[color=lightgray][center][h1][color=ab274f]Wulfric[/color] & [color=Floralwhite]Morrigan[/color] 
Part II[/h1][/center]
[b]FLASHBACK. Date and time:[/b] Sola 24th, morning.[hr][hr]
[color=Floralwhite]“Was this the only thing bothering you?”[/color] she asked.

[color=ab274f]“It was not,”[/color] he accepted a cup from Haynes. [color=ab274f]“However, would you first answer me what you consider your duty, and why?”[/color] he reiterated his previous question. He took a sip of tea, and after a beat, added, [color=ab274f]“Please?”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“To be beautiful, of course. People like pretty things. They especially like to own it. If they can’t, some want a chance to ruin it.”[/color] She took the cup in hand. [color=Floralwhite]“As for why, because that was all that was expected of me since I couldn’t bear children.”[/color] Morrigan smiled in Haynes’ direction, [color=Floralwhite]“What do you think, pup?”[/color] 

[color=d0ff14]“I-I c-couldn’t p-possibly…”[/color] Haynes stammered. He puttered with the tray and the tea set, trying to look everywhere else, then finally peeked at Morrigan. [color=d0ff14]“I t-think you [i]are[/i] b-beautiful.”[/color] Sweat lined his forehead, and he trembled in place.

Pleased by the answer or the way Haynes answered, Morrigan reached for the man servant’s hand. [color=Floralwhite]“And you are absolutely adorable.”[/color] Her thumb traced suggestive circles on his skin. [color=Floralwhite]“It makes me want to gobble you right up.”[/color] The man gulped.

[color=ab274f]“Leave us be, Haynes,”[/color] Wulfric sighed, because he didn’t have the patience for Morrigan to continue toying with the man. The servant nodded rapidly, and after assuring he would be available if needed, he departed. [color=ab274f]“Morrigan, you aren’t a [i]thing[/i]. You are a person,”[/color] he told her firmly. [color=ab274f]“No one should own you, and no one should be permitted to try to ruin you.”[/color] He regarded her seriously. [color=ab274f]“Besides, you have taken up tasks of your own will beside the nonsense that was imposed upon you, have you not?”[/color]

He enjoyed his tea for a moment, then broached the subject he had intended to discuss since before meeting her today. [color=ab274f]“Why are you torturing our servants?”[/color] he asked plainly.

[color=Floralwhite]“Torturing? Nooo,”[/color] she drawled. [color=Floralwhite]“I’m disciplining the problematic ones. Some at the request of others.”[/color] She sipped her tea. [color=Floralwhite]“... And to smoke out the occasional rats and snakes that like to slip in from time to time.”[/color] Morrigan placed down the cup. [color=Floralwhite]“Speaking of, you really need to do something about the quality of the royal guards.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Try not to take this the wrong way, but do you differentiate discipline from torture?”[/color] He shook his head. [color=ab274f]“[i]Other nobles[/i] do not get to dictate our servants’ punishments. [i]Edin[/i] should be more mindful too, but to expect anything of him…”[/color] he scoffed. [color=ab274f]“You, however?”[/color] he tilted his head. [color=ab274f]“I believe you could choose less cruel methods. To treat the people under our employ similarly to how you might criminals is detrimental in the long run,”[/color] he opined.

[color=Floralwhite]“I suppose I could.”[/color] But she won’t. It was obvious by her complete disinterest in the subject.

[color=ab274f]“If you could, but do not, then you are [i]choosing[/i] to do something which is unnecessary, are you not?[/color]

She covered her mouth and yawned. [color=Floralwhite]“Based on your logic, dear, even though you could eat or sleep, but choose not to, because they are unnecessary. Should see how long you’d actually last without eat or sleep to test that theory?”[/color] 

[color=ab274f]“How is torturing them necessary for survival? I am aware there are would-be spies, assassins, traitors, but to ’discipline’ whoever you or someone else deems ’problematic’...”[/color] he trailed off, frowning. He did not need her reminding him that he had done and ordered the same in the past, but even so... [color=ab274f]“Surely there are better ways? Ways which would be less likely to lead to retaliation? Ways with which we might lessen the turnover? Ways with which we would inspire loyalty rather than fear?”[/color]

Morrigan looked thoughtful for a moment. Then, as if struck by a sudden revelation, she clasped her hands together, a smile blooming on her face. [color=Floralwhite]“Hypocrite, that’s the word.”[/color] she said. [color=Floralwhite]“Last I checked, when your life and your family’s lives are being threatened, that counts as a matter of survival.”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“I only mentioned eating and sleeping as examples I thought you’d relate to the most. You know, reductio ad absurdum and all that.”[/color] She waved a hand, brushing aside a triviality.

