Magic of the Marriage Market

Travelling through Taroton in the middle of May was an astonishingly beautiful, if sometimes rainy, experience. Edwina had travelled with her family before any of the siblings had Debuted, but she'd never expected to be taking in such a frankly romantic scenic view with the man who claimed her heart. It was approximately a 320-kilometer trip and took usually a week of steady travel to cross, but with several pieces of fragile art along for the ride, it was taking two full weeks. Sometimes it felt like she could walk alongside the carriage just to enjoy the exercise.

Instead, Edwina sat inside the carriage with Lord Daro, and tried not to be so tensely aware of his presence. It was so much easier to endure when she had the focus of learning and practice to help distract her. Lord Daro was ten years her senior, and although he was an artist he still filled space in the carriage in a masculine way.

As they were travelling, both of them were dressed sensibly; Edwina's dress still cut in a younger style, so she felt almost doll-like. Her travel gowns were muslin for the heat, and sported the trendy VanDyke points such summer dresses called for, while also covering her from collarbone to ankle. And given her statuesque height, Edwina preferred to have the Briggs scarlet reserved for the edges and detailing, leaving the rest a simple white. One day she'd be able to wear the beautiful Event gowns she saw tailored at Abernathy's, but for now Edwina remained garbed in the modestly childlike styles. Though in the growing heat of summer, she doubted the heavy layers and fabrics would help all that much. Even Lord Daro had chosen lighter travel clothes, and she once again marvelled at how the gray of the Korolenko family suited him so well. His brown hair had a golden glint to it in the sun, a wave to the longer styling over his ears and at his forehead, and Edwina fantasized about running her fingers through it to see if it were as silky as it looked.

And she could let none of it show, not how aware she was of him in a physical sense, nor how foolishly she wished he would view her as a woman. Instead, she should simply cherish the time she had left with him as her mentor, for the end of this trip would hopefully result in her gaining a Master to learn from. There was also a small probability of her being sent back as still lacking, which would be devastating in its own way, but would still let her keep Lord Daro in her life for another year. No matter what, Edwina would gain something and lose something in exchange for it.

Though she suspected Lord Daro had grown tired of the burden being her mentor presented, why else would he have submitted her name to the university Masters for early enrollment? It'd been almost three years where his own artistry and development were put on hold so he could help hers, so Edwin wouldn't begrudge him a return to his freedom.

Like her enduring love for him, Edwina wouldn't let her sorrow at his leaving show either. A struggle she hadn't anticipated but inflicted due to the endless proximity their tedious carriage ride provided. On the first day her excitement and nerves kept her too focused on the what ifs that were to come. Then the second day she was calmer, able to focus on Lord Daro's conversation as they discussed the Events they were going to miss while being away; Earl Wignell's surprise Event, Baron Holland's ballet, the Briggs' own Masquerade, the Dolivier archery Event, and the Polumenta Opera; which Edwina knew Lord Daro had to be lamenting because he loved music almost as much as he did art. All their detailed discussions of what the Social Events might be like took them all the way to the end of the first week. An entire day alone was spent trying to predict what Earl Wignell might Host, since he had neither Debutant nor Queen's edict on what to do.

And although the now Earl Clayton Wignell was a close friend of her eldest brother, he wasn't someone Edwina had dealt with frequently. For one, he'd left on Tour three years ago, and for another; even at fifteen Edwina had been too focused on her art and magic to notice him. She had no actual clue what the Wignell Estate looked like, so her ideas for an Event were more based on popular trends. Lord Daro admitted to attending Lord Wignell's Debut Event but hadn't been back for a more personal visit since, so it could have greatly changed. He recalled a pond that Lord Wignell could work with but didn't know how to feature it in a Social Event. Given the lack of time to prepare, he ruled out more complicated productions and predicted he would likely host an auction; it'd cover an Event and help him clean out his Estate after his brother's passing.

The irony was that with how slow they were forced to travel, news of what type of Event Earl Wignell Hosted was in the papers by their second week of carriage travel.

