056 Strengthening the Base
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Neidr knew exactly how powerful the peasant were, they wreaked havoc in the original novel. Of course, that was more of a popular rebellion led by Elizabeth which destabilized the government. In the novel, Azalea eventually came around to Liam, but not before she lost all of her Ducal resources. Neidr had long wanted to make this unholy union, but didn't quite have the opportunity. Azalea had management skills, resources, prestige, and power. Her sister held the hearts of the peasantry, at least, in Rotham. Azalea said sternly, 

"Are you sure this is what you want to ask? For to me to go against my father's legacy? For me to abandon all I've done up until this point? For what? A bunch of fools who can barely cast a spell? I think you ask too much for a small wager."[Azalea] Neidr smiled, he's thought she would feel that way. He shook his head and asked, 

"How long was your father's expedition over the mountains supposed to last?"[Neidr] Azalea frowned and didn't say a word. Neidr continued,

"How do you think you can keep this up? Your house is losing strength everyday. Rather than trying to keep it from falling apart, would it not be better to build it up?"[Neidr] Azalea shook her head and said,

"Build it up? Impossible. No noble will follow my house any longer. My only hope is to marry into the Royal family and reignite the prestige of the Cerns family. Then, no one will laugh at us. Having a regiment of peasants would ruin our image, the Prince would scoff at such a display."[Azalea] Neidr sighed, 

"Azalea, you're deluding yourself, as you know, the king chooses who the Princes marry. Rather than prop you up, he'd much prefer to break up the Ducal power block in the north and marry his sons to someone that has something to offer other than a decaying house."[Neidr] Azalea scorned Neidr saying, 

"Don't be foolish, the King had already agreed to marry me to his son."[Azalea]

"Yes, at the height of your father's power."[Neidr] Azalea shook her head and said,

"You don't understand the nobility of Royalty."[Azalea] Neidr sighed, she was a tough nut to crack. Neidr stood up resolutely and said,

"I'd bet Liam's soul that the  King disregards your house."[Neidr] Azalea looked at him and asked,

"Not your own?"[Azalea] Neidr shrugged,

"You know how I feel about betting."[Neidr]

Azalea shook her head and said, 

"You're going to have to do better than that to convince me."[Azalea] Neidr smirked and said,

"You are proving that I'm right by denying the promise you made. Much like the king will, you are placing benefits over a promise. For you, that promise was not long ago. For him, time allows people to forget. You are acting like a real noble right now."[Neidr] Azalea snarled and was quiet for a minute before saying,

"Fine! I will allow you to make this alliance, use any resource I have available to make it happen."[Azalea] She started to chant as sparks flew off her hand. Neidr cleverly grabbed a cup of water. Azalea's brows twitched at that, but she continued regardless,

"If this ruins my future prospects, I will hold you accountable."[Azalea] Neidr nodded,

"Makes sense."[Neidr] Azalea left in a poor mood, Neidr stared down at the door and planned. Before she could leave, Neidr asked,

"Oh, can you transfer Vivian into her room?"[Neidr] Azalea looked blankly at him and said,

"Who?"[Azalea] Neidr blinked and said,

"Her maid."[Neidr] Azalea looked down in thought, repeating the word maid several times, 

"Ah, she did have one of those, didn't she? You said her name was Vivian? Sure, I'll do that."[Azalea]

The next day, Neidr went straight to Elizabeth's room. He was about to knock, when he heard the sound of crying from inside. 

'right'

Neidr sighed, this would be annoying. He knocked at the door, but was ignored. He raised an eyebrow and said,

"Liam has been spending a lot of time with another woman."[Neidr] The door slammed open and a ghost with bloodshot red eyes and frazzled hair burst forth. A ghostly howl emanated from her mouth as she asked,

"Are yous sure? Who is it? What's her name? Hair color? Eye color? Age? Height? Is she capable with magic? How far have they gone? Does Liam like her?"

'Oh wait, that's just Elizabeth.'

Neidr put a hand in front of himself to protect him from this crazed woman and said,

"I'll tell you if you agree to my terms."[Neidr] Elizabeth snarled like a dog with rabies and said,

"What do you want?"[Elizabeth]

"I want you to recruit Initiates for Azalea's house. In exchange, Azalea has promised to find and return Vivian."[Neidr] Elizabeth's eyes lit of for a moment and then dimmed again,

"Azalea doesn't know who Vivian is. She never called her by name, always dog this, mutt that, how could she find her?" Neidr blinked and said,

"I told her the name and that she was your maid. If you want the search to be more specific, you can always talk to her about it."[Neidr]

"Ok, but why would these people want to join a falling Ducal house?"[Lizzy] 

"Because you are asking them too, oh and resources for training magic are provided for members."[Neidr] Lizzy's eyes opened wide and she said with a smile,

"Even though it's conditional, that will really help alot of people at this academy. Maybe my sister has a heart afterall."[Lizzy] Then her eyes turned serious and predatory,

"Now, tell me about this woman."[Lizzy] Neidr chuckled, 

"In truth, you don't need to be too worried, Liam doesn't even know she's a woman."[Neidr] Elizabeth cut him off and asked with confusion,

"Wait, how can he not know?"[Lizzy]

"They are pretending to be a man."[Neidr] Elizabeth let out a sigh and said,

"Then she probably isn't going after him." [Elizabeth] She paused and looked up and said,

"Wait, you said they were spending a lot of time together, can I presume this to be in class?"[Elizabeth] Neidr shook his head and said,

"No, they live tog"

... 

'Oh, she ran away.' 

Before Neidr could finish his sentence, Elizabeth had rushed down the halls in her nightgown, screaming as she ran,

"DAMN SNEAKY HARLOT!!!!!!"[Elizabeth] Neidr dusted himself off and congratulated himself on a job well done.

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