26 - Blair's Counterfeit Courtship

                                        

                                              
Once again Blair had a major headache, but for once it wasn't a hangover. A few short days ago, she'd been colluding with others to help Alaric and Aayina realize they were absolutely unsubtle about each other, and today she was bidding Farran a long farewell as she set out on her adventure to Cador as part of the Exchange Project. 
"You're absolutely sure this is what you want?" Alaric was fussing over Farran, ever the older brother.
"Considering how much effort I put into convincing EVERYONE of my suitability, I feel confident in saying yes." Farran's exasperation was audible, clearly written on her face, and likely emanating from her like a perfume. 
It made Blair laugh.
"Ignore the worry wart, you've got your revolver and we know you're not afraid to use it," she pushed Alaric out of the way so she could hug Farran goodbye.
Although Blair was the elder sister, she was certainly shorter, hugging around Farran's waist as she realized her little sister was nearly Eddy's height. "You must write me every week, I need to know how everyone's doing and they're all terrible at correspondence except Derbie," Farran insisted. 
"I will, and I'll bully the others into it as well," Blair promised, fighting to keep any trace of a tear at bay.
She smiled brilliantly and stepped back, letting her siblings each have their moment to wish Farran well on her journey. Calvin whispered something in her ear that made Farran laugh so hard she gasped, Derbie promised to come visit with Lady Ban after their honeymoon, Eddy merely held Farran tightly as it seemed the pair were ships passing in the night – only briefly in each other's company. Gavin picked Farran up as he hugged her tightly, openly crying while Hida stood quietly, pale and still recovering but she'd insisted on coming out to send Farran off. 
"Good luck with your Prince," Farran teased at Hida.
"Good luck with your Duke," Hida teased back and Blair wasn't the only one who was obviously confused by that exchange. 
"Remember to send word when you've arrived at every waystation, you're not just representing Taroton but our family as well," Alaric's worry showed in his overbearing seriousness.
"I will, and I will do you proud," Farran insisted, looking excited despite how visibly sad the rest were. 
Blair's temple throbbed as she kept her smile in place, determined to be the happy, carefree sibling so Farran could go and know the rest of these soft-hearted fools would be alright. Hida, of course, was excluded because Blair knew that Hida was the toughest once of them all. 
"You already do us proud, now go show Cador what you're made of," Blair encouraged, wanting nothing more than to hug her little sister tightly so she couldn't go. Some part of Blair suspected this would be the last time Farran considered living with them 'home'. 
Their little adventurer was off on her first journey, and Blair smiled brightly while her temples throbbed and her heart ached. They all waited and waved, watching as the heavily loaded and guarded carriage holding Farran rolled off and out of sight. Alaric left to his office, having multiple marriage licences to request for their family, Hida was escorted back to her room by Gavin, and Calvin had already disappeared; possibly literally. Derbie stood with Blair the longest, waiting even after Eddy returned inside. 
"She's only seventeen, but I can't help but feel like Farran is more than capable of conquering Cador all on her own," he remarked and Blair laughed. 
"She bullied a Duke into sponsoring her, I suspect our little Farran will have the entire Kingdom under her thrall before  winter," Blair hooked arms with Derbie and headed inside to escape the sun.