— I'm sorry if I offended you, but I don't understand why you're telling me all this, since the Dunois and Delacour families are allied.
— That's right, — Pierre nodded. — It is true. Our political alliance is strong and we have no intention of breaking it. — The man paused. — But that doesn't mean we share the same morals and benefits.
— Do you benefit from me in any way? — I arched an eyebrow, reinforcing the question with a mimic.
— Of course. — The man nodded, looked me straight in the eye, tried to press me, but not enough against me. — You, Sora, must understand one simple truth: the magical world is slow-moving, often inert, and many modern "inventors" and "discoverers" only improve old inventions, refine known spells, potions, artifacts, and so on. New, fundamentally new things have not been discovered or created for a very long time. And Flamel with his Philosopher's Stone is not an inventor, because there were artifacts with similar effects long before him.
Most famous are King Midas with his "curse" to turn everything into gold, or the Golden Fleece, which can cure everything and significantly prolong life. There are similar legends all over the world, so Flamel is not the first. — The man waved his hand indifferently, then sipped from his cup and continued. — Most of the population of the magical world does not even think about new discoveries, it is more important for them not to lose what they already have, which is not as easy as it might seem at first.
And that's where you come in, Sora. What you've shown is enough to open a hunt for you. — The man paused and continued in a confidential tone. — I'll tell you a secret: the hunt hasn't been opened yet because the royal family hasn't decided how to use you and to whom it's more profitable to give the development of your knowledge deposits. — Seeing my reaction, the man smiled contentedly and sipped his flavored tea.
— I admit it, — suddenly a dry mouth caused a slight hoarseness. — You surprised me with this news. But you still haven't answered my question. — The man nodded with a smile and looked at his wife.
— You're right. And I will not say that the Delacour family is not interested in your knowledge, for that would be a lie. Like any family with a history, we are concerned with prosperity, the acquisition of new knowledge and wealth. And I, as head of the family, have a stake in that. On the other hand, I am also the father of two lovely daughters who, by fate, have unusually strong talents. Fleur, for example, is even superior to her grandmother in mental magic, and this girl is just entering the force, because at twenty-one years of age, magicians have another leap in power. Gabrielle controls the flames, very easily, the fire responds to her slightest wish. — The man sipped from his cup and I tried to realize the information about Gabby, sparkling eyes and an innocent smile.
— There are suitable partners for the girls to marry in France, but they are not, to put it mildly, the kind that will make my daughters happy. There is, of course, the option of marrying Fleur off to a man of the "Blood Traitor" type, so that her powerful magic will be used to fuel someone else's salvation. This will solve the problem of mental magic, but Fleur will not be able to pass on all her power to her children, and her personal development will not only be stopped, but also somewhat weakened. Now do you understand why we talk to you so openly and honestly? — I try again to press with my gaze, with the same result, which is nothing.
— Somehow I understand. — I nod. — Selection, huh? — A magically gifted girl can secretly wish for an unwanted mate, and magic directed by a strong desire will make it so that even getting pregnant will be difficult, not to mention the full transfer of inheritance. No, there is of course the possibility of various means of subjugation (remember the fate of Junko, Marika and Manami), up to the fact that the girl can be turned into an incubator that burns out the mind. In thousands of years of existence, humans have invented many things.
— You chose the wrong word. — Pierre grumbled.
— But it describes the situation best, doesn't it?
— No. I see my daughters as daughters, not as tools or resources, but that doesn't mean I don't care about continuing my own bloodline and strengthening my family.
I haven't asked the Delacours why they don't want to have another child. I already know that having even two children is hard enough for a gifted woman, so I think Pierre and Appolin will try again in a few years at the earliest, but not as long as a normal witch would have to wait. Still, being a Veila has its advantages.
— If I understand you correctly, — I begin to speak slowly, as if I were sneaking through a minefield, — you are talking about...
— Marriage. — Pierre finished confidently. — A full magical marriage between the two of you, according to all the rules. — Noticing that I wasn't going to say anything yet, the man continued. — We have noticed that you like each other, that you get along well, that you are immune to Fleur's magic, which she hasn't fully mastered yet. Appolyn and I think you and Fleur would make a great couple, so as head of the family, I propose that you and my eldest daughter sign a betrothal contract.
I can't say it's against my plans, but it's a bit hasty. I was hoping for permission to court Fleur, to get to know each other, not to rush into, well, let's just say. "the unknown." Okay, that's not important. What's important is that I feel very confused right now, because I didn't even realize that everything was going to happen so suddenly, like a brick falling from the roof and hitting some random passerby on the head. Improvisation again, eh, eh.
— Before I answer, I would like to ask you to answer my question: Do you know the Japanese traditions concerning the noble families and the heads of their clans and houses? — The passions had to be seriously suppressed.
— I have to admit that Japan has always been cut off from the rest of the world and its magical part is almost unknown. — Pierre replied.
— In that case, without going into details, you should know that, according to tradition and certain circumstances, I will be married to more than one girl.
There was a pause after my words. As the adults looked at each other in silence, I could see the not-so-happy reaction of a frowning Fleur and a lively Gabby trying to catch the eye of one of her parents.
— Your words, Sora, could be taken as an admission that you are the last man of the old family? — Appolyn asked, squinting slightly.
— Yes. — I didn't go into details for now, deciding to get as many casual reservations as possible.
— What about the details? — The woman blinked a little harder.
— I'll give you the details only under a non-disclosure agreement. — I answer in a calm tone.
— Even so... — I couldn't decipher the Weiila's strange look.
— In that case, I'll take the oath, — Pierre decides, surprising me again. — It's important for me to know the details beforehand, to prevent possible threats to the Delacour family's position in society. — Especially for me (or not only?), Pierre explained.
— I understand you, but before you take the oath, I warn you: first, I will not tell you EVERYTHING, even under the oath of silence, I think it is only possible with a full-fledged alliance and exchange of strategic information; second, the oath of silence on some of the information will be valid no longer than one year, then this information will cease to be secret. Let me ask you again, have you changed your mind?
— No. The answer was as certain as the look in my eyes.
— All right, let's get started.