Martin had paused to collect his thoughts, and we all just sat there, waiting patiently. His mind seemed to be made up though, as he did not make us wait long before he began speaking once more.
"This nation used to be whole, or at least, that's what I heard from my father a long time ago. The nation, when it was together, was ruled by the Gremorious royal family. From what my father told me, a Framework enforced motion took place long ago that split the nation into the various territories, each ruled and operated by different members of the nobility that were already present and ruling at the time, although they have changed over the years for various reasons. The thing is... no one knows exactly who the current King is, not even me, and I haven't the faintest idea why things are the way the are, or why the Framework split the nations in the first place. I do have it on good authority that the ruling family is still the Gremorious family. I assume they still reside in the royal capital, but from what I've heard, rarely are people seen exiting the royal palace in the city, and even worse... those that enter are rumored to never come out." He said, letting out a weary sigh.
"That's... not ominous at all." I said, and Martin chuckled.
"Putting it lightly, my friend. All that said, I assume that the ruler is either the same man, or one of his sons. The higher ranked someone is, the longer their lifespan... although that man would have to be ancient by this point, provided he still lives. The King was always a secretive man, and that has only gotten worse after the nation's split. All I know is that they choose to have very little involvement in how things are done. Hell... you've seen some things people here do already, like Delvin or Baron Osark for example, and you've heard about Farendell, and other places like it. I honestly don't think they care at all. Part of me even thinks they enjoy seeing people suffer. Struggling just to stay alive."
It was honestly an odd sight seeing the girls looking more confused than me for once. I was not necessarily confused, as I was listening to everything being said and storing it away as knowledge I could use later. I just truly didn't give a fuck about the politics, or who was in charge of what. What I did care about were the people being sold off, being killed, tortured, used as sex slaves... that was what mattered to me, and noble, king, queen, or even a fucking god... they better be prepared for a reckoning when I come for them.
"I've never even heard of any of this..." Clarissa said, and Martin nodded as if he expected that.
"Of course not. Very few know. Hell, I'm sure your father didn't know anything. To low in his station. To be honest, I didn't really know much about you or your father until this whole thing came up... goes to show what kind of Duke I am, huh..." He said, a true look of remorse crossing his features, "Like I said, this is information that I should not be telling you. Even the little I know, my father advised me to never share... but I think you all know me pretty well by now. I'm done with this evil. This corruption that allows the suffering of others."
"There's only so much one man can do..." Clarissa said, her voice soft as she tried her best to ease Martin's mind.
Martin let out a self deprecating chuckle.
"A man should always stand up for his values, hold fast to his ideals, his beliefs, no matter what. That's part of why I decided to help you. Truth be told... I don't truly know if the royal family would get involved with this matter, as they have shown little interest in our affairs over the years." He said, drumming his fingers on the table, "That being said, they did intervene when two territories to the far Northwest got into a dispute. Tremesh, and Hornsried. Their little dispute almost turned into a war, and when the royal family caught wind of it, they sent their enforcers to handle it."
"I've... never even heard of those territories before." Clarissa admitted.
"That's because it happened much before your time. It has been about... 100 years now, give or take. The only reason I know about it is because of my father. And... well, a lot of people don't really know about them anymore, because they no longer exist." He said, and that made everyone's eyes widen.
Hell, I knew fuck all about the various towns, cities, and overall regions in this world, but even I was shocked. From what Martin was saying, that really could only mean one thing.
"Did they destroy them?" I asked, and Martin nodded.
"They did. I assume it was to make an example out of them. Both territories were on the brink of war, and I guess that was too much even for our rulers. So much so that they got involved. From what I heard, they gave the citizens and civilians a warning, and a chance to flee, but those who stayed, and those in power? Them and their entire families were erased, and now, all that is left is dead and barren land. You can travel in that area for months, and find nothing. The only things that live there now are powerful beasts that can survive off of the mana alone. Part of me believes that's where the monster that killed my father came from." Martin said, and Sera scooted closer to him, and rested her head on his shoulder, and the man just put an arm around her and held her close.
"That's... insane." Clarissa said, and then her face went a little pale, "Wait... so, when I was told that the royal family might get involved..."
Martin just nodded.
"Yes. Karovac is impulsive, reckless, and egotistical, on top of being a disgusting human being. I wouldn't put it past him to pull a stunt just like that. When I spoke to him through a communication crystal, he was... unpleasant. And if that scumbag were to try and start something here in my territory, knowing him... he'd make it a spectacle. He would endanger us all, and you and I being nobility... well, we wouldn't get the chance to just walk away."
"I wouldn't let that happen." I said without any hesitation, clenching my fists on top of the table so hard they turned white, "I don't care who it is. Duke, King, or even a damn God... if anyone tries to hurt Clarissa, or any of you... I will fucking bury them."
Martin and Sera actually smiled warmly at me, and Clarissa looked at me with tears in her eyes as she too smiled. Cici just had that look in her eyes that I had grown so used to. Her unwavering belief in me, and her pride at being my wife. Valerie though... she actually looked like she had a headache or something.
