A Midnight Meeting

Nadira walks in, her skirts rustling softly. She simply walks up, stands in front of your desk, and leans down, placing both of her hands flat on the surface on either side of you. "Great Mother, Eduard!" she says, her tone sharp, though her voice soft. "Please tell me what's going on."
Eduard sits with some papers before him, making notes in the margins. He sets down the papers and looks up, languidly, studying the woman for a moment. "It appears that the most beautiful woman in the Imperium is standing before me.." he says quietly.
Nadira presses her lips together. "You have always made the point that our relationship is one of affable companionship, a certain personal fondness, and the conveniences of power, but /never/ has it been one of amour. You -know- the Sisterhood is going to withdraw me from you and offer me to Erich, and he's hesitating because he genuinely considers you in love with me!"
Eduard sets down his stylus. He doesn't deny a word of what she says. "He is young, Nadira, and the young always have such fond romantic notions. Perhaps even I did once, when I was of his age."
Nadira shakes her head. "You have to set him straight, Eduard. He wants the Sisterhood to renegotiate and offer me as a concubine so he can marry Tat'iana Rastanyev. As if the benefits the Bene Gesserit bring the Corrino are -nothing-!"
Nadira pauses, takes a breath. She's getting upset, and the Other Voices lead her to calm. "So tell me, Eduard. What is going on in your mind? You are far more then the dry historian people take you for, I know that."
Eduard pauses before answering. When he speaks, it's with the confidence of vast power lightly held, the ease of one born to command and the wisdom to use it well."Were we wedded, I would have taken you into my confidence like no other in the Imperium. Perhaps I should do so now. I am the gatekeeper, Nadira. This is my role in history. Through me, the past speaks to the future."
Nadira allows her tone to become as gentle as possible. She sits, almost wearily. Half your age, and yet she seems to have the wisdom ages bearing down like an anvil on her shoulders. "Please," she says. "Tell me. I need to know. I need to know what's worth losing our support in CHOAM, the guaruntee of a first born son, and the protection that only a Bene Gesserit wife can offer Erich. Because I truely don't believe that a simple a matter as your alleged passion for me can be the sole obstacle. Your influence over your son is significant."
Eduard nods, studying Nadira closely for cues in her carriage, the lines in her face, her demeanor. He was married to a Bene Gesserit once; maybe he learned. Not much escapes him. "I did not give the reins of power to Erich merely because he is my flesh and blood. Corrino is too full of examples where that spelled disaster for us. And what is disaster for us is twice told for the Imperium. I cleared him first, and to my satisfaction. Mine, and mine alone. Do you think me a tyrant for such judgement?" he asks.
Nadira turns to face him more avidly, eyes previously dull suddenly lighting up. "You're not answering the question." she points accusingly, but something about the verbal fencing (an event occuring often between them, no less) seems to reinvigorate her. "Tell me why you drew him away from the Sisterhood."
The prince answers, "Whoever slew Jeon, and Aleksandr, is capable of many things. Corrino has more enemies than I can number. I take nothing for granted, Nadira, not even the bargain struck between myself and Lavinia for your hand."
Nadira looks at him dead on. "You don't believe it's me."
Eduard knows better than to insult her intelligence by answering that statement. He doesn't believe that for a moment. "I require assurances from the Bene Gesserit." He implies that wheels are turning in the galaxy far beyond this room. "Then you are free to marry my son, assume the role of Empress, and bear my grandsons."
You say, "The Bene Gesserit is not responsible for the deaths of Jeon and his son." a pause. "We have our suspects, though. No convinving evidence, however."
Eduard sits back, weighing her words. "Do you speak for the entire Bene Gesserit now, Nadira?" he asks. He means much more than he says. What change has come over Nadira?
Nadira looks at him coolly. "I speak with enough conviction for you to know what I say is true." It costs nothing for him to know, but they've never been ones to simply lay out certain truths.
Eduard accepts this as confirmation of his surmise. "I accept this, then. For my part, I will open the gate to Erich wedding you. There will be no renegotiation of the offer for mere concubinage."
Nadira looks across at him. "It was never about love." Her voice is so neutral, it's hard to determine what she's looking for in his answer to this. But then again...she is young, and he is wise.
Eduard says, gently, with a distinct tone of regret, "Love has no place in the world of governance, Nadira." he says, although it's not clear it answers her assertion. "'Were you and I divine and could grasp this sorry scheme of things entire..'"
Nadira looks away. "The damage is done." she says.
Eduard closes the book before him, softly.
Nadira looks down at her hands. "I am a poor Sister."
Eduard shakes his head. "No. You are wealthy in the past, and the future." The past? Does he know about her link to all those Others?
Does it matter, at this point? She lifts her head to look for him. "Erich did the oddest thing." she notes quietly.
Eduard says, "What was that?"
"He asked me what I enjoyed." Her tone holds a dozen nuances, noting wryly how sentimental that seems, how it has no place in her motivations, and the soft reminder that never once has Eduard asked her about what was within her.
Eduard purses his lips. He bows his head in acknowledgement and apology of his own failings. You can tell by his posture he is not proud of it.
Nadira says wearily, "Tell me the truth. Between us. It will go no farther. It deserves to be said. It deserves to be heard."
Eduard says plainly, "You are a magnificent woman, Nadira. I admire your beauty and grace, your composure and intelligence. But admiration is a far cry from love. We are pieces on a chessboard, we two."
You say, "I've lacked in the composure department of late, but I thank you."
Eduard says, "Erich will adore you, as you deserve."
Nadira shakes her head. "No he won't, Eduard. The Bene Gesserit forced the hand so much, he never will."
Eduard says, "What will you do, then?"
You say, "I exist but to serve."
Eduard nods. With her recitation of the mantra, the window closes up again between them. "It's a lovely dress, Nadira." he opines, by way of dismissing her.
Nadira rises, smoothing out the skirt. "Thank you." she says, and as quietly as she came, she leaves.
Eduard watches her depart, the mask of his face slipping away for a moment. Regret, sadness and a certain element of--something else--play across his face a moment. For just a moment, he look as if he's about to call after her, but the mask slips into place again, and he seats himself, calm as ever.