Wicked Steps

The first assassination attempt came the day after Emberlee's debut and Prince Damien's proposal; sloppy and obvious but almost unexpected so soon. She'd danced with her Father, Oberon, Prince Damien, all of her Vassals, and even Princess Vivian until the sun had risen. At that point, even Emberlee was thoroughly sick of political small talk and made her exit with her Father as a proper escort. She may be an adult now, but Emberlee cherished being his little girl for as long as she had her Father around.

It wasn't a far journey to take her from the Imperial Hall to her current residence in the long-term guest wing, the only people in the halls were Imperial Guards on patrol or servants tending to their duties. So it was a little surprising when the maid passing them in the hall suddenly spun with a knife in her hand. The only advantage the woman had was that Father had been tired and dressed for a Ball; attacking an experienced and battle-tested General in any other conditions would just be suicide. As it was she'd made no noise, just the swish of her feet moving almost silently as she struck at Emberlee, but her Father easily deflected the blow; a tear of fabric and the splatter of blood on the stones were the only sounds.

Until Emberlee loudly bellowed for the Guards, even as she stepped at an angle to stash down. The blood sword Prince Damien had gifted her for exactly this purpose cut through the assassin's arm like a warm knife in butter, feeling almost no resistance as it parted the hand from the rest of the body. Now the assassin screamed in pain, an ear-piercing shriek as she clutched at her bloodied stump. The stomp of several Guards tramped in, circling the bloodied maid, her severed hand and the knife.

Two Guards escorted both Emberlee and her Father, and she couldn't fault their professionalism in securing the assassin before she could commit suicide, ensuring there was no other attack occurring, and treating her Father's wound. They even checked to verify if the knife had been poisoned, but the attack hadn't been that well planned.

"Was that sword you called the relic Need?" Her Father asked, face a little pale with the blood loss and pain.

The Guard had wrapped his arm and secluded them in Emberlee's room after sweeping it for other assassins, so she brought her Father to the bed to rest. "The blood sword?" Prince Damien hadn't called it that when he gave it to her, but he had heavily implied it. "The Imperial Crown Prince gifted it to me after Jimena killed Deirdre."

"How long have you and the Imperial Prince been in a relationship?" he seemed to believe it was a true Romance.

"I first met Prince Damien while speaking to his Imperial Majesty," It felt strange to not quite lie to her Father, but she didn't want to break his heart with the truth. "There was certainly a special chemistry kindled then." She'd told him he was wrong to doubt her, and challenged him to try and take her

Envoy duties from her; he'd implied she lacked the gumption to do what it takes to get the job done. "After that, our meetings may have been limited or brief, but they were all memorable."

"You're not the little lady I left behind to serve as Emperor's General," her Father sounded wistful, "but I can't say I'm surprised you decided to take the entire Nation on, you've been an excellent Marchioness." He patted her hand, still refusing to release his grip on her, "I just worry because you're my little girl and I never wanted you to face all these burdens you've had to bear." He wasn't just talking about the assassination attempt.

Thankfully she was spared having to respond by the Imperial Physician entering. It was the same one that had taken care of Emberlee after her collapse, a rather young Physician originally selected to be Imperial Princess Vivian's caretaker only. Now the poor woman had inherited Emberlee, and by extension her Father.

"Thank you for tending to my Father," Emberlee didn't want to ask for favours, but gladly accepted the assistance now, "I know how important your duties are, and I truly appreciate that the Imperial Princess sent her Physician to attend." They both knew that Physician Vera had been told to attend to any medical instance Emberlee was a part of by the Imperial Crown Prince, but that admission would lead to unwanted questions by her Father.

Vera, thankfully had a keen enough sense to play along with the cues Emberlee had laid out. "Her Imperial Highness is the Little Star of our Empire, and truly generous." An astute intelligence Vera had, an appropriate sense of what to say she did not.

"She is," Emberlee tried to distract her Father from the terrible acting of the Physician, "After Jimena burned the Capital House down, Princess Vivian was kind enough to share her wardrobe with me." Now Emberlee could tell the full truth, "She'd become a friend to me, and I didn't expect that." She'd been spending too much time with the manipulative lizard; she was starting to use his tactics of answering one question by answering an entirely different one in its place. But it worked enough to keep her Father focused on thinking about the fire instead while Vera treated the slash on his forearm.

"So much has happened to you in a relatively short period," Public records had released that Ainsley had died of a bee sting while Deirdre was listed as murdered, and Jimena was convicted of filicide and arson. And that'd been one night, it made no mention of her other trials "Does it make me a terrible parent that I am glad you were indisposed here and thus spared the fire as a result?" It took Emberlee seeing the blush on Vera's face to realize her Father thought she'd spent the night because of the Imperial Prince. Worse yet, she couldn't argue about it without working against herself in the larger scheme.

"There's no failing in being worried at your daughter fainting at the news of her stepsister's bee attack," Vera tried to help but didn't understand all the assumptions Emberlee's Father had made.

