Fin stared at the clothes before him and let out a long suffering sigh.

He was not used to having to dress like a noble, and wasn’t entirely certain he was looking forward to the experience in a long term capacity.

“Would you like my advice?” Annika asked from behind him as Clara added the finishing touches to the elegant updo she was wearing for the council meeting.

“That’d probably be a good idea. In the future, could we ban all lace cravats? I'd feel like a bloody cupcake wearing it.”

Annika smiled before rising and crossing over to the various tunics laid out before him on the bed.

The colors ranged from black, cream, navy blue, and even a forest green.

“Hmm, you wore the black coat with silver designs yesterday. I think the cream will make you feel more approachable. A black tunic underneath, however, with perhaps a gold cravat will still make you look quite imposing- this one doesn’t have lace or ruffles, and matches the gold on the coat.”

The Viscountess turned to look at her husband and noticed the vacant expression that tended to happen to most men when their women began explaining the style choices presented to them and the logic behind them.

“Sounds good, I’ll do that then,” the redhead said after a moment when he realized Annika was staring at him with a bemused smile.

The Lady side stepped to fill his vision then, and gently reached up, and freed the gold chain with his wedding ring from his sleep tunic.“Thank you for keeping this safe, but I believe it is time we wear our rings again.”

Fin raised his hand and covered Annika’s before tenderly clasping her fingers and kissing them. “Will you help me take this off then?”

Smiling beautifully, his wife proceeded to wordlessly remove the golden chain and slip the ring free of the golden links, only to place it back on his finger.

Fin then did the same to her, his hands gently brushing the back of Annika’s neck making a small rush of goosebumps spread over her flawless skin. Once he had returned the wedding band to her own finger, the redhead saw to gently cupping her face and planting a kiss on her lips.

The move was intended to be pure of heart, but was rapidly shifting to one of a different nature when an irritated throat clearing reminded them both that Clara was still present.

“I hate to hinder your morning activities, but I believe you both need to finish getting ready quickly if you are to make it to the meeting on time.

Annika and Fin immediately parted, and after sharing a nod of understanding, resumed their task of getting ready for the meeting that neither of them were entirely certain would go well.

Another hour later, both Fin and Annika were loaded into the carriage and about to depart to the castle, when Clara, who had been pulled aside by a worried looking maid, waved to the coachmen to prevent him from leaving.

As she rushed forward while frowning, Annika leaned out of the small window worriedly.

“What’s wrong?”

“It would seem there has been an… occurence in the poisons room.” Clara whispered with a small frown.

Annika’s dark eyes widened in alarm. “What do you mean ‘an occurrence’, is anyone hurt? Only four people, myself included, have access to that room, did someone sneak in?”

Clara’s eyebrow twitched ever so slightly. “Not someone, but rather… something. I believe it is the Viscount’s cat, Mistress… only there are… several cats that have come and gone in that room, even some rats. We aren’t certain what has been done, but for now we’ve posted guards to prevent them from getting in.”

“What has Kraken done now?” Fin interjected suddenly, the edge in his voice razor sharp.

“Err… I shall tell you on the journey.” Knocking the top of the carriage, Annika hastily signalled their departure before turning to her husband.

“Fin there has been… a great deal about your cat that I believe we should discuss.”

The redhead waited quietly.

“For one, he started that fire that led to the Troivackian soldiers being discovered.”

The Viscount folded his arms and nodded wordlessly.

“Did you know about that?!” Annika spluttered with the intent of saying a great deal more, when the carriage began to wind down the steep hill away from the estate, making her immediately grow pale and queasy.

“Are you alright?” Fin asked as he noticed the dread on his wife’s face.

“F-Fine just… just the heat getting to me I suppose,” she lied while battling the nausea that threatened to cast out her breakfast.

The witch watched her worriedly without a word, knowing full well what ailed his wife, but wanted her to tell him on her own time.

