Wicked Steps

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.

She brushed Jimena's antics aside and focused instead on what she could control. Assuming the Emperor, and Méabh as well, agreed to the two 'exchanges' in the Capitals, Emberlee had to prepare for an Envoy to visit her Emperor for the Imperial Princess' social debut as an adult. And plan and host her social debut a month later, and then coordinate with Oberon for her visit to Bopidee, the Adaban Capital. Not wanting to make the same mistakes Jimena had made in coming to Ortega, she'd pestered her Fairy into explaining the typical weather for when she planned to visit, and what Adabans tended to wear to deal with it. Stussicans loved see-through fabrics and complicated painting or embroidery, Xutians had more wool and fur-based garments as necessary to survive winter, and Adabans were almost a separate species in comparison.

Oberon had teal hair, aquamarine eyes, and flawless brown skin, and he was the norm in Ababa. Stussica had far more blondes than Xutia naturally produced and in turn, Xutia had the glossy black hair not at all present in Adaba's technicolour tresses. Likewise, they favoured rigidly structured clothes, corsets popular for all, but they abhorred the tight lacing popular in some Xutian styles. During Firemarch the weather was hot and dry, forest fires likely and the reason for the month's name, but down in Adaba it'd be so warm that people slept during the hottest hours and lived while it was cooler. Their day started before sunrise, stopped during the midday hours, resumed as the sun started to set, and went well into the night. To match such a unique, almost flamboyant life the clothes were richly made. Corsets, broad skirts, off-the-shoulder shirts, and all manner of accessories. Their wildly coloured hair was often braided back like Oberon's had been, something called locks frequent due to the natural curls common in Ababa.

Ultimately Emberlee could get away with her Xutian style without being a victim of the heat, but she planned to do as she did for the Imperial wedding and blend the two. He'd worn Ortega blue and silver, a black suit, and his hair was teal; Emberlee with her 'uniquely' black hair and chose to lean into the more astonishing side of Ortega's blue and silver. She'd decide on a design after making it through her social debut in the summer; currently, she still had to contend with the Steps.

To counter the inevitable rumours of Jimena's pregnancy announcement Emberlee utilized the Ivy House to gossip on the topic of how unlikely it was Father's given he was a General on the front line. Until Emberlee received Father's written confirmation that it was not his, she couldn't begin the legal process required. Looking at the timeline most likely Jimena had gotten pregnant by some lover she couldn't openly claim, and then was married off in the Game of Empires. If she had been honest about that, both Emberlee and Father would have been understanding and likely would have taken the child on as a ward of the estate because they were all victims in the Game. But since Jimena had decided to try and make Emberlee and her Father the only victims they weren't obligated to be so generous. And it became obvious that the Steps would only accept complete capitulation; Deirdre and Ainsley were all giddy about their new baby brother. They were demanding more than just the wing they were assigned, trying to claim Aubin's old rooms as 'they'd be perfect for the next son of the manor!' What little independence Ainsley had been demonstrating evaporated as Jimena persisted. It would take a lot of work to undo the conditioning Ansley had been subjected to her entire life, and Emberlee just couldn't sacrifice the time and energy to do it, not while also protecting herself. Maybe if Jimena had been anything like Mother Emberlee could have considered it, but even then she knew well enough to realize that she'd never accept someone ruling the March but her.

"How do you remove weeds from your carefully tended garden?" She asked rhetorically, not needing her reflection to answer.

"By pulling them out entirely, roots and all," her Fairy Godmother still answered.

"If I'm obvious, I'll be held to blame regardless of my reasoning, so it must be circumspect," in the political Game the number one rule was always plausible deniability.

"Have you still not realized that as Cinderella we don't even need to lift a finger to accomplish our goals?" Her Fairy reflection challenged.

"Oberon calls us Bonded, and you often use a 'we' designate now with Cinderella, so am I becoming a Fairy or are you becoming mere human?" she asked directly.

