Chapter 2

                                        

                                              
The Ortega March wasn't the richest, or most powerful of Noble Houses, but it had existed since the birth of the Xutian Kingdom and had never fallen to enemy forces despite the tumultuous 'peace' of the continent. What that untarnished lineage meant for Emberlee was that her birthday feast was a Social Event despite the distance from the March to the Capital. It would be a celebration of Emberlee's birth, and double as her Courtly debut, and as such they left the March to the steward and travelled by carriage to the Capital. 
The Ortega family had a house there, much smaller than their Manor, but still quite the estate in the capital city where every inch of space was precious. At the epicenter of the Capital was the Royal Mount, a lone hill upon which the Royal Castle viewed all, and as the Ortaga carriage pulled in to their property Emberlee stared up at it in wonder. 
She'd heard her Mother's stories about the marble dance floor, and the maze like gardens, and all noble children are presented in the crystal grotto for their Blessing, in the heart of the Castle. Emberlee, of course, couldn't recall a single bit of it, so she enjoyed seeing it in person. 
Their house was more trendy than the historical lines of the Manor, but due to that trendiness Emberlee felt almost out of place. Anticipating the fashion styles moving at a faster pace, Mother had a capital dressmaker prepare Emberlee's gown. Given her own preferences Emberlee liked to wear gowns in simple layers, but the most popular trend for girls her age was to wear polka dotted patterns with lace accents, and an almost obscenely flouncy bow on the back for shape. Thankfully Mother had seen to it that Emberlee's tastes were reflected in the discreet dots on her gown and the more mature blue than the brighter blues, pinks, and yellows expected in her age group. Emberlee could even endure the black lace as it suited the gown, but the bow was a trial. It sat heavy against the base of her spine, and had tailing ribbons longer than her skirt; someone was bound to step on it. Her hair was coiled, curled, and pinned up with glittering jewels hidden amongst the dark tresses. though as a child she could only wear light makeup and perfume to accompany the jewels. 
Mother was wearing a lighter blue gown, in a far more daring cut and fit, and Emberlee enviously and impatiently wished to be grown enough to fill out a gown as Mother did. Though it also made it more obvious her mother was carrying a brother or sister for Emberlee. They hadn't announced it to the public yet, but had told Emberlee before it became obvious. Mother had nearly died during Emberlee's birth, and hadn't successfully carried a babe until this one since. 
In two or so short months Emberlee would finally have a sibling. She didn't care if it was a brother or a sister, as long as they weren't a bother. Mother was fond of Uncle Albert, but also fatigued by him frequently. 
Like using her birthday celebration as an opportunity for her Courtly debut, her parents were also using this forced Social Event to expose their 
fecundity. That way the family wouldn't have to come back to 
the Capital until her little sibling's Blessing Day. 
"My little firecracker, come here!" Uncle Albert was the first to approach Emberlee on the day of her celebration feast, barely waiting at all. Despite the very judgmental, scrutinizing eyes of the social court watching, her Uncle Albert swept her up in his arms and spun her about. And despite her serious nature, careful etiquette training, and awareness of social propriety, Emberlee laughed as he twirled her about. 
As Mother said, Uncle Albert was a rascal. More amusingly, the length of her ridiculous, but trendy, bow ribbons guaranteed them space as the spin flung them out like a whip. Her parents didn't even approach as Uncle Albert kept spinning her about in a deliberate sham of the proper dance steps. Though he did at least tone down his antics so she could talk.
Everyone would be expecting her to catch up with him while they danced, but Emberlee needed to use this time wisely. It was just a matter of broaching a difficult topic discreetly. "I have read every tome and scroll the March has, and still I suspect you know more on a topic than I."