“Perhaps we… perhaps we discuss your familiar a little later today,” Annika finally managed as sweat beaded her brow.

“Of course.”

The couple fell silent for a few minutes as the Viscountess did her best to take slow breaths like Fin’s mother had taught her while trying to keep her eyes fixed on a still point.

“You look beautiful today… like a member of royalty,” Fin said quietly as he eyed her gold and cream gown with its voluminous skirts and strand of pearls woven into her hair. Gold dripped from her ears and adorned her fingers… She had never worn so much jewelry in all of his time of knowing her, but presumed that she wanted to look as imposing as possible.

“Thank you. You look wonderful too. It’s amazing how well it suits you to be honest.”

Fin cringed but forced a smile best he could. “I don’t feel that way, but… oh well. I suppose I’ll grow used to it.”

“Well, it’s wonderful that you have someone going through the exact same thing in that regard. Lord Harris I heard drove one seamstress half mad with his outrage over her prices.”

“Is that why you ordered my wardrobe for me?” Fin asked wryly, making Annika smile.

“I had a few reasons, but it did occur to me that spending our money may be a little foreign to you in the beginning.”

“I’m more than a little… unsure of looking at our finances,” the redhead admitted with a sigh before he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck which immediately reminded the Viscountess that it was only a week ago that he was still a cook.

“Don’t worry, I’ve managed well for a while now. We can look those over once things have settled down.”

Fin nodded and turned his attention out the carriage window. In truth, he too was feeling somewhat unwell at the thought of his public reveal that day, but…

One way or another, it was going to happen whether he was ready, or not.

*

“Lords, I want to thank you for welcoming the new Duke Iones into our meeting so graciously. His grace has taken the militia serving under his house’s name firmly in hand just in time for the war, and your continued support I’m sure will prove beneficial long term,” Norman announced while gesturing towards Lord Harris who was tugging at the lace cravat at his throat while giving a quick wave of his hand to the other members of nobility at the table which was received with various reactions…

The group had gathered in the throne room where a long table had been transported for the meeting. Which told the men there was something of ceremony to be referred to…

“However, it is my honor to inform you that there is another man who has recently joined the rank of nobility. We unfortunately needed to keep this from yourselves and the general public until now.”

There was a wave of whispers that sifted around the table.

“Pray tell, who is this man?” A voice called out further down the table.

“He is the new Viscount who has wedded the former Lady Jenoure, and thus has inherited house Jenoure as his own.” Norman announced carefully while staring unwaveringly at each man present who shifted dubiously in their seats.

“Your Majesty, a Viscount? Whereas before they did not have a title?! This individual must have quite a substantial backing of wealth or prestige to be-”

“Ah! I understand! Captain Antonio, you’ve finally received the honors. This I accept wholeheartedly. Though, when did you wed Lady Jenoure?” Lord Laurent burst out, causing a rush of sighs and guffaws of relief to break out.

“I’ve not yet accepted a title, Earl Laurent,” Antonio interjected gruffly.

The room fell into an awkward silence once more.

“Then… who… who is it?” another Lord inquired growing more rattled by the moment.

Norman lifted his gaze to the guards at the door. “A man who is responsible for saving many of our lives, including Lady Jenoure’s sister-in-law and niece. He brings with him a different kind of power to our ranks. My Lords, it is my pleasure to introduce, Lord Finlay Ashowan. Husband to now Lady Annika Ashowan.”

With a nod to the guards, the door to the throne room opened revealing the Viscount with his Viscountess on his arm.

The pair were dazzling in their fine clothes and good looks, and there was something strange about the former cook’s eyes that stopped any audible reaction from the group for a long moment.

Fin took the opportunity to speak.

“My Lords, it is an honor to address you again. I hope that you can find it in your good natures' to accept my presence in your ranks,” he recited the practiced line and followed it up with the equally rehearsed regal nod of his chin.

“Oh… my…”

“Gods! Absolutely not, Your Majesty! This is madness! He is a cook!”

