Wicked Steps

Emberlee hadn't been lying when she said she had limited time to read for leisure. Shortly after her debut word finally came in from Stussica that Count Glen Piiklani wanted permission to enter Xutia and reclaim his son. He'd already travelled to the Stussican border to await approval, and it was almost touching to learn he was excited to claim his son. But it also meant she was inviting a Stussican Noble to the Xutian Court when she'd originally intended to have moved into the permanent hotel suite she'd been gifted before now. And then she'd gotten engaged and almost murdered in a very short timeframe, so living in a public access building was right out of the equation. So she requested the use of a sitting room to meet Count Piiklani in, arranging for Vera the Imperial Physician to bring Josson in as well.

"He's healthy, and should be good to travel with his Father," the Physician confirmed, actually handing Emberlee Josson as if she needed to check the babe herself before leaving without another word.

Despite not having handled an infant since before Aubin died, Emberlee easily took the baby and held him with care. Aubin had similar colouring to Emberlee, but Josson was all glorious contrasts to her, his hair was white, his eyes were dark, and he was already a richer tan than even Prince Damien. He was so obviously Stussican that it was almost laughable that Jimena was planning to try and pass him off as Father's child. Yes Xutia had some blonde, but nothing too pale, and some range in skin tones, but there wasn't a single person who could look at this child and confidently claim he had Xutian heritage. Still, he was adorable in the way that babies were supposed to be. Fat cheeks, grabby hands, squirmy body, and a strangely soft smell that only babies ever seemed to have.

"Josson Piiklani, you're going to meet your Father today," She didn't use the strange babble voice she'd heard some use on infants, even though she knew he'd never remember this encounter. "I hope that this is the most political moment of your life and that from here on out you can live well and peacefully."

"Odd sentiment to wish a future Count," Prince Damien hadn't even bothered to knock before entering this time.

"Stussican Count," she reminded, not bothering to ask why he'd decided to include himself in this transfer. "And considering the nature of his parents, you can understand why I've wished what I had."

"Considering that the nature of his Father is why I am here, I can't object to your statement," Prince Damien sat next to Emberlee on the couch. Glen Piiklani was a married man who'd fathered an illegitimate child with his late brother's widow, and he was making his current wife adopt that child as her own after returning with him.

Emberlee did wonder what would have changed if Jimena hadn't been convicted of filicide and arson; if she'd kept legal rights to Josson, she'd have a basis to demand mistress status back in Stussica. But in the end, Jimena's nature won out and she'd become a non-person in the eyes of both Nations.

The arrival of Count Piiklani, and his wife, came after they'd given the obligatory presentation to the Emperor. Two things were immediately apparent on their entry, one- Josson took after his Father who was as white blonde as the babe, and two- Countess Piiklani ran the show. Her hair was a riot of curls, as golden as the sun, and tied with an obscene amount of Stussican bows, and she led their introductions even though her eyes never left Josson in Emberlee's arms. She'd expected resentment and dutiful care at best, but it seemed that not only was Countess Piiklani not upset at her husband's affair baby, but she was excited to Mother the child. And despite her recent machinations and proclivity towards violence; it helped Emberlee feel better about relinquishing the baby to them.

Negotiations of this nature were normally difficult due to the nature of an illegitimate child who was also the Heir. Adding in the international politics of the specific situation should have made for an uncomfortable discussion; legally Emberlee could have claimed the babe as part of the restitution Jimena's actions had incurred. At best the Piiklanis would likely have to offer a resource of value to trade, but Countess Gemini Piiklani immediately offered something for better; a friendship not between Stussica and Xutia, but the Piiklani County and the Ortega March. Like Xutia, Stussica had to redistribute the Noble Houses to take over the new lands; as a reward for their contribution (in the form of money), the Piiklanis were given the coastal County that was formerly part of the Guita Provinces.

