With how quickly Soral was able to prepare, it was clear he had been planning their engagement since long before Bastion brought it up. The good news was, the sudden engagement did not seem to be spurred on by Bastion, but rather people believed he arrived after hearing wind of Ruena’s engagement ahead of time. Whether they believed he was her grandfather, her father’s ghost, or a scammer, it made sense for him to appear at this time.

  What did come as a surprise was the invitation to host the engagement ceremony in the palace came from the Queen. Since Densooth had been trying to hold it over their heads, this could only be because of the new partnership Ruena had agreed on during her last visit there. This resulted in Crystal helping Soral plan the ceremony more than Ruena could. She didn't really mind. This kind of thing had never been in her field of interest or expertise.

  As always, Soral was able to secure an outfit for her that perfectly matched her specifications. Ruena did have to get involved when she saw the ostentatious options he had set out for himself. Bastion helped with that as well. The more he got involved, the more suspicions of him being a fraud grew.

  "Was this a part of your plan?" Ruena asked him, noting the fierce glares of the staff as they passed by.

  "For everyone to believe I am a fraud? Not exactly, but I did expect it," Bastion replied, "I am surprised how many there are who are confident your father has come back from the grave."

  "With rumors about you and the coming engagement, I am concerned he might take notice," Ruena muttered, unable to shake the chill of fear that ran through her at the thought of Densooth taking action. "I never agreed to be part of his plan, but he was determined to trick me into following it anyway. Unless you are protected by a powerful prophecy, he might target you for getting in his way."

  Bastion frowned. "Is this about that Black Wolf again?" he asked, "The more I hear, the more convinced I am that he has something to do with the current state of Alodan."

  Ruena didn't want to admit it, but the more she heard, the more she believed he was right. For Densooth who was in control of all of those prophecies, it would have been impossible to miss the coming death of someone as important as the Duke of Alodan. Even if he didn't have a hand in it, why didn't he prevent it? Was the future where her father lived that terrible, or did he stand by and watch so he could pick up the lost daughter he would leave behind? If that was true, it would make sense why Soral hated Densooth so viciously. Why he always seemed to want to say something he could never quite get out.

  "Densooth is deeply involved with the fate of Alodan," Ruena confirmed, "It will be impossible to avoid him completely. I cannot even prevent him from attending the engagement. Even without an event, I will have to welcome him if he visits."

  As if her words were a curse, Densooth sent a letter announcing his intention to visit the very next day. The letter expressed concerns about the rumors going around the aristocratic mill. While it never expressed which one, Ruena imagined he was far more concerned about Bastion's presence than about the engagement. After all, Soral had already played right into his hands and even found himself in possession of a kingdom. Their engagement was the natural next step. At least, that was the story Ruena intended to tell Densooth if he asked.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  "What should we tell him about you?" Ruena asked Bastion, "He is certain to ask. He won't buy any lies about you being my grandfather. He probably knew my grandfather for the past three generations, at least."

  "Since he knows so much, why should we have to explain?" Bastion pointed out, "I am sure he will have already come to his own conclusion the moment he locks eyes on me. We should let him hold onto it."

  "Even if he decides you are a threat?" Ruena asked, "I don't have the power to stand against Densooth. Meeting him is sure to drag you right into the politics you wanted to avoid."

  "I won't let that happen," Soral interjected. As usual his appearance was sudden, and he continued on as if it were only natural for him to be part of the conversation. It was something Ruena found both frustrating and endearing. "I stood against him before and came out just fine. He needs me so he can't touch me."

  The relaxed confidence of the two men put Ruena at ease as well. At least until Densooth actually arrived. Once she stood face to face, she couldn't help but remember how one small decision he made could completely change her life whether she liked it or not. Just to be safe, Ruena greeted him alone to start. There was no need to drag Bastion into this if she didn't have to.

  "Ruena, you have grown careless," Densooth warned, "Surely you haven't forgotten our goal."

  "Our goal? Your goal is to stop Velcorna from trying to take the throne. My goal is to punish her for her past crimes. They might align for now, but our goals are not the same," Ruena pointed out, unable to bite back her frustration at his instant scolding.

  "Whether or not our goals differ, why would you allow someone who threatens your position into Alodan?" Densooth demanded.

  "You think Bastion is trying to take control of Alodan?" Ruena asked in surprise. The idea was so obvious, but for some reason it hadn't occurred to her. With a face like that, Bastion could easily claim he was the late Duke and take over. She knew that was the last thing he wanted, though.

  “If you are so confident he is not a threat, then you should stop hiding him,” Densooth pressed, “I will meet him and judge his worth for myself.”

  The door to the room opened. Bastion must have lost patience. Ruena had guessed this might happen when he insisted on listening in to the conversation. “You are even more arrogant than I had heard,” Bastion noted instead of a greeting, “Pitiful as well. How did someone laden with this many curses become so feared?”

  “If you can see my curses that must mean you have Valen blood,” Densooth replied, unshaken by Bastion’s words, “With that black hair, you must be from one of the more distinct lines. Perhaps Siren? That would explain how you claimed your place here so quickly.”

  Bastion frowned. “If you know that much, shouldn’t you already know who I am?” he prodded, “I heard you are immortal, so you must know the origin of Alodan.”

  Desnooth glanced between Ruena and Bastion before a strangely satisfied grin formed on his face. “Duke Medusa, the founder of Alodan. Of course. There was a prophecy about this, but I didn’t expect it would be so soon. Ruena has always been excellent at fulfilling her role.”

  “My name is Bastion Alodan,” he corrected, “It sickens me to know that an arrogant man like you has been meddling with my descendants. I think it is time you left, Wolf.”

  To Ruena’s surprise, Densooth obediently left. She didn’t like how pleased he appeared as he was leaving, but it was better than having to argue with him there. Still, him knowing about Bastion’s identity was dangerous.

  “Are you sure it was a good idea to give him a hint like that?” she asked.

  “He would have figured it out eventually,” Bastion replied, “Besides, he won’t let my identity get out. I can already tell that it would go against his prophecies.”