The Baron of Latiz (2)

 2

Samh 7.09.1339

Valanthus, Baron of Latiz, was visiting Major Yoeritt, when the gentleman informed him that his niece was alone in the world. Valanthus could not help but smirk.

“I think you’re toying with me. That girl could never be alone with all the men who pay her attention!” 

“Bah! But none of them are the right man.”

“Don’t look at me. She rejected me when I was nine and forbid me to enter into her presence.”

“And you rejected her right back and never tried to regain her attentions.” 

“I don’t think she missed me.”

“She burst into tears the instant you left. Her mother sent me a recording of it.”

Valanthus paused for a moment. He had never heard that before. He looked at the old man to see if he was being facetious, but Yoeritt looked sincere. 

 Major Yoeritt had been friends of his family for many years. His family had lived close enough to Amoranda’s that they were able to keep the Major informed of any developments or indiscretions that needed to be taken care of when the Colonel got into trouble. His mother was best friends with Amoranda’s and had been since childhood. 

Until that fateful day when he was nine, he had often begged to tag along with his parents to see Amoranda. Contrary to what he had told her, he never found another woman who compared to her. Instead, he put everything he had into helping his father and building his estate. If he could not have her, he could at least make her sorry for what she had missed. 

Both he and the Major knew Amoranda’s father was a louse who left the family with nothing. He knew Major Yoeritt had bought the family home and allowed them to continue living there for free. It was currently bequeathed to Amoranda in Major Yoeritt’s will along with most of his fortune. He had been resolved to cover his brother’s sins and give his niece a fresh start in the world after her parents’ deaths. He repurchased all had been sold until she now had a nice-sized country estate settled upon her. Her uncle had just come back from touring the planets when he discovered the news of his brother’s death and summoned him to his estate in Tzonside.

“I need you, Valanthus. If you won’t date her, I need you to at least take care of her and guide her.”

“Isn’t that your job, now?” 

“Ah, but Amoranda has me wrapped around her finger, too. I certainly couldn’t bring her here—there are too many temptations for her on this big of an estate with all its cities. I cannot go to the country because I need to be here to lead the military, even if we are not at war right now. You’re the only man who has ever been able to stand up to her.” 

“That doesn’t matter if she refuses to see me.” 

“I sent her a message telling her I was sending someone to be her guardian in my place. I am sure she will be more than willing to accept that. I understand she is currently being addressed by everyone in the surrounding country from the chief of the authorities to the youngest rakes.”

“Well, I don’t know how you expect me to compete with that.”

“She has changed some for the better. She just needs to grow up a bit more.”

“Or perhaps the men are willing to overlook any fault if they know she is your heir.” 

“Please will you do this for me?”

“Oh, all right. But she won’t even let me see her.”

“I’ve got the perfect way around that,” the old man said, smiling.