"I like you Lady Emberlee," the Countess had no use for the Game, she spoke directly, "I liked you the moment you sent me a letter about our new baby so I'm glad to be on good terms with you," she looked at Prince Damien, "You and the Empire I'm a little more leery of your Imperial Highness, but since you have Lady Emberlee on your side I'll give you a chance."

"Dear, that's a little rude," Count Piiklani cautioned.

"Wasting their time is rude," she argued and her brusqueness made sense, "They both have more important things to attend to than handing over our son; I just wanted to get the important information across immediately. We all know what Marchioness Ortega could be asking in return, but she's graciously offered us friendship and our baby instead so I want to offer access to our southern ports. Not only will it encourage her to potentially visit, but if a trade route can be established as well it'll help us settle the new Piiklani lands. Nothing convinces your conquered populace to see you as a beneficial leader as effectively as money."

Emberlee had thought of all that of course, but she was astonished at it being said out loud so plainly. And she had to readjust her thinking of how Stussican Nobles behaved; being physically pampered as a culture didn't mean intellectually incapable. At best the Stussican women all seemed mentally astute; though Ansley was more like Count Piiklani seemed to be, passively existing. "I am rather good at making money, both for myself and my friends," Emberlee finally recovered, unable to match Lady Gemini's indiscreet nature but able to work with it.

"See? I knew I liked you for a reason, you're clever," the Countess flashed a smile at her.

"If these are your terms, I accept," Emberlee's smile was less toothy but still friendly.

"Perfect, can I have my baby now?" she was remarkably direct, almost bouncing in eagerness.

Emberlee was far more constrained as she rose and took Josson over to his Mother's arms, "Josson Piiklani, you will always be welcomed back to Ortega should you choose to visit." Prince Damien had attended to make it an official visit as guardianship was transferred. Now neither Emberlee nor Xutia was responsible for the child regardless of what happened. He could attest that the baby's legal guardian had taken responsibility for him so Emberlee was blameless.

If it had been a terse meeting, she'd simply have handed Josson over and been done with it. But Gemini Piiklani had surprised her in a good way, so Emberlee gave Prince Damien a subtle look and he invited them to a light tea before departure. Count Glen Piiklani was so socially introverted that Emberlee had no idea how he'd engaged in an affair with Jimena. Countess Gemini used the chance to tell Emberlee and Prince Damien both about the ports they'd taken claim of from former Guita. Apparently, in one of the cities Gemini gushed about, the buildings were decorated with the shells of sea creatures that glittered with iridescence. They were spared the terrible storms that battered Northern Stussican stores, so their ports were focused more on pearl diving and fishing ventures. Rich but not resilient; the culture was more industrious than Stussica tended towards but not as productive as Xutia generally was; a suitable place to visit.

And as Gemini Piiklani tried to woo Emberlee into visiting their County, she also unbuttoned part of her heavily embroidered top and put Josson to the breast to feed. Glen Piiklani flushed scarlet at his wife's actions, Prince Damien politely looked away, and Emberlee wasn't certain if her surprise showed. "I hadn't finished breastfeeding my babe yet when we learned of this little one joining our family so I didn't wean. He needs the nutrients of breast milk, and this will help us bond more. I nearly died giving birth to our firstborn," she explained it as if it were simple, "and we agreed I'd never have to go through that again." Emberlee made the inference from there; Gemini had orchestrated her husband using Jimena for exactly the reasons Emberlee had determined about its legal claim to Piiklani's Count title. But then Empress Clara had used Jimena in her own plot and nearly ruined Gemini's.

"Especially fortuitous that I reached out to you then," Emberlee sipped her tea and contemplated a relationship that wanted plenty of children but couldn't necessarily produce them directly. And nearly scalded her mouth taking too big a sip when she then wondered what it was like to be pregnant. A harmless musing but far too soon to truly speculate, and she was grateful no sign of her inner turmoil showed.

Thankfully Prince Damien was a consummate Imperial Crown Prince, he quickly started a discussion with Count Piiklani about how he found the journey, letting them easily move on from discussions of calculated infidelity. The Piiklanis were sent back to the hotel room with little Josson, and Emberlee politely requested something stronger to drink than tea.

