Royal Intrigue

More Questions

I woke the next day, ready to begin teaching the young lady about the court. She was sweet and direct, something that I valued, but that would also get her into trouble as well. I would need to bring at least one of my maids with me, giving her a conversation partner outside of myself so she could learn to verbally spar and to spot conversational traps. 

I summoned my maids to me and asked them to prepare a simple robe for breakfast, one that would be easy to remove later as I intended to make use of the hot springs that were piped into the palace after had eaten so that we could relax while we discussed her progress. They chose a light blue colored robe with peach colored embroidery and the same color for the belts that tied it together. My hair went up into the simplest style that would be acceptable if anyone else saw me, taking care to use bone combs and pins instead of jade, distancing myself from the sighting of the night before. 

Properly dressed and with my correspondence brought to me, I quickly sorted through the invitations for different events, selecting a moon viewing party, an outing to the city, and a garden party from the pile, directing one of my ladies to turn away the rest. These were all thrown by people I could trust and would be the perfect place to debut a new lady and to teach her about the world she was about to enter. I had one of my ladies copy off the information for Lady Tsukimine onto a new sheet, putting all of the dates and times together, ensuring that she could plan around them. 

Turning to my ladies I finally spoke. 

"Now ladies, as you may know, I have been tasked with training a new lady to the court, ensuring that she does not embarrass her husband. She comes from the kingdoms of Liuqui and while she is fluent in our language, our customs are much more direct than she is used to. I need someone to come with me and be a conversational partner, to teach her to notice and avoid pitfalls and traps that are common to the court. Who among you do you think would be best for this task?" 

My ladies whispered among themselves for a moment, giving me time to personally write out answers to the three events I would attend. I took the time to be very careful with my penmanship, a woman's writing after all should be delicate and beautiful like she was. A habit drilled into me by my mothers maids for years. Setting them on a pillow I summoned a palace runner and dispatched them to the appropriate people, requesting confirmation of receipt be left on the small table in my entry room while I was gone. 

"Princess, we believe that Michiko would be best suited for this task. Her wit is quick and while she has a mild manner she is able to navigate through conversations very well. In addition, the new lady shall need friends here at court and Michiko is best at making people feel at peace." 

I thought over their suggestion and came to the conclusion that they were right. While everyone in my quarters was well respected and well spoken, Michiko was very good at putting people at ease and she rarely angered. She enjoyed learning logic and had mastered conversation debate at a very young age. Her husband was stationed far away and would be for several years, giving her the time necessary to bond with a new lady as well. 

"Very well, Michiko will accompany me to her quarters and we will have breakfast there. Inform the kitchens where to send out meals and ensure that they send extra tea, I have a feeling that ceremony lessons will be among the ones that are needed." 

One of my other ladies took off to tell the kitchen of my request while I made my way to Tsukimine's quarters. They weren't far from mine and until the wedding she could stay there. After she was married she would either live in her husbands rooms or in a room I provided, I would give her the choice, but I hoped that she would stay with me. Her marriage would be loveless and living within the quarters of her husband could be quite awkward. It was common for such ladies to live with the member of court that they attached themselves to, giving them more freedom and ensuring that they did not have to witness the indiscretion of their husbands.

Knocking gently on the screen I waited for her to answer. Wincing as she did so quickly and while standing, making a large amount of noise. We now knew what the first lesson would be. 

"Michiko, would you please should Lady Tsukimine how to properly open a door." 

Michiko nodded and entered her quarters, taking off her shoes before kneeling and closing the door with the correct hand. 

I knocked again and waited. A call from inside came in Tsukimine's voice asking who I was. 

"Princess Metori come to visit the Lady Tsukimine of the Liuqui islands. Please allow me entrance to your quarters." 

"Please come in your highness." I could hear her kneeling by the door and a whispered conversation as Michiko taught her where to place her hands. Before long the door slid back smoothly and quietly, revealing the two women kneeling side by side. Once I had entered she repeated the process to close the door as I took off my shoes and placed them appropriately with the others. Standing she bowed slightly to me and then motioned with her sleeve held slightly back for me to enter. 

I walked to the small table that had been erected and sat, motioning for her to do the same, watching as she tucked her legs appropriately and inclined her head again before offering me tea. I turned my cup the appropriate way, watching her pick up the pot without tucking her sleeve. I was about to say something when Michiko caught her blunder and corrected her, teaching with gentle hands how to pull her sleeves back and balance the pot, pouring the tea before turning the cup and placing it down before me. I lifted it and bowed slightly, before putting it in the correct position and bowing to her again. She repeated the motion for both herself and Michiko, ensuring that the appropriate steps were taken to honor her guests. 

I spoke after she had served herself, lifting my eyebrows when she almost sipped from the wrong side of her cup. "As you can see, I figured we could being working on your court manners today. This is Michiko," I said as I gestured to her and she bowed her head, murmuring a greeting. "She has agreed to help you and be a confidant. I can better spot problems in your speech and education if I am able to observe conversations rather than be part of them. This might seem like it isn't necessary, but the court is filled with bored people looking any mistake that they can capitalize upon.  It's better not to give them a chance. I also wanted to speak with you later about your position in court, if you would enjoy taking in the hot springs with me?" 

"Thank you, that would be wonderful. It's nice to have someone so willing to help me." 

