Chapter Thirty-Seven: It's a Ladies' World
1335 Words
“Yes, and I do suppose that you have much more in store-,” the duchess of Akonia spoke as she exchanged the rose champagne flute from her left to her right hand, then slid her free hand to fix the green scarves draped over her sand coloured slim gown.
Before her, the duchess of the east, Cleanna, and the fiancée of the southern duke.
“Duchess Tissir,” a deep and commanding voice interrupted the ladies’ casual conversation concerning Alivai’s wedding plans causing the three ladies to fall silent at his more than noticeable presence.
“Duke Nissa, how lovely of you to interrupt our current discussion,” Nancy responded, smiling.
“Oh, I’d certainly hope not.”
“Oh, but you have.” Cleanna replied, matching his tone as she turned to the duke, “You have interrupted our conversation.”
“Ah, yes. Duchess Alistan, I always find myself forgetting that you are old enough to speak.” The duke responded, then stepped aside to make room for the person on his tail, “Duchess Tissir, I wished to introduce you to my son, Aleu Nissa Luciano.”
“Oh? I thought you had only three children?” Duchess Tissir asked as she extended her hand to the boy.
“Yes, well, he is illegitimate, so he has never been added to the documentation; however, since he is my favourite of all the others, we are in the process of altering his middle name.”
“Ah,” the duchess replied as Aleu took and kissed her gloved hand. “A pleasure to meet you, young one.”
The oddest tingle reverberated through her chest when he lifted his golden eyes to meet hers.
“The pleasure is all mine.” He replied, and all too long, her gaze lingered on his eyes.
“Ladies.” The duke said, jolting her from her mind.
Duchess Tissir cleared her throat as she retracted her hand from the child to force a smile on the Duke, who was obviously trying to excuse himself.
“Follow along, Aleu. There are more for you to greet.” The duke finished
“Yes, father.”
“What about I, or am I not worth him meeting?”
“Pardon, where are my manners.” The duke turned to Cleanna, “Where do you presume that I will find your guardian?”
“Unfortunately, my parents have passed on.” She replied to his question.
“Isn't that unfortunate.”
“Not as unfortunate as your surmisable memory loss. It happens with age, I heard. I shall pardon you for today, merciful as I am, I shall not fault the ailing.”
Before the duke could retort, Nancy clapped her hands, jolting everyone in the circle.
“OKAY!” she yelled, “Back to the wedding, Aliviai, are you thinking fall or winter?”
At this, he clicked his tongue noisily then turned on his heel. When both he and his son had blended well enough in the crowd, Cleanna spoke once more.
“Are we simply going to brush past that? I mean, what the duke is trying to accomplish is obvious.”
“It is, it is, I agree with you, but what is there to do?” Nancy asked, sipping her champagne.
“Duchess,” Cleanna began, “You have the political intelligence of a lug nut.”
“This, this is why you are constantly in battle.” Aliviai began, “You ought not to pick a fight so brashly and, to make it worse, with everyone. A lady must do so subtly, and only when victory is assured should she behave brazenly.”
“Ah, yes, life advice from an acquaintance of the Southern crime lord.”
“I would like to hear that comment from you once you resign from the auction house; otherwise, your silence would be appreciated.”
“Okay, I shall invite you for tea one of these days. There, you can educate me on the etiquette of battling ladies.”
“Is that sarcasm?”
“No, no, I am genuine in my thoughts. It is so rare that I invite a criminal into my home.”
“Now, why do I doubt your sentiments?”
“Alright, ladies, ladies, let’s go back to the wedding. Let us not argue.” Nancy interrupted.
“No, no, this is healthy.” Cleanna defended, “Who knows what might happen after she rises to nobility, I’d hate it if I can no longer speak my mind.”
“Odd thing to worry about when you can barely fit in your shoes,” Aliviai muttered.
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, I forgot, language comprehension comes with age.” Aliviai continued, “I said; odd thing to worry about when you can-,”
“BABY PICTURES!” Nancy yelped. “Aliviai, do you have pictures of your firstborn?”
The two ladies sighed then turned to Nancy, who was determined to maintain peace.
“Right, babies.” Aliviai chirped, “You should come to visit. Aterdette really adores visitors.”
“Oh, and maybe you can do your plant thing. She is at the age where she likes grabbing on to things, so perhaps that will make a splendid little game for the both of you?” She continued.
“Oh, that will be spectacular.” Nancy gushed, “Oh, darling, the wedding?”
“Well, Nichols and I have just secured the Coral luxury beach club in the East for the wedding, but our honeymoon is in Envia, a Kingdom in the south of the Aquellian continent. It is supposedly a charming place.” Aliviai announced, then turned to Cleanna, “Us using the luxury beach club will not be a problem, will it.”
“No. Not unless you promise to ask Fred Erickson to put me back into the VIP list of the auction house.”
“You caused a fight which cost him nearly a million kerris in damages.”
“I’m an activist, I am passionate for-,” Cleanna sighed, “Okay, fine, I will do your etiquette thing if you get me back on the list.”
“The etiquette thing first, and then I will secure a meeting whereby you can personally plead your case to him.”
“Deal.”
The room grew tense just as they had struck their deal, and then, from the corner of the room, heads began bowing as a voice announced.
“ANNOUNCING HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY, EMPRESS AZALEA OLEANDER CURSIX.”
Azalea Oleander Cursix.
“LONG LIVE THE EMPRESS.” The chants replied
-I should hope not.-
“You may rise,” I announced, and all the eyes in the room turned to face me as though they expected a speech.
“Enjoy the rest of the evening at your discretion,” I instructed, and when chatter began to pick back up in the room slowly, I began to descend the long steps that led to the dance hall where my chair sat by the wall at its heart.
“Sir Gidion?”
“Yes, your imperial majesty?”
“Do you wish to dance with any of the charming ladies in the hall?”
“I am unfortunately married and faithful to my work.”
“Hah, yes, a pity, especially as you were born with quite a handsome visage.”
“Ah, thank you.”
From the moment my foot landed at the base of the stairs, everyone in my direct way cleared it, offering a straight path to my designated chair, where I was supposed to watch others dance, I believe?
I didn’t think about my last question for too long as within no time the orchestra had resumed its symphony, and I had arrived at my seat with Raiser standing by my side.
Fully prepared for the burden of the night.
- Writer
