“The archduke?” Alister mumbled, trying to think of what he remembered about the man. The archducal family had really close ties to the royal family, even more than Alister’s own family did. The archduchess was the queen’s mother, an elf that was over three hundred. Elves always lived so long… she was older than he was, though still not old enough to have seen The Fall.

“Alister? Please pay attention,” his mother sighed, “It’s a sad situation. I know. You weren’t very familiar with him but it must be strange to hear of such an important person dying.”

Blas slyly rolled his eyes. Alliana treated Alister more childish than him, still. Much to Alister’s obvious chagrin. Blas had taken a middling approach and was treating their young child like more of a teen. That seemed to garner more understanding and respect. Alliana just couldn’t see him that way.

He sighed as well, “I knew Archduke Nathaniel relatively well. He was a very knowledgeable individual. Kind, too. He saved many troops in wars that happened long before I was even alive. His death is… unfortunate. It’s not unexpected, alas.”

“How did he die?” Alister asked, frowning. He felt a little conflicted. Yes, his mother was being annoying but that was hardly important right now. “I think… I met him once, right? When I was five-ish? I don’t really remember it well.”

Blas nodded, “Yes. You did. He had been ill since spring, unfortunately. Priests and healers visited him and none were able to figure out the problem. It was nothing contagious, but he was slowly paralyzed. It was just… beyond everyone’s means.”

Alister nodded in turn, looking again like a white-haired miniature version of his father as he brought his knuckle to his lips in thought, “I’m… hm… I don’t know how I feel about this… it’s… I guess I’m sad? I’m also curious. I know our understanding of anatomy has come a long way. It’s kind of surprising no one could help him.”

“It’s understandable for your feelings to be confused, love,” his mother responded, “Since the Meran family has such a high standing in the nation, this death is going to shake things up for the whole kingdom. Power struggles can become difficult for the common folk. The uncertainty that this brings makes many insecure about their everyday lives. They don’t know what jobs may get changed, or if there will be violence. It’s a complicated time. Now, we don’t live near the capital, so we likely won’t see as much of that down here, but it’s something we must be mindful of. As I said, however, we’re going to the capital for the funeral.”

“We’ll be going tomorrow. I know it’s sudden, but we have quite a long ride,” his father said, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes, “It’s all just unfortunate. I know you’ve been spending a lot of time with Wisteria… Mm… This is short notice, but maybe we could take her and her mother along with for the trip?” Blas glanced at Alliana beside him for her take.

She scrunched her nose, “Ugh… Blas…”

“I don’t mind their company.”

“I know you don’t… Their company isn’t the problem. The problem is how it would look. It’s already a delicate situation. I like them well enough but they are still commoners. They have no titles. They haven’t been taught how to act in social situations.”

“They don’t have to go to the funeral itself. They could just accompany us for the trip. It’d be nice for Alister to have someone to play with.”

“It’d also be nice for us to have some family time. You know your cousins will be there too, don’t you? The last thing you need - that any of us need - is for the extended family to be making assumptions about us.”

Blas heaved a loud sigh, “I don’t care what they think.”

“It’s our job to care.”

“Maybe we can convince her mother to let just Wisteria come..?”

Alliana bit her lip, letting go of a quiet whine sound, “Fiiine. That’s still a pain but if you care that much, then fine. Wisteria is still a commoner, though. I don’t want her coming to the funeral.”

Blas shrugged, “It’d be boring for her anyway. Alister?”

Alister tensed, looking away. He was annoyed at the whole conversation. Noble politics were so dumb. “Yes, father?” He said.

“Go ask Wisteria and her mother for us. I’ll let you do the honors. Your mother and I need to have a chat about our extended family… and how I’m going to throw hands if they mock her or you.”

“Love! Don’t encourage that kind of behavior!” Alister ran off. He didn’t want to listen to any more of that crap. Alliana sighed, cupping the side of her face with a hand as she stared at the doorway, “Your elder brother Felthinus is always problematic. He’s always childish about the fact that your father chose you to inherit the title and not him.”

“I was only sixteen when father perished, and Felthinus was eighteen. It’s only natural for him to feel irritated about it, but if he wasn’t so immature, then it never would have happened. It’s not like father played favorites, he was only choosing that which was the best for the duchy. Alister shouldn’t have to put up with him,” Blas sighed, “And you being so difficult about Wisteria is frustrating, love. They’re commoners, but he has no one else he feels close with aside from her and his teachers. It’s not healthy. You were fine enough with him doing public schooling originally, what changed?”

“Being tolerant of and being fine with are different. I certainly prefer him to have tutors for now. I was alright with him being taught with the town’s schooling system for the moment, but things have changed. His magic, the recall, his system being unlocked… everything is moving more quickly now. He needs to learn how to act like a noble of his station.”

“I agree, but having a commoner friend will give him a good perspective. He’s doing well in his classes. You worry too much, my love.”

Alliana sighed again, “It’s a mother’s job to worry, Blas. You’ve changed so much since the war… The others of the family and the other nobles as well won’t be so kind as you or I. You know that. And you can’t stop everyone. One day, he’ll have to go to a proper academy. He needs to know how to hold himself against the other noble children. He will be a duke one day. He can’t afford to get trampled - can’t afford to be a pushover.”

Blas gave her a side-glare, “Don’t you start again about how I’ve changed. I don’t want to hear it.” He moved to the doorway, “I have to handle some paperwork before we leave. I agree with you that he will need tough skin. I just don’t want him to be cruel. He had a hard life in his last life. I don’t want that to make him cold. I want him to have a good childhood this life.”

She followed, touching his arm gently, “He’s being raised not wanting for anything. I don’t know of a better childhood. You’re worried about the wrong things. We need to be firm with him, but we are not cruel. He will grow up just fine. He’s still a child.”

“We need to be more considerate of his mental age, Alliana,” Blas answered firmly, “He is our child, but you’ve seen it as much as any of us, he’s not just some eight-year-old. Stop fooling yourself.”