I Only Love My Greatest Enemy

Armand rode through the countryside of Foldzar, accompanied by his personal guard. Now 14 years old, the boy gazed out over the farmland. It was Spring. Numerous peasants were planting crops in the fields. An earthy aroma flowed into Armand's nose.

The boy's gaze turned ahead of him as he rode. Castle Concord loomed in the distance. Armand hardened his heart as he approached it. He fought down any sense of nostalgia or joy.

"My wedding with Eris is about politics first. If I act like some blushing commoner bride, my family will see that as weakness. I must not show any happiness," Armand thought.

Soon, the boy was at the castle gates. He dismounted from his horse and took a deep breath. Armand prepared himself for immediate confrontation with his parents the moment he stepped inside. The boy was ready for any number of tests, both subtle and blatant.

He was tackle-hugged by his younger sisters.

"Armand, you're back!"

"We missed you so much!"

The boy allowed brief emotion to flicker across his eyes. Armand knelt down and patted his younger sisters' heads.

"Eleanor, Cat," Armand said. "It's good to see you both again."

A huff escaped Cat's mouth.

"Why did you have to go away for so long?" she asked.

"Politics," the boy answered. "The most painful thing in the world."

He let out a sigh.

"Enjoy your freedom while you can. In a few years, you'll be old enough to marry. Then, you'll be in the thick of court intrigue," Armand said.

"No one truly has any freedom. Obligation ties everyone together," Eleanor commented.

Armand raised an eyebrow.

"That's a line from Deonychus," he stated.

"Yes. I've been reading philosophy books," Eleanor replied.

Cat stuck out her tongue.

"Who cares about philosophy? It's just a bunch of people arguing about things that don't make sense!" she declared.

Eleanor folded her arms and huffed.

"Deonychus was the smartest man who ever lived!" the middle sister insisted.

"Just because he's smart doesn't mean he's not stupid!" Cat said. "And he's not as smart as Philip the Great! Philip the Great never lost a battle!"

Sadness clenched Armand's heart as he looked between his sisters. Memories of Foldzar's literal cutthroat politics came to his mind. It made him sick to his stomach.

"Eleanor, Cat, I am the one who will arrange your marriages," Armand spoke up.

His words caught their attention.

"I know that," Cat said.

"Mother and father told us," Eleanor added.

Armand patted their heads again.

"How would you two like to be married to foreigners?" the boy asked.

Fear flickered in Cat's eyes.

"Did I do something bad? Why do you want to marry me to a smelly foreigner?" she questioned.

"We wouldn't get to see you as often if we married foreign men," Eleanor pointed out.

Armand let out a slight sigh.

"I wish I could be as innocent as you two," he spoke before thinking. "Under the laws of Foldzar, marriages must be made with the consent of both bride and groom. Some lords ignore this and pressure their children into marriages, but I will not do that. Even if I think marrying a foreigner would be better for them. Especially since the disasters only affected Foldzar."

The boy took a deep breath before speaking.

"Foldzar's politics are dangerous. Commoners live longer than nobles here. Other kingdoms are not the same. Their politics can be deadly, but it isn't the norm. Both of you would be safer in another kingdom with foreign husbands. No one expects either of you to inherit anything, so you don't have to worry about family prestige."

"No!" Cat shook her head. "I don't like foreigners! I don't want to marry any of them! I'd rather have a husband who beats me than marry a..."

Armand yanked her shoulders and turned her to face him. Terror was plain in his eyes. His sister grew silent.

"Cat, don't say things like that. You are still young and innocent," he said.

"Why not?" she asked.

"Many reasons, but one more convincing than the others," Armand thought before speaking. "Because if your husband hits you, I will kill him. Then, I will have trouble finding you another husband."

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The boy forced himself to seem at ease. He patted Cat's head.

"But don't worry. I won't make you marry a foreigner, and I'll find you a good husband," Armand promised.

Inside, his heart was dark.

"How did Cat end up hating foreigners this much? Foldzar is an insular kingdom, and most people think we're better than outsiders. But this level of hatred...even my parents wouldn't instill it in Cat. I'll have to talk to someone about this."

Footsteps caught Armand's attention. He looked up to see Lucia walking towards him.

"Dearest Armand, I hope you haven't neglected my marriage prospects. It's embarrassing that my little brother's getting married before I am," she said with a slight chuckle.

Standing up to his full height, Armand addressed his older sister.

"I have several nobles who I believe would make good husbands for you," he replied.

Armand withdrew a list from his clothes.

"If you wish, I can go over them with you," the boy stated.

"Please do," Lucia said.

She then addressed their sisters.

"Why don't you two go play while I talk with Harold?" Lucia suggested. "He'll have plenty of time to spend with you later."

Cat nodded.

"Okay," she said.

"Very well, dearest Lucia," Eleanor stated.

The two walked inside, and Lucia and Armand did the same. However, the latter pair walked at a slower pace. Armand handed his sister the list. She looked through it.

"You've given me a lot of options," Lucia noted.

"Some of them might refuse," Armand replied.

"And I trust you used your knowledge of the future to vet them?"

