"I like you Lady Emberlee," the Countess had no use for the Game, she spoke directly, "I liked you the moment you sent me a letter about our new baby so I'm glad to be on good terms with you," she looked at Prince Damien, "You and the Empire I'm a little more leery of your Imperial Highness, but since you have Lady Emberlee on your side I'll give you a chance." 
"Dear, that's a little rude," Count Piiklani cautioned. 
"Wasting their time is rude," she argued and her brusqueness made sense, "They both have more important things to attend to than handing over our son; I just wanted to get the important information across immediately. We all know what Marchioness Ortega could be asking in return, but she's graciously offered us friendship and our baby instead so I want to offer access to our southern ports. Not only will it encourage her to potentially visit, but if a trade route can be established as well it'll help us settle the new Piiklani lands. Nothing convinces your conquered populace to see you as a beneficial leader as effectively as money." 
Emberlee had thought of all that of course, but she was astonished at it being said out loud so plainly. And she had to readjust her thinking of how Stussican Nobles behaved; being physically pampered as a culture didn't mean intellectually incapable. At best the Stussican women all seemed mentally astute; though Ansley was more like Count Piiklani seemed to be, passively existing. "I am rather good at making money, both for myself and my friends," Emberlee finally recovered, unable to match Lady Gemini's indiscreet nature but able to work with it. 
"See? I knew I liked you for a reason, you're clever," the Countess flashed a smile at her. 
"If these are your terms, I accept," Emberlee's smile was less toothy but still friendly. 
"Perfect, can I have my baby now?" she was remarkably direct, almost bouncing in eagerness. 
Emberlee was far more constrained as she rose and took Josson over to his Mother's arms, "Josson Piiklani, you will always be welcomed back to Ortega should you choose to visit." Prince Damien had attended to make it an official visit as guardianship was transferred. Now neither Emberlee nor Xutia was responsible for the child regardless of what happened. He could attest that the baby's legal guardian had taken responsibility for him so Emberlee was blameless. 
If it had been a terse meeting, she'd simply have handed Josson over and been done with it. But Gemini Piiklani had surprised her in a good way, so Emberlee gave Prince Damien a subtle look and he invited them to a light tea before departure. Count Glen Piiklani was so socially introverted that Emberlee had no idea how he'd engaged in an affair with Jimena. Countess Gemini used the chance to tell Emberlee and Prince Damien both about the ports they'd taken claim of from former Guita. Apparently, in one of the cities Gemini gushed about, the buildings were decorated with the shells of sea creatures that glittered with iridescence. They were spared the terrible storms that battered Northern Stussican stores, so their ports were focused more on pearl diving and fishing ventures. Rich but not resilient; the culture was more industrious than Stussica tended towards but not as productive as Xutia generally was; a suitable place to visit. 
And as Gemini Piiklani tried to woo Emberlee into visiting their County, she also unbuttoned part of her heavily embroidered top and put Josson to the breast to feed. Glen Piiklani flushed scarlet at his wife's actions, Prince Damien politely looked away, and Emberlee wasn't certain if her surprise showed. "I hadn't finished breastfeeding my babe yet when we learned of this little one joining our family so I didn't wean. He needs the nutrients of breast milk, and this will help us bond more. I nearly died giving birth to our firstborn," she explained it as if it were simple, "and we agreed I'd never have to go through that again." Emberlee made the inference from there; Gemini had orchestrated her husband using Jimena for exactly the reasons Emberlee had determined about its legal claim to Piiklani's Count title. But then Empress Clara had used Jimena in her own plot and nearly ruined Gemini's.