Work Text:
The door to the Lord Administrator’s office slammed open with a bang that was drowned out by Merren’s voice as she thundered, “So, you want to explain to me why you left the Crown Prince out of…”
Merren’s voice trailed off before even the door she had slammed open managed to close itself, as she took in Vessler, who had jumped from his chair upon her entrance and was now hunched over his desk, though his head was raised enough for his eyes to meet Merren’s.
The two stared at each other. Merren, frozen in place, only having traveled three steps inside the office, and Vessler, hunched over his desk, using one hand to hold himself upright as his other clutched at his chest.
Merren opened her mouth as if to speak, but no words came, and it was Vessler who spoke first, straightening up with a suppressed wince.
“Look. Merren. I… I could have emphasized that I didn't come up with the plan. That I didn't like the plan. That the prince spent a not-inconsiderable amount of time convincing me that this course of action was the best way forward. But regardless of whatever reservations I may have held, I was still convinced that the idea had enough merit to sign off on it.
I decided the potential benefits were worth the risk to Darmae, her family, and everyone who attended the party. So, when taking accountability does it really matter that I didn't come up with the plan? When I was the one who made it happen?”
The anger Merren entered with returned in full force and she marched toward the desk shouting, “Yes, dammit! It matters because when dealing with people in my inner circle now more than ever I need honesty. I need…” Merren’s voice broke and she continued more exhausted than angry. “Arnau, I don’t want to deal with any more second-guessing motivations than I have to.”
“Merren-”
Merren ignored Vessler’s attempt to speak, slamming her hands onto his desk as she continued. “Listen. I don't know what “proper accountability” looks like for this situation. But I'll tell you what it isn’t. It's not discharging yourself from the infirmary against medical advice the moment you wake up, dragging yourself to the guild office and trying to take all the blame onto yourself. Especially when the original plan came from the Crown! Fucking! Prince! That's not accountability. That’s self-flagellation.”
“Perhaps, but I…” He sighed. “My position is meant to handle the nobility for you, whether that’s a random noble who wants their son out of the guild or the crown fucking prince.”
Vessler breathed out, deflating in on himself, as he slumped back into his chair.
“But to be completely honest, while I do feel I should shoulder 100% of the blame for this incident, I did also have it in the back of my mind that well, Alecier can be difficult at the best of times and the circumstances being what they are …”
Merren pinched the bridge of her nose. “You thought taking all the blame would make things go more smoothly between me and the soon-to-be crowned emperor.”
“Yes. I did. But you’re right, you deserve my honesty, and you shouldn’t have to deal with second-guessing my motives, so I know I’ve already said this, but I am truly sorry for putting the plan into motion. I’m sorry for going behind your back and I’m sorry for lying to you again in my explanation. I can’t say I’ll never make mistakes going forward, but for what it’s worth, I do promise not to make the same ones.”
Merren didn’t respond at first. Her face was scrunched tightly as she stared intently at a spot in the middle of Vessler’s desk. It almost appeared like she wasn’t going to respond at all, as she pushed herself away from the desk and started walking towards the door, before she finally said, “I appreciate that.”
As Merren reached for the doorknob, Vessler spoke once more, “Before you leave, I want to give you a heads up. Alecier was here earlier. I tried to make him understand that logistically we can’t just make everyone that’s associated with the guild start hunting Tiel, but I fear I was not able to get him to understand this through his grief.
I was able to convince him not to push you on this matter for the rest of the day, but I strongly suspect that he will be back tomorrow.”
Merren dropped her hand to her side and turned to lean her back against the door; closing her eyes as she let out a long sigh. “I told this to the others earlier, so I may as well say this to you too. This is a plan that I and the others would have done when we were younger.
And listen, Arnau, you’re generally so competent that I often forget how young you actually are. God knows when I was 23…”
There was a moment of silence, and then Merren’s eyes snapped open as she took a few steps back towards Vessler.
“Your suspension is going to be shorter than I’d like because ultimately it’s going to be until I get too tired of dealing with all this bullshit.” Merren gestured to the ocean of paperwork that covered the entire office, and then after a beat added, “You’re still doing the finances though.”
A smile ghosted Vessler’s face as he replied, “Of course, Merren.”
Merren turned on her heel before pausing as she placed a hand on the doorknob.
“I have worked with a number of Lord Administrators over the years, and I certainly haven’t trusted all of them, and there are fewer that I would consider personal friends. So, I would also thank you to avoid future stunts that might wind up with me having to deal with a new one.”
Then, before Vessler could respond, Merren opened the door and shouted, “Ok, you can come in now, Junver.”