He knew her, he didn't for a moment believe that she'd fainted over something that simple. But he didn't know of Cinderella and the toll of midnight, only the engagement that had so publicly occurred; and then drew the likely conclusion of it being a liaison. If the Physician were particularly bad at acting natural, Emberlee's Father was going to assume she was pregnant.

"Jimena had beaten me the night before," better to admit to one terrible truth than unveil the entirety of it. She hadn't wanted to discuss it, but she'd checked the public record of Jimena's trial, and her abuses were listed; Father would no doubt learn in his own time regardless. "Physician Vera has seen to it during my stay."

"I've made sure there will be very minimal scarring, I assure you, General," Vera hastily confirmed in the worst way.

It had been a very long night, the sun was now well up, and Emberlee craved a bath and sleep desperately. Even her reflection was tired. So Emberlee valiantly tried to get them back to the topic at hand, literally her Father's, "How long until my Father's wound has healed?"

"The laceration doesn't reach the bone thankfully, but it's gotten to the muscle fibres; it'll keep the General out of commission for several weeks of varying intensity. If you'd permit, I can return to change the dressing and check the stitches until you depart," Vera operated better in medical terminology.

"I'm staying outside of the Castle," her Father declined, looking more than ready to ignore the Physician's words to rest and grab a sword to stand as Emberlee's Guard instead.

"How long have you been back?" Emberlee interrupted sharply. If he'd waited for her birthday because the Imperial Prince wanted to be dramatic she'd give him more than a piece of her mind.

"Technically yesterday morning at this point, but I haven't slept yet," her Father tiredly admitted. He'd been awake for almost two full days at this point, likely after several hard day's travel to make it in time. And now he'd been skewered defending her. Cinderella's idea of a wedding gift to Damien seemed like a better idea if the Empress were behind this attack.

"Daddy," she shamelessly wheedled, "please go rest. I've got two Imperial Guards outside my door, and they already checked for assassins." Besides, she had Need ready wherever required; she wasn't defenceless.

"I expect you to stay safe and we'll get to the bottom of that," he insisted kissing her forehead like when she was little. Physician Vera slipped out during their moment of parental affection.

"I need sleep before I face another assassin attack," she offered as comfort, "I will not seek out misadventure." But any calm her words might have helped foster was undone by the anticipated arrival of the Imperial Prince himself. As was his custom, Prince Damien knocked and then immediately entered anyway, less concerned as there were guards outside.

"So it begins, are you both alright?" He didn't seem surprised to see blood on them both, even knowing her Father had been hurt.

"Your most timely gift has already proven its worth," she tapped the red stone in her earring, "Need lives up to its name."

"After that incident, I'll push for an Imperial Knight to be assigned to you," he knew which one she wanted, and why, "I don't want to leave you dependent on a Relic to keep safe."

Relics were Old Magic, According to Xutian Mythologies, they were items used by the very gods themselves and imbued with their divine powers. Not all Relics were Known, and the few that were tended to be fiercely protected as their value wasn't only monetary. Since Emberlee knew Xutia's hi온라인카지노게임 wasn't as forthright as it presented itself, she suspected that these Relics were also far different than propaganda would have her believe. Prince Damien had given it to her, called it a blood sword, and said it was protection; he'd made no mention of the costs of using it but that didn't mean there wouldn't be one.

If it costs an arm and a leg to use, we'll just have to make sure it's someone else's, Cinderella whispered to her. Considering that Emberlee had done exactly that to the assassin, she really couldn't admonish her Fairy self.

"This is an awfully quick attack on someone who only became your fiancée today," her Father was quick to point out, not at all oblivious to how the Game was played.

"An engagement gift from the Empress no doubt," Emberlee helpfully filled in.

"Not that we'll be able to prove it; she's not that sloppy even if the assassin was," Prince Damien agreed.

"It would not be the first time Empress Clara tried to remove a potential threat," her Father spoke up, surprising her. "I had to attend the signing between Stussica and Guita, the Stussican delegate insisted in fact. And on the return trip, we were ambushed by a fairly large group of bandits." He'd survived but Emberlee still felt a sickening pulse of dread to hear how casually her Father was discussing being set upon by a well-armed group in what was supposed to be Secured lands. "The bodies revealed no source of their affiliation, but the one that survived the longest begged for his life in Stussican."

It made sense to eliminate a wildly successful General after he'd achieved their goals; it'd deprive Xutia of his skills and the benefits of his reputation. It also would have devastated Emberlee at a time when that would have had a significant impact on what occurred. More evidence that Clara had been a part of the alliance because Stussica wanted to claim Xutia before it could recover. Father's Majors and Captains were all capable and experienced under his tutelage, but they lacked the gravitas Father had in negotiations. He'd been the Ambassador with the Dudian Confederation before Xutia moved to claim the Traimore States, and they'd agreed to stay out if he stayed out of theirs. After claiming the entirety of Traimore Father then confined the new ownership of those lands ended at the pre-set borders with each the Tinao Hierarchy, the Nuhutan Prefecture, and the Imaegon Empire. Now he'd successfully spearheaded a joint war to split and claim Guita, and many of the other Nations likely opted for peace with Xutia as Father was intimidatingly capable.