A servant knocked on the door and entered before I could say anything else, laying out our meal and a fresh pot of tea as well. I noticed that Lady Tsukimine was watching everything they did carefully, making sure that she knew where everything should be. A quick learned was just what I needed. 

While we ate we traded pleasantries and Michiko took the took to correct her when she misspoke. Her direct way of speaking would lead to offense in a palace where no-one ever spoke their mind. I rarely had to comment. It seemed that etiquette for eating was similar among our nations as she had no issue with any of the dishes and did not perform any actions that would make her seem uncultured. 

After the meal was cleared away I gave her the list of events. 

"There are the events I have committed to attend in the coming days, normally I would go to several more, but I wanted to ease you into court life. I'm sure you have noticed, but you are being taken under my wing as one of my ladies, a position I would like you to remain in after your marriage. You should be free from his attractions and as such free to make your own decisions, am I correct?" 

"Yes my lady, such a thing is also common where I come from. It is a blessing in some ways, I will not be expected to attend to his needs and we can live somewhat separate lives. I assume he will want an heir at some point, and I will of course perform my duties, but until then I am happy to be a member of your court." 

"Have you spoken with him about his expectations?" 

I was surprised to see a light blush come to her cheeks. "I have, but my brother did most of the talking. They conversed about my future and I am to be granted a small sum monthly for my care and to be allowed to room where I wish. His family have all passed on or are far away at the other end of the kingdom so I shall not need to be a dutiful wife for appearance purposes. He only asks that I behave appropriately and that I come to him should an issue arise." 

I made a humming sound and made a mental note to have another room in my wing of the palace prepared for her to move. While living in the foreign quarter was good for now, leaving here there would lead to speculation that I didn't fully accept her as a member of the court after her marriage.

"And may I ask when the marriage will be?" 

"I am to be here at court for 2 years, a further year and a half from now, before the marriage is to be completed. It is to give me time to learn the culture of the court and to reach a more appropriate age. He gave me books to read about this country. Shall I show them to you?" 

"No, it's fine, I trust the master of records to have provided you with the appropriate information. Now, I think it is time for you and Michiko to have a conversation. Michiko, you may start." 

"Hello Lady Tsukimine, that robe is bright and colorful. It is truly a unique piece" 

"Thank you." 

"Unfortunately that was not a compliment, unique here means that I think it clashes, and the bright comment on top of colorful means that I think it is too much together. Many members of the court will use backhanded insults like this to make you think that they like you. Let's try again." 

"Okay, I'm ready." She looked determined and like she was mentally taking notes, preparing herself for the conversation. 

"That robe is so bright and colorful, truly a unique statement." 

"Thank you lady Michiko, I fear that I do not have your talent in dressing, it must come with years of experience?" Her lips tilted upward and she pulled out a fan to hide her face slightly behind, a good use of the movement that made her smirk seem like it had been a figment of one's imagination. 

"Good!" I told her. "Commenting on the age difference while still being sure not to give offense is a good approach. You could also imply that bright colors suit youth, or something similar. Give her another response. 

"Hmmm," She chewed lightly on her lip for a second before responding. "I am sure that it does seem bright in comparison to my lady. Perhaps you could accompany me to the markets this month where we could select something new." 

"Very good! You both managed to insult her slightly, imply that the new item would be for her, and make it her problem is she dislikes your clothes. The robe is beautiful by the way, don't change. I assume your brother bought it for you?" 

She picked at the light green and white robe that she was wearing with yellow cords. "Yes princess, the color reminded him of a meadow we used to play in." 

"I'm glad, you needed some clothing that was appropriate for life at court. Although the robes that you were wearing yesterday were fetching." 

"Oh! Before I forget, Kaiki left something with me for you princess." She was careful as she got to her feet, moving with grace and ensuring that her robe trailed her, something she must have picked up from watching the ladies at court as we had not taught her how to move in our northern clothing. Walking quickly over to one of the storage closets and sliding the door open, she pulled out a small bamboo box, bringing it back over to the table and seating herself before handing it over to me. 

I received the box and bowed my head slightly, making sure to take it with both hands, showing her respect. I slid the lid off gently, revealing a set of scrolls with blocky writing on them. Pulling one out I read for a minute, determining that these were reports about the Liuqui kingdom, information about the culture and government. Not something my father would need, but information that I found fascinating. 

"Why would he give these to me?" I tried not to look as shocked as I felt. This was the same kind of information that my other friend in these quarters brought to me along with myths and legends. A window into another kingdom that I would never see, but that I wanted to know about with all my heart. It was truly an amazing give. 

"I am not permitted to say princess, just know that he means you no ill will and wishes only for you to be happy." 

"When you next see him give him my thanks, express that he has made me very happy please." I clutched the box close to my chest before sending Michiko back with it to my quarters to gather the rest of my ladies to meet us at the springs. 

When we were alone I turned to lady Tsukimine and thanked her again for the gift. "But what do you think he would like from me?" 

"My lady, we are told that you are quite the writer, skilled in the courtly arts. My brother is a lover of the written word, perhaps you could write something for him? A poem of some sorts? I am sure that he would love to read anything that you write." 

I motioned for her to follow me as I thought the idea over, wondering what I could write that would be both appropriate and express my gratitude. By the time we arrived at the hot springs I was no closer to an answer.