She had to leave that fascinating encounter and attend to more formal arrangements with the Imperial Secretary regarding her Father's victory celebration. As expected, Empress Clara was all but hoisting the General aloft like a flag so that he couldn't return to Ortega. She wanted to use him as a social hostage to ensure Emberlee's compliance to a degree. With the assassination attempts being blamed on others, Clara was still all but consequence-free for her murderous intent. As Emberlee hadn't gotten to plan her debut as expected, the Empress suggested she take this opportunity to plan the event for her Father, stealing what little time Emberlee might have had for other social engagements herself. And for now, it was a ploy Emberlee accepted the burden of; for one- she wanted to celebrate her Father, for two- Emberlee could use this as an opportunity to begin adjusting High Society to look to her for social trends instead of the Empress. Even just doing it once before she left for Adaba would have an effect.

But all of that still meant that Emberlee had to determine the best way to celebrate a Victorious Army alongside her Father's triumphs. While also finalizing what she could about Ortega's caretaking in her absence. And preparing for an unprecedented visit to Adaba. Maybe even think about the inevitable wedding they'd want once she and the Prince returned.

As the future Crown Princess she was given an office near Prince Damien's, though thankfully not attached like their bedrooms were. She'd have to interview a series of people to select her permanent butler and aide, but Emberlee insisted on keeping the maid she'd brought from Ortega. The maid, Leah, was quickly adapting to the Imperial castle under its head maid's careful guidance, and she brought all the useful gossip that servants shared. "My Lady, according to the cooks the Head Chef is partial to the very same brandy you were gifted for your birthday," Leah had shared, not knowing at first how valuable that could be.

But Emberlee took that remark and did three things with it; gifted a bottle to the chef as a token of her appreciation for the marvellous debut meal, had Leah share a bottle of less expensive wine with the cooks who'd told her, and sent a rare tea to the head maid in appreciation for her help with incorporating Leah into their staff.

She would one day have to live with these people as her support staff, so she'd lost sleep to learn as much about the Imperial servants as she could. Poor Uncle Albert had been just as sleep-deprived as she was, but Father had looked absolutely astonished to be able to communicate via Mirror. Uncle knew the servants, Father knew the Knights, and Emberlee already knew High Society so it provided quite an in-depth dossier of the personalities populating the castle. After returning from Adaba, Emberlee planned to use those dossiers to steal the hearts of the servants in the castle and make them hers so the Empress couldn't use them against her. And for those who resisted, or were on Clara's side, she'd use their weaknesses to leverage them out as quietly as possible. For now, it meant that she knew the head maid didn't drink alcohol, but went rabid over tea.

The Imperial Secretary was a much harder woman to read, her entire life revolved solely around keeping the Emperor's schedule. She was a commoner born who had excelled at the Academy and had caught the Nobles' attention, eventually working at the castle as a junior secretary until her eventual promotion. Even knowing her name was Naomi, Emberlee still mentally thought of her by her job title instead, the woman only existed to be an exemplary Secretary it seemed.

A more uncomfortable meeting occurred shortly after when Sir Ludwig requested a private discussion. She'd expected it to happen at some point, Prince Damien had told him to volunteer to be her Knight after all, but that didn't make it easier to be alone in a room with the man who held her down to be beaten. She would have to grow desensitized to her repulsion, they'd be in constant proximity until she could dispose of him, so Emberlee tried to ignore how her skin crawled.

Sir Ludwig dropped to his knees instead of taking a seat, his head bowed in submission, "My Lady I sincerely apologize for my role in your abuses, and I am grateful that you've spared my life by not sharing the details with his Imperial Highness." He dared seek forgiveness, and although Emberlee knew she had to be cunning, a part of her hated Sir Ludwig with a viciousness she couldn't entirely contain.

"You are dead, I did not spare you at all. The moment I begged for your help and you did nothing but press down harder the Knight died, all that was left is a loyal dog. So you will be my loyal dog, my Hound. Until I don't find it amusing to keep you anymore. And then you will be nothing." She'd stood from her desk and walked over to him, looming over his still kneeling form.