If Empress Clara and Stussica could successfully eliminate him, without tying it to them, then Xutia lost a significant portion of its negotiating power. As a new Empire, they'd be at an immediate disadvantage, and likely run the risk of tentative invasion by other Nations testing them. From there Xutia would have to use its alliance with Stussica to help fill in the ranks to protect Xutia's borders, building a clear dependence of one on the other. Even if no outside attack is successful, it would be a progression of pressures from Stussica onto Xutia to repay the debt. Emperor Andrion was likely facing his assassination attempt because nothing causes instability like a sudden death, and even with Damien set to become the next Emperor he was as at risk as we Father. Clara had been trying to have Damien marry Vivian so she could continue to manipulate the downfall of Xutian into Stussica's possession, but with Emberlee standing in the way of that route, and presenting a new alliance to Adaba outside of Stussica's control, the shift had obviously gone to targeting her.

While Emberlee lived as the Imperial Crown Prince's fiancée she acted as a shield to both Emperor and Damien. Until her death opened the opportunity to marry the two Empires together further, there was no need to eliminate either man. It wasn't a plan of months, but years, the Game at its wicked best. But if Emberlee successfully returned with Adaban support, Stussica lost its leverage over Xutia. Unless Adaba and Stussica colluded behind Xutia's back to then split it as Guita had been. No doubt Clara would attempt to do that by hiding her own emissary in the Guards sent to protect Emberlee, either to negotiate on Clara's behalf secretly, or attempt to eliminate Emberlee discreetly. Maybe even both if the gods smiled on them kindly. As a contingency plan, it made sense and Emberlee would work with Damien to circumvent it. But it made just as much sense for Clara to have Emberlee removed as soon as possible to prevent the need to involve Adaba further.

Emberlee's first day as an adult had dawned bloody and full of intrigue, and as exhausted as she was, she wasn't at all bored. "Now that you're back," with the wars over he should finally be given a chance to rest. There was going to be the obligatory Victory celebration in his honour, "She'll use every social trick to obligate you to stay in the Capital, and away from your support base."

"Your Uncle has already suggested that I reside at his House until we've rebuilt the Ortega House," that would be an amusing combination. But it made sense, it would demonstrate that the Southern and Northern Marches were united. And even if Grandfather still wouldn't speak to Father, the Mihal March had shown it stood with Ortega when he'd submitted the paternity investigation. The Roblee March was too weak to be of much assistance in the matter, and Dantos was still adjusting to Dukedom and faced off with Stussica directly. "And he has suggested that I attend poker matches with him to meet his neighbouring families."

"You should tell him to start courting the niece of Abeita," Emberlee countered with wry amusement.

Both Prince Damien and her Father were smart enough to see the political value of tying the Prince's maternal family to hers beyond their engagement. Abeita supported the Imperial Prince and not the Empress, and they were a Dukedom so their opposition was not inconsiderable. The niece in question was none other than socialite powerhouse, Lady Igraine, notorious for her multiple broken engagements to a series of men and women over the years; all driven by the needs of her family.

"He doesn't have to marry her if they're both disinclined to it, but even an alleged affair between them would show that the border facing them was solidly against Stussican interference." Father was ever the romantic, even for a Rouge like Uncle Albert. Likewise, if Father could bring himself to entertain the idea, it'd be politically astute for him to court either one of Monske's granddaughters or possibly seek Martellaro's favour by pairing with their second daughter. Age-wise, the Monske women were all younger than Father by at least ten years, but Martello's second daughter was older by a couple. He'd agreed to the marriage with Jimena because his Emperor had arranged it, but otherwise, Emberlee knew he'd never considered moving on from Mother. If she asked him now, he'd do it to help protect her in a heartbeat, regardless of his feelings.

"It runs in the family I see," Prince Damien was wry, "You're both tired, and rather filthy, but here you are masterminding the future." He was as aware as she was of what additional support her Father could provide, but thankfully he was following her lead in not suggesting it out loud. Likely he was playing nice because he has an ulterior motive of his own; manipulative lizard.

"You're not wrong about being tired and filthy your Imperial Highness," Father stayed on topic, "so with your permission, I'll depart first to do what preparations I can today."

"Please give my regards, and thanks to Marquis Grunberg," Prince Damien accepted.

Since Father was staying with Uncle Albert, he'd pass along the events of the morning and the plan going forward. Poor Uncle Albert had been complaining about his Vassals applying pressure and now Emberlee was doing this. But it also occurred to her that maybe Uncle Albert had held out so long just in case he could be used like this to help her. He wouldn't do anything that'd hurt Grunberg, but he was like her in that he didn't require romance for a marriage. Besides, Emberlee had faith in her Uncle's ability to charm any woman into loving him.

