That wretched, stupid, altogether juvenile creature.
So Kalonah Arpyur had decided to be a Wrathraven and raise her dead first husband’s children and esteem them above all else. Yet thought she could wed the patriarch of Valdyr and maintain her status quo.
Clearly she’d been raised without any remote comprehension of noble life. Which was surprising, truly, but certainly fit with her sister’s temper and casual behaviour.
Upon my questioning - gently at first - about how she envisioned herself and her husband’s estate and children upon her wedding my lord brother, the child deflected and avoided any true answers. It’s a tad rude to simply out and ask someone “Well, my dear, do you intend to elevate your own children above the designated heirs?” or “Will you continue to behave like your husband’s mistress instead of wife?” but the intention was there.
Upon which the rude little thing derided all Valdyri children. Including one she does not know is mine. She avoided my questions and instead asked her own:
“Can you stand there and truly say that none of his present progeny, flawed as they seem to be, do not wish to take a portion of what he has created for themselves?”
Why yes, Kalonah dear, I could, but to do so would have diverted my questioning as you wished. Given that young Zaristus abrogated his own lordship in favour of the one he thought his half brother, I should rather think he did not desire anything compensatory of my brother, no. Given that my little Isabeau willingly lived in shadow for her life and has wed a Hudson, I should certainly think she does not want anything, and neither would young Anweena.
She then insulted me in turn, claiming I “allow” my brother to be a target while I “play at the role” of protecting Valdyr.
That ignorant, childish, and frankly stupid brat. She has lived a life of indolence and ease, clearly for her own desires more than anything else. She dares to strike at my life lived for Valdyr. This, this fool is what my gullible brother would make a wife? Karima had thrice the wit and wisdom of this foolish little thing.
And then she took on the voice of the truly arrogant.
"Or are you here interrogating me because once the wedding is done, you will be in my service and unable to take such an impudent tone without risk? If the latter is true, please take a care because my memory is not flawed, Lord Aethgar."
What utter stupidity and almost insane arrogance on display. My duty and my role is not to be a servant to a spiteful brat of a girl whose sole importance is in whatever her body offers my brother in his middle years. My duty is to protect Valdyr and its future. And from brainless children as well as from the naiveté of its patriarch, who clearly has missed the repugnant nature of his bedmate. When I persisted in asking, now more openly, her final response and dismissal were telling in the extreme.
I asked her plainly, which is unlike me.
“You wish to remain here, and clearly it would seem that you privilege your step children's wellbeing over aught else. What then if you should bear a Valdyr child? What of the children under my care? How do you envision raising Valdyr children? Will you see some claim to your infant stepson Gareth? Will you raise any children you bear my brother as Valdyri or as Arpyur or as Wrathraven? These are important questions to me, as they directly impact upon my duty and my charges, my lady.”
Her sigh was weary and voice tight. "Truthfully lord Aethgar, I have little concern of your feelings towards me because they are inconsequential. As you stated, you care not for the future of the Wrathraven children. Only those who I might produce from a union with Ahrwit and so I shall say this. That information is privileged and by dint of this conversation, any rights you may have had to the answer are no longer acknowledged."
The slender jaw set. "I believe that the hours are long and you must have places to be which demand your attention my lord. I shall of course wish you a safe journey." Lifting the previous burden, she turned and moved towards her study. "The guards will see you out. Good day."
I departed knowing far more of the creature.
She will not ever have authority over Ahrwit’s infant son, and I will consider her a foe to Valdyr from henceforth. That she makes my brother happy is pleasant enough, but her refusal to cleave to the name she would seek to become lady matriarch to is inexcusable.
The girl would be better off remaining his mistress, if she cannot lift herself to act the wife to any save a dead Wrathraven.