[color=Floralwhite]“There are plenty of things that people choose not to do, for all sorts of reasons, that by your logic would be considered ’unnecessary’: Exercising, studying, keeping clean, socializing...”[/color] She ticked each item off on her fingers, the list seeming carefully chosen to strike at the heart of what Wulfric valued. [color=Floralwhite]“I can keep going if you’d like.”[/color] When he didn’t respond, she said, [color=Floralwhite]“Just because you can choose not to do something, that doesn’t make it unnecessary.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“[i]My point[/i] is that in cases where protecting can be achieved without torture, torture is unnecessary. I am the last person to refute the usefulness of pain and violence as tools. Sacrifices are necessary at times,”[/color] that he recognized. [color=ab274f]“However, should we not strive for the [i]least possible amount[/i] of sacrifices? The current practice is that we wave away [i]any number[/i] of lives lost as necessary. I simply wish to minimize the suffering we induce because [i]we never question[/i] if there are better alternatives. Alternatives which would still retain our lives while bettering the lives of our people. That is why I cannot agree to working with the Black Rose. I refuse to believe that is our best option.”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“Are we still on about this? I thought we’d moved past that silly business. Really darling, are you alright? Did you sleep enough? You keep coming back to this topic like a broken phonograph, thinking you’re going to get a different result this time around.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Why, yes, Morrigan, I have been engaging you in the same discussion, but you keep dismissing my points. You have not provided your reasoning when I have expounded mine. So, please tell me clearly: Could you negate or minimize your torture, disciplining, and harassment of our servants while safekeeping us? Do you approve of allying with Delronzo?”[/color]

Morrigan blinked, her doe eyes widening. [color=Floralwhite]“Goodness, if you’re having trouble picking up what I’m putting down, you must be terribly out of touch with the art of conversation.”[/color] Warmth appeared in her countenance as she smiled at a memory. [color=Floralwhite]“You never really liked those lessons involving diplomacy when you were younger.”[/color] She giggled. [color=Floralwhite]“Maybe we should arrange for your old tutor to pay a visit. Refresh your memory on the finer points of attentive listening and meaningful discourse.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“I liked them just fine, Morrigan. [i]You[/i] consider it pointless to act any differently from how we have so far. You are convinced that the only way you can accomplish your duty is to inflict endless brutality on others. You do not appear to trust that I could change, whether myself, anyone else, or the state of things. That there is no ’better’ and that it will always be the same. Are we - our family, or people in general - truly such a lost cause?”[/color]

Morrigan’s cheeks flushed pink, her lower lip jutting out in a perfect pout. [color=Floralwhite]“Now you’re lying to me? I very much remember how much you preferred swinging around a sword than spending even five minutes learning to butter people up, thank you very much.”[/color] With a dramatic huff, she folded her arms across her chest and turned away, nose in the air.

[color=ab274f]“Now you are mistaking me for Auguste,”[/color] he drawled. Granted, he found exchanges of false adulations tiresome. [color=ab274f]“Would you help me if I flattered you? As a favour to me? Or as a deal with me?”[/color]

The disappointment emanating from his cousin was tangible, a melancholic veil draping over her features and infusing her words. [color=Floralwhite]“... No, it’s you too. Because if you’d truly taken those lessons to heart, you’d know better than to say something like that.”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“Really, what sort of harlot do you take me for?”[/color] She placed her hands over her heart, as if to hold the pieces together. [color=Floralwhite]“I’ve always been there for you when you needed me. And as long as it doesn’t go against my job or my desires, I always will be. But now I see. You didn’t say all those nice things to me because you actually meant it.”[/color] She angled her face out of view as she sniffed and wiped her eyes.

[color=ab274f]“No, I was genuine. I can understand your doubt, however.”[/color] He gazed out at the overcast skies for a short moment. [color=ab274f]“I have always taken others for granted, even when I love them. Including you,”[/color] he recognized. He tilted his head towards her, and slowly extended a hand out to her. He raised his palm, moving it into her periphery, giving her all the time she needed to stop him or to express her discomfort at being touched right now. Finally, he settled his right hand atop her head, gently stroking her hair.

