[IC] Rise to The Top: Medieval Intrigue RP

[POOHEAD189]

Galt had felt relieved as well. His mind was not solely on Silke, though at the forefront of his mind, he was glad to have her rest up. Fiance or not, he worried about her. It was...well, he guessed it was not 'diplomatic' to use the term 'insane,' but he could not think of a better one, it was insane how she worked so hard and took so little rest. Imagine how effective her sharp mind would be if she actually slept for once. Even vagabonds like him knew how important rest was. He never did a big heist (if he could help it) on little to no sleep. It was the difference between getting paid and getting thrown into the gaol.

He accompanied her to her chambers and gave her a smile he hoped showed her how much he appreciated her acquiescing to their request. As the door closed, he realized it was the final chapter of the day. A very long day where his dreams had come true. He still felt a bit light headed, as if he would wake up and realize it was all a dream within seconds. Galt cleared his throat and turned to walk with Vincent, glad the man had not yelled at him. He could tell this was not his wish, but he hoped Vincent would at least be civil about it. The ex-thief supposed that was a bit too much to hope for, evidently.

Vincent stopped him at the door and demanded Galt break off their engagement.

Galt clearly disagreed, but the incredulity of his face was something to behold. Vincent practically blurted it out in Galt's estimation, but he supposed the brother had been waiting for the best chance to broach the subject. He nearly laughed, but caught himself, and after a moment's contemplation, felt a bit sorry for Vincent. He was not going to agree, of course, but he did understand to an extent.

"Vincent..." Galt opened his mouth, and then closed it, and opened it once more. He tried to find the words to show just how impossible that was, but gave a sigh after long last. "I'm sorry but no. Look, if I did not do this, then she would be shipped out of the country to broker some deal for monetary or geographical value, and I think we both know she's worth more than that. You would see her maybe three times again for the rest of your life. But even if it didn't make sense, I just... I love her. And I would do anything for her, and I did not make her say yes to anything. Can you understand that?"

He was not asking him as if he was speaking to a simpleton. He truly wanted to know if Vincent could wrap his head around Silke marrying someone from love, and that fact being a beneficial proposition.

[Syrenrei]

To his credit, Vincent wasn't expecting Galt to immediately agree to break the engagement. He wasn't so obtuse nor so oblivious that he didn't understand why Silke had been persuaded to accept it in the first place. The threat of her being suddenly shipped off their northern neighbor, or another country with which a marriage could strengthen relations, was not something beyond his comprehension. After the loss of his brother, he had spent many restless nights with a glass of liquor in hand contemplating all the worst-case scenarios that would pull his only surviving sibling out of reach.

Although he respected the count standing opposite, and actually liked him, and although he understood the circumstances that had led Silke to accepting, he still did not approve of the union. "For the sake of argument, let's say that I believe you are in love with her. That isn't enough. All of her suitors have either adored her or seen her as a conquest, a trophy that no one else has been able to claim. Father and I detest the latter, of course, but the former isn't that much better. You want her to be happy, to return your affections, to not stand in her way, to be liked, don't you?" he asked. He assumed Galt did. Vincent hadn't fallen in love with anyone himself, although he had fleeting infatuations. Each time a lovely lady caught his eye, he found himself trying (usually unsuccessfully) to project an impressive image and put his best foot forward. Unfortunately for him, he had a difficult time communicating with the fairer sex, and more often than not became so tongue-tied he looked like an absolute buffoon.

Leaning against the wall, he crossed his arms. "I remember what Silke was like before... before our mother passed, when she was truly happy, and when she wasn't working herself to death, or wearing fake smiles. You'd do anything for her? How could I believe that? What if what's best for her is stopping her? What if it makes her angry or upset? Are you willing to fight with her if that's what is needed?" It was a tall order. He himself struggled to challenge her, and he had the benefit of being tied to her through familial bonds, one they both treasured. Despite knowing that she would love him no matter how hard he pushed, he couldn't quite be the monster that she needed to stop her from proceeding on her destructive path.

