Alina smiled happily as she glanced around the table of nobles who all had looked moderately uncomfortable over her presence during their meetings that morning.

Though none of them could compare their awkwardness to the Princess’ new Lady in Waiting.

Lady Katarina Ashowan looked pale, and even slightly sweaty as she gripped the arms of her chair. Her golden eyes were wide, and were staring blankly at the table in front of her. Though what was even more disconcerting to the poor young Baron across from Kat, was she hadn’t appeared to have blinked in an hour.

Meanwhile, the Viscount Ashowan, sat closer to the King at the opposite end of the table, and appeared to be deep in conversation with Lord Fuks.

“The first hour was a bit dry, but by the end of the third I must admit I’m really excited for the discussion that we will get to be a part of after lunch!” Alina whispered to her friend as she pretended to be oblivious to the murmurs going around the table along with the disparaging glances shot in their direction.

The Daxarian King had stepped out to relieve himself, and they all needed to wait for him to return and tell them the next topic of their discussion. Presumably it would be about Zinfera as there had been rumors circulating about the aging Emperor…

“Alina… after lunch… are there… more of these meetings?” Kat asked as she forced her expression to remain as blank as possible--which only made her look all the more deranged.

“Well after lunch there will be the fiscal review of the kingdom’s finances as well as a discussion on the allotted budget for my wedding…”

Kat’s head dropped back against her chair roughly, as though she had been hoping the force of it would render her unconscious.

“Honestly, are these meetings really so bad?” Alina giggled before noticing how unhinged her friend’s gaze had become. “Goodness, you really don’t do well sitting still… how did you study when you were growing up?”

“I was given frequent breaks. At least once an hour.”

Alina’s eyebrows shot upwards. “That… is surprising. Was your brother as bad?”

Kat shook her head. “No. He preferred sitting and working for hours on end. If he could, I’m certain he’d stay glued to his desk.”

Alina thought back to the day Tam had fought with Brendan in the ring, recalling that he had appeared to be quite skilled with a sword as well… perhaps he had always been the studious type while his sister…

Despite recalling the glee Katarina had taken in teasing Alina in the woods on their camping escapade, the Princess couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her friend’s distress as it appeared far more… uncomfortable.

However, she was unable to ask Katarina more about her issues with sitting still as her father the King had returned.

“I thank you everyone for waiting for my return. Today, we are going to discuss the issue of the Zinferan Emperor’s declining health, as it pertains to his concubines.”

Many of the more elderly Lords perked up.

“As he grows more frail, some of the concubines are growing more unruly and daring in their activities. Normally the Empress would be the one responsible for managing the women’s behavior; however, Emperor Taejo never chose an Empress. Instead, he has a harem of several women from powerful families, and not all of them are adhering to ethical practices. In fact, some of the Princes and Princesses are going missing. It is suspected that the third concubine is trying to strong arm the Emperor into putting her in charge of the harem,” Norman explained calmly.

“Your Majesty, are you suggesting that the concubines are possibly murdering the possible heirs of the Empire?” a Marquis spoke up, leaning forward with a frown.

“Didn’t you say that they are missing? Should we not suspend assumptions they are being murdered until we have more information?” Alina jumped in immediately, making every eye turn to her, causing her to blush.

“No ransom has been requested despite the Princes and Princess’ having gone missing,” Norman explained evenly.

Alina felt her face flame even brighter.

“It’s possible they could have smuggled in assassins with the new waves of slaves they have been bringing in. Apparently entire starving villages have been pressured into signing away their lives to some of the concubine’s families,” Captain Taylor informed everyone sternly.

“Precisely. Which brings me to the topic of our discussion today.” Norman straightened in his seat and cast his gaze around the table. “Should we intervene, and if so, to what degree?”

“If we storm the Emperor’s palace with our military it would undoubtedly force a war to break out,” an Earl that was one of the younger members of nobility present volunteered.

“If we send only a handful of diplomats they could still respond poorly and our relationship with them could turn sour regardless,” Lord Fuks’ son, Les, pointed out. “They shouldn’t be trading slaves to begin with, they know our stance on this. We could always approach the matter indirectly and reduce our trading with them until they agree to our terms. It could be the wake up call their officials need to get things in order.”

“That’d be too indirect,” Finlay Ashowan countered. “Such a subtle move would only give the impression that without the Emperor’s leadership we aren’t willing to work with them. What might be within our purview according to Lord Ryu is that we try and encourage the Emperor to at long last select an heir who could begin to take over the duties.”

“The Emperor has long since made it known that the selected heir will be revealed at the time of his death. This is most likely why the concubines may be trying to eliminate some of the children that seemed the most likely to take over,” Lord Richard Fuks reminded everyone wisely.

“He might be willing to rethink this plan in order to have the next heir begin to take over some of his duties to set things right,” Fin turned to Norman who was frowning but nodding along with the flow of the discussion.

“Isn’t the bigger issue that we don’t have enough information on which concubines are bringing in more slaves? Also, how is that decision being perceived by the general public or the Emperor’s closest allies? It could give us a bigger picture of the matter,” Alina spoke out, once again making every eye fly to her. This time she gripped her hands more tightly in her lap and tried not to turn beet red.

“We have the invaluable insight of Lord Ryu who has been a long time diplomat for the-” the same Marquis that had spoken before had begun taking a less than friendly tone with her, but Alina was quick to cut him off.

“One informant can’t give us all the information. That would be like asking you, Marquis Fassi, the well-being of your own home and only hearing your answer. When there are your stewards, your Head of Housekeeping, your maids, and of course, your wife. They may have more to say on that matter.”

