Pierce waited with bated breath for the king’s answer to his question. Even if the king agreed to allow his daughter to marry the Marshal’s son, it would be several years until the wedding would take place. Much more immediate would be the consequences to his son’s relationships, his wife’s happiness, and their family status. I am almost as nervous as I was for my own engagement, Pierce thought. Hurry up already, your majesty.

King Archibold finally looked over at Pierce. “I can’t say this request is a surprise,” he began slowly. “Cassandra knows she’ll marry at least partially for the needs of Brighton, but Lucille and I have noticed her interest in Victor. As a father, I’d like for her to have the happiness that comes from a match made of love.”

The king paused to choose his words carefully. “As a king, I have other considerations, such as how I can strengthen the kingdom without losing the support of those whose support is vital for the kingdom. The major and minor noble Houses of Brighton, though they have no official say in the matter, have significant influence, and their continued support is important for the smooth running of our kingdom. Now more than ever,” he added as an afterthought, “with the threat of the new Silver Kingdom and the new power in the formerly unclaimed lands. You know this.”

Pierce nodded shortly, his stomach clenched and his heart prepared for rejection.

The king saw the effect he was having on his friend. “I would rather tie my House to yours if I have the choice than to do so with any other of our local noble Houses,” he told the Marshal. “Which is why I am explaining my considerations to you. You have always been a loyal friend and supporter, which is more than I can say for most. Please hear me out.

“I could look for a match for my daughter from a more distant city, but I know the princes from Mornholm have all been engaged already, so I'd have to go further abroad. Besides, I must choose such alliances carefully if we are to strengthen our position and not encourage increased foreign influence or outright takeovers. None of the available options at the royal level look attractive to me - at least if I want to live to be an old man.”

Pierce agreed with that, though he kept quiet.

“The local Houses are the next logical place to search. I know most would be interested in closer ties with my House, especially with my lack of a male heir,” the king admitted. “But there’s a problem with choosing any one House over another.”

The Marshal spoke up. “Favoring one over the rest may cause you to lose support and cost you the ability to keep them all in line.”

“Essentially, yes. My ability to govern effectively requires the support of many of the major and minor noble Houses. If I lose their support, the government could quietly begin to run less efficiently. Projects would move slower, and resources would be redirected. I would see more opposition to laws that otherwise would be supported. You may think I am exaggerating, but this is one area my father made sure I was well-trained. I read many histories and listened to stories of what happens when a ruler doesn’t maintain what he called the ‘keys to the kingdom’. You are one of those keys, as well,” the regent said frankly.

“So, what do you intend to do?” Pierce asked. “Never marry her?”

Archibold laughed. “No, as much as I might prefer that idea at times, not having a clear succession plan as I grow older would be even worse for the stability of the kingdom. It would make the Houses nervous and encourage schemers. No, Cassandra will marry. You were the first to ask directly, but others have hinted about the matter. I cannot discourage the subject forever.

“The choice I make must consider the happiness of my daughter, the future of the kingdom, and the support of the nobles,” the king said. “And the agreement of my wife,” he added, “at least if I want any peace for the rest of my life.”

“It sounds like a difficult decision,” Pierce replied, his emotions all over the place, not knowing where the king was going with this.

“Decisions are rarely insignificant when you sit on a throne,” the king commented. “Ultimately, I need to be able to show that the match I make for my daughter is one that is worthy of her and will provide stability and prosperity for the kingdom. I have been thinking of a way to do this for some time, and I believe tonight is the time to announce it.”

“What does that mean?” Pierce asked.

“Didn’t you just refuse to ruin a surprise for me?” the king responded, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Since you’re such a good friend, I’d hate to ruin this surprise, either.”

The Marshal groaned.

Archibold laughed, then added in a more serious tone, “I can’t promise Victor my daughter’s hand. But I can give him a chance to earn it. And with what you told me about your knowledge of our new neighbors, announcing it tonight will give your House a small advantage. Good luck, old friend. Don’t let me down.”

Pierce stood at the dismissal, bowed, then clasped the king’s proffered arm. As he left the room, he wondered, What could the Kingdom of Unity possibly have to do with marrying the princess?

---

“His Royal Highness, King Archibold of House Winterstar, Ruler of Brighton. Her Royal Highness, Queen Lucille. Princess Cassandra,” the royal family was announced as they regally entered the ballroom. The room immediately quieted and bowed.

“Rise,” the king spoke, as he and his family made their way to the head of the room where three tall, ornate seats were arranged. “I would like to welcome you to our annual ball. I hope you have enjoyed pleasant refreshments and good conversation thus far.” The princess and queen sat down in their chairs, while the king remained standing. “And now, I am told that some of you brought presents,” the king pretended to be surprised, eliciting a few polite chuckles from his audience. “I suppose it would be appropriate to receive those now.”

The palace’s chief of staff nodded to the servant standing at one of the doors, and they brought out the first gift to the king. “A gift from House Arnver,” the head of the palace servants announced to the group. The king opened the box and revealed two colored glass bottles filled with a liquid. “Two bottles of lavender perfume from Mornholm.”

Chatter started back up in the room as the queen and princess happily took the bottles from king Archibold, and he thanked House Arnver. In his group of friends, Victor smiled at Meg. “I bet you had a hand in that choice,” he guessed.

“Of course I did, silly,” she replied. “There’s no way father would have thought to choose perfume as a royal gift.”

Luthias harrumphed.

Richard, the youngest of the group by a year, was quick to respond to the teen’s disdain. “I think it was a perfect choice, Megan.”

“Thank you, Richard,” she flashed him a broad smile, then turned to glare at Luthias.

“They’re going to do the next one,” Victor distracted the group, and they turned to the front again.

The gifts flowed towards the king and his family one by one. Jewelry, silks, and even a sword were presented, with most of the gifts moderately priced for a wealthy noble family. No one wanted to appear stingy in front of the king or their peers and be shunned or thought to be in financial distress. On the other hand, few saw the value in extreme outlays of money for questionable return, so the presents stayed within a specific range of expectations.

“A gift from House Rothpor,” was finally announced, and Luthias perked up, an expectant smile on his face. The servant withdrew the cloth from a beautiful painting, framed in gold leaf. “Painted by the artist Melenthes.”

“Incredible,” the king breathed and turned the painting to the crowd so they could view it as well. On it was their city, Brighton, painted in skilled strokes as though viewed from a nearby hill.

“I love the way he captures the light,” the queen spoke up for the first time of the evening. “It is a generous gift, Rothpor.”

The king nodded and looked at the image. “Lambert, you have outdone yourself.”

“You honor me, my king,” he bowed from his place at the front edge of the crowd. “I thought there could be no better way to celebrate your royal family than to capture the incredible beauty of our fair city, which has been guided to prosperity by your hand.”

Oh, get off of it, Victor thought from the back. You sound like Luthius does when he wants something from an adult. It feels so false.

If the king had similar thoughts, Victor couldn’t tell. Lucius, however, looked smugger than Victor had seen in a long time.

“Melenthes is a master artist,” he boasted. “It was near-impossible to get him to come here.”

Richard took the bait. “Then how did you?” he asked.

“My father knows the right people,” Luthius stated proudly. “And we paid a boatload of money, too.” He sent the other two boys a look that implied their families would have a hard time matching his House’s magnificence.

The palace staff presented more items, including a well-bred stallion from Richard’s House Downtill. At least, a piece of parchment granting ownership of the horse was handed to the regent. Victor grinned. Too bad they didn’t bring the horse itself into the palace, he thought. That would have been fun to see.

“A gift from House Woodmere,” the chief of staff announced, and the audience quieted in anticipation.