Reflection
Jul. 11th, 2013 09:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
feredarStory: Reflection
Year: 985 FY
Characters: Kellom, Kesshare
Warnings: Reference to familial death/murder and acceptance of it.
Notes: This takes place in the Murder AU
Word came from her uncle's court at last that Odaki--the last of her cousins--had been killed. An party, a staircase, a little too much liquor. "Were you responsible?" Kellom asked, meeting and holding her gaze in the mirror.
She held it, calmly, continuing to brush her hair. "Does it matter?" she asked.
"Yes." She'd half-expected that to be his response, with his fraternal devotion and dislike of plotting.
Kesshare set the brush down, remaining calm. This would not be difficult to handle, however--her cousins were not his family, after all, and he would soon see the advantages. "Consider it from another angle, husband," she said. "What sort of legacy would you prefer to leave your son--the crown of one kingdom, or the beginnings of an empire?"
Kellom broke her gaze at that and she could see the wheels turning in his head. She smiled, and resumed brushing her hair. "...there's nothing to forbid it?"
She shook her head, with a faint smile. "I read the contract carefully. There were four heirs ahead of me, after all, three of whom could produce legitimate children. None of the negotiators felt a need to make a provision should the Crystal Throne fall to me."
"An empire..." Kellom said thoughtfully.
"There will be some resistance, perhaps," Kesshare said. "As I have been gone so long. I can count on your support?"
"Yes."
"Good," she said, and met his eyes in the mirror again. There was something odd in them, a strange mixture of horror and excited ambition. He hadn't quite let go of the fact that she had murdered three of her cousins--Ulore had fortunately taken care of himself with that duel a few years ago--but he understood, and even if he thought she was a monster for it, he wouldn't hesitate to use it for the benefit of their son.
He nodded, and she returned to preparing for the day as her husband quietly left her room.
She may have lost a piece of her power base in marrying outside the City of Glass, but the incalculable advantages she'd gained in their place were well worth it.
Kesshare smiled slightly at the ghost of her husband's reflection. She had chosen well. The world would bear her mark for centuries.
Year: 985 FY
Characters: Kellom, Kesshare
Warnings: Reference to familial death/murder and acceptance of it.
Notes: This takes place in the Murder AU
Word came from her uncle's court at last that Odaki--the last of her cousins--had been killed. An party, a staircase, a little too much liquor. "Were you responsible?" Kellom asked, meeting and holding her gaze in the mirror.
She held it, calmly, continuing to brush her hair. "Does it matter?" she asked.
"Yes." She'd half-expected that to be his response, with his fraternal devotion and dislike of plotting.
Kesshare set the brush down, remaining calm. This would not be difficult to handle, however--her cousins were not his family, after all, and he would soon see the advantages. "Consider it from another angle, husband," she said. "What sort of legacy would you prefer to leave your son--the crown of one kingdom, or the beginnings of an empire?"
Kellom broke her gaze at that and she could see the wheels turning in his head. She smiled, and resumed brushing her hair. "...there's nothing to forbid it?"
She shook her head, with a faint smile. "I read the contract carefully. There were four heirs ahead of me, after all, three of whom could produce legitimate children. None of the negotiators felt a need to make a provision should the Crystal Throne fall to me."
"An empire..." Kellom said thoughtfully.
"There will be some resistance, perhaps," Kesshare said. "As I have been gone so long. I can count on your support?"
"Yes."
"Good," she said, and met his eyes in the mirror again. There was something odd in them, a strange mixture of horror and excited ambition. He hadn't quite let go of the fact that she had murdered three of her cousins--Ulore had fortunately taken care of himself with that duel a few years ago--but he understood, and even if he thought she was a monster for it, he wouldn't hesitate to use it for the benefit of their son.
He nodded, and she returned to preparing for the day as her husband quietly left her room.
She may have lost a piece of her power base in marrying outside the City of Glass, but the incalculable advantages she'd gained in their place were well worth it.
Kesshare smiled slightly at the ghost of her husband's reflection. She had chosen well. The world would bear her mark for centuries.