And that was at the end, he knew. The Silke that managed the Kasper estate, that was the darling of the court, and that was marrying Galt hadn't faced opposition from anyone that was willing to be ugly in order to stop her. She was careening out of control towards an early death. As she laid in her bed now, he knew she was run ragged and worn from her duties, ones that he felt incapable of undertaking himself, and which he had never been able to wrangle from her grasp.

"I don't see any flaws in you Count Harrowmark. You are smart, athletic, kind, and now a member of the nobility. My father undoubtedly thinks you're a perfect match for my perfect sister." Leveling his gaze on Galt, he narrowed his eyes. "Investigate what plans she's made, actually made, not for me or my father, but her own future. Ask her about it. When she gives you a straight answer, an honest answer, instead of evading, then I will consider approving of you... but you'll have to be confrontational and maybe ugly to get to the truth. Being sweet and pleasant won't work. Showing only all your strengths and best sides won't work. Until you can break through and see that Silke, I'll do everything in my power to break this engagement for both of you."

Vincent meant every word. He couldn't work people like Silke; he never possessed that skill. Regardless of the limited skill set and influence at his disposal when compared to his sister, he wasn't without recourse. He'd test Galt's resolve, and if he found him lacking, he'd find a way to pull them apart. Hell, if he had to he'd send her away, somewhere out of his own reach if absolutely necessary. He'd had enough of watching the disaster that was unfolding in front of him. After all these years, it was finally time for him to take action.

[POOHEAD189]

Galt was not completely lost to what Vincent was talking about. He even understood his side, to a limited degree. But that by no means meant that he agreed with it. The new fiance did not think a marriage was meant to be scrutinized in this particular way other than under the most dire of circumstances, but he also understood there was trauma there, in both Silke and Vincent to some degree, and it would not be so easy as to talk it away. This was something Galt and Silke would have to endure, meaning Vincent's protests. But Galt also knew there really was nothing Vincent could do, short of challenging Galt to a duel or abducting his sister. Granted, Silke wasn't quite as staunch in her certainty as Galt, but the newly christened noble knew Silke felt the way he did.

"Do you think it's only been agreement and smiles since I've known her?" Galt asked, almost laughing. "You've known her your whole life. When was the last time she was engaged? You have to fight her to get her to sleep at a reasonable hour, you think this was easy? Of course she was apprehensive about it, but I wasn't forceful either. We spoke like adults and she agreed, and then we rode together and spent the afternoon in the cabin. But even before our ride, do you really think if this was something Silke knew in her heart was wrong, that she would have gone through with it, anyway?"

Galt shook his head, knowing in his heart that what Vincent was asking for was not rational. That this stemmed from a place of pain as much as Silke's experiences did. "I might be born a commoner, but I know marriage is not happiness all of the time. Nothing in life is. I used to think if I had money and position that all of my problems would go away, but the nobility are as miserable as anyone, just in a different way. I look at your sister and I see someone that works and stresses just as much as a farmer delayed with his monthly rent, managing people's lives and trying to keep his head above water. But you listen to me..."

Galt poked Vincent's chest. Not in an aggressive manner, but to gather his full attention lest he be lost in thought of making up a rebuttal. "She works herself ragged staying here, and you've never been able to convince her to stop. The only thing new in her life, the only thing that's had her take stock and turn in early to get some much needed sleep, is me. You're a fine man, Vincent, but if you really cared about her, and I know you do, you'll see this is something you don't want to ruin. Her life before today would see her hair go grey before she sees fifty winters. Let her live a different life, or you'll only end up grinding her until there's nothing left. And if Silke insists on losing her health in her work and worries, you're damn right I'll fight her, for her sake. I've done it ever since I've met her, and I'm willing to live the rest of my life doing it. You want me to ask her what her plans are? I will when I feel the time is right, but only then, because this is a happy occasion, and I hope sometime you look back and realize that."

Galt quieted, breathing through his nose as he looked at Vincent. "...Now, she's not the only one that's had a long day. I know we both have. Regardless, I appreciate your honesty, let's both think on what the other has said and get some sleep."