Page 77 of Heartless Legacy

Pax

The maid offers a quick greeting when she lets me into my grandparent’s house, before hurrying down the hall towards the kitchen. I make my way to the sitting room to say hello to my grandmother before facing my grandfather for our monthly chat.

He said he doesn’t think I need a conservator for my inheritance, but these check-ins have me wondering if this is his way of making sure that’s true, since he has no reason to think his son is a calculating, backstabbing, narcissist. I lean down, kissing my grandmother on the cheek.

Where my father’s relationship with my mother taught me that a woman’s purpose is to serve and accommodate me, watching my grandmother taught me that a wife can be just as important in the marriage as her husband. That she can yield a power of her own.

After just a few months with Thea as my companion and mere weeks as my girlfriend, I know I would have had no problem leaning on her for support. In the life I briefly envisioned myself having with her, we’d decide things together. I never once thought of her as weak or incapable. I saw how she handled her challenges, and after the shit she’s gone throughand the treatment she endured on campus, I think she’s proven beyond a doubt that she’s stronger than us all. That she was strong enough to be by my side. By our sides.

I let out a quiet sigh. There’s no sense in dwelling on what could have been, so I turn my attention to the woman in front of me. My grandmother’s discussing some charity ball that I’m expected to attend. With Eloise. I nod, agreeing not to wait until the last minute to RSVP. A few minutes later, she allows me to excuse myself to meet with my grandfather. And yes, I mean allow, because my grandmother won’t dismiss anyone from her presence until she’s good and ready.

He’s in his smoking room, looking over contracts and having a drink. I knock before entering and stand just inside the doorway, waiting to be acknowledged. “Did you see your grandmother?”

“Yes, sir. Right before I came to find you.”

His features soften for just a second. “Good. Good. Sit.” Then his usual shrewd expression is back. I take a seat, bracing my forearms on my thighs with my fingers laced together. He’s asks the same question he always asks. “How’s school going?”

I have never figured out if he honestly cares about how school is going or if he’s making small talk because he thinks it’s rude to launch into a pitch or interrogation. My grandfather has always said the easiest way to get him to say no to a request is to walk right up to him and ask.

After I’ve recounted how this semester is going so far, I ask him about business. He has a lot to say, and I listen intently. Someday I’ll be at the helm, so whatever projects he’s starting now might affect the profitability of the company in the future. Dad never talks about work with me. Not high level corporate executive stuff. He’s always focused on positioning me to network with others and to exploit weaknesses, as if I’ll be a lowly employee instead of the person to one day inherit it all.

Grandfather winds down his story of the latest investment he’s looking into and launches into more personal matters. My union with Eloise. “How are things with Miss Charles?”

“We’re finding our footing. Working on our communication. It was an adjustment for us both. She was used to one experience with Finn and now there’s a lot more attention on us.”

“This experience?” He says it like it’s a question, “Should be a positive one for you both.”

“I’m a little more reserved in my dealings on campus. She’s used to sharing her relationship status with her friends, and since we’re still in negotiations and are only supposed to be presenting ourselves as companions, she’s had to curtail some of the exuberance she feels.”

“Ah, yes. The women love to brag once the engagements are set.” His tongue darts out to lick the end of the unlit cigar he’s just pulled from the humidor. “What of her performance as a first year prospect?”

“She’s doing fine as far as I’ve seen and heard.” That’s all I can go by, because I don’t care enough to ask her how she’s doing.

He nods. “Her scores are impressive, but I understand her challenges are all group endeavors.”

I try to decipher the underlying question in my grandfather’s assessment. Is he happy she’s coasting through on the team’s success, or does he want her to take on solo challenges? It’s rare for first year prospects to work alone.

Even if they start off solo, they eventually form a group -even if it’s only for a per challenge basis- because there’s safety in numbers. Except Thea. She didn’t have a team, and her scores were phenomenal. Of course, she got plenty of point deductions for her attitude, but no one can deny that she had a lot of potential. How she’ll fare this time around remains to be seen.

Our conversation shifts again, this time to the status of my engagement contract. I haven’t heard that my father’s encountered any issues with it, but then again, my father and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms where this is concerned. He’s made his position clear. I’m marrying Eloise whether I want to or not. Based on my grandfather’s vague response, there are no updates to report on the document governing my impending life of misery.

“How is the campus reacting to the news about Miss LaReaux’s confinement?”

The latest change of topic catches me off guard. I force down a reaction as I say, “There are lots of rumors and speculations about her arrest and some students are uneasy about her being on campus, but I think all of that will die off soon.”

“Their curiosity and suspicion is to be expected, and it’s harmless, as long as it’s just gossip. But that could all change if the same people that dissented about her living arrangement last year start speaking out again.”

“You mean the families.”

“I do.” He levels me with a stare that makes me want to squirm in my seat. “It doesn’t take much for the unrest and discomfort of a few to rile up others into a mob. You need to ensure that doesn’t happen. Right now the LaReaux girl doesn’t have any insulation. So if the students think she’s a threat, that their safety is compromised, the parentswillcall for her expulsion.”

I nod in understanding. I’m surprised they haven’t already. Or maybe they have. I haven’t been paying close attention to what people are doing or saying lately. I’ve spent way more time drinking and sulking than I have trying to lead the school. I’m still drinking, but now I wait until my classes are over, because I want to be sober enough to remember all my interactions with Thea.

“Are you worried that some of the pushback will be because of how the council handled her desertion status?” His face reveals nothing, making it impossible for me to tell how he feels about my question.

“The council didn’t come to its decision lightly. We spent days deliberating and held multiple votes about disciplinary actions. There were exigent circumstances surrounding her absence. I think we settled on a reasonable judgment. Miss LaReaux is still in her first prospect year and at the bottom of the board. To appease people who may think we’ve been too lenient, we allowed others another chance as well.”

I want to ask him which way he voted, but it would be inappropriate for me to do so, but I might be able to get away with asking how close the vote was. Before I get up the nerve to ask, he says, “This was one of the closest votes we’ve had in a long time. I hope those individuals falling under amnesty rules realize what a gift this is, and fight for a place in our ranks, rather than squandering away the opportunity.”

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