Chapter 9: Two Jobs

The duke’s office in the palace was very similar to his office in the castle, with a large reception area complete with a receptionist and two marines guarding the inner office doorway. There were also four body protectors, dressed in the same pitch-black stretchy material suits that Ron and Sam were wearing, waiting near the inner doorway. Similar to Lady Olivia’s receptionist, the duke’s receptionist, an older grouchy-looking lady, jumped up when she recognized Jason and Lady Olivia. The guards saluted before opening the inner doors. This time both Ron and Sam joined the other four as Jason and Lady Olivia walked into the duke’s office.

“Ah, good morning, my dears” the duke said as he got up from behind his desk. In front of the desk was two couches facing each other as well as two stuffed chairs. The emperor was sitting on one of the couches doing something on his tablet. He also stood as Lady Olivia walked closer.

“Good morning Olivia” the emperor said as he smiled and took Olivia’s hands in his. Jason saluted but he doubted if the emperor noticed. For the second time since the big revelation the evening before he noticed that the emperor seemed to get unglued when Lady Olivia gave him a smile. Jason didn’t blame the emperor at all; his mother was gorgeous with long wavy black hair that was hanging loose at that moment, and reaching down to the small of her back. Jason decided to salute his grandfather as well, since his father and mother seemed to be slightly occupied with each other even if they were just holding hands.

“Let’s all have a seat” the duke said as he waved at the seating area where the emperor sat. “I must say, the parade yesterday was rather spectacular, don’t you agree?” the duke asked Jason.

Jason was half stunned. Here was the man he knew as his grandfather, always superior and aloof to everybody including his grandchildren and even his son and daughter. The last time Jason talked with the duke was when the duke accused him of stealing something from the castle. At that time his grandfather’s attitude was a major contributing factor that caused Jason to run off and join the marines at age fifteen. Now his grandfather was making small talk, and acting as if he was trying to butter up to Jason. To Jason it was plain creepy.

“There are three items we need to finalize” the emperor said when the duke was done commenting about how impressed he was with Jason becoming an imperial marine officer at age seventeen. “The first is for all of us to come to some agreement concerning Jason’s status as far as an heir for Grendel is concerned. While I am still relatively young it is much more important for the empire to be stable. I can see your point about suddenly being left high and dry.” The emperor said as he addressed the duke. Then all of them looked at Jason as if they were expecting him to make some statement. “In case you have not realized it yet, your grandfather is in dire straits as far an heir is concerned. You are the only available option. At the same time, you are my son and Jason Taurus. That will take precedence over Grendel’s lack of a suitable heir but at the same time you do have a very strong family link with Grendel.”

“What about Viscount Moorefield?” Jason asked. “Has he been ruled out to ever recover?”

“We just don’t know yet” the duke said. “With Rick out of the picture and with Richard already in a coma for three months, the Council of barons has asked me to make some decision about an heir. Some of the barons are concerned that Mount Grace might push to have himself declared the new duke if I die without an heir.”

“That scenario can lead to all sorts of conflicts” the emperor said. “The reason why we have hereditary titles is to stop a full-scale war between the leaders. Mount Grace might not do it himself but if he has, or develop a strong following among the barons and industrial leaders it would be too easy for some rogue commoner to try and do the Viscount, or some minor baron, a favor by trying to eliminate your grandfather. For the stability of the Grendel system I would also like to see a suitable heir in place here.”

“So, both of you would like to see me being your heir” Jason said. He was not surprised when none of the three people facing him said anything as they stared back at him. “Something tells me you don’t really see a way out of this dilemma either” Jason added with an amused smirk on his face. “Okay, I need more information. What are the chances of Viscount Moorefield recovering?”

“That is about 50-50, meaning the doctors have no clue.” The duke said. “He breathes on his own but other than that there is no response. Even if he suddenly wakes up, he might still suffer from some mental issues, issues that might take years to sort themselves out.”

