The Dream of the Lion King

by Tappei Nagatsuki

  “In that state, what could the House of Argyle be doing that would require slaves…?”

  It would have been much easier to believe that they were selling people to the brigands. Of course, had they been doing so, there would have been no consideration of extenuating circumstances in handing down their punishment, but at least she could have understood their motivation.

  “Whatever the case, the moment they entered into the slave trade, the House of Argyle violated the laws of our kingdom. And a slaver operating boldly in my lands is no better. We will have to arrest both parties and deal with them.”

  “In that case, milady, will you be moving to apprehend them immediately?”

  “Yes, I… No, wait.” It would be easy enough to send her soldiers to capture Bean Argyle. But such a decision would be too hasty. They needed to get more than Bean. “If we move too precipitously, the slaver himself might escape.”

  “A real possibility. These past months, the frequency of his visits to the House of Argyle has been once every month or two.”

  “When did this report come in?”

  “Two days ago. That would mean leaving them a window of two months…” The official seemed to guess what Crusch had in mind. She considered for a long moment and then shook her head, seeing that she had no other choice.

  “Make sure the House of Argyle is watched at all times. The next time the slave trader comes to their door, we grab them both at once. Any objections?”

  “Just one—You aren’t doing this for Ferris, are you?”

  “Hardly. Of course I bear him in mind, but my responsibility as duchess is more important than my personal feelings. And Ferris wouldn’t want me to put him ahead of my duty.”

  The official nodded in satisfaction. “Then, as you command, milady.”

  He withdrew, leaving Crusch alone in her rooms. She slumped into her chair. She leaned into her seat, looking out the window at the sky. Wisps of white clouds drifted through clear blue, an unmistakable sign that the wind that day was strong.

  I don’t believe I gave Ferris undue consideration simply because this matter involves his family.

  However, during the ensuing two months, during which nothing changed at the Argyle household, the appointed time came for Ferris to join the royal guard. And it was true that, secretly, she was glad.

  4

  “Foul things afoot at the House of Argyle. Hmm, I see…”

  Fourier nodded. Crusch had called him to share tea and speak face-to-face. They were in the parlor of the Karsten manor, and the guest list for this tea party included only the two of them. Fourier’s custom of visiting the household had continued even after Crusch became duchess, although with less frequency than before.

  “I just happened to have business in the area, you understand!” he would say. “I thought I might drop in to see if you were in good health.” It was strange that Fourier “just happened” to show up primarily on days when Crusch would not be too busy to see him. These odd coincidences had gone on for the better part of ten years now, but Crusch had chosen not to question them.

  “Just happened, you understand! Sheer chance! Don’t go getting the wrong idea!”

  “Certainly not, Your Highness.”

  “Yes, a fine answer! A fine answer indeed, but…you could afford to get just slightly the wrong idea…”

  Crusch Karsten possessed a divine blessing, the ability to see the wind. This blessing of wind reading allowed her to see the invisible and read its flow. With it, she could even tell the true state of people’s hearts. It was a minor point of pride for her that she was rarely deceived.

  For all this blessing and power, though, there were two people who could lie to her and get away with it. One was Ferris, who knew Crusch’s heart better than any other and therefore knew how to keep things from her. The other was Fourier, whose bald-faced lies Crusch had no desire to call out.

  “And although it’s chance that I came by, it seems it was a good one, yes?”

  A wind of untruth blew every time Fourier spoke the word chance. It was not chance but certainty; Fourier had come deliberately to visit. Crusch was honestly very happy that he felt such friendship toward her and Ferris. That was why she felt no need to reveal his lie. And now, she had been letting him hide his true intentions for ten years.

  “At any rate, Crusch, I know all about it, of course. Of course I know. But just to be sure we’re on the same page, let me ask you—where is the House of Argyle, exactly?”

