Elgin Grimwald
'Irony' has always been an interesting word.
Funny… I guess.
If I had the same views as the Lords, I would be standing beside them, not beneath.
And yet, they always seem to come crawling to my family in need of help. But they still choose not to elevate us. Instead, rewarding my favour with another favour. Endlessly asking more of me, of us, and never giving something in return.
And after all this, here I am, giving another favour.
They call themselves the peak of the mountain of power, the best there is.
While true, it is narrow-minded.
Everything they do would never work without the support of the base. Their people, the foot of their summit.
They look over everything, basking in their view, enjoying what others give them, and have the audacity to say they hold everything together. Because they have a full view, the sight of every little thing happening in the kingdom.
They say nothing could work without them, that they maintain control, and order…
All because of their view.
Others strive for it, wishing to see it for themselves. That if they could only reach the top, everything would be perfect. Unbeknownst to them, that if the whole mountain is trash, the only view from the top is even more trash.
The fight for the peak is blinding. The constitution of the precipice they climb on is concealed until they reach that summit. When they can kick back and shout out, they have made it. Only to realize the pinnacle they were fighting over is garbage.
The struggle of the climb is much more fun than the view from the top. Because even the view looks bland.
But… they are at the top, and they can no longer leave–to stop the climb; because they would much rather live a miserable life at the top, then admit to the failure of climbing back down. They accept the burden, because they do see everything, and they do control everything… and they do provide support.
And yet, they are miserable.
Ironic, because the top can not work without the bottom, and the bottom without the top.
I have learned this. From my father, and especially, from experience. Staying in the middle, in the shadows, with the power of the top is much more rewarding.
I just need a bit more power, and all will be fine.
However, before that, I must submit to the top, providing the support of the base. Implementing their will.
And their present will, the do good they ask of me… hosting a party.
Have I truly fallen so far?
Parties… have never been an enjoyable pastime for me. Even worse are ones you are hosting. Worse than that are ones about you.
So, what is worse than terrible?
Loathful…?
Something that is bad, for the simple fact it is annoying, or hateful.
A party that isn't about you, but one that exhibits you. Whether reputation, image, or remembrance, a party for the representation of you is loathful.
And, yet, here I am, bowing to the orders of the Lords, preparing a party all for the image of me. Worse, the image of my family.
All hinging on a boy who isn't even a member of it. Yet, his actions will dictate the future of this family, and how secure our role in the kingdom will become.
The irony…
We have been observing his growth the past two weeks, and while his capacity for becoming a capable fighter and Grimwald member has increased, he is no closer to a cap that will impress the Lords.
Aside from his premature Transformation, we have nothing. Trying and failing to recreate the circumstances that led to that slight miracle. Unless he can come up with something in a day, his failure will make progress much harder.
However… I must stay focused. If he succeeds or not, this party is not the end game with him. Nowhere close. Fail or not, I am not done with him yet.
He just needs to grow faster.
Rin is currently with Sir Chiron and my brother. With the New Year Party tomorrow, I need to spend the crucial time preparing for it.
After the complete failure with the Volnnic, I have increased the intensity of his training.
No need for more eyes on us.
"You're brooding again, darling." An exotic voice whispered into my left ear.
This woman and her seductive allure…
"Your thoughts will bring you no solace, my dear." My wife continued, "That's what today is for. Getting your mind off it." Lightly caressing my back, we traversed down the steps to the main foyer. "Now, get over it and help the servants–and me–plan the event. As for Rin, whatever will be, will be." She finished with a kiss on the cheek.
At the bottom of the stairs, a young female servant in a simple, light blue dress stood gazing at the floor. A thin notebook tucked tightly against her chest, supported by both her arms.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I stopped to face the girl. Phia eloquently drifted to my opposite side.
"Lord Elgin, Lady Phia," The servant addressed us.
Raising her head and looking us in the eye, respectfully, she continued, "As we are a bit behind on preparations, I thought it fit to seek you out first." Pausing, waiting for any signal directing her to continue. I nodded slightly. "As we have not received a clear answer from My Lord before, concerning the tablecloth, and serviettes, what colour would you like to be used for tomorrow's party? White, brown, or grey? Or a more vibrant colour? We could even change the curtains."
While this party is a representation of me and my family, by no illusion do I believe it simply that. It is really for the Lords. For their requested demonstration of Rin.
The colour we so choose to exhibit in the hall shall convey the genuine sentiment of the party.
White would relate to the weather, the soft purity of the snow. It could also represent the harsh apathy of the cold, the frozen embrace of nature that slowly kills all who face it unprepared. However, currently another color usually receives that portrayal. As the King and Queen were the final dictation for this party, by no mistake would displaying white represent them. Elevating them, by my endorsement.
Brown is a cheap colour, used only by those with nothing to show. Or, by those who think subtlety is just as loud as grand vibrancy. The lunacy. If they have nothing to show, may as well stop there. And quit trying to portray such a detestable colour with grandeur.
Grey is a more sentimental colour. Used primarily as a farewell. Voyages, transfers, or goodbyes. Grey symbolizes the departure of someone or something. The common colour hung in the halls of Lords during New Year parties, as a farewell to the old Year, symbolizing the welcoming of the new one. Common due to its abundance and frequency of use.
A vibrant colour is reserved for the Lords, a representation of their house, their values, and homage. Hanging one of theirs in my own hall would be a direct sabotage. A disgrace to my line.
Black is reserved for the respect honoured of death. As there will be no representation of death at the party, there is no need to consider it.
Between royalty, subtlety, and sentimentality, none of the colours say what I want them to. This party may be for the Lords, it may be tradition, and I may not have the esteem of the rest of them, but this is my home. And it is my homage.
The Queen's influence gave white the meaning of soft, pure snow; before that, however, it represented nature's harsh, frozen embrace—but that's because the Grimwalds remain hidden behind a veil. Our true nature is obstructed from the masses.
We took what is now pure and made it ours. Our own meaning, our own goal, our own mission. Without purity, there is only pollution, and our goal is to purify that pollution. Exterminate that poison.
Because even without snow, the frozen death of winter still comes. The cold touch of the Kieriki kills, unseen. The light blue of frost is blurred by its expertise.
Its frozen embrace is not of nature, but of targeted termination. The butchers in blue. The reapers of winter.
The colour of a Grimwald.
That is what I will hang. Our homage.
"Forget tradition." I said softly, raising my right hand to dissuade her request. "We shall use our own colours for the event. And ensure our family crest can be seen upon entrance."
"As you wish, my Lord." The servant bowed. Turning to leave, my wife lightly nudged her shoulder, ushering her to stay a moment.
Turning, Phia regarded me with questioning eyes. Whispering in a show of concern, not of secret. "Are you sure, Elgin? You know what the others will think."
Lightly grabbing her waist with both hands. "Let them think what they wish. I am sure."
Looking carefully into my eyes, she responded with a light nod.
Turning my head back towards the servant. "That is all."
She shifted her gaze between Phia and me before bowing again, leaving.
Phia tilted her head, eyebrows raised, lips pursed. I knew all too well what that look meant.
She always questions my ways.
Even after all these years of my being right, she still doubts.
The destination, honey, it is all about the destination.
Bumps, stumbles and all.
"Come," looking towards the Northern section of the estate, "Let us check up on progress."