[color=ab274f]“I said what I did because I cannot affect change on my own, and you did not strike me as inclined to cooperation. I suppose…I should have asked first. Forgive me?”[/color]

Beneath his touch, Morrigan went still as a statue, so still she forgot to breathe. Disbelief colored her wide-eyed stare as she turned to face him. Not revulsion, Wulfric noted with relief. Just astonishment, pure and simple. She studied his face, lips parting as if to speak, but remaining silent.

As he withdrew his hand, her own hands shot out as if to catch it. She stopped short, fingertips barely grazing his skin. Slowly, Morrigan guided his hand to rest in her lap, cradling it between both of hers.

Seconds stretched into long minutes as she absently stroked his knuckles, gaze fixed on their hands.

Finally, softly, she broke the silence. [color=Floralwhite]“What is it you think I can do to help you deal with the Black Rose?”[/color]

Wulfric observed his cousin. At first, he had been puzzled by her reaction, but then…She appeared so vulnerable. [color=ab274f]“Say what you may about my diplomacy skills, but it would be in poor taste to ask you [i]right now,[/i]”[/color] he huffed, only half-joking. An oddly melancholy smile formed as he bumped his shoulder into hers, light and amicable. He noticed that though he had probed if she could alter her approach with their servants, she offered to help with the Black Rose instead. He didn’t comment on her choice, however. Carefully, he turned his palm, lightly squeezing one of her hands, and let her keep it in her grasp as long as she liked.

That elicited a small smile from her. [color=Floralwhite]“Would it? If you’re trying to negotiate, isn’t this exactly the moment to tell me, when I’m at my sweetest? Besides, what if you ask me to do something that’s exactly the sort of thing I won’t do? Wouldn’t it be a crying shame if we both ended up all out of sorts later?”[/color]

Wulfric chuckled at that, and nodded once. [color=ab274f]“Then, will you aid me with obtaining information?”[/color] That was her forte, and he needed to find out as much as he could as quickly as possible. [color=ab274f]“Unless you think my father can be convinced to act,”[/color] he added, more so out of curiosity to hear her opinion than a belief that it could be done.

[color=Floralwhite]“I can manage that.”[/color] Morrigan tucked an errant curl behind her ear. [color=Floralwhite]“Now, about your daddy… have you ever thought about, you know, bending the truth? Just the tiniest little smidge?”[/color] She stretched out the word “tiniest”, letting it linger in the air like the last notes of a sweet melody.

[color=ab274f]“If you mean the truth that the Black Rose’s existence is more of a detriment than a merit to him, I can think of a few ways to make him realize it,”[/color] he drawled. [color=ab274f]“Though, I had hoped that miserable after-party would have clued him in,”[/color] he sighed. [color=ab274f]“If you have something concrete in mind, do share,”[/color] he quirked an eyebrow at her.

One of Morrigan’s hands reached up to caress his cheek. [color=Floralwhite]“You’re a clever boy, you’ll figure something out.”[/color] She pressed her lips against his other cheek, and received a huff in response.

[color=ab274f]“...You had mentioned the royal guards?”[/color] He addressed the topic she had brought up before. [color=ab274f]“I have a training session in mind for them. It will not be punitive in nature, and it will involve all those who are meant to protect us… I expect that those who complete the training will be appropriately competent, while those who do not will either be relegated to a lower position or leave the service entirely.”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“It’s going to have to be for some.”[/color] She snapped her fingers and the tongueless knight appeared, holding out a paper. [color=Floralwhite]“This is a partial copy of the report I have given to your parents. To summarize, Kalliope is unstable and not fit for her job. You did hear the ruckus she was causing at the restaurant, didn’t you?”[/color] 

[color=ab274f]“Hm, thank you,”[/color] he accepted the paper and quickly scanned through them. Once done, he folded it twice, and stashed it within his tunic. [color=ab274f]“I have noticed your table’s disruptions. It is odd for Kalliope.”[/color] Had she changed? [color=ab274f]“Given she is working here contractually, she has never been loyal as such.”[/color] That had always been the issue with her, yet Edin kept her around because she was useful. 