“When did this happen?!”

“Silence!” the King’s voice boomed, and from his throne he looked incredibly imposing. “As you all are aware, Lord Ashowan is responsible for saving hundreds of lives as I mentioned before. He also has been secretly helping us gain insight into the Troivackian Chief of Military’s plans for this war, and has spared thousands now because of it.”

The room remained hushed for a moment as each man present struggled with the information presented to them.

“Does he truly have no nobility in his blood? Isn’t his father a Troivackian noble?” A Marquess called out.

“He is not,” Finlay announced, though his tone had become frighteningly icy.

All eyes moved back to him, though for some reason the men all felt distinctly ill at ease at seeing the redhead’s somehow formidable presence.

“My father is not of nobility, His Majesty bestowed this title on me generously without worrying about my parentage.”

“Y-Your Highness, why not a Baron title? Why would he inherit Lady Jenoure’s status?” Earl Laurent stammered.

“Your Majesty negotiated us down from an Earl to a Viscount is why, my Lord. We would not have accepted anything less.” An elderly woman with intense brown eyes, and a tall lithe body stepped through the doors behind Finlay and Annika. Her posture perfect, her gray hair pulled back into a bun, and a strange air about her in her long forest green robes made her… intimidating.

“My Lords, I am here on behalf of Eloise Morosov, our Coven leader. My name is Donna Bieren, and I am here to confirm that Lord Ashowan has been selected to act as the official diplomat between the Coven of Wittica here in the court of Daxaria. He will be the voice of our people and will be instrumental in all negotiations going forward.”

“Wait… does this mean…?” The same Marquess as before began.

“With the ennobling of the witch, Finlay Ashowan, you have the strength of the Coven of Wittica in the upcoming war at your side.” Donna gave a slight curtsy to the King, then to Fin.

The council room fell into a wordless stupor for a long period of time.

Unable to take the awkwardness, or the stiff formal clothes, Fin finally turned to the Coven elder who clearly had only come to help smooth out the King’s announcement.

“Thank you for your support and attendance," he gave a small bow, and watched as the woman almost smiled. A prickling along his skin told Fin that she was a force to be reckoned with, and wondered what element of magic she was…

“I will take my leave now, and return to organizing the witches who have volunteered to fight. Your majesty, Lords,” Donna Bieran gave another slight inclination of her head, then exited the hall in the quiet, clearly not seeing a point to waiting around for everyone to collect their thoughts.

“Does anyone have any further questions?” Norman asked everyone, while a small quirk of his lips indicated he was giving a small smile of celebration for quelling his vassals.

A tentative hand extended into the air. A young Baron with a kind face looked at the King sheepishly.

“Yes, Lord Haversher?”

“Err… how does marrying Lady Jenoure come into all of this…?”

“I can answer that one, Your Majesty,” Fin interjected which once again drew every eye to him. The redhead met the gaze of the Baron who had spoken unwaveringly.

“It came into all of this because I happened to fall in love with him,” Annika interrupted unapologetically while smiling demurely, which instantly charmed at least half the men present.

“And I’m not crazy enough to ignore the Viscountess… at least not for a third time,” Fin teased, shooting the Baron a smile of his own, making the poor young man blush.

“Wait... you rejected her before agreeing?!” mage Lee exploded incredulously.

“Twice,” the witch recalled as Annika confirmed by holding up two fingers.

“Gods man, you should’ve gotten on your knees and begged her!” another Lord exclaimed in awe.

Fin glanced at Annika with a raised eyebrow, who shot him an equally amused expression before the redhead looked back to the nobles. “What can I say, being infuriating is part of my charm.”

The King’s expression was less than impressed with the retort as Mr. Howard at his side began shaking his head, and deftly pouring wine into his water goblet. It was beginning to dawn on the ruler that the redhead had been a hassle when he had been a mere peasant… just how aggravating was he going to be as a noble?