Magic of the Marriage Market

The last month of the social Season was October, and this year the Hatsune Dukedom got to close out the Social calendar. Their Event was supposed to be specialty drinks and fireworks, and Derbie was looking forwards to attending. He just had to accustom himself to attending as Prince Consort Derbie instead of Lord Briggs. Ban had explained her family ties to him privately, so he'd know what his proposal would fully entail, and he'd still wanted to be with her over anything else; even his dreams of a simple life.

Marrying Ban had been everything he'd wanted it to be; a love match supported by both their families, and even though he'd known to anticipate the Queen's arrival, he'd still appreciated her skills at introducing them and then moving on. Calvin hadn't been surprised, but everyone else had seemed to be; Derbie was learning just how little he'd known going about his life as just a noble's son. He had to learn all the ways he had to support Ban when she'd become Queen, the ways his role as Prince Consort would affect both his family and the Kingdom as a whole, and a few of the secrets he needed to know so he wouldn't be surprised by them later.

And yet Derbie had found himself surprised anyways, not by a secret but by being tailored in the Royal Taro purple. He'd been making peace with the Ruma indigo and having more of that colour than the Briggs' scarlet he'd grown up wearing, but now his suit was the rich purple that only Queen Akiyama had been wearing before. He felt strange, not seeing a single trace of the scarlet he'd lived with, but Derbie had to admit that with his dark blond hair and icy blue eyes, the colour suited him. But then he saw Ban in her gown and tiara, and he realized the colour was made for her. Not only did her black hair and eyes glimmer with that shade, but he could suddenly see the familial resemblance she had to the Queen. The secret had really been kept by distance, put Queen Akiyama near Ban and it'd be all too easy to see the truth. Although they were half-sisters, there was enough shared featured to identify.

Since marrying Ban, Derbie had moved out of the Briggs Estate, and into the Crown Heir's Suites. As expected of the Crown Princess' assigned rooms, they were spacious and opulent. The floors were of smooth granite quarried from the Volle Dukedom in the southeast, so polished underfoot they almost reflected, and despite their dark colour, the creamy stone walls helped keep the rooms feeling bright. All of the furniture was sturdily built, often from the dark woods of Malani's territory, but then adorned with light, almost gauzy fabrics that kept one cool but offered a layer. A palace servant had informed him that if they weren't warm enough, a winter set of fabrics would be brought in and set up, all in that almost creamy ivory that made the room feel like the inside of a cloud.

He not only liked the decorations, Derbie's favourite part of the room was its main occupant; Ban herself. He married her because he loved her, and unlike the majority of his siblings, he wanted to be married before they explored more intimate moments. They'd been married for just over a week and they'd made up for lost time, now they had to make their first appearance as they married Crown Princess and Crown Prince Consort.

Thus, the matched outfits in Taro purple, and the subtle presence of personal Knights to guard them. That always made him think of Hida, and her prophetic determination to be Prince Consort Levi's Knight. He didn't have Pinky's ability to see the future, but he could picture her in a Royal Guard's uniform easily enough. A month ago, and Derbie would have believed that Hida would have a safe, easy job of guarding the Prince Consort, but now that he'd been caught up on the precarious political balance the central continent maintained, he knew that no one was truly safe.

It was a strange frame of mind to find himself in as his carriage arrived at the Hatsune Estate. Duchess Hatsune had been sent on the Queen's Western Expedition, attempting to establish peaceful relations with Seong and Jechguk, but so far only making progress with the Seong Kingdom; the Republic of Jechguk was still attempting to expand its borders. But while Duchess Hatsune was away, Aoyama Hatsune was hosting her first Social Event, and Derbie loved fireworks, so it wasn't hard to convince him to attend as Royal representatives.

Days were shorter as summer gave way to fall, the heat that had even cooked the Capital had eased back, and it was the perfect time for the fireworks Event; no real bugs or intolerable weather conditions to deal with. Later in the month it'd rain but for now it was still pleasant, and left Derbie recalling his own Debut, seven months ago; how the beginning of the Season had still been chilly but full of potential. Now he'd seized that potential, fell in love, got married, and learned that his wife would one day be Queen, and their offspring would be tasked with unifying Cador and Taroton. He'd felt anxious, and unready to join the Debuted nobles, and now he was learning to help his wife rule them; a lot can change in seven months.

"I love you," Ban's soft voice pulled him from his mind, and Derbie smiled at her, not bothering to school his expression.

"I love you too," he liked hearing it and saying it, and he really liked that he was her husband.

"It occurred to me that your answer to Queen Akiyama on our Debut night has really happened. You found a love match and you will serve your Queen well," he recognized the slightly teasing tone she used.

"I serve Queen Akiyama well, I plan to serve you as Queen VERY well," he played along, loving how she looked as they flirted.

"It'll be High Treason if you don't," she warned with a stern look. Although Queen Akiyama was intimidating, Ban hadn't inherited that trait so instead of fearsome, to Derbie she looked seductive.

