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One by one, the others trickle out until only you and Andrea remain at the table. Her face is flushed, apparently from all the wine she drank, and she is wearing a content, mellow expression.
“Nicholas and Eric started quite the little shouting match, I suppose getting along for one night was too much to ask. But that was quite the string of insults you offered to the air.” You say after JP finally departs.
A confused frown flashes onto her face until she finally seems to understand you. “My mom always says my temper will get me in trouble one day, maybe it will be here.” She says with a shrug.
“Or it might be what puts you on the throne.” You grin, “What do you think of the capital so far?”
“Cold.” She replies immediately. It most certainly isn’t, but you can see how someone who grew up on a tropical island would think so. “Crowded.” She puts a finger to her chin. “I’m trying to think of a good thing to say about it… I’ll get back to you if I ever come up with one.” She huffs, “What about you?”
“I agree, it’s a bit crowded. Back in Chalmuth we spend all day out on the waters. Even though this is the largest building I’ve ever seen, I still feel cramped.”
“I almost warded in Chalmuth.” She empties a bottle of wine into each of your glasses. “Not long after you got your independence from Ellia, but their ambassador threw a fit at the prospect of the Issian heir going to ward in a kingdom they still felt was illegitimate and pressured my father into backing down.” She takes a sip of wine, you can see she’s getting more animated. “Ugh… I can’t stand them. Like that Eric kid, he probably thinks the Empire is his by right.” She glares at you, as if misdirecting her rage.
You put up your hands, “You’ll find no bone in my body with any sympathies for Ellia, to call someone an Ellian is tantamount to challenging them to a duel in Chalmuth.”
She doesn’t laugh at the quip, but you seem to have successfully reminded her that you are, in fact, not an Ellian, and continues. “I’m almost jealous that you used to be a part of Ellia, because now that you’re broken away, you don’t have to listen to them anymore. We’re separate countries, but my father will practically do whatever they want. I hear it got a thousand times worse after Chalmuth broke away, since the bastards needed access to our ports to avoid Chalmuthian pirates.”
“Well, whenever you’re on the throne, whether of Issi or the Empire, you can fix the situation. If I can, I’d be happy to help you bring the bastards down.”
“Good. That’s what I like to hear.” She holds up her glass. “To Ellias downfall, and Issi and Chalmuth’s rise!”
You grin and join the toast, clanking your glass against hers. “To the Ellian royal family changing our chamber pots before all is said and done!” You set your glass on the table and then dump the rest of the ruby red wine into your mouth.
(cont.)