Lord Elmsworth was blessed with many qualities that had established him as one of the greatest lords in the history of Veridia, as well as a prominent figure among his contemporaries on the continent. Among these traits was his uncanny ability to observe people closely to identify their true nature, pinpoint their ambitions, and align them with his own goals. He had failed only once in his life- and Baron Bistro was not that failure.
Elmsworth had correctly identified the Baron's ambition and knew exactly how to address it. A matrimonial alliance was an offer the haughty Baron found too tempting to pass up. Soon, the higher echelons of Veridia heard unofficial confirmation of this through the grapevines, cementing the relationship in the public eye. It was not hard to deduce that the Thornes themselves had leaked the news to ensure the Baron felt enough external pressure that he could not back out of the arrangement.
However, the plans of the Lord of Veridia fell like a house of cards when it was discovered that the Prince was mentally unstable. He was deemed unfit to rule. The Prince was slow and dim-witted; he was like a soulless being- not a terrifying undead, but a timid dog. Yet, because Lorian and Bianca grew up together, they became very fond of one another. People often teased Bianca about being Lorian's future wife, which had a slow but lasting effect on the young girl. Although she did not truly understand what being a husband and wife entailed, she felt it was a matter of great importance. When her father eventually called off the proposal, she didn't fully grasp what had changed.
The decision to end the betrothal was not instantaneous, even after the Church declared the Prince was suffering from a strange illness of "a missing soul." Initially, the Baron saw this as an opportunity. If his daughter married an idiot prince, she would be the real power behind the throne, and by extension, the Baron would be the de facto ruler of Veridia. This scheme led Bisfront Bistro to encourage Bianca to get even closer to Lorian, making the boy wag his tail like a puppy around her. Lord Elmsworth realized the Baron's intentions, but he reluctantly accepted this new reality. After all, it ensured his son would be King, backed by the second most powerful family in the city. Their children, who would still be Thornes, would eventually inherit the throne. It was the best possible outcome given his son's condition.
This scenario changed completely when Cassian arrived in Veridia with his son, Lyssian. Cassian recognized the importance of the Bistro family and began dreaming of marrying Lyssian to Bianca. Cunning as he was, Cassian understood why the Baron was content with the "Dumb Prince," and knew he couldn't deter the Baron with logic alone. Instead, he began spreading gossip through high society. He whispered that the greedy Baron was using his innocent daughter as a political pawn, ruining her life by marrying her off to a simpleton just to fulfill his own hunger for power. The gossip spread like wildfire.
Though Baron Bisfront Bistro was power-hungry to the bone, he was also arrogant and cared deeply for his public image. When the social pressure became too much, the Baron was forced to call off the wedding. This was a massive insult to the Thorne family, making Elmsworth bitter toward both himself and his son.
In the end, Cassian achieved his goal of breaking the engagement, but his son failed to win the prize. Bianca never entertained Lyssian's advances- no one knew if it was out of lingering affection for Lorian or pure spite for all Thornes. As the Bistros distanced themselves from Elmsworth, communication between Bianca and Lorian ceased entirely.
Now, after so many years, the two people once believed to be made for each other met again under very different circumstances. Lorian did not know the history in detail, possessing only the rough summary Lucien had shared with him earlier.
"What part of 'our' remains between us for you to mention?" Lorian taunted.
Bianca was not prepared for such a reaction. No one had ever spoken to her in such a manner, and hearing it from Lorian was beyond her imagination. Her fair face darkened, like the moon vanishing behind a dark cloud.
The lady in armor gritted her teeth; had she been allowed, she would have drawn her sword and lopped off Lorian's head in that instant. The maid maintained a calm demeanor, but the fuming anger beneath the surface was palpable. Lorian, however, was not in a mindset to care. In front of him sat the daughter of his political enemy- a woman whose father was involved in the amoral slave trade and who had once discarded their future together. To him, she was just another Bistro.
"My only request to His Highness is," Bianca uttered each word with poise, "that my father receives an impartial and fair trial, and that until then, the reputation and honor of the Bistro household be upheld."
Lorian raised an eyebrow and leaned forward. "Would you care to elaborate on that request?"
"Of course," Bianca nodded, "I am earnestly requesting that before the trial, you ensure no rumors are spread regarding Lord Bisfront Bistro's alleged crimes, and that the Bistro family's property is protected from public retribution and witch hunts."
Lorian realized she had seen the angry crowd at the gate. She was right to assume that in the Baron's absence, the family would face severe outrage without the protection of the Auric Spire.
"In case you have forgotten, My Lady," Lorian stood up slowly, "Veridia does not discriminate between its people based on status. Everyone is equal before the Crown, and the Crown's protection extends to all..." Lorian took a dramatic pause, locking eyes with her, "...until they are proven guilty."
The girl in the maid's attire spoke up, "Forgive me, My Lord, but please have some refreshment that my Lady personally arranged for you. Please..."
Lorian was going to refuse, but there was a pleading note in her voice and a similar look in Bianca's eyes. He felt it would be cruel to ignore the request entirely, yet he felt it improper to sit back down for tea.
Lucien stepped in to save him, "My Lord has had a very hectic day and has not been feeling well. He forced himself to meet with the Lady only because she requested it. He needs to rest."
Lorian nodded and smiled, "We shall meet again under better circumstances, I sincerely hope. We will have a proper time together over a cup of tea then. I promise!"
Bianca's face brightened, as if the clouds had moved to reveal the moon once more, "Amen to that!"