Chapter 34 – Fathers and Daughters

Wherein Valentina learns something about her father she didn’t know before.

Valentina was surprised when her father came to find her, them, in the greenhouse. 

He sat down next to her, turning sideways so he could face her.  

"What brings you here today, darling?" he said, sounding and looking beyond tired. Whatever it was that had kept him at the castle had kept him from sleeping at all.

"Mother visited today..." Valentina started, glancing down at the green between the flagstones. "She told me you and she are brokering a marriage deal for me."

Rhodum frowned. "I am."

Valentina sucked in air and let it go haltingly. "To whom, if I might ask?"

"To Lord Elvendale, the Elvish emissary. He expressed interest in a diplomatic alliance, cemented in marriage." Valentina could hear the reservation in his voice. "It's how things go in our circles, Vals."

"I know." Once upon a time, she would have blindly accepted.  

"As a matter of fact," he ventured tentatively, "this is partly why I have only just come home." He explained that Lord Elvendale wished to gain lands through his marriage, which the King and Arch-Duke were willing to give him, were it not for the fact that only those born in the Wold-Sea were allowed to govern.

"This means part of my acreage has to be split, so it can come to you as part of your dowry."

Valentina understood that would mean her brother would inherit a smaller portion of land. She herself would have to steward this estate, at least part of the year.

"Is he looking for a rural place to live?" Valentina asked tentatively. 

"No. He wants it as a safe-haven for exiles and what not." Rhodum’s tone implied he had opinions about this.

"But?"

"Exiles are exiles for a reason," her father intoned cynically. "Adevald and I discussed how much land we want to give him. How much we should, and how much will satisfy him, without making him feel insulted. Elvish pride is easily insulted."

Valentina listened carefully. This was about more than her dowry. "Why the rush?" 

"He is travelling back to Eldaris a week after New Year's eve, after all the celebrations and ceremonies have been upheld. He will not return until the end of spring." 

This was information Valentina needed to process. Tentatively she dared to ask: "Will we be married before he leaves this winter?"

"No. The wedding will be part of the Summer Solstice ceremonies."

Valentina breathed. At least that gave her some time. 

"I didn't want this, daddy," she heard herself say quietly.

Rhodum put his hand over hers, giving a squeeze. "This is the price we pay for our wealth," he answered slowly. 

"Is there... Is there nothing to be done about this?" She had to ask. She had to know if there was another sacrificial lamb that could be slaughtered on the altar of diplomacy.

Her father breathed in sharply. His eyes and face betrayed a haunting she had never seen before. 

"I thought... this match would be pleasing to you. If not for the wealth and fame of your match then... then because you would again have your own household, and a mostly absent partner." He looked away. The angles of his face looked sharper than usual.

She didn't register getting up, only settling sideways in her father's lap and hugging him tightly, her forehead to his temple. Like she did when she was a kid.

His arms wrapped around her. He squeezed. For a second, she thought she felt him shake. The sensation was gone before she could confirm it. 

"Okay, papa. I will do this. For you." For him. Not for Venlica. "May I ask a favour?" She released her tight hold on him and he did the same. 

"If possible, could the wedding be postponed to Mid-Winter next year? I’m learning how to be my own person. Without..." mother.

"I cannot  make any promises," Rhodum replied.

"Thank you, daddy." Valentina kissed his bearded cheek, before slipping off his lap and settling next to him again.

"For you, my daughter, I would slay dragons," her father vowed. "I want nothing more in life, than to see you prosper." 

For the first time in her life, Valentina understood that her father was as much a hostage in his own home as she had been. She understood why he would favour to be at court, or avail himself of the company of men. 

"One more request."

"Say it." Rhodum sounded amused. 

"Thea..."

He sighed. "Yes. Theodora. Perhaps I shall have to find a suitable husband for her too, quickly."

Valentina rolled her eyes. Wasn't that the solution to all his female problems? Just marry them away, make them someone else's problem. Ironically, marriage is what had created his problems too.

"I hoped, maybe if she could spend time with you..." she ventured, knowing her father had been and was her own lifeline. "As much as you could spare... that she would not fall into the same pit as I."

Rhodum was silent. His warmth receded from her. "Your mother…"

"Please, papa," Valentina begged, knowing from experience the pain Venlica could inflict with mere words or glances. 

"Alright," he sighed.

Valentina hid a smirk. He had never been able to refuse her when she called him 'papa'.

"Do you want to meet my friends? I brought them over."