Arden and Morrigan had never seen eye to eye, however, despite the overlap in their jobs. [color=ab274f]“Did you needle her at all? I hold her responsible for her actions regardless, but I do recall you two did not get along.”[/color] 

[color=Floralwhite]“Nonsense, we get along just fine… when it doesn’t involve certain people.”[/color]

Either way, Arden had shouted with unexpected abruptness. [color=ab274f]“I am sure Father will blame it all on Duke Vikena without our intervention. Do you recommend we get Kalliope fired instead?”[/color] 

[color=Floralwhite]“That little fit she threw was over some boy she’s sweet on. What do you think? Can you really trust a girl who flies off the handle,”[/color] she snapped her fingers, [color=Floralwhite]“like that?”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“A boy she is sweet on? That is novel.”[/color] As far as he knew, Arden had a penchant for having fun with men, but that was all. [color=ab274f]“I have never seen much point keeping her employed here when it is clear she would rather not be. I will mention it to Edin, but do not hold out much hope. You know how he is.”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“For someone so jumpy, you’d think he’d spot a snake in the grass.”[/color] She let out a delicate sigh, her words trailing off into silence.

He arched an eyebrow at her. [color=ab274f]“Speaking of the duke, are you trying to make headway with Lorenzo, of all people?”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“Why ever not? He’s simply precious, isn’t he?”[/color] 

Wulfric’s dubious expression made it clear what he thought about the duke. [color=ab274f]“What are you expecting to gain from this venture?”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“A bit of fun.”[/color] Morrigan looked at him quizzically, [color=Floralwhite]“I’ve flirted with plenty of other people before, why are you so concerned about who I do what with now?”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Because I wish to understand you better.”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“Aww, how sweet!”[/color] Before Wulfric could dodge, she swept him into her arms, rubbing her cheek against him. His protests came out as muffled huffs, lost in the softness of her ample breasts. [color=Floralwhite]“But why now, hmm? You’ve had twenty-eight years to figure me out.”[/color]

Once released, he carefully carded through his mussed hair, neatly rearranging it. [color=ab274f]“I did not care to do so before now. I [i]did not notice[/i] that I hadn’t.”[/color] 

[color=Floralwhite]“It’s a family trait, I suppose. Danrose men. Always looking, never quite seeing.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“I always considered my father especially blind, but…”[/color] He had not recognized it in himself.

[color=Floralwhite]“You’re not giving your daddy enough credit, my dear.”[/color] Morrigan watched Wulfric as she leaned her head on her hand. [color=Floralwhite]“Maybe you should put a little more effort into understanding him better too?”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“[i]Him?[/i]”[/color] He showcased his complete and utter disdain with that one word. [color=ab274f]“No,”[/color] he flatly denied.

Morrigan tossed her head and laughed. [color=Floralwhite]“Why ever not?”[/color] she asked.

[color=ab274f]“Why?”[/color] A displeased frown set in. [color=ab274f]“Not to underestimate the potential for manipulation if I did, but is there anything worthwhile about him to understand?”[/color]

Morrigan practically sparkled with delight at his response. She savored the feeling a little bit longer before leaning in close. Her breath tickled Wulfric’s ear as she whispered, [color=Floralwhite]“Yes. Buuut… if that isn’t reason enough.”[/color] A pause, a breath. [color=Floralwhite]“If you want to understand me, you have to understand him. And once you do, all those questions that’ve been rattling in your head about House Danrose will finally make some sense. You’ll see why we’re all so... messed up.”[/color] From the corner of his eye, Wulfric caught a glimpse of an impossibly wide smile. But when he turned to face Morrigan directly, she was her usual, unassuming sweetness.

[color=ab274f]“I do not merely want to [i]make sense[/i] of it, but fine.”[/color] It could be helpful in the long run, though it didn’t exactly strike him as a priority. [color=ab274f]“Do you love him?”[/color] he questioned. She did not refer to him positively, yet was dedicated to protecting him. Was it just a twisted sense of loyalty? That since they were ’all so messed up’ they had to stick together?

[color=Floralwhite]“Of course I do! He’s my Edipoo!”[/color] Morrigan wrapped her hands in the air to hug the image of his father that only she could see, [color=Floralwhite]“Why do you ask?”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Then of course you would be invested…”[/color] he was about to prod further, but recalled something. [color=ab274f]“Because you want to be his hero.”[/color] There had been another part to that which he had said, though it was difficult to believe. [color=ab274f]“And he was yours? Did [i]he[/i] manage to save you?”[/color]

Suddenly, her expression turned blank. The smile was there, but it was hollow. [color=Floralwhite]“What?”[/color]

He knew bringing up Aiden even indirectly was risky, but that reaction was concerning. [color=ab274f]“Is this not the case anymore?”[/color] he asked carefully.