"I never expected the General, whom many call the god of war incarnate, to be so endearingly romantic," he waited to remark until after Father left.

"He loved my Mother so much that her death left a hole in him that'll never be filled," she admitted.

"And that's why you've resolved that a marriage of political power was better, though I am sorry this isn't the plan you had outlined for yourself, " he shrugged.

"Don't worry Damien, you'll do," she tiredly teased.

"Since the attack occurred so close to your room here," he changed the topic, "I've had you moved to the Imperial Wing where it's heavily guarded." Even though she wasn't the Imperial Crown Princess yet it wouldn't be argued against given how quickly this attack had occurred. Even if they couldn't pin it on the Empress, they could still use the against her. Living in the Imperial wing would make it significantly harder to kill Emberlee, at least until she left for Adaba. And it'd reinforce in the eyes of the social world that she was all but married to the Prince already. How else could they use this?

"Given what Vivian said while drinking with Oberon, if we find someone pretty enough she'd entertain the idea of courtship," she'd have to research the books Vivian read to see if there were a consistent theme for the men the Princess preferred.

"We don't have anyone as pretty as Oberon," he admitted with a grimace of distaste. Xutian men tended to be solidly built, able to survive the temperatures and terrain variances the Nation contained, and each had his handsome appeal, but Oberon was known as 'the pretty' for a reason.

"She wanted to see the world, if not a marriage can we set her as an Ambassador to somewhere harmless?" It was a long shot, Vivian still mostly obeyed her Mother but could think for herself which Ainsley had lacked.

All of the Nations rear Stussica would automatically be excluded for obvious reasons, Kulotis was a possibility but they had two eligible sons that she knew of. The goal wasn't to give Stussica the connection, but Xutia. It had to be somewhere she could go that would benefit Xutia and not Stussica, and not somewhere that'd want a marriage connection. "Maphate Dynasty," they said in unison, likely following the same logical requirements.

The Maphate Dynasty was the Westernmost Nation, and they had nothing but contempt for the Stussican lackadaisical life on the Eastern coast. Maphate had the largest land mass of any of the Southern continent Nations, and it included all the temperate zones the other faced, as well as containing an inland sea. The weather was always at the extreme, the people kept strict codes of conduct simply to survive, and each district of the Dynasty had its own rich culture of superstitions and beliefs. They might tolerate Vivian as Xutia's Imperial Princess, but they'd accept no scheming on Stussica's behalf. Not only would it suit their needs, but it also fulfilled Vivian's wish to explore distant places for herself, and they would treat her like an esteemed guest because friendliness to Xutia opened a possible trade route to their coasts, the first cross-continent trade route. Now that Xutia had taken over Traimore, there were only limited Nations to include in a trade route agreement; Maphate to Xutia through Kulotis directly would be the easiest, but it would likely face the greatest tribulations; the Confederation was still looking to expand. A safer route would be to go through Northern Xutia to the Tinao Hierarchy, then through Pirin and into Maphate; that would put them near their northern sea and take the longest but avoid only impending conflict between the Dudian Confederacy and Kulotis. Unless the Confederacy surprised them all and ignored Kulotis to go for the Stetor Tribes. Highly unlikely as they were understandably hostile to such things.

"It'll take months for the fastest messenger to even arrive there, we'll already be returning from Ababa before we could hope to discuss sending her," he pointed out the restrictions, "and that's only if we could convince Vivian to go let alone gain approval for the venture." It wouldn't be the Emperor objecting, but Empress Clara; she'd see it for the exact maneuver for what it was.

"Did your Father send any of the Mirrors from the wedding to Roblee?" she hazarded a guess, there'd been enough gifted Adaban Mirrors to disperse them amongst the various Nobles, even if they hadn't known about Fairy Magic using their portals.

"I'd have to enquire," he'd learned from Oberon what they would be able to do with an anointed Mirror, and it was easy to assume that these Mirrors had been prepared for it by Méabh. "If you'd be so kind as to discuss the matter with Oberon, I'll retrieve the answer from my Father."

"My fiancée asking me to take him; Oberon will be thrilled to hear it," she couldn't resist the urge to ruffle his feathers a little.

"You must be exhausted, you're talking nonsense," he replied. "Now as I said earlier, this attack has moved forward with the timetable to have you relocated to the Imperial Wing." He had once again offered to arm to escort her.

"Is there at least a hot bath waiting for me?" She knew there had to be, if her Capital House had modern plumbing in the main bedrooms it would only make sense that the Imperial Castle would too.

"Of course Marchioness, despite Stussica's belief we are actually civilized," he promised with grave severity."

"Speak for yourself," she walked with the Prince, shadowed by his Knight Eloise, "I've cut one person's hand off so far today; I'd say that was a little uncivilized."

"She did try to kill you first so at most I'd say it was civilized if a little violent," he assured and gave her hand a reasonable pat.

