Alone in the Dark

Privilege

Nerini watched Keana for a long moment before she let out a slow breath. "Our Queen Regent has responded to whatever you sent her back. Whatever it was that you said to her, you may have tried her patience, but she's asked me to..."

When he didn't respond in the silence, Nerini turned and paced away from him, processing her words before continuing. "You presume the Nobles of Aupana are 'pure bloods', that we are privileged to be born into our class and I will not try to convince you that my life has not been easier than yours from the get go. I understand the advantages I have from the place of my birth but that's not what nobility means, not traditionally. From the beginning, the oath of a noble family was a sacred promise to serve the nation and the people. Nobility is based around the concept of 'good blooded' meaning that if a noble family is no longer of service to its people, or turns against the Regency and the nation, they lose their title. It also allows for titles to be transferred through adoption and awarded due to service to the crown, among other various customs, titles, and awards that people have forgotten about."
"Fascinating stuff." Kean drawled sarcastically.

But he watched Nerini as she shuffled through the papers on her desk and picked up the envelope from Rael.

"Important stuff, Kea." Nerini wanted to snap at him, though she forced herself to keep her voice steady. "You are being offered Knighthood. Which means she awards you a title for your service to the Regent and Aupana so far. There is a presumption that, through further service, you can be given a full title and estates to promote you into the class you despise so much."

Keana stilled, watching her for a long moment before his eyes lowered to the package of paper in her hands, then back up to her face, searching for more than she had allowed her words to convey. "I could offer my company security, protection and a hope for the future with that. I could raise street rats and assassins into the ranks of these 'good blooded'. Nobles can Knight their own people, under authorization from the crown, my people could advance themselves in a way that is legitimate, legal."

"Yeah, but it's not just a scheme to get you and your people richer, it carries oaths, vows and duty, loyalty to our nation and an agreement to follow the laws of our lands and the decisions of the Regent Queen." Nerini's words came out firmly enough that he narrowed his eyes at her. "Have you been offered this?"

"Knighthood? No... that sort of offer isn't for me" Nerini made a face, knowing that she could not avoid the one thing Keana did not yet know.

Keana snorted, his fury coming out full force in his darkened expression and the clipped tone of his words. "You've sacrificed and served for your Regent how long, how selflessly, but this reward is not for you? And she is willing to offer Knighthood to me, in exchange for my services? Why should I accept something so arbitrarily thrown around, when they can't see a good thing standing right in front of them? If they want loyalty, they have got to start showing it to the people closest to them before trying to buy mine."

Nerini blushed and ducked her head, Keana was loyal to a fault to the people he considered his, she just had assumed that she no longer fell into that category. Clearing her throat, she murmured. "Kea, you misunderstand me. I'm not saying that I'm the messenger, and you're to head down to the capital to be Knighted by Queen Rael and fall into service for her."

Keana's quick mind started turning as he let out a slow breath and watched her with a new kind of calculation. "Then what are you saying?"

"She's asked me to Knight you as one of mine and allow you into my service until you are able to complete such efforts as is necessary to be further promoted." Nerini offered a shrug. "I don't work for the Regent as one of her foxes, Keana. I was the one who designed the Diplomat core and am its Commander. I use it for a cover to gather intelligence for the Queen as well as a couple other things."