"Yes," the answer was infuriating and expected. It seemed that more of the superstitions held bare truth; Fairies did take a child as a sacrifice, but that Child was the Summoner and not an offspring. "Does it matter anymore where I end and you begin? Are we not more now that we're together?"

"Are you beholden to Méabh?" she was still Xutia's Shield even if her Empress was also a hostile entity.

"No more than you are to Emperor Andrion," so loyal to the concept of the ruler, not the person filling the role.

"What is the long-term goal you and Méabh want with me?" She knew better than to ask and yet it still came out.

"Peace," the Fairy answered though it clarified nothing.

"And what will this peace cost? "she knew better than to assume it would be consequence-free.

"Nothing more than has already been spent Cinderella; blood spilled, Wishes made, and contacts formed," as if that weren't ominous enough.

"Who's blood," she asked even though it really ought not to be said.

"Our enemies, preferably," that at least was an answer she could believe in.

"I have no intention of being a monster," she warned gently, not afraid to use violence as needed but not wanting to revel in it.

"I have no intention of being a mere monster," her Fairy countered with a smile Emberlee recognized as the one she'd used on Jimena earlier, "we are capable of being something more impressive and you both know and fear that."

She just wanted to be a good Marchioness and keep Ortega safe. "I will be exactly what I need to be, nothing more and nothing less," she spoke it with the certainty required to make it the truth. Emberlee bent to the task of preparing for three significant events to occur all bet back to back. "You are me now," she accepted the truth and lie in that statement "so I expect to be very busy until I'm on the other side of this experience."

Her reflection stared back in tentative silence for a moment before accepting, "And it is going to be quite the experience, something for the 온라인카지노게임 books."

"There's a reason it's considered a curse when you wish someone an interesting life," Technically she wasn't drinking alone as her reflection saluted her with a glass that wasn't the wine she was drinking. "May our Name become both a blessing and a curse."

"It's certainly going to be remembered regardless," cheered the Fairy Bonded to her. Emberlee pragmatically realized that only the future could tell whether she'd be seen as a hero or villain. "So you've decided what to do with our unwanted house guests," Cinderella enthused.

"The best way to protect Ortega March from their corruption is to move them as far away as I can. I should eject them to the Capital where they can live on the stipend from Father's estate until we can have them resolved," she did plan on cutting them adrift after all they'd attempted to do to her, but she wasn't seeking vengeance yet.

It would suit her reeds if Jimena were to choose to move to the Capital of her own volition, but if needed Emberlee could try to encourage the idea of leaving. It could even be perceived as in Jimena's best interest as it'd be easier for her to move now while she's still in the early stages of her pregnancy. Imperial Princess Vivian's birthday was in less than four months and the roads were already clearing up compared to last month's weather; it'd take less than a month for them to arrive in the Capital. Emberlee would set out with Oberon once he arrived on an Official carriage.

She hated to unleash Jimena in the Capital with no way to hold that viper's venomous mouth in check from afar, but she needed the peace distance would bring while preparing her plans. Emberlee again leaned on one of the only adults she trusted and recruited Uncle's people to try and counter any negative rumours Jimena might try to spread about Emberlee. It wasn't a perfect plan but at least it would help mitigate the damage Jimena would inevitably try to inflict.

More unnervingly, Emberlee had to try and calculate Empress Clara's next interference; she'd sent the Imperial Physician to tend to and help masquerade Jimena's pregnancy while also trying to lure Emberlee into inaction as compliance. Jimena's attempts were almost desperately obvious, a combination of a devious personality combined with a perceived opportunity; Emberlee felt capable of countering anything Jimena would attempt, even the unexpected pregnancy could be dealt with. But the Empress was a far more dangerous political enemy. Emberlee couldn't be obvious in her thwarting of the Empress. Clara's letter had pressured Emberlee to abstain from interfering with Clara's plan to wed Vivian to Damien, and in return, the Empress would support her over Jimena. Only that had been a ruse as the Imperial Physician referenced in that same letter had helped Jimena disguise her pregnancy progression until it was the time to announce it. It was easy to conclude from there Clara's real intentions. That left Emberlee with limited options; obedience in the hopes that Clara would keep the promise of the letter, direct retaliation that would guarantee a united return assault, or calculated actions that would not see immediate results but would eventually bear fruit.

