come…

“Sadly I can’t.” Duchess Westerwyn with a sad tone. “I’ll need to fake illness to keep Rosie and myself away from the palace.”

“Why your daughter too?” Raquel suddenly asked. “If she doesn’t know of Duke Ryker’s relation to you, then she won’t know his sister either.”

“It’s not that simple, your highness.” Ryker answered. “Witches can sense other witches, especially those that they are related to. Lady Diana likely hasn’t noticed me because I have my father’s blood, mage magic. It’s also why I couldn’t sense anything from her.”

“I see…” Raquel murmured.

“Anyway, Ry let Lord Myster know what’s going on. And make sure you two keep your heads down.” Duchess Westerwyn warned. “Once the wedding is complete, have the emperor send you to the duchy. We can make plans there.”

Ryker nodded his head, waving a hand over the crystal ball. “See you soon, mother.”

“Of course.” Duchess Westerwyn murmured as her image faded away.

Once the crystal ball darkened, Ryker felt a wave of exhaustion and hunger hit him. He had used more mana than originally planned, the call going on for longer.

Quickly he grabbed a plate of biscuits, scoffing them down to replenish his mana and stop the intense cramps of hunger.

“Stress eating?” Raquel asked jokingly.

“Apologies, your highness.” Ryker murmured, wiping his face of crumbs. “Using an MCD can be quite draining. Hmmm…. I guess we’ll need to do some research on making the amount of mana used-”

“Alright, I’ve got it.” Raquel chuckled, grabbing a pastry. “For now let’s focus on what’s going on.”

Ryker looked at Raquel confused. “What do you mean?”

“Well… Um…. I think you’re going to have to explain the whole elder’s council and witches thing to me.” Raquel answered. “And we should maybe discuss our engagement. The party is tomorrow night after all.”

Ryker nodded in understanding. “Alright.”

“So…what is the elder’s council?” Raquel asked.

“It’s basically a council of Westerwyn’s oldest witches. They normally are called upon for important witch events and festivals. They also are keepers of witch knowledge and tradition, acting as advisors to the witch queens.” Ryker explained.

“I see…” Raquel murmured. “So, your mother is going to consult them for advice on the Lady Diana situation?”

“Yes.” Ryker replied. “While it would be easier to solve the problem among ourselves, Lady Diana is a threat to everything. Therefore, the other witch queens have a right to know about her. Also the council could help with Hale’s Text.”

“They could?”

Ryker nodded his head. “One of the witches is over 700 years old. She’s the last remaining member of those that destroyed Hale’s Text. If anyone can give us information, it would be her.”

“I see…” Raquel said. “I’m surprised witches live that long.”

Ryker smiled. “It probably has to do with the magic. Mages live longer than the average human but still die after 300 years. Priests with divine power live over 100 years.”

“I guess that’s true…” Raquel mused.

The room fell silent for a few moments before Ryker coughed, “So, about the engagement… What was it you wanted to talk about?”

“I guess how it will work. With all the revenge plots, we skipped how our marriage is going to work.” Raquel paused for a moment before adding, “Well, except for it being a contact marriage.”

“You want to add rules?”

“Basically.”

Ryker hadn’t really thought about the marriage part of well… their marriage. He was more concerned about the influence of Raquel’s power. Of course, all his plans were now out the window.

“Honestly, I don’t mind how this marriage goes. In the end it’s just a way for us to use each other. And seeing as love is off the table, I wouldn’t mind you having concubines and lovers. I guess I would just like to have a guarantee that I’ll have the emperor title. Even if it’s only in name.”

“I’m not sure about having lovers but I can promise you that the title of emperor is yours.” Raquel murmured. “We’ll probably have to think about having an heir too since you will be emperor…”

Just as the words left her mouth, Ryker felt blood rush to his face. He had completely forgotten about that…

“Anyway, that’s for the future I guess…haha.” Raquel laughed nervously, getting up. “I should get going through… There are some things I need to do. We can continue this talk after everything is complete.”

“Yes… of course.”

With that, Raquel hurried out the room leaving Ryker wondering about the future and heirs.