"Neither of us was correct," he wore reading glasses, the paper they'd bought at the latest boarding house folded so he could get to the details they wanted first. "For those with a nose for a humour filled scandal, Earl Wignell's initial Hosting was a delicate bouquet to enjoy. Although summoned from an extended Tour of the Southern Island by his brother's tragic passing, Lord Wignell's mandatory inclusion on this Season's already full Social Calendar was a resounding success. With almost no time to plan for a full Summer Court, he still presented a most adventurous treasure hunt themed picnic. Blankets were found in (almost) perfect family colours for all attendees, each Family given a treasure map that led to a bottle of champagne, and a spot of entertainment provided when a pair of young men ended up capsizing in the pond. Lords Calvin Briggs and Danilo Polumenta had been in the midst of helping the still grieving Count Malani family retrieve their treasure. Both young men were in high spirits despite their ruined attire, an issue swiftly rectified by Lord Wignell, and I am delighted to share that the Wignell blue looked resplendent on both." He had a wonderful oratory tone and Edwina almost didn't realize the article was discussing her brother.

"I can promise that Calvin was NOT in high spirits about it," Edwina had argued at the time.

Unfortunately for them, the rest of the carriage ride was too slow to be anything but mindlessly dull, and somehow also too quick for anything of more newsworthy excitement to occur and help distract them. Edwina had been given a month of preparation time after her invitation had been received, not including the additional two weeks required to travel, and by the time they arrived at the massive university grounds, she was filled with apathy and agitation in equal measure.

"You reminded me of how I felt when I first came here," Lord Daro laughed at her obvious dichotomy. "The Zappeas Duchy has always been friendly to my family, so I was accepted to attend the university as a general student without a Master. And despite my familiarity with the university grounds, I still had the same trepidation that you are enduring. But, Lady Edwina, I promise you that you belong here, and I know Master Gentileschi will see it too."

His confidence in her was grounding and staggering all at once, "thank you Lord Daro." She fanned herself now that there was no wind from movement, "though I do suspect it will take me some time to get used to this heat."

The temperate zone of Taroton varied from cold and blustery for the most Northern parts, to hot and dry at its Southernmost part, and East and West had as much diversity too; the Western heat was combined with a dreadful humidity, and the Eastern coastal storms Edwina had grown up with were no treat either. There was little seasonal change, just a waxing and waning of what was already endured, thus why the Marriage Season occurred when it did; the Southern and Western nobles could flee their dreadfully hottest season and enjoy the almost mild Capital. Unfortunately, it also meant that the university, located in the Southern Duchy of Zappeas, was hot enough that Edwina understood a roast's experience.

"Let us guide you inside before that fair, North-Eastern skin of yours is burned," Lord Daro's light teasing didn't help Edwina catch her breath any. "The porters will be careful with your artwork; they are the caretakers of the university itself and all items of cultural or historical value are of utmost importance.

"So, they value the products of university, not the people that produce it?" Edwina frowned at the thought.

"They have been specifically tasked with the preservation of knowledge while others are tasked with the protection of the living," Lord Daro's clarification made Edwina's eyebrows rise.

"I see, it is a most noble task," she corrected her understanding. "And thankfully, with it being Marriage Season, the university is in recess so there are fewer students to be concerned with, so the porters work must be easier."

"Though it is a pity your gallery will not be seen by the entire student body, you deserve the recognition your talent and hard work are owed," Lord Daro complimented freely, and Edwina knew her wretched little heart was reading too much into his kindness.

"I am more than happy to display to the Masters, Professors, and those who have remained despite the Season," Edwina demurely confessed. She wasn't shy by nature; she just didn't see the need for grandiose demonstrations when her purpose here was to show where she was with her art so the Masters could decide if she was ready to be an apprentice.

"We shall be able to take a day of recovery before having to arrange your gallery," he spoke as if the journey had been physically tiring instead of enduringly boring. "And I was informed we've been set up in the Guest Wing, so I'll be able to play tour guide once you've had a chance to refresh and let the heat of the day dissipate. As you know, it is the custom to rest during these hottest hours and enjoy later into the evening in these Southern territories; so, a midday sleep is quite the norm."

"Then I shall continue to adhere to your good counsel Lord Daro, you haven't led me astray yet," Edwina wanted to rest her hand on his arm while they walked but it would be both too intimately bold, and too physically warm.

"When you have the chance to meet my sister Bogna, please make a point to tell her that; I am forever seen as the rebellious baby in the family." Lord Daro laughed at himself, and Edwina foolishly clung to him speaking as if he had plans to introduce her to his family.