Emberlee wouldn't do the first regardless and was sorely tempted by the second despite the risks. Calculated actions would be theoretically safer, but it was a political chess game where she was a knight with restricted moves against a queen piece that could go anywhere. And Clara had a lifetime of experience playing the Game at an Imperial level; Emberlee had the lessons Mother raised her on, a Fairy in her reflection, and the determination to not fail her people.

It was going to be an interesting year.

Step one was getting Jimena and her daughters out of Ortega, it was that or potentially snap and strangle them in their sleep before dropping their corpses into the cesspit. Not the kindest of thoughts, but one that had its appeal nonetheless.

Emberlee sent so many letters out to prepare for what was coming that she ran out of Crows and recruited Ravens to assist. Crows were intelligent, curious, and had personalities; Ravens were Crows in a bird of prey's size. Her Blessing worked on them but Emberlee felt it was more like they allowed it to work on them. Given that winter had significantly reduced the overall number of creatures Emberlee had available to charm and she was grateful the Ravens were so obliging. She'd reached out to more than just her Father, the Emperor, on her Grandfather, Emberlee contacted several of the families that were friendly with hers so that they were informed of the truth instead of being influenced by rumours. It would be inevitable that gossip would draw its conclusions, but she also knew that sometimes it's smarter to redirect the blow instead of trying to block it straight on. Like how the Vassal Lords had followed her lead on not acknowledging Jimena's pregnancy at all. She wasn't telling them to ostracize or shame Jimena;, that'd simply feed into her victim angle, instead, Emberlee simply cautioned that the news would have to come from her Father if he were to sire a child.

That being expressed, she also informed them of the new Empress' interest and involvement in Jimena's settling, going so far as to send an Imperial Physician that had tended to the Stussicans for the last month. It was carefully worded to seem grateful but was a way to highlight the growing Stussican interference within Xutia; yes they were allies and Xutia was the newer Empire but there was a difference between assistance and assimilation. If Clara was willing to interfere in Ortega, a founding Family, the newer or lower-ranking families were at risk. The aristocratic counsel that worked with Emperor Andrion could easily protest such future attempts and pressure the Emperor. Part of Clara's marriage to Xutia was that she now was Xutian and should be focused on Xutia's best interests, but the reality was that she remained wholly Stussican.

Beyond Xutia's borders, Emberlee sent a Raven out to Stussica's version of the Ivy House. Their information Guild wasn't covert like Xutia's but it had a good reputation according to Uncle Albert. She wanted everything they had on Jimena; who her lover was, where he lived now, and how she might go about convincing him to claim paternity on the babe Jimena carried. Like recruiting her Grandfather to contest the legitimacy of the child, Emberlee was willing to use a stranger from Stussica to help further confound Jimena's plot. That way when Emberlee officially denied the child from being registered, Jimena couldn't try to claim that this was all driven by her jealousy over a new child entering the family. Father's written confirmation that it wasn't his should be enough, but Emberlee wasn't going to risk Andrion declaring it Father's child in the same way he had declared Jimena Father's wife. If the Emperor could be pressured by Stussica, she'd gladly give him leverage to counter it. Cinderella had counselled her to remove the obstacles in her way, a suggestion stained with blood to be spilled. Emberlee was trying a less violent method but was pragmatic enough to accept that it may still come to that despite her efforts.

Because Jimena's attempt to provide an Heir was dependent on Emberlee being out of the picture, and marriage was just one option.