He'd kept his head bowed the entire time, the leather band of his eyepatch a tight line across his hair. The Knight did nothing, said nothing, as she untied the eyepatch and lifted his chin to inspect the damaged eye. He still had the orb, but it'd gone a milky white, the socket around it had heavily scarred already but she almost wished it was worse. Let his face look like the lump of rot his honour was. He knelt, allowing her to hold his face in her hands and run a thumb across tender wounds, he even did nothing as she pressed her thumb to his damaged eyelid. Sir Ludwig stared up at her with his one good eye, and she had no idea what terrible majesty he saw there but he looked convinced that she would be exactly the kind of master her words promised. "Yes Mistress, I am nothing but your Hound," he agreed, leaning into the likely painful press of her hand to his injured eye. And then he put her hand to his neck, "My leash is yours to hold." He'd failed as a Knight, his honour broken and meaningless; his purpose spent. The only redemption available to him was this duty, and it would cost him his life. And as he let her squeeze his throat hard, she knew the Knight was hers. Not that she'd be foolish enough to trust him.

"Now go stand guard, I have work to do," She felt neither disgust nor elation after dismissing the Knight. Instead, she felt tired and a little irritated, pushing both sensations aside to finally have an in-depth discussion with Oberon about their impending trip.

Travelling by Mirror had never truly been an option due to the return of the Morrigan, and the Guards required to escort Prince Damien. All the time it would take to travel by carriage was necessitating that they leave the day after Father's Victory celebration, so Emberlee was trying to determine what items to bring.

"Méabh's coronation is a three-day festival to reflect her being Maiden, Mother, and Crone, and each festival day is dedicated to one of those phases. Children are venerated on the first day, and celebrations begin with breakfast at sunrise. As Cinderella," Oberon explained his culture easily, as if Adaba hadn't been secretive and recluse for generations, "you'll be celebrated as the first of your Name. The second day those who have left childhood but not entered twilight are the focus. Not just Mothers and Fathers, but all those who have successfully survived to age. The banquet on this day occurs at the highest part of the day, uniting all as a family with Méabh as Mother." Emberlee kept her personal opinions about Adaban religion to herself, but it felt weird to hear a husband venerate his wife as his Mother as well. "Méabh is currently in her Crone stage, and she will be revered in her wisest form at sunset of the third day. And as with all things she will die and be born again; as the Maiden the night of the third festival. It is customary to wear black and celebrate the cycle of life, death, and renewal."

As a guest he insisted she had to do nothing but attend, she could participate as much or as little as she desired from there. While in Adaba, she would be gifted bits of their culture and entertained while Méabh selected a permanent Envoy to leave Adaba and live in Xutia. After that Emberlee, Prince Damien, and the new Envoy would return to Xutia where they would assist Emperor Andrion in selecting an Envoy to send to Adaba permanently in return. And if it all went that simply, Emberlee would die of shock.

"What gifts are customary for each festival day?" she tried to focus on the things she could control.

"Plants, flowers, sweets and treats, colourful but not fragile things," Oberon indicated for day one, "then alcohols, weapons, jewelry," the second day seemed easier, "and finally furs, leathers, and rare books."

She'd have to plan and prepare for each day, and then carry it with her to Ababa. "Anything else I should be aware of before we set out?" She tried to think of anything unexpected that she could plan for.

"Be yourself Cinderella," Oberon encouraged, "and they will love you as much as I do."

"That's exactly what I don't want," she teased tiredly, "I'm already engaged, I don't need to collect a menagerie like Méabh."

"It's still not entirely impossible for Méabh to seduce you and the Prince into hers," Oberon reminded tritely.

"I don't share," Emberlee laughed as she rejected it entirely.

"The other Oberon is not a big fan of that either," the admission was a bit surprising.

"That sounds... non-consensual," she had no idea what to say in response to that.