"If it were anyone else, I'd call you insane, but... I believe you." Martin said, fixing me with an easy-going grin, "Honestly, I don't think you even realize how much you sharing all of what you have today has eased my mind. I'm telling you all of this so you are aware of it, and so you have a better idea of what's going on, because after seeing exactly what you are and what you can do, I'm pretty confident now that it won't come to that. At first, I had just planned on trying my best to sate Karovac in whatever ways I could, but now? Well, I don't think things will be going the way he thinks they will."
"I too have faith in you, Elias. You've proven yourself to be capable, as well as a man with a good heart. We both feel framework blessed to have you here with us." Sera said, and their words helped ease the lingering anger I still felt.
"It's still... unsettling." Clarissa said, and Martin nodded.
"Oh, without a doubt. I also do not know exactly what Karovac plans to do when he arrives, or what he thinks he is going to get from you. Knowing that man though... it can't be anything good." Martin replied.
"So... we have shadowy rulers that might go on a power trip, and a small man who thinks he can do whatever he wants because he's a Duke." Cici said, and I thought she summed it all up quite well. Martin and Sera began to laugh in earnest.
"A very simple way of putting it, but yes." Martin said, laughing the words.
I looked over to see that, while better, Clarissa still had a look of worry on her face. I reached over, and grasped her hand. She tensed, but relaxed as she looked at me.
"Do you trust me, Clarissa?" I asked.
"Of course I do, Eli... more than I trust anyone else." She replied, making me smile.
I smiled back at her.
"Then trust me when I tell you that I will protect you. I will keep you safe from anything and anyone that tries to hurt you. I promise." I said, and I saw more tears gathering in her eyes, before she smiled, nodded, and gripped my hand tighter.
"I believe you. Thank you, Eli. For everything." She said, and now she was beaming at me, her cheeks dusted a light pink.
I already cared about this woman more than I reasonably should. I liked her beforehand, but our time together was short and brief before I decided to travel to this city with her. Even still, when I looked at her, with her cute smile, her petite yet womanly form, and those shining blue eyes of hers... I couldn't deny the fast growing feelings I had. That spoke nothing of her personality, her beliefs, or her ideals, which resonated with me completely. Not to mention, because of my frankly cheat like ability to see her soul, and how well it meshed not just with me, but Cici as well... her joining our family was pretty much a forgone conclusion at this point.
"We trust you as well, Elias. We are putting our complete trust and faith in you." Martin said, and we both shared a smile with one another.
"And just know that our home is your home as well. Not just for a while, or even until you eventually leave... but always." Sera said, and her words actually a slight stinging sensation in my eyes.
"Thank you both. I'm truly glad to have met you." I said, and they both smiled warmly at me, and it was infectious.
We all sat there in a comfortable silence for a moment, and that let me think more about what we were told. If I was being honest, I wasn't worried. If someone tried to fuck with me or mine, I'd fuck them back... okay, maybe a poor choice of words, but the gist of it is the same. I would not let any harm come to those around me. Plus, after all of this, I felt more than ready for whatever noble extermination plan Martin had cooking in his noggin.
"I think that's enough of all of this for now," Martin said, smiling at he looked between Clarissa and I, "If I remember correctly, you two have a nice day together to look forward to still. There's no need to burden that any further than it already has been."
Clarissa flushed a deeper pink now, but goddamn, the little smirk on her face made me want to pinch her cheeks. Sera smiled brightly as she looked between us.
"You sure are popular with the ladies, aren't you?" She asked me, and I just smiled and shrugged.
"I'm just... following my heart." I said, and the amount of warm affection Cici sent into my mind filled me with warm contentment, and a surety in what I was doing.
"As you should." Sera replied with a warm smile, "Well then, we won't keep you any longer. I do hope you two enjoy yourselves."
With that, everyone stood, and I for one was grateful. SSS+ rank or not, my ass and these chairs did not get along very well. As we all exited the meeting room, Cici turned to me, stood on her tiptoes, and gave me a quick kiss.
"I'm going to go and help Rissa get ready. You should go and get ready too, darling. A lot of the day has already been taken, and I don't want anymore of your quality time together to be wasted." She said, and I smiled as reached down, and gently began to rub her head.
"Yes, my dear. And... thank you." I said, and she smiled at me, before taking Clarissa's hand, and then she turned and grabbed Valerie's hand as well, "You too."
Cici then whispered something into Valerie's ear, and the Dhampir woman actually blushed heavily, and man, it was damned cute. I decided not to listen in on what they said. Let the girls have their little secrets.
"Oh... um... okay." Valerie stammered with flushed cheeks, and Cici smiled as she practically began dragging the women off.
"Hey, hey, easy, I'm coming! I'll see you soon, Eli!" Clarissa said, and the scene just made Martin, Sera, and myself laugh.
"They are such wonderful girls." Sera said, and I nodded emphatically, agreeing with her wholeheartedly.
"You are going to have your hands full. I don't even think she truly understands it herself, but Valerie seems to be becoming quite infatuated with you as well." Martin said, and I just smiled.
"I know. I feel the same way." I said, and Martin just smiled as he patted my shoulder.
"Well, I know you can handle it. I wish you luck tonight, Elias. Show that young lady a good time." He said, and I nodded at him.
I was turning around to head towards my room, when I paused, and turned back around to meet the couple's eyes.
"Actually, do either of you have any recommendations of where I should take her?" I asked, and both of them smiled brightly at me.