"We can discuss the terms of my imprisonment later love, we're here," it was time for the Taroton nobles to socialized with their future Queen, and Derbie would always be at her side to support her. "If you faint today, I'll catch you."

"Have you carry me out of the part in your arms, like the dramatics of that book you had us read?" she smiled and stepped out of the carriage as the herald announced her arrival.

Interim Duchess Aoyama curtsied to Ban and Derbie, older than both but lower in rank. That was another adjustment Derbie was making; only four people out ranked him; the Queen, the Dowager Queen, his wife, and Prince Consort Levi, he bowed to no one else. "Thank you for receiving us personally, interim Duchess, you honour us," he'd learned the right thing to say.

"It's my pleasure, Crown Prince Consort, being the first Estate to officially host Taroton's Crown Princess and her Consort is all its own reward," she wasn't wrong about that, there'd be an increase to her reputation if the night went well.

Being the last social Event of the Season was the coveted position, as it was usually the Event most remembered during the winter season. After tonight, many of the southern families would depart; intending to get back to their territories before winter could make the journey uncomfortable. October would rain, but it wasn't unheard of to have snow in the Capital for the start of November, so Aoyama Hatsune had spared no expense to ensure the fireworks she was hosting were memorable. Every arriving guest was greeted by a serving of spiced wine, and offered a wide variety of delectables once they were inside the Estate, while all the lighting appeared to be glowing crystals instead of candles and lanterns. It allowed for a wide variety of colours, and Derbie especially appreciated the inside lighting repeating the display the fireworks would put on outside soon. It was a luxury he could see quickly becoming a trend amongst the gray and dreary norther winters; the effect alike to the sun through stained glass.

"I must make a point to compliment Lady Aoyama, her Event is breathtaking, and the fireworks haven't even started yet," Ban spoke as if to remind herself.

"For a Season full of Events," Derbie mentally included a few things that weren't Social but still counted, "this will still stand out over the next few months."

"We should go greet the Debutant of Hatsune," Ban directed softly, seeing Lady Banika in her Hatsune blue.

As the weather had slowly cooled, suits and dresses had trended towards heavier fabrics instead of added layers, so Lady Banika still had her shoulders and arms bared, but the gown was velvet instead of silk. Ban had likewise opted for a finely woven but somehow impossibly soft wool with her shoulders and collar bared, and Derbie's suit was made to match it. A quick look revealed many guests opting for the fine wool or velvet fabrics, and for the first time in his life, Derbie felt fashionable. Alaric had always ensured he was stylish, but now he also felt on trend.

"Congratulations on such a marvellous Debut Event," Derbie spoke to Lady Banika first, the bridge between ranks now. They were all the same age, and they'd all Debuted this year, so Lady Banika already congratulated them at their Debut Events, but now they were Crown Princess and her Prince Consort.

"Thank you, your Royal Highnesses," Lady Banika curtsied, every inch of her perfect nobility. She was originally a cousin to the Hatsune interim Duchess, but the Expedition west had prompted her adoption as a Hatsune direct descendant. "I'm so happy you were able to find love together, and I was wondering if you'd be able to speak with her Majesty about allowing me to assist Taroton's future by finding me a willing Cadorian nobleman to wed?"

It was a bold move, not only because she was still subtly using their 'association' as fellow Debutants, but also because Cador had far less nobles than Taroton did, and she'd been a prime candidate for Taroton Suitors as it was. He didn't have the authority to speak on it, but it wasn't a terrible idea. "I can mention your willingness to assist the alliance with Cador, thank you for volunteering," Ban replied with easy acceptance.

They moved on, making a point to approach all the Debutants they shared in rank order. After Banika Hatsune, they greeted Colena Sikali, her eldest sister Aquene now betrothed to the third son of the Duchy of Pulu as part of Duke Sikali's Eastern continent Expedition, and her own prospects looked good given that she'd received a Letter of Intent from Darim Malani before the Event. That couple was happy, and Derbie followed Ban to Darim's younger brother and Debutant, Faruq Malani; a far more somber encounter. At the beginning of the Season, Faruq's elder brother Bahrat had died in a theatre fire, and although Darim was Courting, Faruq seemed to be waiting for a different year to try to find a Suitor. Thankfully, he still seemed in a place to wish both Derbie and Ban well, and they were able to move on without melancholia clinging to them.