"No, we always say yes," somehow that made it worse.

"I need to ask you something that is going to sound extremely suspicious, and if you're as clever as you are pretty you'll understand why as soon as I ask," she deviated the topic crudely but deliberately.

"Salacious, continue," Oberon braced himself in his seat.

"Can a Fairy Bond be forcibly broken against the will of both the Fairy and Child?" She didn't want the obvious assumption of her wanting to diminish Méabh's power but had to ask anyways.

"When a Fairy or a Child breaks a Bond, the one to do so bears a terrible price," Oberon explained in a graceful change of topic. "However, to do so from the outside would require and result in something far more cataclysmic. "

Emberlee understood what he told her, and what was indirectly said. For him to confidently say that it would be a cataclysm from start to finish implied that it had successfully been done at least once. She desperately wanted to know the hi온라인카지노게임 not explained. "Would it be something that can only be done by a specific method, like a summoning?" Cinderella had finally admitted to only having a Fairy's understanding of time. Unless she directly experienced it, hi온라인카지노게임 and Fairy-tale were interchangeable. Immortality came with as many positives as it did negatives.

"You know the volcano off of Adaba's coast?" Oberon seemingly changed topics, so Emberlee hesitantly nodded.

"Wrundel Volcano" she made the logical leap from there. Names had Power in Adaba; for it to be a Named Volcano like that likely meant Wrundel was the Name of the Broken Bond. They were both Fairy and Child in the same way she was and was not Cinderella.

"It used to be a lovely beach island, and then a very bad idea was hatched," Oberon said it so merrily.

"I'm so glad I get to go revel in person," Matching his energy was good practice for what was to come.

"How was darling Donatello been treating you?" the topic change was jarring.

"As I tried to explain then," Emberlee would not admit to anything, "I don't have leisure time to read."

"If literary pursuits have failed to captivate you," his choice of words always proved to be provocative, "I will gladly volunteer my time to demonstrate as much as I can, within the rules set for me by Méabh."

"Is there a detailed list of what is and is not permissible?" One day Emberlee's curiosity would cause her

grief, and yet she couldn't resist asking.

Oberon's eyes twinkled as he held laughter back, "I don't know what would scandalize you more; saying yes and leaving it to your imagination or showing you the list in person."

"Why would that be scandalous?" It only made sense that Méabh would have a detailed contract of what Oberon would be allowed to do, and it was easy to assume she had an equally detailed list of consequences depending on the severity of the breach enacted.

"Sometimes you fascinate me," Oberon didn't explain and Emberlee couldn't say much as even her curiosity knew to be cautious of his humour. "I wonder how well your composure holds when what was once theoretical becomes physical." He'd deliberately made eye contact to ensure neither of them could lie; Fairy bastard.

"Ask Deirdre and Ainsley," Emberlee carefully replied.

"I do remain quite curious as to all the delectable details of that intrigue, but that can be dealt with another time," Oberon kept them locked in honesty bearing eye contact. Normally Emberlee felt like she controlled when it initiated and ended, but Oberon had years of experience using this skill. "It will be very interesting to see you flourish in Adaba, Cinderella. You'll have all manner of opportunities to test out your...interests."

"Is that a promise or a threat?" Her question surprised him enough that she saw it flash across his face even if she couldn't escape his teal gaze.

"For a human, you're very good at this," he complimented without commenting on deliberately trying to test her.

"It's because I'm human that I'm so good at it," she corrected, "Fairies cannot lie, so you twist words around the core of the truth. We humans are born with truth and lies in equal measure, so we call it the Imperial Game and base politics around how successfully you play." Sometimes it was harder to explain and understand something done naturally versus having had to master the process of it. The longer their veracity-bound stare lasted, the more pressure Emberlee felt building in her head, like diving deep underwater or climbing high into the mountains. It was the pain of a blow to the head with the lurching tilt of a wondrous hangover. She couldn't break free of it, lacking the experience to know how, so like in training Emberlee didn't try to brute force her way out. "What 're you more afraid of Oberon, that Méabh might want to keep me no matter the cost, or that she'll try and you'll learn what I'm really made of?" Emberlee grabbed the honesty of Fairy magic and wrapped it around them both like barbed wire, willing to bleed if he suffered with her.