"I'll have to apologize to Oberon for ruining the dress he gifted me already," she mourned it, the material and gems had been quite the gift on their own, and had been fashioned into a remarkable gown.

"You know he'll gladly gift you more once we get to Adaba," once again Prince Damien seemed annoyed by the Envoy.

"I long for my wardrobe again," she complained out loud.

"Send for it, or better yet take me with you through the Mirror next time as I would like to experience that," he recommended. Before she could reply to the request, they were in a much more heavily guarded wing and outside a greater door than her original rooms. "This is your room now Marchioness, it has an attached bathroom and a modern bathtub. If you require assistance bathing, please don't hesitate to say so."

"Are you trying to receive an invitation to wash my back?" Her relentless teasing elicited a reaction and Damien's ears went red.

"Soon enough," he replied flippantly despite the blush he tried to prevent, "though for right now I suspect it'd be best to let you bathe and sleep in peace."

He walked to the next door down the hall, "Is that...your room?" Emberlee had been hoping for a little more room to herself."

"Of course," now he grinned, enjoying the shoe being on the other foot in regards to teasing. "The room you're now occupying is intended for my wife; there is even a door connecting our two rooms for when we decide on marital relations." Manipulative lizard, on the final comment he dared to lift her hand to his lips so he could kiss it goodnight. "After all, we are going to require at least two children to provide the Heirs we both need."

Now Emberlee found a blush escaping her control and spreading across her cheeks, "soon enough, but not tonight," she replied as coolly as possible before going into her room without further hesitation.

It was grand, serving as the permanent residence of the Imperial Crown Princess, and fully half the entire length of the hallway. Prince Damien's rooms were likely identically laid out in the other direction; an almost plain door separating their spaces, but her own space spared no expense. The walls were a serene blue, light enough to keep the space inviting but dark enough to keep it suitably calming. What was stone in the room and attached bathroom were all beautifully smoky grey marble with silver and gold specks, the harsher stone structure hidden underneath. The furniture was silver birch and Emberlee wondered at how it was all Ortegan colours. He had to have had the rooms redone after determining their partnership was suitable. The bathtub looked deep enough to all but swim in, and she required no maid to fill it and sink into hot soapy water to finally soak yesterday off.

Her hair was piled on top of her head to be addressed after the bath, and she let hot water work on tensed muscles. She barely made it to the cloud-like bed; the velvety cover near black like she'd first believed but a dark purple so rich as to be all but indistinguishable.

Due to the adventures of the endless night before, she awoke hours later feeling disoriented and hungry. Prince Damien had brought her here with a suitable wardrobe, so after rousing and dressing herself, Emberlee knocked at their connecting door. The clock on her desk warned that she'd gotten at most four hours of rest, so Prince Damien wasn't likely awake and on with his day already. She buried the impulse to do to him what he does, knock and enter without waiting, but she was still walking up and not quite ready to encounter Prince Damien in any state of undress, even if it'd be fair play. Thankfully she was spared any such ordeal, Prince Damien answered the door nearly as ready to face the day as she felt.

"Ready to show the Empress that you're still here, Marchioness?" He was fixing his cufflinks and then offered her an arm in escort.

"It's a good thing you wore darker colours," Emberlee obliquely complimented burgundy and black attire, "it won't snow stains as easily if things get--- spilled." There was no hiding the blood stains on her gown yesterday, and she wasn't certain they'd come out of the material.

"I thought so as well, especially as I have an idea," he schemed as they walked.

They knew the assassin sent after Emberlee wouldn't be tied back to Empress Clara; she was too good at the Imperial Game. Even the assassins that had gone after her Father had no connections, despite the one begging in Stussican. But that didn't mean that they couldn't use it to their advantage. Prince Damien was suggesting they keep the attacks unlinked; treat them as entirely unrelated and pursue each as its act of aggression. Just as they were trying to build international connections, they could be used to relieve Stussica of some integral alliances. The attack on Father was going to be framed on dissidents of Stussica, a Rebel union that protested the marriage alliance between the two Empires. That would suit Empress Clara's needs enough that she wouldn't protest it, but then Prince Damien intended to link it to the Zacia Dynasty. Zacia and Stussica have had an uneasy alliance for generations, and with Stussica finally deciding to expand it'd be easy to angle it to look like Zacia was funding rebel Stussican factions to try and sabotage the Stussican-Xutian alliance.

The assassination attempt on Emberlee was going to be framed on the DeKorte Grand Duchy. They were Empress Clara's Xutian-based support, and getting the assassin to blame them would allow Prince Damien to investigate the family, including an in-depth look at their finances. The money trail could be hidden, but not entirely erased in this day of detailed bookkeeping, so this would give a decent amount of information and cripple their social adventures for some time afterwards even if they couldn't be proven guilty of the assassination plot. And despite knowing that neither plot was caused by those being accused, Empress Clara could say nothing. By linking Zacia to Stussica's rebels, Prince Damien was forcing Stussica IX to take a hard stance against Imperial interference. Even asking Zacia to prove they were not involved was a hostile action, and could be the spark that ignites the powder keg between those two Empires. It was one of the after-effects of all the border wars of the last decade; everyone was prepared to defend themselves next, even if it meant striking first. No different than the subjugation originally planned for Xutia, and ironically enabled by Empress Clara's impatient attempt to have Emberlee removed immediately.