“One practice that is fairly common, especially if the oldest son of any nobleman proves to be mentally or socially unfit to assume the title and the responsibilities of that title, the nobleman can appoint a legal heir, the second son, or a cousin.” The emperor said. “It all has to do with our governing system being a benevolent empire. We are not so much stuck on having the same blood line as ruler, but rather the same house, with a declared successor. The people of Grendel will feel more at ease if somebody from the duke’s family takes over, but not if the heir is insane or has criminal tendencies. There is inherently nothing wrong with Mount Grace becoming the new duke except it opens the door for a lot of distrust and instability for a few generations.”

“Not to mention that he has no sons either” the duke commented.

“So, no chance of Rick being reinstated either” Jason asked. He was surprised at how vehemently his grandfather and mother shook their heads.

“That will be even worse than making Mount Grace the new duke.” The emperor said.

“So, the only alternative is for me to fulfill both positions” Jason said. He was expecting everybody to negate that idea as well, or at least give some indication of not agreeing with him. He was met by three neutral faces.

“How do you suggest we go about that?” the emperor asked. To suddenly have the emperor ask him that question was another shock for Jason, but then he realized it might just be another test.

“You, your majesty, are still young but as emperor you need a legal heir.” Jason said. “Can we assume you intend to be ruling the empire for decades to come? At the same time your grace is not so young anymore and need an heir even more urgently and possibly sooner. As the grandson of the duke of Grendel I can immediately assume the position of legal heir. The issue here is timing. By the time the empire needs a new emperor, Grendel might already have a few options to replace me, provided the two of you have not already supplied another son by that time” Jason was watching his mother’s face as he said that. He knew he hit the nail on the head when she instantly turned red in the face but didn’t try to counter his point.

“While that is possible” the emperor said while also looking slightly embarrassed, “so far you proof to be the ideal heir, so even if I managed to produce a second son, he will not automatically replace you just because you happen to be the duke of Grendel as well as Jason Taurus. If I was as old as your grandfather and he was my age we would not have had this discussion.”

“So, I assume the position of heir to the duke of Grendel and with some good planning I can have my own heir by the time I am needed to replace you” Jason said to the emperor” Both the duke and his mother suddenly looked surprised, before both of them suddenly grinned in agreement to Jason’s suggestion.

“Spoken like the next emperor” The emperor said with a grin. Then he turned to the duke. “Grendel, Jason sort of let the cat out of the bag there. I don’t know if you realized what he was hinting at but I would like to make use of this meeting to formally request your daughter’s hand in marriage.” Jason watched the facial expressions as the duke and his mother considered the emperor’s words.

“But she is already married, still married, should I say” the duke said.

“I was expecting to be named your concubine” Lady Olivia said as she gaped at the emperor, “not your wife”

“I’m having a meeting with the baron of Sand Harbor in a short while.” The emperor said as he took Lady Olivia’s hand in his. “I will make him an offer he cannot refuse. I want you as my wife, not a concubine.”

“What is the difference?” Jason asked.

“One can only have one wife but at the same time any male with the financial means can have several concubines.” the duke said. “I had several concubines in my life but I am too old to need a woman running my life.”

“As emperor I can and do have a couple of concubines.” The emperor said. “While any offspring from a concubine can legally be acknowledged, it is not an automatic process. Let me give you an example. I have currently three concubines and each of them gave me a daughter but no sons. I have to publicly acknowledge each of my daughters as my legal offspring. If I marry your mother and she give me another son, he will automatically be seen as my legal offspring even if I never publicly acknowledge him. If any of my concubines gave me a son, I would have had the option of acknowledging both you and him as my sons, and then decide which one will be my heir. By giving you that medal, and the name Jason Taurus, I publicly acknowledged you as my son. The heir part comes later after the council of dukes have approved of you as well, which will be just a formality since I already made you the head of house Taurus.”

“It might be advantageous if you were to select a concubine or two from Grendel’s upper families and start producing offspring as soon as possible” the duke said. “I find your solution totally acceptable, provided your majesty also approve.”