It would take time for even her Crows and Ravens to deliver the messages, let alone for any type of response to return. It would take time to move Jimena out and send her to the Capital even after convincing her to leave. It would take time for her to travel to the Capital herself for the Imperial Princess' adult debut. It would take time and effort to coordinate that same trip to coincide with Oberon's travels. It would take time and effort to prepare for her social debut, and then it would take time and effort to escort Oberon to the Adaban Capital. And that was assuming everything went her way. She knew better than to assume it was all easygoing just because she had a plan and was clever.

Convincing Jimena to move to the Capital was a task Emberlee started by fast talking to the Imperial Physician. The Capital had the most cutting-edge equipment and procedures, as well as being where the Physician's college was located, although Ortega was by no means an ill-equipped backwater, the Capital was the better birthing locale.

The Physician was very proud of that fact, "The Physicians' college is indeed the very best place to give birth," she didn't have to prompt him to extrapolate, almost giddy to point out his college's superiorly, "There is an entire branch of practice reserved for the birthing process before the infant arrives, and a secondary one for when the infants are separate from the birther post delivery. Some Physicians specialize in the care of the birther, others in the care of the infant."

That was impressive, Emberlee only knew about some complicated medical concepts because of the expansive Ortega library and her perusal for knowledge. The Capital having Physicians whose skill was birth at the college would be a very big factor in its favour. "And it would be better for someone having to travel to the Capital while pregnant anyways to do so sooner rather than later in the pregnancy correct?" she was trying not to directly point out how Jimena's due date was going to be earlier than she was trying to claim. If they waited until Quagmire to travel to the Capital, that meant having to make a heavily pregnant Jimena travel through the muddiest season Xutia could offer. Jimena was likely due sometime in Bloomingtide, so it wouldn't be impossible for the stress of travel to cause an early delivery, which would throw off the timing for Jimena's plot of claiming the babe was Father's.

Emberlee didn't know or care if it was better to travel earlier in pregnancy or not, she was using it as an excuse for them to set out earlier than expected. To protect their lies, the Physician could convince Jimena and her daughters to set out in Plue, only two months away. Thankfully the Imperial Physician was only arrogant, not dumb; she could see him doing the timelines in his head and coming to the same conclusion she already had, but not deducing that Emberlee was several steps ahead of him still.

"Of course, it'd be better for us to travel in Plue, a babe is in the water of the womb so what's a little rain?" he joked. "And that will also put the Lady Ortega closer to her husband at the front lines for when she gives birth." he had to add.

"As I am neither married nor pregnant it seems you have once again wrongly attributed my titles to Countess Jimena Piiklani-Mihal, my Father's new wife. It would be a mistake to assume the Empress' current patronage will be protection for your failures if it gets out that you lack the most basic noble etiquette," it was her last kindness to the Physician to warn him. "What will you do when the Empress no longer needs you to be Jimena's caretaker and no other noble will be your Patron because you're incapable of understanding your folly here?"

He stared at her, face shocked both at her veiled threat as well as the realization that she had him by the metaphorical throat. The Empress' favour was impressive to some, but as she was Stussica's Imperial Princess before and Jimena was also a replanted Stussican noble, it would paint the picture that he was bought and paid for. Even if Jimena continued to favour him after his assistance that would only compound the issue, his reputation was in her hands. "You are quite right Marchioness Ortega, and l am grateful for your generosity," he bowed his head contritely and Emberlee accepted his apology.

"Soon my Father will confirm he did not participate in the conception of this child, but that does not mean I wish the babe ill at all. I expect you to do your very best to see it delivered healthy and whole, and afterwards, we will discuss having you established as the Physician at the newly acquired Mihal Manor," she dangled the bait and watched as the Physician chose survival over loyalty to the Empress.

Mihal Manor was located farther west than her current manor here and thus escaped the mountain range that separated Xutia and Adaba and plunged Ortega into such spectacular winters. He'd be paid handsomely to sit in a respected position and do almost nothing except work on his research until she called for him. He could even travel for demonstrations if the need ever arose, something that most Physicians had to pay for themselves. The other option was Emberlee obliterating his reputation in Xutia amongst the nobles, relegating him to only finding work in the clinics available to the commoners.