There was a glorious satisfaction in watching the Empress' expression turn to stone as Emberlee entered on Prince Damien's arm. Aesthetically she knew they made a striking pair; his brown colouring looked rich in the burgundy, while her more stark black and pale looked sharp in matching black and white attire. They did not match, but neither did the clothes clash; and for all, Emberlee knew she was beautiful, she had to admit that Prince Damien was handsome. So it made sense that their entrance into what was likely gossip instead of a general meeting caused an audible stir. Emperor Andrion looked inordinately pleased to welcome her as his future daughter-in-law, inquiring into her well-being after the morning's attack.

She could guess at what rumours were already running rampant, and only admitted to the maid looking like the kind one would expect to find working for the Imperial family, or any of the High Noble families even, so she was simply grateful to her Father's instincts, and the Imperial Guards that had caught the assassin. As they'd discussed earlier, the Emperor promised an investigation into the attack, certain to find and punish the culprit severely.

Prince Damien kept her hand curled into his the entire time, the jewelry he'd gifted her the only colours she wore; blood red and Imperial purple. And around them, Emberlee heard whispers regarding the attack, their engagement, her debut the day before, and even her Father's surprise return from war. No mention of her Stussican Stepfamily was uttered at all despite Jimena having spent their last night in a position of favour with Empress Clara. Part of it was Xutian custom; exiled meant Jimena was treated as forgotten, but Deirdre and Ainsley seemed to have ceased to exist in the collective memory as well.

Hard to talk bad about a non-person, or gossip about dead Stussican transplants, when the Stussican Empress who showered them all with clear favour was watching. It'd seem too much like criticizing the Empress given that nothing was indicating she'd known Jimena was so violently inclined. All manner of humble things have been hidden behind beautiful smiles, and several of the Xutian socialites present had spent their own time with the Piiklani women. An adage was that people in straw houses shouldn't be careless with fire; they could be found just as guilty by association with Jimena as the Empress could be. More so maybe, people were expected to be on their best behaviour while with the Imperial family but could relax with their friends so it would be more likely a friend would know Jimena's true nature. So overall it was better not to risk it by implying there was an issue in the first place.

As they joined the Court, Emberlee gathered more than just information; she was given plenty of verbal invitations from various sources. Her change in status as both a legal adult and the Prince's fiancée suddenly opened a lot of social doors. Given their plans to target DeKorte, Emberlee made a point to avoid that family as much as possible, but as an Ortegan she did accept an approach by the Kolaki Countess. They now had a large coastline in their territory and Emberlee was certain port access was sorry to be an asset. They were the only County in DeKorte's newly established Grand Duchy, the only family the DeKorte could theoretically lean on for support as they'd both originally been a part of the Arch Duchy of Erding while Emberlee's Ortega supported Grand Duke Martellaro, but Countess Kolaki had been just as newly promoted. She was a Viscountess by this time last year, and the only person who seemed ready to treat her like a Countess was Emberlee. One of the few instances of her social isolation aiding her now; she had no pride at being superior to the Countess, while those of the rank she'd just acquired would still be unsettled.

Given the expansions that occurred, Emberlee anticipated more noble families being Named and moved, especially after a victorious war. General Father has been granted the equivalent rank to Count, but it wouldn't be unprecedented for the Emperor to give him a County in the newly established DeKorte Arch Duty as a way to help keep those lands docile. Likewise, his Majors would likely serve as his Vassals in either Viscount or Baron positions. Depending on meritocracy even Earl was possible. And even if not in the former Guita provinces, there were always lands in Xutia the Imperial family could still adjust.

And then an idea so fantastical, so ridiculous occurred to Emberlee that she stood rooted to the spot.

Emperor Andrion had said he had to set the boundaries of Xutia now, as it had been done in old. But from what she'd learned, that'd involved Fairy Bonds broken and the resultant Cursed heart being spilled to set the boundaries in blood. Was the Emperor planning to use her as that sacrifice?

"Is something wrong?" Prince Damien asked as if concerned for her.

"Just an apocalyptic thought, nothing immediate," she didn't lie. From the hi온라인카지노게임 she's heard, the Cursed Landquist had birthed a child before setting the boundaries. If Emperor Andrion planned to use Emberlee the same way, he'd have to wait until after she returned from Adaba and got pregnant before he could forcibly try to break her Bond; if such a thing was possible. She had no idea if Damien was in collusion to this or not, or if her speculations were even correct, and she could let no hint of it having occurred to her at all escape. For one, if it were true and possible, she had time to determine a defence. For two, she doubted it would be an easy matter to break a Fairy Bond externally.