She knew better though, he had been her mentor for almost three years, being introduced to his family had no romantic implications. He'd met all of her siblings, inevitable given that he had been her mentor for so long, all but living with them during this Season before departing for winter. But Edwina had also learned of his siblings as he discussed them over the years. His parents, the Count and Countess Korolenko, had married after a long Courtship, and continued to be focused on the Korolenko Countship and training the eldest, Adam, to one day take over. That had left Bogna, the second born, to all but raise Celestyn and Daro herself, despite being three years older than the third born, and five years older than Daro himself.

"It's strange to consider an esteemed artist, and my mentor, being deemed as rebellious," Edwina dared smile at him with a mischievous glint, "but I've also learned to take an elder sibling's opinion with great respect."

"I have been amongst your Briggs siblings," this was the least formal he'd ever spoken to her, and she adored it, "and I can guarantee that isn't the case."

Edwina wasn't certain why he was so relaxed, but she suspected being at the university left Lord Daro in a nostalgic frame of mind. She had heard that filial rank held less importance at the university than talent did; a fact supported by the inclusion of commoner students, though they did require a sponsor. "I respect Alaric's advice and opinions," she feigned offence.

"You certainly do respect Lord Alaric, but I've heard the manner you speak with Lady Blair," he wasn't wrong, but Edwina was having fun with the teasing.

"Blair calls me Eddy, I do not like being called Eddy; I don't even like being called Winnie but at least that sounds better," she was telling the truth.

"Then what name do you prefer? Not every endearment has to be based on your name," he was still only teasing but Edwina couldn't help but think that any endearment from him would be acceptable.

But instead of saying that and exposing the depth of her affections for him, Edwina replied, "we do call Hida Pinky; given the shade of her hair."

Lord Daro's laugh was a beautiful sound, "young Lady Hida is rather pink compared to the rest of the Briggs blonds." Hida's strawberry blonde colouration was a constant source of loving teasing but given that their grandfather had been copper they all knew the progenitor of it.

"She detests the name as much as I do, both Eddy and Winnie," Edwina laughed lightly too, wanting to keep their walk going but he stopped them in what had to be the Guest Wing.

"Your room is here Lady Edwina," he put deliberate emphasis on her full name, "I am on the gentlemen's side there if you need me," he pointed to the rooms across from hers. "And the ladies' bathing chamber is at the end of that hallway if you need it."

"As you said, Lord Daro, we shall take our chance to recover from our journey, then start working on arranging my gallery. Will you fetch me for supper, or will our meals be delivered to our rooms?" In the regular sessions, the meals would be served in the Dining Hall, but given the recess things may be different.

"I shall fetch you at suppertime, there is a restaurant I wish to share with you, so you know its excellence before you start attendance," he stepped across the hall to his room and Edwina entered her own, hating herself for being on cloud nine at his dinner plans; it sounded almost like a date.

It was another foolish flight of fantasy, and Edwina pushed it from her mind to try and focus on the room she was staying in. The guest room was as pleasantly cool and airy as could be achieved, helping her almost feverish feeling skin start to calm. The porters had carried her luggage here, faster somehow than their walk in had been, so Edwina decided to take advantage of the ladies bathing room and the chance to sleep the worst of the heat away. She retrieved the essentials, and quickly headed to the room Lord Daro had pointed out, finding that unlike most bathing locations to the North, the water had a cooler cast to it, refreshing to help combat the arid heat. She even used the chance to unpin her carefully travel-styled hair to give it a wash. Gavin had gifted her some hair oils he'd infused with rosemary and his magic, so she knew her hair would look impeccable.

A cooling bath felt marvellous, and Edwina left her hair wet, simply braiding it out of the way and letting it help chill her while she rested. What was a terrible idea in a Northern winter was a necessity here in a Southern spring. By mid July the temperature would be almost unbearably hot, a fact of life for the lower territories and one she'd have to adjust to as she stayed.

The heat left her feeling almost groggy before she managed to nod off, not at all aided by the lack of distant background noise. She lived with seven siblings; her home was never wholly quiet. Even in the odd hours, chances were that the cook or another servant was doing work. Edwina had witnessed how much effort went into food; it was the one artistry she lacked any skill with. So perhaps it wasn't all that unusual that her dreams featured her as a roasted beast, trapped in an endlessly burning carriage.