"The babe will be cared for to the best of my skill, and I will keep you updated with regular reports on its development and expected birth date," He did as expected and Emberlee nodded.

"Very well, as you are the expert I expect you to explain to Jimena the medical necessity of travelling to the Capital in Plue instead of waiting for Quagmire. When she comes to me to demand I make the arrangements I will need to be convinced of the need, so remember what future we're working towards.'' he nodded, agreeing to help her pretend that it was all Jimena's idea.

It was the first time she'd ever had to turn a double agent before and a part of her was thrilled that Mother's lessons had worked for her. She left the Physician to finalize the first step of getting the Steps conned to leave. With the Imperial Physician doing the work of convincing them, Emberlee was free to plan the resources required to send them away. Plue was the month it rained the most in, as the entire rest of the year combined had less rainfall than these twenty-five days contained. Which was why the following month of Quagmire was named thus. Jimena would require a carriage for herself alone, including the Physician to mind her, and a maid to tend to her. Ainsley and Deirdre could share a carriage, and decide for themselves if they wanted to share a maid or crowd two into the carriage with them. As Emberlee wasn't officially kicking Jimena out yet, the aides and squires would stay in Ortega under her butler's care until she called for them to move to the Capital. Unfortunately, they'd be expecting to use the Ortega Capital House since Father had no other residence there, but Emberlee used temporary staff for their brief visits to the Capital so it was easy to explain the working situation to them beforehand.

Jimena would be leaving to attend Vivian's debut, so she'd expect a budget befitting such an outing, especially with a child on the way. Emberlee wrote and stamped access to a stipulated amount of Father's estate that they could take out of the banks in the Capital, generous enough because the gift

chosen by them would reflect on Father too. Emberlee still had to determine her gift, and then plan and host her debut without making it seem like a competition with the Imperial Princess. With the Steps departing in Plue, that'd give Emberlee two weeks at least in Quagmire where she was free to focus on coordinating with Oberon if he was to come with her to the Capital. Yes, he could step through the Mirror to arrive in Ortega as he had done before, but after that, they were in a carriage with their respective gifts.

But Emberlee hadn't lied when she said she couldn't travel alone with Oberon unchaperoned, and by social rules, a servant didn't count as a chaperone. That left Emberlee either having to travel in her carriage which was plausible, or find an adult of rank that could fulfill the role, the closer the relation the better. Unfortunately, her relationship with her Grandfather wasn't suitable for this, so Emberlee elected separate carriages. She tended to travel without attendants, entertained by her conversation with her Fairy via the moonstone she still wore, so it might have felt strange to be cooped into a carriage with Oberon for days on end.

The sooner they could depart the better, Emberlee didn't want to leave the Steps in the Capital without her, for too egregiously long because she could only plan to deal with what she knew they were doing. That meant being there to counter their inevitable schemes, especially as Clara would get involved; so Emberlee planned to travel as quickly as possible. She didn't dare miss the Imperial Princess' debut, but Clara might deliberately misconstrue that simple act as defiance regarding the Empress' goals. If Emberlee were to be damned for her actions, no matter what action she took, that gave her a surprising amount of freedom. She could build her plans knowing that even if she was perfect it would result in her condemnation and thus she didn't have to strive for their version of perfection; only her own.

She'd reuse her dress from the wedding with some modifications as needed, it had been left carefully stored in the Capital House along with many of Mother's Capital wardrobe bests. Jewelry was a common gift for a noble debut often from the giver's prized coffers and in stones from their mines. Ortega had amethyst, which due to its hue was reserved for the Imperial family and covered the March's taxes, and pearls, but none of the diamonds that Adaba pulled from its mines so it'd be best to present the Imperial Princess with an amethyst set. And maybe this would be a good opportunity to lean into the Adaban influence to counter the Stussican influx, she stole inspiration from the chains and harness that Oberon had won on his body like jewelry.