Derbie and Ban refilled their drinks, the spiced wine a perfect way to hold the cooling night air at bay as they sought out the triplets Ram. Bahni and Chanda were together, the moments elder sister now set to inherit the Viscountess title after Aayina married Alaric. That gave her stricter requirements for a Suitor than Chanda, who Derbie had heard may send a Letter of Intent to Claudie Brochard. And it seemed Bahni was eager to arrange it, as they'd caught her mid-cajole to Chanda. Deepa Ram-Polumenta was with her new husband Borka, the pair of them proudly bearing each other's family colours. Derbie left his sister-in-law to flirt with her husband, once again following his own wife to visit the last two Debutants. Alex Holland had married a noble grand daughter from Tashatia a day before Derbie and Ban had wed, and his new wife was still yet to arrive from her homeland. But Aiden Dolivier had found himself pursued by Filipe Nacola and their engagement signalled that Aiden's younger brother Ben might have to provide the Dolivier legacy to be their Heir.

These were all factors Derbie would have to keep in mind as part of his role now; he had to anticipate the social needs of Taroton while Ban would grow and protect their Kingdom, he'd keep her updated so she could use him to help adapt Taroton's society to the changing times. War was far more likely than most Taroton nobles believed, the Republic of Jechguk was aggressive. He'd also learned that his little sister Farran may have inadvertently embroiled herself into it all, her marriage to Duke Vellan in Cador counterbalanced the Prince Consort's to Queen Akiyama. And Derbie now knew that if Hida wasn't set on being a Knight, she'd have made a perfect candidate to find a Suitor from Seong or Yang to help ease those alliances.

But the same day he'd officially become Crown Prince Consort had been the same day Hida had declared her future as Prince Consort Levi's Knight. So now Derbie had heard Queen Akiyama and Ban discussing the likelihood of marrying Deshay Sikali to one of the Republic of Yang's Dynastic families, and possibly using Bianca Dinu from the Earldom for the alliance with Seong. He was 18 while she was only 15, so by Taroton standards they had to wait at least a year for the one. But given Farran's Cadorian marriage at 17, it seemed that cultural traditions could be adjusted.

For Ban's sake, he'd have to look into both cultures in far more depth to determine how soon marriage alliances could be negotiated. Like those with Cador, both Seong ang Yang would expect mutually beneficial marriages. Depending on the ages of the prospective Suitors, several Taroton families had unattached children; helping connect Nations had its benefits and drawbacks for each family. Derbie was forever grateful that Queen Akiyama had no desire to physically produce an Heir, otherwise Ban would have been given the marriage alliance with Cador and the Queen would have sought a marriage partner she wanted to produce an Heir with.

After all their fellow Debutant were seen to, Ban and Derbie could finally seek out the Briggs'. Alaric and Aayina wore matching attire, the former Lady Ram looking as good in Briggs scarlet as Derbie felt in Taro purple. "A good evening to you, Crown Princess and Crown Prince Consort," Aayina held decorum.

"It's weird seeing you without any scarlet," Alaric said plainly.

"It's weird not wearing any Briggs scarlet," Derbie agreed.

"Thank you, interim Countess Briggs," Ban ignored both him and Alaric with aplomb. "How is your first Event as Lady Briggs?"

"Adequate," Aayina seemingly teased Alaric, "I won't complain in Royal company, but I do hope you've enjoyed your married life to a Briggs."

"Derbie is a wonderful husband," Ban didn't gush but she was firm in her compliment, "Taroton is going to benefit from his guidance at my side."

"And the Briggs Countship will benefit from my input," Aayina was as on the ball as always.

"I would expect no less," Ban laughed lightly.

"I think Blair and Clayton are already outside with Calvin and Danilo," Alaric let Derbie know as their wives talked.

"Who would have predicted that Blair would have the longest Courtship our of all of us?" Derbie reminisced with his oldest sibling.

"Not even her," Alaric at once assured, no trace of hesitation and Derbie laughed.

"She was as aware of her own romancing needs as you were yours; Gavin and I are the only Briggs siblings that were honest about it all," Derbie pointed out.

"Hida's been straight forward about becoming a Knight," Alaric weakly argued.

"Ask Blair what she thinks about Hida and the Prince Consort her vision show her being Royal Guard for," Derbie had overheard some of Blair's comments.

"No," Alaric argued without hesitation, "I don't want to know, I don't want to have to think about another romance, Intent, engagement, or marriage until after I've had time to get used to my own."

Derbie bit his tongue, as aware as Ban of Farran's foreign nuptials. But the news still hadn't been released in Taroton for some reason or another. That was a reality Alaric would have to accept as established fact, since both Queen Akiyama and King Kai of Cador had approved it. Derbie had been shocked by it and expected Alaric would no doubt be the same when he finally learned of it.

"How do you like Hatsune's solution to lighting?" Derbie kept it to easier topics.

"It's smart, far less fire hazards," Aayina replied promptly, as if she'd been waiting to discuss it. "If it has easy manufacturing, think of all the practical applications it could have."

Aayina and Ban started an in depth discussion on the matter while Alaric and Derbie both seemed content to stand by and watch their wives solve all the world's problems. He knew Blair was ensconced with Earl Wignell, and Calvin was with Danilo, so Derbie could simply enjoy a likely rare chance to still just be a younger sibling.

For now, life was good.