“I approve, especially if you also soon grab a cute young concubine from one of the upper families on Secundus.” the emperor said with a smirk on his face. “Strictly speaking your mother can only be my concubine, but since she was a virgin when I first met her, and then produced you, I have decided to make her my wife. The Imperial Council will still need to be convinced of that, but seeing how you turned out, I doubt if I will have problems with them. Just so you know, as the future emperor, you have to be very careful of picking your official wife. It sometimes is more tricky to convince the council than the girl herself.”

“She needs to be a virgin?” Jason asked.

“Preferably, but not a legal requirement.” The emperor replied. “Her primary characteristics needs to be more in line with not being manipulative, socially adept, and supportive of her husband, with the most important characteristic being that the council approve of her.”

“I got the impression you have developed a dislike in the daughters of Viscount Mount Grace” Lady Olivia said as she gave Jason a teasing look.

“Well, I like the youngest Osborne daughter but she is only fourteen” Jason said.

“It might have been an issue if you were thirty, but you are only three years older than her.” Lady Olivia said as her smirk got bigger. “I can’t wait to see the look on Lady Simone’s face when you declare Lotus to be your concubine.”

“I was referring to her age, not our age difference” Jason said.

“The minimum age of consent, and to get married, is an artificial concept” the duke said. “If she is old enough to bear children and her sire agrees then she is old enough to become your concubine” Jason noticed as both the emperor and his mother nodded their heads.

“Olivia, when I depart for Secundus I will take you with me. We will formally get married on Secundus” the emperor said as he stood. “You should start packing. In the meantime, I have to see a certain baron about something. Jason, I want you to be at my side when I talk to Oscar deWitt.” Jason stood, bowed to his mother and grandfather, and followed the emperor out of the duke’s office.

“I have invited the baron of Sand Harbor for a meeting of utmost importance but the message I sent him never stated who I am, or exactly who he is meeting with.” The emperor said to Jason as they walked out. “Since the meeting place just stated the ducal palace, he might very well assume he is meeting with the duke. I can just order him to do my bidding but that is not how I operate. I want him to volunteer to divorce your mother. I will even let him keep her dowry except I didn’t give that to him. I happen to know more about his private life than he wants anybody outside of his immediate family to know.”

As Jason and the emperor walked through the outer office towards the exit, the doors opened and a distraught Lady Sylvia came storming in. She was obviously crying and nearly ran into Jason and the emperor.

“Lady Sylvia?” Jason asked as he grabbed her by her shoulders to stop her from falling. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Richard” she sobbed. Jason looked at the emperor, who nodded towards the inner office.

“Take her there” he said. Jason found himself with his aunt in his arms as she clung to him. As he led her into the duke’s inner office, Lady Sylvia looked up at Jason with a look of surprise.

“You are suddenly a real man” she muttered.

“What’s wrong?” Lady Olivia asked as she and the duke came towards them.

“The doctors just confirmed our worst fear” Lady Silvia said as she let go of Jason and hugged Lady Olivia. “Richard’s mind is gone. He is in a permanent vegetative state. It is only his brain stem that is keeping him alive and breathing.”

“How sure are they?” the duke asked.

“They did brain scans” Lady Sylvia said. She seemed to have calmed down slightly. “There is no higher brain activity from the actual brain, just from the brain stem. They say he will continue to breath but will eventually just stop. Look here...,” She dug in her purse and pulled out a medallion on a gray and red ribbon, handing it to the duke.

“His medallion, it’s gone dormant” the duke said. “He is actually gone”

Jason stood watching as his mother and grandfather comfort his aunt as they sympathize with her. The emperor had returned as well and stood near the door watching the whole scene. Then he waved at Jason to join him.

“I suspect Lady Sylvia’s biggest concern right now is her own future.” He said to Jason in a low voice. “For all practical purpose she lost her husband three months ago. Based on the research I did into your family before I got here, I doubt if she loved him very much. Like a lot of noble marriages, hers was a marriage of convenience, a business contract. Now she has her status and her daughters to be concerned about.”

“You mean the duke might just let her go, take away her title?” Jason asked in surprise.

“While she is addressed as Viscountess, that title is an honorary title, based on her husband’s title which is real but still an honorary title and thus not inherited.” The emperor said. “Her official title would have been Duchess if her husband succeeded your grandfather but will now never happen.”