Jimena was demanding a nursery wing, an outfitted convoy to travel to the Capital in Plue, a gift budget for herself and both of her daughters and a large expenses budget for them in the Capital. She demanded all these accommodations with her hand on her prominently displayed belly, almost yelling them at Emberlee over dinner instead of properly requesting them in her office. It seemed the Physician was eager to demonstrate his willingness to comply with her plan, he'd already convinced the pain to remove itself.

"Your Physician has cleared you for travel?" Emberlee started with an obvious question.

"Have you even been paying attention?" Deirdre interrupted as if Jimena had done anything other than make demands.

"The Physician told us it'd be better for Mother to travel during Plue instead of Quagmire, and the sooner the better so it doesn't stress the baby," Ainsley explained.

"You are planning to head to the Capital in two months?" She feigned surprise.

"The sooner the better!" Ainsley confirmed and Emberlee mentally agreed.

"Then I shall endeavour to provide what I can for your departure," she played along.

"Our departure," Deirdre interjected, "You're coming with us, little sister."

"I have diplomatic duties I must attend to in the interim and cannot depart until those have been attended to," she politely corrected.

"Diplomatic duties, is that a Xutian euphemism for her prostituting herself to that Adaban scum?" Jimena scoffed in Stussican.

Emberlee kept her reaction off her face, "I shall be following along behind as closely as I can so do not feel as if I am not with you," her comforting words earned a look of disgust from Jimena.

"You are a child, I shall be the one to determine if you can stay unchaperoned or not," maybe if she wasn't turning seventeen in five months but it made no sense in their respective cultures for a Countess to try and command a Marchioness.

"The Emperor has established my roles and duties, especially in diplomatic matters, but if you'd like to contest I can send a messenger bird to his Imperial Majesty so your concerns are fully expressed," she would not let the Stussicans ruin her good humour or enjoyment of the meal.

"The Imperial Physician sent to tend me by the Empress has determined that I shall travel in Plue, so that will be the plan, but I cannot leave a willful child such as yourself alone, especially amongst foreign dignitaries. Look at how poorly you've behaved with the Vassal Lords and that audacious man from Adaba," Jimena disdained.

A part of Emberlee wanted to point out that Jimena's surprise pregnancy display was a disgrace, especially given the incongruity of timelines, but she'd already laid the groundwork necessary to eliminate the pregnancy factor so she didn't have to waste the energy on it now. It was mentally exhausting to have to constantly fend off these jabs, which was what Jimena was likely banking on, breaking Emberlee's will to be defiant down until she caved in. Too bad for Jimena that Emberlee was born and raised to be enduring.

"You're a very brave woman to be so openly contemptuous of the Emperor's decision to appoint me as Ambassador. I take it the Stussican Emperor was generous in rewarding those that continuously critic him," she again smiled but knew it held no warmth.

"Are you threatening me?" Jimena looked shocked.

"I'm merely pointing out that an Emperor's decision outweighs a Countess' opinion, and inquiring on whether that isn't also the case in your homeland. If you're threatened by that maybe you have a guilty conscience." Did this woman still not understand how kind Emberlee has endlessly been to not retaliate in the face of Jimena's disrespect? As legally she was still considered a child Emberlee was in a gray zone if she were to choose more aggressive responses. If done night she could get away with murder, but if done very right they'd never be able to tie it to her in the first place.

"She is your Mother, speak to her with respect! "Deirdre shouted.

"Countess Jimena Piiklani-Mihal is my Father's second wife, at best Stepmother to me," she'd repeat these facts knowing it'd never affect the Stussicans' idiocy, but also knowing that the servants tending to the meal would gossip and the spies hidden would report. "Deirdre, you are a noble born with no actual rank of your own as you cannot inherit the Countess title for your Mother. Moreover, the only way for you to gain a noble title would be to marry into a ranked family, so watch your tone when you speak to me; it's a basic courtesy." She could see the vein in Deirdre's forehead throb, the woman's body tensing as if she'd launch herself across the table.