  Crusch had put a great deal of thought into this, but the first thing Fourier said turned the conversation on its head. He tried to find out what was going on while simultaneously pretending to already know. Crusch made a half smile at this very Fourier-esque attitude, and said, “Pardon me.” She bowed her head. “Sometimes the magnitude of my friendship with you causes me to forget myself. My apologies.”

  “Not at all, there’s no need for you to say you’re sorry! I assure you, I remember everything in great detail. I simply…want to make sure we remember the same thing! Don’t hesitate to speak.”

  “Yes, Your Highness. The House of Argyle is Ferris’s family. His real name, as you’ll recall, is Felix Argyle, and he was the family’s eldest son.”

  “Ahh, Ferris’s family, are they? And you say he used to be called Felix Argyle? What an interesting fact—that, uh, I of course knew already!”

  The wind of untruth gusted again, but Crusch said nothing. From Fourier’s flustered reaction, however, it appeared that he had been totally ignorant of the connection between Ferris and the Argyles. She’d expected Ferris might have shared his personal history with the prince, but apparently not. If Ferris wanted to keep this quiet, then it wasn’t for Crusch to talk about, and yet…

  “You look unhappy, Crusch. Whatever you wanted to talk about, is it really such awful business as to darken your face so? And on Ferris’s behalf, no less.”

  “Your Highness…”

  “You’re wondering how I know? Surely you needn’t ask. I’ve seen your face all these years, just as I promised I would in the flower garden. Clarity and calmness suit you best. This anxiousness is most unusual in you. Tell me what’s happened.”

  When Fourier spoke like this, it shook Crusch to her very heart. She thought back to their first meeting. Ever since then, even to this very moment, Fourier had sometimes appeared to see more clearly than Crusch, who supposedly had the gift of wind reading. And Crusch knew from experience how the words he spoke could have the power to break an impasse.

  “If he finds out that I told you, Ferris will be angry at me.”

  “Oh, just tell him I forced it out of you. I held you down, said I would never forgive you if you didn’t tell me. Yes! That’s what you should say.”

  “You jest. You could never hold me down, Your Highness… Your Highness? Are you all right? You fell to your knees very suddenly…”

  “Y-yes, I’m fine… I’m perfectly fine. Please, continue.”

  Fourier had these moments sometimes, some kind of attack or reaction. Crusch frowned, but she told the prince about Ferris’s history and the dark dealings going on at the House of Argyle.

  —Crusch and Ferris had met nine years earlier. The reason for that meeting had been the same as for this one: Crusch had accompanied her father, Meckart, who was investigating rumors of inharmonious goings-on at the House of Argyle.

  Ferris’s parents had both been perfectly human, yet he had been born with cat ears. He and his ears might raise suspicions that the House of Argyle carried impure blood, so for nearly ten years after he was born, Ferris was locked in the basement of the house day and night. Later, the House of Karsten took him in under the pretense of adoption, and that was how Ferris and Crusch met. Thus, they had spent their days as attendant and mistress.

  “—”

  As Crusch related all this to Fourier, she left out the unnecessary parts, deliberately made her telling ambiguous where she could, but ultimately told him most of the facts. Fourier lis
tened to everything with an almost unsettling quiet and focus.

  “…Unforgivable.”

  The word slipped out, carrying with it an anger that could not be concealed. Fourier had closed his eyes, but now he opened them, their scarlet color shining like a flame.

  “Such behavior is unforgivable! To think that my own friend Ferris was so inhumanly treated by his mother and father! And still they scheme and plot! I shall certainly show them no mercy. Even without Ferris’s knowledge, I swear I will—hrk! Cough! C-cough!” The rush of anger sent Fourier into a coughing fit.

  “Your Highness, don’t get so agitated. Here, drink some tea.” She held out a cup to him, and Fourier downed its contents in a single gulp and slammed it back onto the table.

  “—not forhib hem!” The hot tea turned his face red and mangled the words he tried to speak. But the emotion they contained, the feelings of friendship for Ferris, were unmistakable. “Crusch, you must apprehend these scoundrels, and you must do it immediately. Luckily, Ferris is at the capital for his training at the moment. We may not be able to keep everything from him, but at least we can shield him from having to see the ugliest parts of it.”