He tried to look away but was as restrained as she was, "If Méabh didn't already want to keep you," the truth was pulled out of him through clenched teeth, "you would never have been gifted her Blood, or a moonstone."

"I know," the admission broke the magic, releasing them both from eye contact and the broiling pressure inside.

Emberlee almost expected a nosebleed or some other physical signifier of the struggle that had just occurred, but she wasn't even out of breath. But not a power on the continent could compel her to meet Oberon's gaze again just yet. She'd realized the moment it was gifted that the blood wasn't a simple gesture of peace. It was an attempt to lay claim, and Emberlee had thwarted it by acting oblivious and getting betrothed to Damien.

As the Emperor and Imperial Crown Prince used her as a political Shield against Stussica, so too did she use them against Adaba. "Thank you for your time Oberon, I believe we both have things to tend to now," Emberlee carefully dismissed the Envoy, uncertain how the truths and the fangs they bore affected their friendship now.

He was a part of Méabh's seduction and now they couldn't pretend otherwise. "Let me know how you find Donatello, once you give him a chance," Oberon exited with a gentle attempt to act like all was well.

Left alone in her office for a moment, Emberlee closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. How each slowly counted breath inwards felt, filled her lungs and expanded her belly out, and she held it for mere seconds of eternity before exhaling it in as timely a manner as she had inhaled. And then she opened her eyes and focused on the next task at hand.

With confirmation that her visit to Adaba would likely involve hostage negotiations, Emberlee had to plan for a possible extraction of herself or Prince Damien. She was Xutia's Shield and Prince Damien's fiancée; if they took him they'd expect to be able to control her, but his status as an Imperial Crown Prince complicated that approach. They would have to get outside help instead of risking an International Incident. But it'd work wonders for Empress Clara if it could be done. Prince Damien being kidnapped by Adaba, so that they could claim Emberlee for Méabh would push Emperor Andrion to rely on Stussican support heavily to threaten Adaba enough for their release. At worst, this could significantly weaken Prince Damien's public image, and cause rumours about Emberlee's suitability, helping Clara discredit them both while also ending any Xutia-Adaba alliance. At best, Clara could dream of Emberlee being taken by Méabh as part of negotiations, thus freeing Prince Damien to wed Vivian again while also achieving everything else.

That meant she could all but guarantee that Empress Clara was trying to have Prince Damien kidnapped, so she could blame it on the Adabans; now Emberlee had to try and determine how and when. Now Emberlee regretted the waste of honesty on Oberon, she should have asked if she'd be able to use Mirrors in Adaba without Méabh's blood, and gotten some useful answers out of the Envoy instead. Instead, she'd now be second and third-guessing every answer and action he gave her.

A knock at the door broke her out of her work and she heard Sir Ludwig calling her Mistress as he asked for permission to enter. She hadn't expected him to capitulate to the role as easily and completely as he had, and she didn't trust it one bit. "Enter, "she commanded, ready to use Need the moment it mattered.

Sir Ludwig came in carrying a detailed report of all he could recall of Jimena's encounters with Empress Clara, placing it on her desk, before going to his knees as he had to beg forgiveness. And while Emberlee silently watched, he untied his eyepatch and let it fall away from his wound. He was demonstrating that he could and would hide nothing from her, even if it was ugly.

"Will you stay there as I read every page?" she lightly tested.

"I would find it easier to guard you on my feet Mistress, but if it would please you I will," he answered honestly.

"Stand," she was glad to hear him push back a little, he'd be useless if he was more concerned with playing her Hound than being a meat shield. "No need to stay and watch me read, you may go."