It took awhile for her to find her voice again. [color=Floralwhite]“Nothing will change the fact that Edin saved me. He will always be my hero.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“I see.”[/color] Nothing would change it, not even Aiden’s death had. [color=ab274f]“What did he do for you?”[/color] There was a hint of accusation there, not for her, but for Edin. If that man had the capacity for saving, then why had he doomed him? Wulfric had been certain that the question of [i]why[/i] had ceased to matter to him, but the notion that his father could be different yet had chosen not to be was even more repulsive.

[color=Floralwhite]“More than anyone has ever done for me.”[/color] Wulfric felt the gentle brush of her thumb against his palm. [color=Floralwhite]“He heard my screams when not a soul paid me any mind.”[/color] Morrigan’s gaze drifted over the blooming flowers. [color=Floralwhite]“He freed me.”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“I was… am a person to him.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Just to him?”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“And Jane. To everyone else I was - a woman.”[/color] An innocent word on the surface, but he sensed the weight it carried and how much yet remained unsaid.

[color=ab274f]“So, Edin was once capable of something like that.”[/color] It was difficult to accept, but according to Morrigan, he had done good by her, and he believed her. Inquisitiveness prompted him to ask, [color=ab274f]“From your perspective, when was the last time he was…[i]heroic[/i]?”[/color] He couldn’t help but spit out that last word scornfully; it was the only way he could say it in reference to his father. [color=ab274f]“Could he still…?”[/color] He frowned heavily, and shook his head. Even if Edin would, even if it were useful or [i]good[/i], it wouldn’t matter, not to him personally.

Morrigan’s lips curved into a gentle smile. [color=Floralwhite]“Honey, you can’t leave a girl hanging like that.”[/color] She patted his arm. [color=Floralwhite]“Finish the question.”[/color]

Wulfric shook his head. [color=ab274f]“I am glad he was by your side, cousin. You are dear to me, and he to you, but I cannot forgive him. Not ever, even if he changed,”[/color] he exhaled slowly. [color=ab274f]“Is it not similar with you and your father?”[/color]

Morrigan’s laughter bubbled up, light and airy as champagne. [color=Floralwhite]“Oh, Adelard! You’re so silly sometimes. Comparing Edin to Daddy? That’s just...”[/color] His cousin dismissed the very idea of it with the flick of her wrist. [color=Floralwhite]“Why, it’s like saying a rosebud is the same as a tumbleweed!”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“Bless your heart,”[/color] she said, though her smile did not quite reach her eyes. [color=Floralwhite]“Wherever did you get such a fanciful notion?”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“A rosebud which shouldn’t have sprung into existence?”[/color] he quipped, referencing her earlier ’if none of us were ever born’ statement. [color=ab274f]“I am comparing them because I hate mine, and you yours. So, Geoffrey is a worse piece of shit?”[/color] He indulged in some cursing. [color=ab274f]“And you are keeping him alive? Do you torture him much?”[/color] he inquired casually.

[color=Floralwhite]“Do you? Truly?”[/color] Morrigan’s finger traced a line across Wulfric’s neck, like a knife slicing through his throat. Then it stopped on an old, old scar. [color=Floralwhite]“If this is the extent of your hatred… You still care for him.”[/color] Her hand fluttered back down and landed onto their still intertwined hands.

A noise of surprise escaped him – not at the touch, but at the claim that he didn’t genuinely hate his father. He paused to consider it, then regarded his cousin. [color=ab274f]“Enlighten me, then,”[/color] he said after a while, [color=ab274f]“what is [i]true hatred[/i] like?”[/color]

Fingers tapped a gentle rhythm against Wulfric’s hand as she pondered his question. [color=Floralwhite]“Well now, let me see… Without using that nasty H-word or anything like it, why don’t you tell me why you want to kill Edin.”[/color]

He hummed. [color=ab274f]“Oh, that is simple.”[/color] He had no intention of going into the specifics, but, [color=ab274f]“He betrayed me.”[/color] Even now, remembering that…Contrary to what his cousin said, there had been a time when he had been overtaken by hatred. Killing was all he had thought about. He’d spilled blood by the gallons in a futile attempt to wash away that one memory. As if the deaths of countless nameless people could overwrite that tragedy. Prisoners, bandits, spies, suspects…He had been losing himself in endless violence, the grief-driven cruelty and festering rage he had broken out of only after he got some innocents caught up in it all. Oh, how those unwitting victims had gnawed at him. But then - even then - he came to a realization. It could be all over with one single death. He would be [i]free[/i] with [i]one[/i] death. Edin’s. And so, for months he had plotted, utterly fixated on killing his father. If his mentor hadn’t stopped him…well.