  “I understand, my lord. But we’re dealing with a slave trader operating within our own borders. If we want to find out where he’s coming from, we can’t act too impulsively. I beg your understanding on this matter.”

  “Hrr… Grr… In that case, why did you tell me about this? If you’re not going to act right away, then things are at a standstill. And if you’ve thought so far ahead, what do you need from me?”

  “I wish to request Your Highness’s help with Ferris,” Crusch said. Judging by his outburst, it seemed Fourier didn’t understand what she was really driving at. His eyes went wide as Crusch placed a hand to her chest and continued: “Your Highness, Ferris will spend the next year at the royal castle, as one of the Knights of the Royal Guard. This year could all but determine his future—such is the importance of knighthood to Ferris. Therefore, I wish to see it pass without incident.”

  “And you’re asking me to see that it does? Just so you know, Marcus, the man who oversees the royal guard, is stubborn but fair. He’s not the type to dole out undue favors. I could ask him to give Ferris special treatment, but I guarantee it would fall on deaf ears. And I have no intention of giving Ferris that kind of help, anyway. It could only hurt him—he may dress like a woman, but he has the pride of a man!”

  Not once in the ten years they’d known each other had Crusch ever seen Fourier take advantage of his position or otherwise make any unwarranted demands. Of course, people often deferred to him because of his rank, but he was not the kind to ask for such consideration himself.

  “If you expect such things of me,” he went on, “you’re making a mistake. Crusch, I know how much you care for Ferris, but in this case it’s led you astray. He isn’t as weak as you fear, nor so soft as to want protection from you and me.”

  “—”

  Then Fourier crossed his arms and coughed again briefly. His face was red. Crusch was silently thankful for his words. There were some who might see Ferris’s abilities and value him for them. But there was no one other than Fourier who would so thoroughly trust and defend Ferris’s heart.

  “Your Highness, I must apologize. I seem to have given you the wrong impression. What I wish to ask from you is not that you get any breaks for Ferris in his unit.”

  “Oh? It isn’t?” Fourier was startled to find that his passionate outburst had been misdirected. Crusch didn’t press the point but assumed an attitude of imploring respect.

  “Your Highness, I understand I’m asking a great deal, and I’m prepared for you to reprimand me. But if it is possible, should you see Ferris at the royal castle, I ask that you would speak with him.”

  “…That I speak with him? That’s all?”

  “Yes. You understand Ferris’s position. He isn’t likely to be welcomed.”

  Ferris’s cat ears, which made people suspect him of being a demi-human, made his admission to the royal guard exceptional. His preference for women’s dress and inexperience with the sword would be no more likely to win him any friends. But Ferris was apt to act perfectly according to his nature, no matter how hostile people were to him. No matter how much it hurt.

  “I don’t doubt his strength of spirit. But everyone has their limits. Even he may not realize how emotionally fatigued he’s become. If he could have a kind word from you before that happens…”

  “You think a familiar face will ease his mind…? Is that it?”

  “Yes.” Crusch let out a breath, glad that she had gotten her point across. Then she smiled and stretched her neck gently. “However much I may care for Ferris, I am not quite so overprotective as to rely on your rank for favors.”

  Ferris would not appreciate it if they were constantly holding out a hand so he would not fall, or giving him a push on the back so he would not stop, or shielding him so he would not get hurt. But a moment’s respite they could offer. That was what she asked of Fourier.

  Now that Fourier understood what she really wanted, he frowned and looked askance at her. “But even so, Crusch—”

  “What is it, my lord?”

  “I think you’re quite overprotective just the same. Better you admit it to yourself.”

  She had by no means expected Fourier to make such an allegation, and it left her dumbfounded. Her reaction caused Fourier to burst out laughing, slapping his knees in amusement.