"Just an apocalypse, how quaint," Prince Damien smiled, not at all able to follow her current train of thought. "I truly do not want to know what you consider world-ending when the land you describe your own assassination attempt as inconvenient."

"Let's just say I considered my mortality," she still wasn't lying, "and it occurred to me that our firstborn should be the Ortega Heir instead of Landquist."

To her surprise Prince Damien didn't find it humorous, instead, he used his hold on her to keep her close as he leaned over to whisper, "A Dragon is very protective of its treasure; you'd better not be planning to leave me for a long time." Emberlee didn't fight the urge to kiss the back of his hand as he so often did hers, forgetting just for a moment that they were surrounded by High Society. She didn't know yet if she trusted his spoken sentiment, but it still worked to let her push the matter to be considered later.

"You offered me an Empire, and although I am no Dragon I intend to claim it and you as my treasures," she'd forgotten the burden of eye contact, barely able to disguise honesty as teasing. He didn't seem to take it as a joke, kissing her for all to see. It was the same level of kiss they'd shared her debut the night before, but she wasn't entirely accustomed to it yet. Neither was the watching Court, the cacophony of reactions rather amusing. And they hadn't even heard what was said between them. It was fortuitous timing, the brief affection ending and then Emberlee spotted her Father and Uncle in the audience having only recently arrived. Her Father looked pleased to see an ostensibly romance-driven relationship on full display, but her Uncle looked amused. "I'm going to go see Father and Uncle," she informed Damien before slipping from his grip to go see them. "Good afternoon," she greeted them both, gladly taking their hugs in return.

Her Father was wearing the military uniform, appropriate for his role as General, but Uncle looked like a peacock on display. Blues, greens, teals to match Oberon almost, a few hints of what was daringly close to purple, and black accents. On a less ostentatious man with a more demure reputation, it would have looked ridiculous; somehow Uncle Albert pulled it off.

"So it seems even you've found a wife for me, firecracker?" Uncle Albert demanded with a friendly seeming smile.

"No," she corrected, knowing how to spark her Uncle's interest by now, "I have the next person you should publicly court, but what you do with it is entirely up to you."

"Lady Igraine Abeita," his expression was too hard to read how he truly felt about it.

"If you can be charming enough," she challenged and saw her Uncle shoot her a sharp look, all too

aware of what she was doing. "You've thought about it enough to not reject it outright, you're only upset because I came up with it first."

"You've grown up too fast firecracker, and we all taught you too well," he sounded apologetic.

"And I'll use both factors to my advantage Uncle, so if you do this keep in mind it'll help me now and in the future," her Father looked a little surprised to see her speaking to her Uncle like this, but he said nothing.

"I do like the idea of having the future Imperial Crown Princess owning me a favour," he teased so she knew he'd do as she'd asked.

Prince Damien and the Emperor would simultaneously work on alienating Zacia from Stussica and diminishing the Empress' Xutian support from the DeKortes. Her Uncle would pursue a relationship with Igraine Abeita, and Emberlee was venturing into Adaba to secure the alliance. Her Father had already completed his part, he'd won the wars and come home alive, and now she needed him to be her Steward while she was in Adaba. While she would be away she'd be depending on them both to care take her March as much as possible.

"I've explained as much as I could about your role as Cinderella," Uncle Albert suddenly changed topics, having to summarize discreetly. "It was the least I could do considering how busy you've been."

"Thank you, Uncle," he knew enough about Fairy Magic to make it easier for her Father to understand a little more, even if he didn't know all of what being Cinderella meant.

She spotted none other than Sir Ludwig approaching her deliberately, despite her company and wondered if Prince Damien had aimed the Imperial Knight at her. The eyepatch he wore bore the Imperial crest in gold, suiting the insignia on his epaulets but clashing with his once pristine good looks. Now he looked more like one of the pirate scallywags from Vivian's book. Regardless of looks or impetus, Sir Ludwig dropped to a knee as soon as he was close enough, bowing as if she were already the Imperial Crown Princess. "Marchioness Emberlee Ortega, as you are treasured by our Imperial Crown Prince may I humbly serve as your Imperial Knight until you choose a more capable replacement?"

She still couldn't tell if Damien had orchestrated this or not, but that reference to being treasured made her believe he was behind this. Regardless it all worked into her plans so she didn't hesitate to utilize this opportunity as she needed. "Thank you, Sir Ludwig, I will shady accept your appointment, as long as their Imperial Majesties have no objection?" As expected there was none, Emperor Andrion had likely been informed by Damien of her intended retribution, and Empress Clara likely expected Ludwig to be the loyal dog he'd proven himself to be.

