"Father, I wish to get married," Finn announced to his father and mother as they had dinner. The words landed heavier than the silverware on the table.
The Baron had been busy these past days, attending noble funerals every day, paying his respects as a baron. The black coats had not left the house, nor had the smell of incense. He had just returned from one with his wife and barely had time to sit down when his son spoke. His fingers were still stiff from handshakes and condolences, his mind still somewhere between graves and names he no longer remembered.
Nadia stepped forward quietly, pouring Finn wine. The liquid filled the cup with a soft sound, the only movement in the room for a breath too long.
"Son, this is the mourning season, not a time to celebrate. After the season ends, your marriage will be discussed," the Baron said, his voice steady but tired.
"And why would you want to get married, my son? You always said you would remain a spinster," his mother added. She looked at Finn closely, as if searching his face for fever or madness.
Finn held the cup but did not drink. The wine trembled slightly against the rim.
"I realized I am no longer a boy, and anyone can die at any moment. If I hadn't left that gathering early, I would have been dead. Mother, you would have been mourning me too." His mother stiffened. Her hand pressed against her chest, fingers digging into fabric.
"Don't say such things, son. I thank the Lord every day for keeping you alive. I still wonder how wild animals were cut loose and killed them all." Her voice softened at the end, like she was convincing herself.
Finn's father scoffed. The sound was sharp. He rested his spoon carefully on the plate before speaking, metal clicking against porcelain.
"Yes, it was a wild animal. But a different kind. How on earth did everyone invited get killed except the one who sent the summons?" The room felt smaller.
Finn pretended not to listen. His eyes shifted, briefly, to Raymond standing by the door. Raymond's posture was straight, head held high, expression unreadable. Then Finn looked back at his father, forcing his shoulders to relax.
"After the mourning season, will my marriage proceed?" Finn asked, deliberately stepping over the murder like it was a crack in the floor.
"Yes, son," the Baron said after a pause, returning to his meal. "But who is the beautiful lady you wish to marry, or should we choose for you?"
"Kruger's triplets. I wish to marry Kroger's daughters."
Silence followed.
His mother inhaled too sharply and nearly choked on her drink, coughing once before covering her mouth. The Baron froze mid-chew, jaw locked. Nadia's foot slipped slightly against the floor as she stiffened behind them. Finn noticed it all and ignored it, his gaze fixed on his parents.
"Son," the Baron finally said, chewing hard before swallowing, "are you marrying them because of their father's death? You don't have to carry this burden. If it is about the money I owe, I am working on it."
"They are three, do you even," his mother started, confusion and worry tangled in her voice.
"I was betrothed to them," Finn cut in. His tone was firm, practiced. "They are my responsibility. The last time I saw Lord Kroger, he told me to take care of his triplets, and I ignored him." He lowered his gaze for just a moment, enough to sell it.
"If I had known it would be the last time I saw him, I would have hugged him, kissed his face, and thanked him for his generosity. I want to honor his last wish."
He lifted his eyes again, meeting his father's.
"Father, honor my wish. It could be my last. This world is dangerous. I want to be on the safer side."
The Baron stared at him for a long moment, then stood.
"Leave me with my son," he ordered.
Nadia hesitated before bowing and leaving. Raymond lingered a second longer than the rest before closing the door behind him. The room felt colder. The Baron turned back to Finn, his expression stripped of warmth.
"How did you survive?"
"Survive what, Father?" Finn replied, tilting his head slightly, innocence carefully placed.
"That was not a wild animal attack. It was an assassination. Everyone knows it, even if we pretend otherwise." The Baron's voice lowered. "He claims to be a king and demands respect he has not earned. A lowborn does not belong on the throne. When we refused, he eliminated us. This is war."
"Father, I think you should bend the knee," Finn said plainly. Jakob stared at him like he had just spoken blasphemy.
"I would rather die than commit," he began.
"Treason against the throne," Finn finished calmly. "You said we bend the knee to whoever sits on the throne. The one you call lowborn sits there now. Royal blood is extinct. Who else should rule but the one who fought to protect the kingdom?"
"Not all royal blood is gone," his father snapped. "One remains. That one belongs on the throne. When the time is right and the false king is killed, we will restore the rightful heir." Finn leaned forward slightly.
"What if you had gone instead, knowing you had a wife and a son at home, and you were given the chance to bend the knee? Would you choose your mission, or your family?"
For a moment, Finn thought he saw hesitation.
"I would do what is right, even if my life were at stake, and die knowing I served the kingdom," Jakob said.
"What if I had bent the knee?" Finn asked quietly.
"Then I would have beheaded you myself."
The words settled like dust. Finn stared at the man across from him, something sour twisting in his chest. Regret followed quickly. Regret that he had not let him go and die with the others. At least then Finn would have inherited his remains and become Baron without argument.
Finn stood without waiting for dismissal. His chair slid back softly. His father did not stop him.
When Finn opened the door, Raymond stood there, his hand just lowering as if he had been about to knock.
"Were you eavesdropping?" Finn asked, closing the door behind him so his father would not notice.
Raymond said nothing. He bowed instead. Finn shook his head.
"I wish to request leave, my lord," Raymond said.
"Why?"
"My mother is ill. She wishes to see me."
Finn studied him for a moment.
"How long?"
"Two days."
"Two days, huh?" Finn smiled faintly. "Guess we are going to see mummy. I will tell Father and have Nadia prepare my luggage. I cannot wait to see the woman who birthed you, bro."
He walked past Raymond before the man could respond.
Raymond's expression darkened. His jaw tightened. He clearly was not pleased with Finn following him. And Finn intended to inspect every single cockroach inside Raymond's cupboard.