[color=Floralwhite]“Just the one?”[/color] Amusement sparkled in Morrigan’s eyes, fully aware of what he was thinking about. [color=Floralwhite]“So after your little blood-soaked rampage, what did you think killing him would accomplish? Set you ’free’? Make everything ’right’?”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Nothing could ever make it right.”[/color] She giggled. What she found so funny, Wulfric couldn’t tell.

[color=Floralwhite]“If that’s all there is to it, you don’t hate him half as much as you think you do. Oh sure, killing him haunted your thoughts, day and night, creeping into your dreams. You schemed and you plotted, and you counted down the days. But then…”[/color] She paused, letting the silence stretch taut. [color=Floralwhite]“Nothing. You didn’t go through with it.”[/color] Her eyes widened in mock surprise. [color=Floralwhite]“Because someone else told you not to.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Because I did not think it would change much.”[/color]

Morrigan shook her head, clicking her tongue. [color=Floralwhite]“You were angry, sad, and all kinds of upset because of Edin, lashing out at anyone who crossed your path. But hate?”[/color] She huffed a breath. [color=Floralwhite]“No darling, that is not ’true hatred.’ What you had was a temper tantrum.”[/color]

Suddenly, she pressed him against the bench, her face inches from his. [color=Floralwhite]“True hatred is an obsession. It becomes your everything. It’s the air you breathe, the blood in your veins. You can’t talk it away any more than you can talk away your own skin.”[/color]

Her eyes glazed over, lost in a world Wulfric couldn’t see. [color=Floralwhite]“True hatred is keeping him alive so that he can watch everything he cherishes turn to dust and ashes. Savoring his every tear like fine wine, each cry of anguish like music.”[/color] A shiver ran through her, eliciting a soft, breathy sound.

[color=Floralwhite]“But you never let him break completely,”[/color] she whispered, her voice thick with something that wasn’t quite desire. [color=Floralwhite]“Oh no no no. You want him to hurt, day in and day out. Death would be too kind, madness too merciful.”[/color]

Morrigan’s eyes refocused on Wulfric and she patted his cheek. [color=Floralwhite]“When you truly hate someone, sweetie… there is no escape. No freedom. Only peace in their misery.”[/color] Her warm body pulled away, leaving Wulfric oddly chilled. [color=Floralwhite]“So you do whatever it takes to keep that suffering going.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Including destroying everything someone you love might care about? If you even have the space for love with an obsession like yours.”[/color] He spoke as if he could rationalize emotion, as if logic and analysis could grant him the understanding he lacked, as if he could precisely dissect something as irrational as the force driving her.

A peal of laughter erupted up from Morrigan, rich and full-bodied, so unlike her usual airy titter. It rippled through her, setting her golden rose curls dancing. She dabbed at the corner of one eye. [color=Floralwhite]“Oh, honey, don’t let little old me interrupt. Do go on.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Is [i]hatred[/i] your singular desire? Is keeping him suffering your only duty?”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“Heavens above, talk about obsession. Duty this, duty that - every chance you get, it’s duty, duty, duty. Adelard, darling, you desperately need to find yourself a new hobby. Or better yet, find someone who’ll tangle with you between the sheets so passionately, you’ll forget ’duty’ was ever in your vocabulary.”[/color] Morrigan winked at him before returning back to the topic. [color=Floralwhite]“You asked what ’true hatred’ is like, so I simply obliged with an answer.”[/color]

He snorted at her comment. [color=ab274f]“It is a hobby for me as much as his misery is a pet project for you,”[/color] he remarked. Fair enough, though, he had asked, and she had answered. [color=ab274f]“I am admittedly intrigued to see what you have devised for him sometime,”[/color] he arched an inquiring eyebrow.

[color=Floralwhite]“Him?[/color] Morrigan asked. It should’ve seemed obvious who Wulfric was referring to, yet she asked as if she either was that clueless or she wanted to make Wulfric say ’his’ name for some reason.

