Darkness and Hellfire

Chapter 32 Dinner?

The following day went as one would expect from the pair that were planning on getting married in three month’s time. In other words, the pair spent almost the entire day with Jessica Silverstrand designing a dress from scratch. That was the most pressing order for the pair as that was the thing that would take the longest to make. By the time they were finished it was almost dinner time and Sera and Izen should have been home for at least an hour or two.

The pair made their way to the Arbencroft Estate and were let in by the guards. For the first time ever, they were led into a sitting room that was just off the main hall. It was nice but not as grandiose as the ones in many of the stories or paintings they had been exposed to over the course of their library raids. The couches were plush and soft and the tea-table was elegant crystal. There was very little gold to be seen but the woodworking was exquisite. The dark wood was cut in swirls and curls that contrasted perfectly with the solid stone foundation and accented the maroon rugs and couch cushions nicely. The lamps were a mix of glowing stone and burning oil to give the right amount of yellow and white light to almost give the illusion of sunlight.

They hadn’t waited long before Sera came to see them. She gave them a tired smile and sat down in the two-person couch that was across from the four-person one the pair had settled into. “I was not expecting you until tomorrow for tea.” Sera greeted them.

“Sorry but there is something we wanted to tell you before Celeste or Jessica could.” Isaac told her with a grin.

“Oh?” Sera questioned. Her curiosity was clearly piqued. “Do tell.”

“We are officially engaged.” Lenna told her.

Before Sera could do anything other than widen her eyes in surprise Isaac continued: “Our wedding will be in three months from yesterday.”

It took Sera a minute to process what she had just heard. “When did you propose?” She questioned. “How did you do it? Why was I not there?”

“It was right out of a romance novel.” Lenna explained. “It was still very sweet. I’m not certain if it would have been better if it had been entirely original. Isaac’s version of originality scares me sometimes.”

“Ouch.” Isaac commented but then went on to explain what had happened to Sera.

“I see. Well, congratulations. When and where is the wedding?” Sera asked.

“Well,” Isaac began and looked to Lenna for a final confirmation. Lenna nodded so Isaac continued. “we were wondering if we could have it here.”

Sera blinked a few times in surprise before her face took on a contemplative look. “How many people are you inviting? We have the ballroom but all of the seating is around circular tables that are off to the side. It would not do for seating around a ceremony.” She explained.

“What if we brought in seating and had a small ceremony in the main hall?” Isaac asked. “Then we could move to the ballroom for dancing and music afterwards?”

Sera continued to think and visualize it all in her head. “That would be fine if you are not inviting any more than… thirty people or so? Yes. Around thirty people, plus my husband and I of course, though we would be your backdrop if you are doing it in the main hall.” She told him. “Thirty people is not very many. Isaac, I understand that you do not have any family to invite and Lenna, you only have two family members of your own in the city, but you two are heroes. I do not think I have ever heard of a wedding of heroes being that small.”

“That’s fine.” Isaac said. “Our list is small. Only those we consider friends will be allowed, along with their partners of course, so thirty should be fine.”

Sera nodded slowly. “If you are sure.” She replied warily. “I would be happy if you held it here but know that only thirty chairs will fit in our main hall.”

“That’s all we’ll need.” Isaac assured her.

Sera gave them a warm smile. “I will let Izen know.” She assured them. “Now, if you would be willing to wait another hour with me then you could join us for dinner?” She offered warmly.

“We wouldn’t want to impose.” Lenna tactfully deflected. That would be Sera’s opportunity to let them leave so she could enjoy her dinner alone with her husband and maybe their son but it didn’t look like Sera was going to take said opportunity.

“Nonsense.” Sera replied. “Cassandra, let everyone know that we will have two guests for dinner.” She told the maid who had stayed by the door.

The maid bowed deeply. “Right away, my Lady.” She replied and bowed out to complete her task. This left the three of them alone.

“That wasn’t Marie, was it?” Isaac asked.

Sera shook her head. “No. I sent her to go bother Eddy.” The duchess said with a wave of her hand. “She can be utterly overbearing about my health. I know I have a weak constitution but that is no reason to treat me like I am made of glass.”

“It sounds like you had a rough past few days.” Isaac commented.

“Weak constitution?” Lenna asked.

“Indeed.” Sera replied to both of them. “The Altian Founding Day balls are always exhausting. Far too much political maneuvering and dancing for one evening. There are still some minor ones going on but the biggest one, the one with His Majesty, happened yesterday evening.”

“Any questions about us or what happened with Jallen?” Isaac asked.

“Oh gods yes.” Sera replied.

“Sera, are you ill?” Lenna questioned.

Sera gave Lenna a warm, almost motherly, smile. “Not in so few letters.” She replied. “My body was not up to the task of childbirth. If it hadn’t been for Court Mage Harrison, who happened to be visiting at the time, I would have died giving birth. Harrison teleported to the capital and brought Pope Chrys back with him. If not for them I would not have lasted the night.” Sera explained. “That was only the most notable incident. I am plagued with every contagious illness that anyone within a hundred miles of me possesses. I have been this way since I was a child. Unfortunately Constitution is not as easily increased as the others.”

“How do you deal with that? I don’t think I have ever seen you sick in the time we have known you.” Lenna wondered.

“There is an elixir that grants a temporary boost to a person’s Constitution. It only lasts for around a week at a time but my dear Izen has been buying it for me for decades. I still get sick but it helps a lot. I have just been lucky these past few months.” Sera informed them. “But enough about me. Did anything interesting happen while we were away?”

Isaac and Lenna enjoyed their time with Sera until dinner was ready and then the pair joined Izen, Sera, and Lucius for dinner. Isaac regaled Lucius with their adventures since the last time they had met while Sera and Lenna continued to converse. Izen chimed into both sides on occasion but he seemed to be content enjoying the meal. Once it was over Izen brought up work. Izen had waited until dinner was officially over because one of Sera’s rules was no work during dinner. A rule that had only ever been broken once. Once was enough.

“I have everything ready for you to start designing the house.” Izen told Isaac. “I will have our contractor contact you sometime this week and you can get started. Depending on how expensive it gets, I might request that you give me a discount the next time I am in need of your specific set of skills.”

Isaac nodded along. “I am sure we can work something out. When do you think he’ll contact me?” He asked.

“I will send him a message tomorrow so the day after most likely. If not then I will make sure that he informs you.” Izen assured him.

“Thanks. I can’t wait to have our own house. Living at the Dawn is nice but I would like to truly have our own space.” Isaac commented.

“Agreed.” Lenna added. “Though we will need to find staff for the manor.”

“I am sure that we can help you with that.” Sera chimed in. “Even if it is just training someone for you. I know that you like to find your own people and I am hesitant to let any of ours go.”

“Thank you.” Lenna replied. “We may have to take you up on that.”

Sera nodded and smiled warmly. “Now, enough work, they are bringing out dessert.”