"Of course. I made sure that every potential husband is someone you would at least get along with. And most of them are people you'd like."

Lucia gave him a smile.

"Thank you for your concern, brother," she said. "And I trust that you made sure these marriages were beneficial for House Concord, too?"

"Of course, I did. That is the nature of marriage," Armand replied.

"Good."

"I would recommend marrying a foreigner, escaping from Foldzar. That could get House Concord valuable trade connections also."

"While I appreciate your concern, I'm not abandoning House Concord," Lucia said.

"Knowing how stubborn you are, I won't bother trying to persuade you," her brother responded.

Then, Armand's expression turned dead serious.

"How did things go in my absence?" he asked.

"Things ran smoothly, for the most part. Charles tried to assert control over the village Mother and Father gave you. But I stoppped him," Lucia answered.

Armand let out a sigh.

"I hope I can reconcile with Charles," he said.

"You are the eldest son. House Concord is yours by right. If he blames you for..."

Lucia started, just to stop. She let out a sigh before shaking her head.

"I can put whatever logic I want into this, but it won't change how I or Charles feel. Or you. I hope you reconcile with him. But I'm increasingly doubting that that's possible," Lucia stated.

"If I can get him a good enough marriage, that should be fine. I can get him a position higher than he'd have gotten through inheritance," Armand responded.

A cringe went through Lucia's body. She looked away from Armand for a brief moment before taking a deep breath.

"Is something wrong, Lucia?" her brother questioned.

"Armand, Charles is stubborn. Too stubborn," Lucia said. "He never listened to anything I said while you were gone."

"What did you say?"

"Everything I could do to convince him to reconcile with you, or at least see things from your perspective. I even pointed out that House Concord is yours by right of the laws of Foldzar, and him or me becoming the heir would be stealing it from you, the same thing he's mad at you about."

A sadness flowed over Armand.

"Not that I can blame him," he said.

"And I can. The needs of House Concord come before any of its individual members, and you are the best choice for heir, Armand. But nothing I could say would convince him," Lucia replied.

"Charles is still young," Armand stated. "He'll grow out of his hatred."

"And if he doesn't?"

A sigh escaped the boy's mouth.

"I dislike that I came up with a plan for this, but I'm always prepared. I could offer Charles a marriage with someone far from Foldzar. Foreign invasions never succeed, so I can at least remove him as a threat without killing him," Armand spoke with guilt clutching his heart.

Lucia waved her hand.

"That plan seems like it'll work. Now, onto another topic. Armand, are you sure about this marriage? You told me in full detail exactly what sort of person Eris is. And I know it from personal experience with her too," she commented.

"I am certain," determination flowed through Armand. "Eris is a monster, but I believe I can redeem her.

"Are you certain? I don't want this to be your doom, Armand," Lucia said.

He nodded.

"Yes, I'm sure. If Eris can be redeemed, she'll be the greatest ally I could ever have. Besides, I'm certain that Eris genuinely loves me. I can, at the very least, use that to keep her under control," Armand replied.

"And do you love her too?" his sister wondered.

There was a moment's pause before Armand responded.

"At first, I didn't. But Eris grew on me. I saw a side to her that she didn't show anyone else. So, yes, I love Eris. And that's part of why I must redeem her. I'm not letting her go to hell."

Lucia let out a slight sigh.

"Why did you have to fall in love with someone so evil, Armand?" she asked.

"I wish I could say why myself. I just hope things go well in the end," Armand answered.

"Same for me," Lucia said. "Now, if you don't mind, there are some wedding guests that I would like to ask you about."

"Marshal Staufer and Rozwialzly?"

"Yes. I read your letter. It's amazing that you made connections with such influential people, enough that you're inviting them to your wedding."

Armand shrugged.

"I was Marshal Staufer's adjutant for a while. It should be no surprise that he's invited," he stated.

"Well, I suppose so," Lucia responded

Then, she narrowed her eyes.

"However, there are rumors flying around about you, Armand. I am sure you are aware of them."

A slight sigh escaped Armand's mouth.

"Let me guess: it's about the book I wrote? And the monsters?" he asked.

"Yes. A lot of people think you're a lunatic. I trust that what you're writing is true. However, many nobles do not care and claim you've lost your mind long ago. What are you doing about these rumors?" Lucia questioned.

A hint of sadness flickered into the boy.

"Lucia's innocence is gone. She's older than me, so she was bound to lose it soon, but now she knows how many nobles care more about their own personal power than the safety of Foldzar. It's a harsh lesson, but one that will serve her well," he thought.

"I am doing the only thing I can do: rule my lands well and act sane," Armand answered. "I would do more, but the rumors are outside of my ability to fully control."

Lucia nodded.

"Just be careful, Armand. I suspect Charles intends to use these rumors against you."

"And what of our parents? Do they take stock in these rumors?" Armand asked.

"They think you planted them as some sort of mind game," Lucia answered.

A smile came over the boy's face. He held in a slight chuckle.

"Then, let's let them keep thinking that," Armand suggested.

"That would be best," Lucia agreed. "Now, I am certain you want to prepare for your bride's arrival."