[color=ab274f]“Geoffrey.”[/color]

Nimble fingers danced through Wulfric’s perfectly coiffed hair, rearranging what needed no attention. [color=Floralwhite]“Arrange a refresher lesson with your old tutor,”[/color] this time it sounded less of a suggestion. [color=Floralwhite]“You keep asking the wrong questions on the basis of assumptions you’ve never even bothered to check if they are true.”[/color]

She lifted her hand, giving a languid wave that somehow managed to convey both nonchalance and command. It took a few moments until Haynes appeared. A cat-like smile of satisfaction curled at the corners of her lips. [color=Floralwhite]“Now, it’s true I’m not fond of Daddy. But the feelings I have for that man are nothing compared to who… what, I ’truly hate.’”[/color]

Her words were met by a barking laugh. [color=ab274f]“Oh, so you [i]wouldn’t[/i] mind if I killed your father, and tied up that pesky loose end?”[/color] he grinned deviously. The servant, who came within hearing range just then, startled, stopped in his tracks, and blanched.

[color=d0ff14]“Did…Your Highness call?”[/color] he asked cautiously.

[color=ab274f]“Did I?”[/color] Wulfric retorted ever so nonchalantly.

The man’s eyes widened in realization. He ducked his head, and went about the business of cleaning up the long forgotten tea. Soon, he was scurrying off, far away from the two predators he really wished hadn’t set their sights on him.

[color=Floralwhite]“So rude, Adelard, why did you send him away? I still wanted to talk to him.”[/color] She nodded at something in the distance. Looking over, Wulfric caught the movement of the bushes just before they went still.

[color=ab274f]“Who or what is it that you truly hate, and why?”[/color]

A gentle breeze stirred, carrying with it a dance of delicate petals and verdant leaves through the air around Morrigan as she turned to face Wulfric. The movement caused her golden rose hair to catch the sunlight, creating a halo-like effect around her face. Violet eyes shimmered beneath this aureate crown. Her white dress rippled softly and the fabric seemed to glow in the warm sunlight. All of it lent her an almost celestial presence. Her smile, radiant, completed the vision.

Her lips parted, and in a sweet voice filled with love, she uttered two simple words: [color=Floralwhite]“This kingdom.”[/color]

What juxtaposition.

[color=Floralwhite]“As for the why, you already heard part of the answer.”[/color] Her hand patted his. [color=Floralwhite]“But if you want to know more, shall we make a little deal? For every new tidbit you learn about Edin, you can ask me one.”[/color] She lifted a finger up to her lips and repeated, [color=Floralwhite]“One,”[/color] before continuing, [color=Floralwhite]“question about me.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Agreed,”[/color] he held out his hand, which she shook without hesitation.

[color=ab274f]“I will take it upon myself to visit your father one of these times.”[/color] 

[color=Floralwhite]“It’s better that you don’t, but if you insist. Just know that he’ll try to kill you given the chance.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“So, you leave him with that much freedom?”[/color] he drawled. [color=ab274f]“Noted.”[/color]

The decision of a future [i]fun[/i] family meeting settled, he asked her, [color=ab274f]“Was there anything else you wished to discuss?”[/color] She shook her head in the negative.

He did have one request himself. [color=ab274f]“I am in need of covert agents as soon as possible. I have some contacts myself, but I would be much obliged if you sent any competent people my way.”[/color]

[color=Floralwhite]“The best kind of covert agents are the ones you don’t know about, honey. Tell me what you want and I’ll let you know if they find anything.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Two apiece to track Anastasia and Callum and protect them from themselves. As many as are available to deal with the Black Rose,”[/color] he requested.

When asked if there was anything else he had in mind, he hummed. [color=ab274f]“Now that you mention it…”[/color] he stretched. [color=ab274f]“Do we have existent records on which servants were punished when, how, and what for? I would prefer to systemize such practices.”[/color]

However, concerning this, his cousin was less helpful. Simply shrugging.

[color=ab274f]“Very well. But if you suspect any of [i]my[/i] servants, please be courteous enough to inform me, Morrigan. I do not know if that is the case for Haynes, but if need be, I can assign a portion of his time to be spent with you. But believe me, I have my own ways of confirming the loyalty of those I hire, and I generally keep my employees busy during their working hours.”[/color][/color]