"I will not have such behaviour from a child in my house, apologize to your sister!" Jimena demanded.

"This is not your House," Emberlee's reply was simple. "And if they push the matter," Emberlee swore she heard Cinderella whisper inside her head, "this can be their tombs." Thankfully only Emberlee seemed to have heard that ominous comment, Jimena was aghast at her statement and cried as if Emberlee had said something harsh.

"You are so hateful and cruel! We are trying so hard to ensure you have the love of your family and you reject us so roughly like this!" she stood from the table and stormed out of the dining room, her daughters hastily chasing after her to offer comfort and sympathy.

"If we were truly so hateful their lives would before more uncomfortable," Cinderella whispered conspiratorially to Emberlee alone. She wasn't wrong.

That temper tantrum resulted in Emberlee eating alone for a glorious week as Jimena decided that she didn't deserve the pleasure of their company. In reality, it allowed Emberlee to enjoy her meals and utilize the time to work on her various projects.

Méabh sent word via Mirror that Oberon had her permission to attend the Xutian Capital for the Imperial Princess' debut as an Envoy, now all Emberlee needed was the Emperor's official invitation. Knowing how greedy her Emperor was to expand his influence and esteem amongst the other Empires of the continent, it was easy for her to predict his approval of this exchange. She just had to wait for the paperwork to come in to make it official. With the Steps heading to the Capital in Plue, and earlier than Emberlee could have hoped at that, she'd be able to have Oberon Mirror to Ortega and then set out from there with little interference. It had occurred to her that when Jimena birthed her child in the Capital she would try to have it registered immediately and Emberlee needed to prevent that. But she also wanted to take the time to learn from Oberon what it meant to be Cinderella, and how to overcome the obstacles that were stifling the use of Fairy magic for her. Like learning from tutors to maintain her sword skills, Emberlee wanted to master this new skill too or try to.

It would take Father's response less time to arrive than usual as Emberlee had recruited a Raven to deliver it, and those birds were intelligent enough to find her Father even on a mobile frontline and then return to her with a message after. But it took so much more effort to charm the Ravens in the first place; their sense of personality was immense. Getting Father's response as quickly as possible was important, but even with her best efforts it still took so much time. And Emberlee knew time was not on her side. Too much was happening on a schedule she had no control over, and if she didn't want to be swept up in the wave and drowned by those around her seeking to supplant her, she had to bleed every second she had of its worth.

While receiving Grandfather's response indicating that he planned to push for legal actions against Jimena for interfering with blood inheritance, she also had to coordinate with the Gemsmiths and jewellers over the gift for Vivian. As reports came in from her Vassal Lords and allied families, she had to ensure that the Capital House would be prepared to hold Jimena and her daughters until they could be legally evicted. And even as Emberlee brushed her hair and prepared for bed she was coordinating with Cinderella about Oberon's arrival. It was almost inevitable that Emberlee drove herself to sickness before Emperor Andrion's official response came in.

A golden seal that Emberlee broke open and revealed the permission of her Emperor. Envoy Oberon was to be escorted and presented to the Imperial family before the Imperial Princess' debut in Bloomingtide, and after Emberlee gained legal adult status she was to accompany Oberon back to Capital as Xutia's Ambassador.

Exactly as expected.

It made her uneasy to consider having to go to Adaba before Father returned to safeguard the March on her behalf, but Emberlee took some comfort knowing that at least Jimena would have been dealt with. She would not leave the March if that woman had a chance of interfering with it, but by the time Emberlee reached majority Jimena and her problems would be removed.

She'd arranged for the Stussicans to set out despite herself being bedridden from overworking and received both Father's response and the official report for the Stussican Information Guild. As Emberlee watched from a window as the Physician hovered around Jimena as she climbed into a carriage to head to the Capital, she opened Father's letter.

