Chapter 2
She woke up and for a minute it didnt compute what had happened to her. Then it snapped back and she nearly had an aneurysm. Because now that she was thinking clearly, what the fuck had she been thinking? Agreeing to a shady deal with a god to save the world of her favorite fictional characters and then ask next to no other questions? Was she stupid? Was it some kind of insane reaction to dying and then being pounced upon by a deity and she just agreed with whatever was said? When she put more thought into it, the more it seemed like she had been press ganged into cleaning up after work hours were over. The short end of the stick one would say.
She took a deep breath and went to pick at the breakfast that had appeared on a table close to her bed. She now had a lot of shit to think about and she was not prepared for any of it. A change of clothes had sat themselves on a nearby chair and she begrudgingly put them on, messily given she couldn’t reach the buttons in the back. With a sigh and slump of her shoulders she asked for help and a house elf popped in and tidied up her clothes.
”Thank you Gotti. Can you help with my hair as well?” She asked not even realizing that she somehow knew the name of the house elf without being told. The elf giggled and whipped her hair into shape with little difficulty then popped away again.
Looking in the mirror she felt like she was looking at a doll instead of herself, the dress was navy blue as were the hair ribbons and the skirt was too poofy for her liking. At least it wasn't horrible to move in as she had heard was common for the eighteen hundreds fashion what with corsets and the like about.
All set she then turned with dismay towards the stack of paperwork that held her assets that was on the table. A knock came on the door before she got into though. And she answered.
”My Lady, apologies for interrupting, but a vampire is here stating that he was sent to speak with you by Lady Fate.” Her face darkened. Fate! That bitch! What did she want! Was this part of the curse?
”I will speak to him, is there an office my account manager can meet us in? Given I don't know him I feel uncomfortable speaking to him alone.” The goblin guard nodded, sent a runner to her account manager and then led her to an empty office where she waited for the others to arrive. Her account manager bowed to his greeting and she attempted to curtsy. The goblin seemed to smother his chuckles and she pouted at him.
”You can’t hold my manners against me. I was born yesterday.” The goblin nodded in sincerity.
”Of course not my lady, I'll add etiquette classes to the list.” She blinked in muted but rising horror. List? And more than that, what other classes? Then the door opened again and a tall blonde man glided in. He was handsome and had pale blue eyes, almost sliver and as he sat across from her and studied her, he introduced himself.
”My name is Count Felix Corsane, I was told by lady Fate to meet someone of importance here, I don't know what for beyond a young lady named Adelaide would appreciate my assistance. I am not one to ignore a summons of fate. If I could be enlightened as to what I am here for it would be greatly appreciated by myself.” He spoke in French until Havlok said something and he repeated himself in English.
I narrowed my eyes at him as I tried to figure out what the fuck was happening and why he was here. Havlok stood and with some bluster spoke my own introduction.
”May I present Her highness Adelaide Rayna Shannara Galdur Lefay, Magic’s Chosen vessel, The Balance keeper, Guardian of Magic’s children, Lady Galdur, Lady Lefay, Lady of the Inbetween, the Grey, the Middle, Friend of the faeries.” Count Corsane’s eyes widened with each title. I was just thankful that Havlok had left a few off, it was really quite a lot.
“I am Goblin Chief Havlok and her ladyship’s account manager.”
“A pleasure to meet you.” I said as Havlok’s grin became a bit predatory.
”As to why you are here, why don't we chat a bit to determine just what you can do for me.” The count nodded, his curiosity rising as I spoke.
”Certainly My lady. What is it you wish to know?” I pondered this as I took a scone from the tray that had appeared in front of us when we sat down.
”I wish to know what exactly Lady Fate said to you, she has a way with words.” I said leadingly. The count collected himself and then repeated.
”’Count Corsane, you will go to the French gringotts bank and ask for the young lady Adelaide, you will help her to the best of your ability, so says fate.’ It was very to the point, and I knew with certainty that it was lady Fate who spoke to me.” I nodded, well there goes one idea. With a sigh I mutter to myself.
”What a bitch.” And the count spluttered as he had just taken a sip of tea. I cough. Right vampire hearing.
”My apologies, if you would be amenable, would you tell me what you consider to be your greatest strengths?” Am I approaching this like a job interview? Yes I am.
”I suppose I am considered a master of ritual magic along with wand making. I am high in the hierarchy of my coven and I would consider myself to be a very patient person.” I nodded like that had meant something to me. Then I decided to tell him about myself, I mean it's not like it could hurt.