“So for all practical purposes she is a commoner?” Jason asked.

“If her husband died after he became the next duke, she would have had the title of dowager duchess for life, no matter who became the new duke.” The emperor explained. “I doubt if your grandfather would kick her out, she is still the mother of his granddaughters. No, she is much more concerned about her financial situation and the future of her daughters. Clarissa is a huge problem for her at this stage. Don’t ask me, I have not been told everything but I can guess what the real problem is. You can help everybody if you were to become the protege of your cousins. Chloe has a huge crush on you anyway.”

“Your majesty, Jason” the duke called to them. “I would like to institute what we discussed immediately, if you concur”

“You have my support” the emperor said to the duke as both of them looked at Jason.

“Would you accept the status as my heir?” the duke asked Jason.

“He would, father,” Lady Olivia suddenly intervened, “as soon as you withdraw all accusations of Jason having stolen the gold coins you accused him of.”

“So, it was gold coins?” Jason asked in surprise.

“Rick accused you, and even planted some of the coins in your room” the duke said. “The problem was that you had no idea where the coins were kept and you had no opportunity to spend any of it. I never did more than make as if I was accusing you, in order to clear you from those accusations. You disappeared before I could clear your name. Unfortunately, we found the real evidence we needed only a couple of months later in Rick’s room, evidence that he actually framed you to cover his stealing the coins and other valuables. From there he just went from bad to worse.”

“Richard and I knew Rick was going to be a problem but we decided to ignore the signs” Lady Sylvia suddenly added. “I’m so sorry. We really wanted to believe you were the culprit, because that would have meant I was not the mother of a thief. Can you ever forgive me?” Jason’s response was to take his aunt in his arms and hug her.

“Would you allow me to be Clarissa’s and Chloe’s guardians?” Jason asked softly. Lady Sylvia looked up into Jason’s eyes with her huge eyes, a surprised look on her face.

“You would do that for them?” she asked.

“I always loved Chloe like a sister, and Clarissa is rather special to me even if she ignored me for most of my life.” Jason said. “After all, they are still family.”

“I hereby apologize for accusing you and appoint you as my legal heir” The duke touched his own medallion to the one Lady Sylvia handed to him. Then he stepped closer to Jason and put the ribbon over his head. Jason just watched as the duke took his thumb and pressed it against the face of the medallion he just placed over Jason’s neck. He again felt the slight prick and feeling of warmth. Then he hugged Jason.

“I’m totally convinced you are more than worthy of this title.” The duke said. “Now you have two homes, here on Grendel and on Secundus. I hope to have you live here more than on Secundus but I will understand if you need to be elsewhere.” Then he turned to the emperor. “The formal proclamation will be made within the hour, your majesty. Jason, while the title of viscount is lower than that of earl, your title carries a lot more authority here on Grendel. You might have the same rank as Mount Grace but as my legal heir you can make decisions in my name.”

“I need Jason for my next appointment” the emperor said as he waved at Jason to follow him.

The emperor led Jason to a smaller empty office near the palace’s main entrance. It didn’t look as if anybody was using the office. Obviously, the combined group of body protectors examined every nook and cranny of the office, including a hidden room off the inner office before they allowed Jason and the emperor into the office suite. Other than some wall decorations and typical office furniture there was nothing much in the office. The two walked in and looked around before the emperor nodded towards the couch, indicating Jason should sit as Ron and Sam as well as the four body protectors of the emperor waited in the outer office along with a receptionist borrowed from the palace public relations office.

“The baron of Sand Harbor should be here shortly” the emperor said. “I would like for you to feel him out about releasing your mother as his baroness. As Viscount Moorefield you have the necessary authority to make decisions concerning your mother’s dowry. If your mother was not married you would now be her official guardian as well.”

“Not the duke?” Jason asked in surprise.