My dearest Emberlee,

It is unfortunate that the wife Emperor Andrion has gifted to me has found herself expecting a child before I could ever meet her. I trust you to determine the best path to take, both as my daughter and as the Marchioness, and I apologize again for placing the burden of my estate on your shoulders. It is my greatest honour to be your Father, and my greatest wish is to be present to celebrate your impending debut, so I will endeavour to end the stalemate Guita and Stussica currently endure.

Your loving Father.

That was the confirmation she needed that it wasn't Father's babe, and the Stussican Information Guild filled in a few more of the blanks. Jimena Piiklani-Mihal had had a lover, and it was none other than the same brother-in-law that had betrayed her and sent her to Xutia. It seemed that her pregnancy was a surprise to him given that he has a wife and son already, so it was very unlikely that he'd willingly claim Jimena as lover and child as his. But not impossible given that a child between him and his late brother's wife would have twice the legal claim to the Piiklani County. Deirdre had been the next actual Heir but had been supplanted by her Uncle's manipulations. Emberlee couldn't help but wonder if Deirdre and Ainsley even knew that their Mother was going to birth both a cousin as well as a half-sibling.

The Stussicans had departed, Emberlee was recovering from being so sick, and Oberon was arriving shortly. There was nothing else Emberlee could do to prepare for the next three months. She simply had to experience and endure them, reacting as needed and as possible with what she'd already set up.

Though she did send a letter to the new Count Piiklani to congratulate him on the impending offspring; giving him all the information she had on when it was due, how Jimena was convinced it was a boy, and her plans to declare it General Matthias Mihal's. She also commented on how Marquis Mihal was legally investigating the claim and was planning to protest it, so the babe's actual sire would eventually come to light. Whether or not Count Piiklani wanted to claim the child, it would eventually be revealed as his regardless, this would be his only chance to take proactive measures. And she did it all as a third-party client through the Stussican Information Guild. They would contact him about having the information and give it to him free of charge, but if he wanted to know who had sent the information he'd have to pay a significant fee. As a Xutian it made no sense how their spy guild operated in the open like that, but it seemed to work for Stussica. Here one had to buy the information but it was damnably hard to locate the sources given that the spies were, well secretive.

And as she had shared the news of the infant with its Father, she had also shared her Father's confirmation that he'd never met Jimena, let alone impregnated her. Grandfather would guarantee that the babe would never be registered in his Name. Depending on what Count Piiklani chose to do, Emberlee could guess Jimena's reaction to being exposed for trying to cuckold Father. If the Count willingly claimed the infant as his love child with Jimena as his mistress, Jimena could only accept the dissolution of her marriage to Father, but if Piiklani didn't openly claim both, Emberlee anticipated Jimena claiming it as a product of an unwanted attack. If she was pregnant from an assault, she stood a chance of swaying public sentiment in her favour. Betrayed by her brother-in-law twice, sent to marry a Xutian General but pregnant through no choice of her own, it'd buy her a lot of social sympathy and support. Even with Jimena trying to pass it off as another man's child, the circumstances could be blamed for her actions, then it would be on Count Piiklani to prove he hadn't assaulted her but had a willing relationship with her. Jimena would have to hope or plot to ensure that the discreet nature of her relations with the Count rendered their affair impossible to prove.

An almost cruel impulse arose in her to invite the Count and his wife to the Capital for the declaration of the paternity, just to put Jimena in a situation where the entire Court could see her attempts at manipulation fail in person. Gossip would continue to spread the news even if fewer bore witness, but if the entire noble court were to witness it there would be nothing Jimena could do to stop them from judging her accordingly. Not even Empress Clara would be able to help her salvage the situation, not with that adding strain to her attempts to build her reputation. If she could find a way to being the Count for that she would, but only if it could be done in a way no one could associate with her.

After all, she wanted to be able to sit back and enjoy the theatrics, not be drawn further into them.