The room fell into silence.

Everyone knew Marquis Fassi was in the midst of attempting to placate his wife who had found out about not one, not two, not three, but four mistresses.

“Her Highness makes a fair point; however, learning more can be dangerous as well as it could be seen as illegally gathering information for potentially harmful reasons from Zinfera,” Lord Richard Fuks pointed out, his eyes twinkling at the Princess as Marquis Fassi grit his teeth from across the table.

“True, but surely talking with one or two other Zinferans while a diplomatic envoy were visiting would give more clarity to the situation. Not only that, but it could also give a better idea of what angle to approach the Emperor with regarding his succession,” Alina countered back to the elder Lord Fuks who gave her a wink of approval.

Marquis Fassi was opening his mouth again, when Norman held up his hand silencing everyone.

“I believe that the way this dialogue has moved is indicative that we are all of the belief that military intervention is still too aggressive a move at this time. However, a diplomatic envoy who could gather information and also persuade the Emperor may be beneficial. For this task I personally believe Viscount Ashowan would be best suited, would anyone else like to object or volunteer their services?”

Everyone glanced back and forth at one another uncertainly.

It was rare for the King to send away their greatest source of protection, however… no one could refute that the Lord had a long history of dissolving situations amicably, and usually with minimal violence.

“Good. Then it is settled. Lord Ashowan, I will arrange a ship for you and your personally selected envoy group to leave before the end of summer, does this sound agreeable?”

The Viscount bowed his chin to the King. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Excellent. Now then, shall we all retire for the luncheon hour?”

Alina leaned back in her chair with a grin on her face.

Her heart was hammering, her palms were sweaty, but…

She had loved being a part of the discussions, and was more than a little pleased that there only seemed to be one person who was taking an outward exception to her presence.

Katarina on the other hand looked like she needed a bath as her knee bounced mercilessly under the table, and her forehead perspired heavily.

“Good Gods, are you unwell?” Alina asked as the nobles began to stand and file out of the council room. She turned to search for the Viscount to alert him of his daughter’s state, when Kat pressed her burning hand to her arm drawing her attention back.

“Princess, would you mind if I went for a walk? I think some fresh air might clear my head.”

Alina nodded slowly, her worry increasing steadily.

“Also, please don’t mention this to my Da. It’s fine, I promise. I just need to get used to this is all,” Kat managed a brief smile before giving her friend’s arm an appreciative squeeze.

Slowly, the young royal nodded her consent, and with a quiet breath of relief, Kat turned and fled the council room without another glance back.

“Ah, Princess, did Kat already head down for lunch?”

Alina nearly leapt out of her skin when Viscount Finlay Ashowan’s voice sounded just behind her right shoulder.

“Ah, y-yes- or rather, I believe she said she was going for a walk,” she managed while giving a strained smile that was meant to be reassuring.

Fin’s brows furrowed, but as he opened his mouth to ask another question, the King joined them.

“Well done, Alina! You handled that well today.” Norman stared proudly at his daughter.

His good mood was a breath of fresh air for the nobility who witnessed the exchange as everyone had grown rather wary of their leader in light of his recent feud with the Troivackian King.

“Thank you.” Alina curtsied, the pink in her cheeks blooming from gladness. “Viscount, I’m sorry to hear you will be leaving us, I’ve been enjoying getting to know you and your family.”

Fin smiled warmly down into her hazel eyes. “I will be sad to leave as well, Your Highness. However, I will do my best to return as quickly as possible… Ideally, I’ll somehow manage to make it back before the Winter Solstice.” He sighed while earning an appreciative nod from Norman.

“I know how you dislike leaving the Viscountess for so long, but this could be an excellent chance for your son Tam to start practicing for taking over given that you have been discussing-” Norman began.

Fin’s expression shifted swiftly to one of seriousness as he shook his head ever so slightly, and the King immediately fell silent.

Alina turned stiffly to face the Viscount.

“Do you mean to tell me you have even more secrets? Honestly, Lord Ashowan, I had heard rumors you were terrible at hiding your nonsense! Now I’m thinking those rumors were started as a joke!” she snapped before she could stop herself.

Both Fin and her father looked greatly surprised by her outburst, and for a moment she considered apologizing, but when both men remained silent, decided against it. Instead she folded her arms, and waited.

After another beat of silence and the last of nobility had cleared the room leaving only the trio and Mr. Howard behind Fin faced Alina, his expression apologetic. She had seen it far too many times however.

“I’m guessing Tam taking over the duties has something to do about you relinquishing the Viscount title for him? Why should that be such a big secret?”

“Princess, that is because… people are already concerned about Tam taking over. There are several other factors that at this time are of a confidential nature. I apologize that the King and I must keep things from you, but-”

Alina waved his next words off angrily as she began to turn to the door to leave.

“Alina, the Viscount is entitled to privacy in his family matters,” Norman interrupted her departure gently.

“Then why does he get to know more about our own damn family matters than the actual family members?”

Without giving her father or Finlay time to stop her, Alina stormed from the room.

‘As time goes on, I’m beginning to see why the Troivackian King is so suspicious of the Viscount.’

Once her thoughts had turned to Brendan, Alina felt her mood instantly pick up ever so slightly, and she found herself suddenly incredibly grateful that she was on her way to eat lunch at his side. Perhaps he may have some insight on how to handle the situation… or perhaps she would find something new to tease him about…

Either way, she was beginning to walk a little bit faster towards the banquet hall to see him.