“I was born yesterday at noon. I was given the task of cleansing the leylines before they rot and magic falls stagnate. I am in need of someone to take me to nexus points to cleanse them with as little hassle as possible. Along with someone to explain to me how wards work and what I should be doing if anything with the wards of Avalon. I am Lady Galdur Lefay and am in need of someone who knows what sort of responsibility’s that brings. I suppose I am also in need of an advisor for all of those things as well as whether or not I am becoming a despot with all of this seemingly political power that has been dropped into my lap. If you can’t tell, being born was a bit of a shock and I am in dire need of some guidance.”
The count blinked again. Which agreed dude it was very surprising.
”I see. I would like to offer my advice, but be aware that I will not pressure you into making choices, I have no need of power of any kind so I hope you will take my words as neutral. You are of the appearance of a five year old, in society you would be seen as a toddler in need of care, not taken seriously at all. You need someone who will respect you and your decisions but stand in as a caregiver for when you need it along with an advisor for when you don't. I recommend choosing someone with status and who is well off enough to not want to steal from you.” I closed my eyes. Everything he said was the truth and I really hated the idea of someone with supposed power over me. I would have to deal though since fate had set him right in my lap.
”Agreed, would you be willing to take the position, with some stipulations? A vow would be necessary of course along with a contract and perhaps adoption papers if we’re going for the whole process.”
The count seemed to come to a decision himself even though he seemed less resigned than me.
”My Lady, I would be honored to be chosen as your advisor. I believe in the old ones and their designs, you are their mouthpiece, you have sworn to have the best intentions for all of magic’s children and to protect them from harm. There is no greater purpose than to serve you, as I have taken my own vows upon accepting my countship to protect magic and my people, I would also take vows to you as a vassal of the Galdur Lefay Dukedom.”
I pursed my lips and nodded again.
”Thank you, I would take a vow to protect you as well should you need it, it wouldn’t be any bigger or less than what I am already bound to.” The count paused. Then leaned forward his elbows on his knees as he said seriously.
”My lady, while I am again honored, please note that the wording of such vows is very important and you should not offer this honor to just anyone.” I gave a smile.
”Not for me, count. Those who enter a vow with me will keep it whether they mean to or not there is no wriggle room when I speak.” That count nodded again.
”But in concern for our vow, I am already sworn to protect magic’s children to defend the innocent and to help those in need of justice. You fall under these, as long as you do not betray me with intent, you are included.”
The count seemed to take a moment to let that sink in.
“My lady, I will say again, I would be honored to become a vassal of the Galdur Lefay Dukedom.”
I shrug at him.
“We can take the ceremonial vows at another time, this will be enough for now. Let’s continue with some of the more pressing matters.” The count bowed to me and turned his attention towards Cheif Havlok.
“If you would be so kind as to find us a reliable solicitor, Cheif Havlok.” He requested. Havlok gave a brisk nod and ordered a goblin runner to find one.
“My lady, are there any immediate concerns or plans I should be made aware of?” He asked me. I turned to Havlok and asked him for my inheritance test to show the count and then replied to him.
“If your going to be my guardian, please call me Addy outside of necessary public address. I need to comb through my accounts and check on my estate and see if any are livable, along with making a travel plan for the ley lines, scheduling my classes and meetings with the Goblin nation to solidify our relationship and any other duties that I am currently unaware of as they pop up.” The count contemplated this as he read over my inheritance test, eyebrows rising higher as he got to the end.
“Then I will insist on being called Felix when we are in private, we can hire someone to check on the estates and their wards, preferably the Goblin Nation. I have a friend who specializes in wards, he lives in England, we can ask him to teaches you what is needed for Avalon, he will leap at the chance to study it. If we live close to the isle of Skye.” I cross my arms and huff.
“I’m not allowed to step foot in England until 1950, so he will have to meet us in Ireland or France.” He arches a brow again, he seemed to have an entire language in his eyebrows.
“May I ask why?”
“Something about the Balance being distorted and revenge for an alternate timeline, I need to wait until someone does something stupid and then go and kill them for it.” I wave him off.
“Fate and Death collaborated on it for once so I’ve got to wait it out.”
He didn’t seem to know what to say to that and turned his attention to the solicitor who entered just then.
Things progressed rather quickly after that as we signed and filed the paperwork, along with the ones to hire Gringotts to go check all of my estates and planning out how my next few weeks were going to go down to the minute.
By the time we got to the ceremonies of accepting a vassal, it was nearing dinner time again and I was tired from holding the Lefay sword that had been dug up from the vaults for the knighting.
Felix ended up carrying me away to his manor as I dozed off, only pausing briefly for Havlok to threaten him if anything should happen to me with the might of the goblin nation.
I clung to him and fell asleep as soon as he set me on a guest bed, then he left, probably to drink whiskey and bemoan how his life had become so much more complicated.
No wait, that’s just what I would do, who knows what Felix was doing.