Serendipity: Jovana And The Duke

Jovana's thoughts were broken by the blare of trumpets and the arrival of the King. Everyone headed for the table. "Dear soldiers, dear citizens, dear heroes. Tonight we celebrate those in our ranks that are not with us anymore. Tonight we celebrate those who have traced our borders with their blood to bring glory to our nation, to bring fear to our enemies, and to grant all of you a safe and prosperous place to live in. Tonight we pay homage to them, and we plan to expand upon what they have built." King Edward's voice boomed across the room, as he raised his glass, radiant with pride.

'Did he just announce more war?' Jovana thought to herself.

"To you, my heroes, and to all your future heroic deeds," King Edward said, as all the glasses were raised to cover a lot of fake smiles. 

Jovana clenched her fists under the table, and said angrily in her mind, 'I'm sick of this nonsense. I'm not risking anything to save my brother just to make him die for the ambition of this old.' Elijah touched Jovana's hand, snapping her out of her raging thoughts.

"Is everything alright, Jovana?" Elijah asked with concern laced in his tone while Jovana tightened her fist and squeezed until it hurt. Elijah stopped her with a discreet hug, and Jovana felt her anger melt away, and she found herself fighting against the tears that wanted to come out. 

She looked at her brother, barely able to hold back the tears and thought determinedly. 'No one will take you away from me, Eli. Not the Goddamn Edward three, not even death itself.' 

After the King's speech, the dinner began, but it wasn't a formal event. There were too many battle mates that wanted to spend time with each other to keep things at the table. Jovana sat alone in a corner of the room, without someone to talk to and on the verge of getting lost in dark thoughts. At least until Jovana spotted another guest that was sitting alone in a corner, apparently not in the mood for any comradely talk. 'Well, this might be an occasion to find out something more about him. After all, we are secret enemies in the Serendipity war. Not to mention lovers.' Jovana snickered in her mind, and approached the Duke while his eyes followed her along the way.

Jovana almost had the impression that as she got closer, his stern expression lightened up. She sat beside him and stared in the same direction. As Jovana and the Duke sat side by side, Jovana checked the look of contempt he had for everyone that passed in front of his eyes. "You don't like people very much, don't you?" Jovana said, and the Duke's lips curled up in a smirk.

"Is this a friendly question or an allegation?" he said, 

"A friendly question, of course. There must be at least one person you respect at this table," Jovana said, and the Duke smiled.

"Your friendly questions look a lot like a one-way ticket to a court-martial, you know. Anyway, except for our blessed King and the other defenders of the reign, there is, in fact, one person. Your brother." Caspian said, and Jovana blinked at him.

"My brother? Elijah Stafford?" She asked, stunned.

"Yes, I believe that's your only brother, am I right?" Caspian said, his tone almost teasing and Jovana's cheeks turned slightly red.

"Well, yes, but I thought that you and Eli had a complicated relationship at best." She said, and Caspian chuckled, a rich and warm rumbling sound that tickled Jovana's ear. 

"Your brother and I are more alike than it seems. And when two people are too much alike it's hard to get along," he said, and Jovana frowned.

"Why?"

"We often hate people who know about our weaknesses," Caspian said, and when she glanced around the room and saw that the dinner was about to end.

She said, "I think I should start looking for my brother." Jovana got up from her chair and was about to leave, when the Duke's hand closed around her wrist.

"Wait, don't go." 

"What? Why not?" Jovana exclaimed, stunned that the Duke was stopping her from leaving.

"Because I don't want to spend another night wondering if you're real or just a perfect illusion created by my mind." Caspian said, and Jovana's heart skipped a beat. Maybe for the surprise, maybe for the joy. It was hard to say at that moment.

"But I." 

"Would you like to be my guest for the evening? Away from official events and hypocrisy." Caspian said, and Jovana's heart raced as she thought, 'His guest?' The range of emotion that cut through her heart was vast and frenzied. 'I can't believe this. An evening at the Duke's palace? This is so great. Only a handful of people were there. His palace is one of the most mysterious fortresses in the kingdom.' Jovana snapped out of her thoughts and flashed a broad smile at Caspian.

"Yes. I would love to." The Duke smiled as well, and his hand around Jovana's tightened. Jovana was so excited that she couldn't help but shake at the touch.

He leaned over her, and whispered in her ear, "I'm glad you said yes." Jovana blushed and smiled.

"Shall we go then?" 

"Yes, but not so fast. This has to be done in the right way." Caspian said, as he crossed the room and reached Elijah.

"Lord Stafford, I was having a very pleasant conversation with your sister. And I was wondering if you would do me the honor of being my guest tonight." He said, and Elijah looked at the Duke with a stunned face. That was an offer he didn't see coming. He looked at Jovana, then back at the Duke, then back at Jovana again.

"Well, Lord Clifford, all I can do is to thank you for the surprise. It will be our pleasure to accept your invitation," Elijah said.

Elijah and Jovana sat in the drawing room of the Duke's palace. The decor felt appropriate for such a man as the Duke, refined but cold. 'This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Duke.' Jovana thought, as she remembered something Keith once told her.

"If you want to learn something about the master of the house, look at their servants," Keith had said. Just then, a servant walked in, bringing a silver tray full of refreshments. He served each of them in turn, and served the Duke last.

"May I help you with something else, My Lord?" Felix asked.

"Thank you, Felix, I think this is it for the night. You should go and get some rest." The Duke said, and Felix bowed with respect.

"Thank you, My Lord." 

'They're very dutiful, but they don't fear him, they respect him. I bet even Keith couldn't get a single word about the Duke's business out of them.' Jovana mused silently as she glanced at Felix. She could feel a level of loyalty she wasn't prepared for.

Elijah put his plate aside and spoke directly to the Duke. "All of this is very pleasant, Lord Clifford. But don't you think it's time to tell us the real reason you invited us here?" 

The Duke smiled, a cold shiver ran down Jovana's spine as her thoughts raced, 'What if he already knows everything about me? What if we're here because of serendipity?'