Jimena may have been dealt with, and she couldn't trust any direct report Ludwig could give her on Clara, but a summary of what he recalled of Jimena's encounters would still be a good way to judge his reliability. And it could potentially reveal useful information. He had been Empress Clara's Knight for months, the entire time Jimena was in the Capital so at the very least she'd know a few of the lies Jimena had told. He'd given it to her without her having to ask for it; like taking off the patch it was symbolic. She scanned through to the sections that involved Princess Vivian, able to cross-check the details with the Princess directly if needed. So far all the dates and times lined up to what the Ivy House had been able to determine. None of it was able to help settle the unease coiled around her spine. For every plan she could anticipate, Emberlee suspected the Empress had others she hadn't even thought of yet. Clara had been playing the Imperial Game for longer than Emberlee had been alive, and Emberlee was playing endless catch-up just to survive. She wasn't safe here at the castle, would not be safe on the road, couldn't be safe in Adaba, and knew that no matter where she was, she was being guarded by a Knight she wanted dead so once she used inevitable circumstances to eliminate him for her she'd be paradoxically safer.

Her Father's Victory Banquet loomed, she'd learned everything she could about Ababa that the library held, and she'd sent her Vassals all the instructions she could before setting out. The new 'friendship' with Countess Piiklani meant she'd have to push a naval industry greater than Ortega currently had the infrastructure for, but like a theoretical cross-continental trade agreement it was too good of an opportunity to not at least attempt it. If her leisure naval pursuit failed, she would always convert it into a military base in preparation for the conflicts to come given Stussica's machinations. Ortega was as ready for her departure as it could be with Father socially bound here in the capital, and Emberlee had done as much as she could to prepare for the trip, but it all felt pitifully inadequate. Both her Uncle and her Father now had Mirrors she could talk to them though, though she could still only pass between the anointed Mirrors, and she'd rebuilt her murder of crow messengers for the Vassals and her allies, but there was still so much that could go wrong while she was too far away to help resolve it.

Logic compelled her to plan for if her Father was assassinated, or Uncle Albert, or even the Emperor. She'd tried to determine if the Emperor and Imperial Crown Prince were plotting to use her as some kind of sacrifice to re-secure Xutia after expansion, or if it was just the Emperor alone, but maybe it was just paranoia. Less dire, she'd also held a series of interviews and selected alternate Imperial Knights to support Sir Ludwig in guarding her, found a suitable aide, and narrowed down a list of Secretaries. She'd have to eventually determine who was the least likely to betray her, but her time was limited.

Another knock on the door interrupted her, and Prince Damien entered without waiting, "Marchioness," his smile warned he was going to manipulate her, "Do you avoid meals to spare yourself my stepmother's company, or mine?" he demanded directly.

"I avoid no one, it is simply a matter of me stealing the time to attend to duties," she squinted at the man, trying to decipher why he wanted her on the defensive.

"And yet even Oberon the Envoy has spent more time with my beloved fiancée than I have, and soon we will depart and have no time for just ourselves," he continued to be deliberately obtuse.

"Are you saying you want to go on a date?" she tried to determine his motive; theirs was not a romantically driven courtship, so such displays were unnecessary.

The look he gave her was pleased, despite his following statement, "I hadn't considered a date, I was thinking of a private meeting to help finalize our plans and ensure we're on the same step going forward. But I do suppose for us, my malevolent Fairy, that is a date."

"You blame my absence at meals," she ignored his statement and it made him smile, "and yet your schedule has been as impacted as mine has been. A good affianced knows not to add to the burden of their over-scheduled beloved after all."

She saw the subtle dig at the Prince land as he laughed at his own expense, but he surprised her by saying, "Beloved am I? Quite like the sounds of that Marchioness."

"The night before Father# Victory Banquet, we both should have time to sit and talk," she put them back on task.

"Excellent, I'll be seeing you then," he left as nonchalantly as he'd entered.

What am I going to do with him? she tiredly fretted.

Marry him. Cinderella laughed at her plight.

And Emberlee laughed at herself because she was going to marry the Imperial Crown Prince, in all his manipulative glory. But that didn't mean she had to let him win.