“He as well, but as the duke’s official heir and holder of his minor title you have a lot of the same authority and responsibilities as the duke. It is expected of you to know all the duke’s responsibilities and businesses. You can make a lot of independent decisions, some on your own but for some decisions you only need to consult the duke after you decided. I will be watching this meeting from there” the emperor said as he pointed to a hidden doorway. “Depending on how the baron respond I might or might not make an entrance.”

“Were you serious about me taking a number of concubines?” Jason asked the emperor.

“Very serious.” The Emperor said. They were having coffee while they waited for Sand Harbor to arrive. “Any adult male in the empire can have as many concubines as he can financially support. The reason behind that is the unbalanced numbers between males and females. Historic records indicate it was not a problem back where our ancestors came from, but became an issue when they arrived here. As the head of House Taurus you can financially support a dozen concubines. Your only concern would be to have all of them coexist peacefully with each other, and more importantly, your future empress must approve of them.”

“A dozen might be a bit much” Jason replied with a chuckle.

“In your case, where you need to produce many sons, at least two heirs and two spares, more concubines might be a very good idea.” The emperor said.

Just then two of the emperor’s body protectors came in and went to the hidden doorway. The emperor stood and followed them into the hidden room before the receptionist knocked and opened the door. The receptionist didn’t say anything as she showed Oscar deWitt into the office.

As Jason stood, he saw Oscar has brought his sister and her two children as well. Clara, Oscar’s widowed sister was about six months pregnant. Reginald was as tall as his dad but a lot plumper. Roxanne was very much like Jason remembered her except she was now sexy as well as cute since she had grown a pair of cute boobs. Jason realized she should be about fifteen.

With Clara and the kids in the office, Jason was not sure what to say so he didn’t say anything for a few seconds as he and Oscar looked at each other. Jason suddenly realized that Oscar had no idea who he was, since he was in the uniform of an imperial marine officer. It was Roxy who first recognized him.

“Jason?” she asked hesitantly as she moved closer to him. Sam and Ron had both entered the office as well and both moved closer as Roxy approached Jason. “It is you!” Roxy suddenly exclaimed as she grabbed Jason around the neck. Sam was right there, inches away but she didn’t tackle Roxy.

“Who are these people?” Oscar asked as he studied Ron and Sam.

“My body protectors” Jason said.

“Body protectors? As in imperial protection service?” Oscar asked in confusion. “Who are you?”

“Honey, it’s Olivia’s son, Jason” Clara said. “Don’t you recognize him? My word, you have become really handsome” she said as she smiled at Jason.

“Jason?” the baron of Sand Harbor said in confusion.

“Yes, it’s me, the kid who was not worthy of being your heir” Jason said. “Don’t worry about that, it would never have worked out anyway. I want to talk to you about my mother.”

“She left me” Oscar said defensively.

“After you publicly snubbed her, telling the whole planet that her son is a bastard and she bore you a cuckold.” Jason said as he forced himself to calm down. He only realized he had taken a step closer to the baron as he noticed both Oscar and Clara, who was clinging to Oscar’s arm, looked at him with surprise and fear in their eyes.

“What do you want?” Oscar asked meekly. “I don’t really have her dowry anymore; some investments didn’t pan out as I hoped.” Jason glanced at Clara’s two kids and noticed something interesting. Roxy was watching him with a look of utter adoration on her face. Reginald was totally bored with the whole meeting and was actually looking out of the window at the scenery outside.

“Have a seat” Jason said to Oscar. “I want to have a quick word with Roxanne.” Jason waved the girl over towards him. She gave him cute smile as she walked right up to him, again ignoring Sam who tried hard to stay between them but then Sam backed off.

“What are your future plans?” Jason asked.

“As the cousin of that baron?” she said softly as she rolled her eyes. “My uncle is not what one would classify as anybody who knows how to manage a barony. He and mom are..., well, it’s embarrassing enough as it is so let’s not go there. I have been searching for a nice suitable farmer as husband but between Uncle Oscar and Reginald, my prospects are not great. If I had a choice, I would stay with you.” She said as she fingered the two ribbons on Jason’s chest. “I’m sure I will make a great concubine to you. These are two separate titles. What are they?” she said as she started pulling the medals from Jason’s shirt. Her eyes grew big as she read the inscriptions on the two medals. “Oh, my word!” she hissed. “My apologies, my lord” she added as she turned red in the face. Jason tucked the two medals back into his shirt before taking Roxy’s hand and went sitting across from Oscar and Clara.