She didn't know if he was still the Empress' Hound or not, but regardless she'd never trust him. The afternoon general meeting was concluding, and Emberlee escaped to a quiet tea time with Princess Vivian and Oberon, who had become literary soulmates. Princess Vivian had made the same decision about Sir Ludwig's eye patch that Emberlee had, and she was explaining which character it made her think of. In detail, including what he'd do to a specific female character. Emberlee had amazing composure, and even she felt a little flushed at Vivien's almost detailed descriptions, all while Oberon agreed readily.

"Are all the books this explicit?" she exasperatedly asked, only to realize it revealed her lack of exposure on the matter.

"There's varying levels of intensity," Oberon didn't hesitate to answer, "all depending on if you want romance with steam, or sex with some plot." He gave her a look as if sizing her up as a tailor would, "I'd say you would be best to start with The Slow Seduction; its title sounds blunt but it's a little more gentle with its physical romance."

"You don't think something like Dreaming of Valour would be better," Vivian asked as if discussing jewelry.

"It's too sappy for our girl, "he waved off and Emberlee kicked him under the tea table.

"Do you think Lady Emberlee would like The Labour of Love?" Vivian asked as if excited by the prospect of finding a series to introduce Emberlee to.

With Vivian present she couldn't ask Oberon about whether or not a Bond can be broken from the outside, so Emberlee endured a bemusing evening with her friends while they insisted she read each. And then insisted on accompanying her to the Imperial Library while Sir Ludwig followed behind diligently, only to tease her about already knowing where the romance serials were located in the Library.

"While you two were drooling over the Captain's rascal self," she walked past 400 Days And Ways without pulling it, "his Imperial Highness was kind enough to give me a brief tour of the Library."

"Why so formal Marchioness?" Of course, Prince Damien was further in the Library, a book hastily closed and slid into a pile.

"I'm not angry if that's your concern, Prince Damien," he'd taken off the more ornate burgundy jacket to reveal a matching coloured vest and a cream-coloured shirt with black leather stays holding the sleeves close on to upper arms. Physically Emberlee could easily guess that the Imperial Prince wielded a weapon but the breadth of his shoulders made her think axe over a sword.

"We were just picking out what romance books Cinderella should whet her appetite with," Oberon of course was never happy to be ignored.

"You should show him Donatello," Prince Damien was happy to inflict this on Emberlee it seems.

"Please do, "Oberon nodded with dire enthusiasm.

"Donatello?" Vivian sounded like she recognized the name and Emberlee's eyes met Damien's as they both realized it.

"You're not saying no this time Prince," Emberlee could see his ears going red again as she deliberately worded it. "Shall we pull out Donatello and see all he has to offer?"

"Are you going to read it out loud?" Now it was Vivian blushing, she knew what novel they were discussing.

"Oberon will," Prince Damien volunteered him quickly, and Emberlee could see that he was hoping to surprise the Envoy. As he passed near her, the Prince softly commented, "I do so wonder what 온라인카지노게임 you were going to find at the Envoy's recommendation."

"Would you prefer I get Sir Ludwig's recommendation?" She'd noted the dark look Prince Damien had given the one-eyed Knight when he'd spotted him guarding Emberlee.

"Only if it's the last thing he ever gets to do," Prince Damien was getting more comfortable being a little bold as he kissed her again.

"Well this is nice," Oberon commentated, shamelessly watching instead of politely looking away like Vivian had.

Then again, he had implied previously that Méabh has no problem being intimate with her spouses individually as well as collectively. Two husbands and a wife; the idea of it seemed very handsy and crowded. There was no way a Xutian monogamy-based romance would have any impact on Oberon at all, he seemed to think they were all cute. Their explicit romance novels were probably profane in comparison, it didn't bear thinking about.

"This entire thing is ridiculous, I don't have time for leisure reading, I already told you both that," Emberlee made a last-ditched effort to end the misadventure early.

"According to the Librarian you've borrowed books on Imperial etiquette, Adaban language, and advanced weaver's patterns," Why had Prince Damien looked into her reading habits?

"Practical pursuits are an investment of my time, not a waste of it," she pointed out, as Imperial Crown Prince he already knew all this.

"It's good to engage in flights of fantasy," Vivian bravely defended her pastime, "It helps our souls endure trying times."

"Well said," Oberon agreed with her.

"You are rather serious, Marchioness," even Prince Damien joined in, so Emberlee obstinately walked past them all to grab the novel 400 Days And Ways Of Pleasing The Count off the shelf.

"If you insist, your Imperial Highness," she'd read the entire thing and memorize it if she had to, and afterwards he'd regret antagonizing her. "Now if you'll all excuse me, I've suddenly found myself with materials to read." It was an exercise in control walk out like she wasn't carrying a rather obvious romance novel with heavy sexual content; Sir Ludwig wisely kept his opinion to himself.

She went directly to her new room and placed the book on her desk, looking up to see that at least her cheeks weren't flushed. It was ridiculous that she felt nothing about cutting off the assassin's hand this morning and yet the teasing had prompted such an emotional reaction.

After all that fuss, Emberlee opened the book, compelled by an almost morbid curiosity to see how bad it truly was.