Chapter 15

                                        

                                              
The events of the Banquet in Ortega Manor had several consequences, some of which were immediately recognizable. Jimena's pregnancy caused a stir amongst the servants, one of the rooms in her wing now requiring conversion into a nursery. Emberlee had to discreetly order them to not use the items that had furnished Aubin's room as this was no child of her Father's and thus not owed that level of reverence. Yes, the unborn infant was innocent of its mother's scheming, but it was all a careful series of countermoves. Emberlee would discreetly increase the budget allotted for such purchases herself just to avoid any indication that the babe would be acknowledged. She would not use Father's money, she would not allow the use of Aubin's things, and she would register the birth of the child under the Piiklani Name with no association to Ortega or Mihal. But before she could get to that stage, she also had to deal with the flood of rumours Oberon's visit, and behaviour, had generated. 
Most speculated that Oberon was going to court Emberlee once she debuted as an adult, his strange beauty earning him many admirers and the fact that he neither arrived nor departed with witnesses to see it left room for debate about the length of his visit to Ortega. Ironically, none expected Magic as the source of such stealth; it was attributed to the security measures required to protect an Ambassador. And more hilariously, Emberlee quickly learned that there was a sudden surge in requests from the nobles who had witnessed Oberon's appearance for uniquely coloured wigs. 
Inside Ortega Manor was far less humorous though. Jimena immediately tried to renounce Emberlee's actions as childish and inappropriate. Somehow she had behaved both like an ignorant fool for not forewarning Jimena that such an esteemed guest would be present, and yet she also somehow behaved like a bitch in heat at the sight of a pretty face. According to Jimena's interpretation of the night, Emberlee had purposefully ruined Jimena's pregnancy announcement and then all but sat on Oberon's lap, guaranteeing that neither Adaba nor the Vassal Lords were going to take her seriously. "If you had only been a good daughter and let me do my duty as the Lady of this House and plan the Banquet, things would not have ended so disastrously," she was wearing a strange combination of Stussican style in Xutian winter fabrics, all designed to emphasize her pregnant belly. "Your actions prove it was a mistake to entrust someone like you with the difficult burdens of decision-making." 
Emberlee smiled and it was threatening enough that Jimena fell silent in surprise, "I'm sure the Emperor would be very interested in how you disagree with his decisions, both in recognizing me as the legitimate Marchioness, and in electing me to be the Ambassador in Adaba," if the Emperor's spies hadn't already reported Jimena's behaviour Emberlee would. "Regardless of your opinions, and aspirations, you need to realize a few simple truths. You are not the Lady of this house, you are not my Mother and I am not your daughter, and as that child you're carrying isn't my Fathers it will not be recognized as if it were."
"You are such a hateful child to see me as the evil stepmother, no matter what I do," Jimena started to cry, playing the victim for all she could. 
"You aren't evil Jimena, you're typical. You lost your position in Stussica because you were outmaneuvered by your brother-in-law, and then you came here thinking it would be easy to take the place of a child Marchioness especially as you had Empress Clara's support. In the eyes of society and the law, I am a child and you are an adult, so of course you believe I should be obedient to you. What you failed to account for is that I am a child, yes, but I am my Mother's child, and that means I will never bow to you. If you find this too hostile to adapt to, I will gladly help you arrange to live in the Capital city as it would suit you better." Emberlee did not indicate that Jimena's emotions affected her, many noblewomen tried to wield tears like a weapon. 
"There's no speaking to you when you're like this!" Jimena wailed as if Emberlee had been belligerent, all but fleeing from the room still weeping. And yet it was Emberlee that was seen as a child.