“First of all, you seemed to have squandered the dowry of the daughter of the duke of Grendel, after you publicly humiliated her.” Jason said. He has been watching Oscar and Clara closely since they came in and put two and two together. “Clara? Oscar’s baby?” he asked in a gentler tone. Clara blushed as she put her hand protectively over her distended stomach. “Don’t you think taking your own sister as wife is a bit of a disgrace?” Oscar suddenly went white in the face. “I think the title of Sand Harbor is in jeopardy of being dissolved. Has Reginald been taking part in the running of any of your business interest?” Oscar glanced at Reginald who was still not taking notice of what was happening inside the office. “He is your heir but don’t seem interested in what is happening here.”

“Well, if you demand your mother’s dowry be returned then Sand Harbor will be defunct” Oscar said. “It might very well look as if you are taking revenge if you do that.”

“I don’t do things out of revenge; I have no need” Jason said. Then he turned and addressed Reginald. “Reginald, what is the state of Sand Harbor’s business interests at the moment?”

“Who knows and who cares” he said. “Uncle Oscar don’t allow me to do anything even if I’m his heir.” Jason gave Oscar a questioning look.

“I think he is still too young” Oscar said. Reginald moved away from the window and stood behind the couch where Oscar and Clara were sitting.

“He is a week younger than I am” Jason said. “I’m an imperial marine officer and also heir to the duke of Grendel. Your argument is void. I wanted to talk to you about my mother but now I have to act to try and rescue the barony of Sand Harbor. The marriage between you and my mother will be declared null and void. I also want you to start handing over the running of Sand Harbor to Reginald immediately. For the next year the two of you will be equal partners in running the barony. At the end of the year I will do an audit. If he can take over, you will step down and he will become the new baron. If he cannot take over after the year, the barony is defunct. Either way, you only have a year left as Baron of Sand Harbor.”

“You cannot do that” Oscar said as he jumped to his feet. Jason also stood as both Sam and Ron moved closer. Oscar also noticed that and relaxed slightly. “I will appeal to the emperor. As baron I have that right.”

“Are you objecting to me wanting to nullify your marriage with my mother or with me forcing you to share your responsibilities with Reginald?” Jason asked.

“You cannot just decide to declare my barony as defunct, of force it to defunct by demanding I return your mother’s dowry” Oscar said. He sounded a bit calmer.

“You said the dowry is gone” Jason said. “I’m not going to force you to do anything you do not want, I’m trying to rescue your barony, except you have had enough time to make it work. It’s time to give your heir a chance to make it work.”

“It still sounds like you are threatening to take my title away” Oscar said.

“Do you really want to appeal to the emperor, with your own sister as your wife and your barony in financial distress?” Jason asked.

“It’s my right” Oscar said as he squared his shoulders. Out of the corner of his eye Jason noticed the hidden doorway open. He kept looking Oscar in the eye.

“Jason, sorry to interrupt” The emperor said in a casual tone. Jason turned to face the emperor and bowed at the waist.

“Your majesty” Jason said. Jason noticed that Sam and Ron both followed his example in bowing. If matters were not so serious Jason would have burst out laughing at the reaction from Oscar and Clara. Both of them, and Reginald suddenly went white in the face as they suddenly found themselves facing the emperor. At least Roxy acted properly as she followed Sam’s example in curtsying.

“Your majesty, this is Baron Oscar of Sand Harbor.” Jason said. “He is objecting to a decision I made concerning his management of the barony and has decided to appeal to you.”

“If the matter concerns the mismanagement of a barony then the matter is best resolved by the Viscount Mount Grace, or even better, by the duke of Grendel. As the duke’s heir and the current Viscount Moorefield you are the best person to handle such matters, but, give me an overview of the issues anyway” the emperor said to Oscar.