Chapter Text
The Legate of the Congregation let herself breathe as she finally closed the door to her room. The gilded doorknob latched with an audible click. Closing her eyes in an attempt to steady herself, her brow pressed against the smooth polished wood of the door. Slowly she began sliding to the unsteady floor beneath her. She turned and rested her back against the door, silently praying the world would stop spinning. The Mother Cardinal’s words still rang in her ears, slowly tearing apart everything she thought she knew about herself.
Even after her interactions with the Natives of Teer Fradee, Ophelia De Sardet still found it hard to believe the woman who had raised her was not her mother. Princess De Sardet had raised Ophelia directly, taking great care to never hide her affection for her only child. It was a rarity among the nobility to raise a child in such a manner. To Ophelia, she was just her mother and she loved her as any child would. Only, Princess De Sardet wasn’t her mother. Which also meant Constantin wasn’t her cousin. Did Constantin know about her heritage? It didn’t matter. All of her relationships were built on a lie. She was just a lost Native child, born on a Naut ship and cast into the throng of Serene’s nobility.
She had no idea how she was going to break the news to Constantin. He had been ill as of late, and the last thing she wanted to do was add to his burdens. Still, she knew it would be best to tell him soon and it had to be from her. Otherwise, there was a risk the news would reach him regardless, and Ophelia knew it could be twisted and used against her. They may have left the continent, but the politics of Serene had crossed the sea with them.
Slowly she got to her feet. There was no use in wallowing. She would find the words to tell Constantin, but not now. Not while her head was still spinning and a thousand silent questions threaten to tear her to pieces.
Ophelia turned her whole attention to removing her cape. It was a heavy blue material, the symbol of the Congregation of Merchants was embordered in gold across its face. A bright reminder of her station to those who engaged her. Gently, she unfastened the metal clasp and draped the garment over an ornate chair in the corner of her room. Her breastplate and doublet soon followed suit. Leaving her in just her trousers and white button-down shirt. When she had managed to remove her boots, she heard a knock at the door.
“Who is it?” she called.
“It’s me, your Excellency,” Kurt’s distinct baritone was muffled by the door.
“Come in,” she invited sitting on the edge of her bed, tucking a stray brunette curl behind her ear. The braid that encircled her scalp had become loose and threatened to unravel. It was no use fighting it. She pulled at the pins in her hair letting it fall where it may as Kurt open the door.
“Apologies for the intrusion,” he kept his voice low. “After what happened today with the Mother Cardinal, I just wanted to make sure you’re alright.”
“I’m fine,” she said simply. Even if she felt anything but fine.
“Fine? Ophelia de Sardet, the Legate of the Congregation of Merchants, is never just fine.”
“You forgot, ‘cousin to the Governor of New Serene, his royal highness Prince Constantin d’Orsay,’” she met his playful jab. Her eyes found him as he closed the door behind him. They were a vibrant blue that always seemed to see right through her.
“A fancy title may deter the dignitaries of Teer Fradee, but I know when something is bothering you,” his tone became serious, making it clear he was not about to let her dodge his original inquiry.
As he closed the short distance between them, Ophelia closed her eyes in defeat. They had known each other too long for her to hide anything from him. While she preferred to fight her battles with words before drawing her blade, Kurt solved most issues with brute force. Which meant he was blunt, but he was also honest. A combination that seemed to be quite rare in New Serene.
He sat down beside her, his weight sinking into the overstuffed mattress. She had always been close with her bodyguard, but things had changed between them during their time on Teer Fradee. Ophelia openly trusted him with her life, but behind the closed door of her room, she entrusted him with her heart.
“I admit, I am not fine,” she began, knowing Kurt had given his full attention. “Far from it. I’ve been lied to my entire life. Everything that I am, who I am, is a lie. I’m not Princess de Sardet’s only child, marred by some strange birthmark. I was taken from my mother and propped up to be whatever they wanted to me. Whatever, or whoever I was before or could have been… was taken from me.”
Once Ophelia had started talking, she couldn’t hold back, “I have so many questions. Who was my mother? Could my father be alive, here on the island? Does Constantin know? Has he been lying to me too? Why would they do it? Why take me? Why did they leave my mother to die?”
The questions kept coming, spilling out over trembling lips. She didn’t even realize she was crying until the tears were in complete freefall, streaming down her face. Kurt said nothing, instead, his arms encircled her pulling her into a warm embrace. Ophelia buried her face into his shoulder. Her tears disappearing into the dark material of his uniform.
Taking a few deep breaths, Ophelia steadied herself. “If those dearest to me have lied to me my entire life, who is there left to trust?” she muttered not fully expecting a reply.
Kurt leaned back, placing his hands on her shoulders he looked her dead in the eyes. “In all our years together, I have never lied to you Ophelia and I never will.”
“I know. Thank you, Kurt. I just feel so lost now.” In truth, she felt like a complete mess. Her hair was wild and her clothes disheveled. She was sure her face was red and unsuited to even the most informal meetings. Her reputation was built upon having a cool head and keeping her emotions in check to achieve the goals of the Congregation, no matter what they may be. “I’m sorry you have to see me like this,” she turned away, trying to put on the carefully practiced mask she always wore.
“Never apologize to me for how you feel,” Kurt said softly. His rough hand gently took hers. “You helped me come to terms with my past and right the wrongs of the Guard. You remind me that there is still good in the world and its worth fighting for. I’m here for you if you need me. Always.”
His normally stern gaze had softened, those piercing eyes looked right through to her breaking heart. Ophelia twisted her fingers into his. They had known each other for more than a decade, but this closeness was new to her. He had become the immovable center of her world. It was both terrifying and comforting at the same time. She had spent her life trying to make things better for her friends and loved ones. Constantly cleaning up Constantin’s messes and adverting the constant onslaught of imminent disasters that seemed to plague the island.
She couldn’t admit it to anyone, but Ophelia de Sardet was exhausted, and the foundation of her very identity had been taken out from under her. “I don’t even know who I am anymore,” Ophelia mumbled, “everything I am is a lie.”
“You are still the same Ophelia you were this morning,” Kurt corrected her. “You are the strongest and most fearless woman I have ever met. Not to mention the greatest diplomat to step foot on Teer Fradee, and I’m not saying this to just flatter you. No matter who your parents are this island owes you a great debt for your efforts to keep the peace. And if Constantin is the man who I believe he is, it will not change anything between the two of you.
“As for me,” he gave her hands a gentle squeeze, “well, I meant what I said earlier. I’m not going anywhere. I am sworn to protect you and your cousin.” He paused a moment before finishing, “no matter what happens.”
Ophelia noticed they were leaning in towards each other. If she breathed too deeply their lips would meet. Her already flush face burned as he pulled away, her heart sinking further into itself. How long could they continue to dance around it? She tired of fighting this magnetism that constantly pulled her towards him, but she knew right now she was confused and lonely.
“I should, um, let you get some rest,” Kurt got up abruptly. “We leave for New Serene in the morning.”
“Of course,” Ophelia played off their near kiss as best she could. Her feelings were clearly just a one-sided childish fantasy she had never gotten over. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Your Excellency,” Kurt bid as he exited the room.
Ophelia washed her face in the basin in the corner before carefully combing through her wild curls. Bit by bit she put the pieces of armor back over her heart. Her mind was still muddled with questions that had no answers, but she would wear the mask she always had. She crawled into bed to wait for sleep to take her, if it did at all.