  “Excellent! I shall let your most unusual reaction just now persuade me. Anyway, the royal guard has quite a bit of free time when they’re not on duty. And the newcomer isn’t likely to be assigned to accompany my father or elder brothers on one of their trips. They won’t mind if I ask for Ferris’s company.”

  Fourier seemed to be quite enjoying himself as he announced that he would accede to Crusch’s request. “But,” he added, winking uncharacteristically, “if that was all you were going to ask, why tell me about the goings-on at the House of Argyle?”

  “It’s simply that if matters with the family become public, Ferris is bound to hear of them. If that happens, I want someone close to him who knows what’s going on. I couldn’t rely on anyone but you, Your Highness.”

  “Um! Indeed! Because I am a most reliable man! I should like you to repeat yourself.”

  “—? I couldn’t rely on anyone but you, Your Highness.”

  “I see, I see. At the end of your rope, are you? Then I have no choice—you can count on me! Cough! Cough! Hrrk!” Fourier pounded his chest—a bit too hard, resulting in another coughing fit. It just seemed to be the way things were going that day. It was enough to raise concerns about the prince’s health.

  “Not to worry. I’ve been suffering a bit of heartburn lately. My older brother has been coughing, too. Perhaps he’s caught a cold.”

  “It’s not my place to make yet another request of you, Your Highness, but I do hope you’ll look after yourself. Your health matters to more people than just you. If you’re feeling unwell, you needn’t come all the way here…”

  “Ah, but it’s when I’m feeling my weakest that I most want to see y—Um, never mind! More importantly, have you any plan for how you’ll deal with the Argyles?” Fourier changed the subject, blushing at Crusch’s words.

  “Once we confirm that the slaver really is going to the House of Argyle, I’ll go and confront them myself. Then we’ll find out the truth of the matter.”

  Fourier waited a moment before responding. Then he asked: “Do you really need to confront them yourself? I should think it would be dangerous.”

  “I’d like to handle things internally, without matters getting out of hand… And there’s Ferris to think about.”

  If it were simply a matter of arresting them, she could send the army. But if the House of Argyle had committed a major crime, Ferris could be inadvertently placed in a questionable situation as well. In the worst-case scenario, the House of Karsten might be forced to for
mally adopt Ferris before dealing with the Argyles.

  “Your Highness, I humbly ask that you keep this from Ferris. I’ll make every effort to deal with this personally, as a local matter.”

  “While I keep an eye on him in the capital—very well. This is between you and me. I’ll keep it to myself. But should the wind change and things turn sour, I can’t promise I’ll stay quiet about it. All right?” Fourier nodded, despite his continued misgivings about Crusch’s plan.

  He had deliberately used the metaphor of changing winds to the young woman blessed with the ability to read the air itself. Crusch saw herself reflected in his scarlet eyes. A slight chill passed down her spine.

  “I understand, Your Highness. If that moment comes, I trust your judgment.” She glanced toward the door—specifically, toward the crest of the House of Karsten emblazoned over it. For an instant, she saw Fourier’s image overlap with the crest of the lion baring its fangs.

  —A week later, it was determined that the slaver was indeed going to the House of Argyle.

  5

  Bean Argyle proved surprisingly willing to invite Crusch to his home. His eagerness made her suspect a trap at first, but when she arrived, he showed her inside, and her concern gradually eased.

  The house was still; there was no sense that an armed party was hiding anywhere within. In fact, there was hardly any sign anyone else was around at all.

  “I heard rumors you had to release your servants,” Crusch said. “It seems they were true.”

  “Yes, they were. I’m simply not in a position to indulge in any kind of excess anymore. The only people here now are myself, my wife, and one maid who stayed with us out of personal affection.” He led her down the hall. Bean Argyle was Ferris’s father, and the man at the center of the doubts about the House of Argyle. The fact that Bean himself, and not the maid, had greeted Crusch at the door lent credibility to his claims of being shorthanded.