>>6305370“Please, do proceed.” Your mother comments, thus allowing you to tell your story. So you do, telling them the broad strokes of your past weeks in the capital and all that’s befallen you, sparing many of the gory details. You’re certain Red would have been fine with them, but mother and Rory? Not so much. The only relevant information that you leave out is your plans to compete in your father’s upcoming tournament. Such an announcement will require much more fanfare than a tea party. Likely, Father will have to mention it in one of the many speeches he will need to give in the upcoming weeks. Though you will need to discuss it with him first.
They all have the expected reaction, your mother of worry about the events and relief that you are home, Red with a slight smile and look of pride, and Rory appears to have been trying to tune you out so that she may not relive the experience. Thankfully, this does not trip her up when your mother finishes her cup and she is required to pour more tea.
“I see that the new maid has proven to be to your liking, mother.” You comment as Rory steps back, her eyes dart to you when she realizes she’s just been put on the spot. Truly, you must be a horrible princess to make your subject squirm so. Heh.
“If the Bloodgraves can be praised for anything, then it must be that they have a knack for raising remarkable servants.” Your mother says, “Rory here has been a delight. I do not believe I would have recovered nearly as quick without her aid. She is also quite the reliable source of commoner etiquette. I do believe with her help, I shall be able to set a few new trends during the next ballroom season by mixing a few common styles with my more sophisticated garb.”
Rory curtsies, “I am humbled by your praise, Your Grace.”
If even your mother refers to peasant riff-raff with praise when speaking of Rory, she may be a good source of learning more… humble ways. Or at least a good contact to have as an Inquisitor. Though from here, your conversation naturally flows with the more pressing issues out of the way. You speak of the miraculous things you have seen, such as that “onsen” style of sauna and other Strangetechs you have witnessed. Though after a good hour or so of chatting, the conversation eventually wraps back around to mother and Red discussing Edith. This is not surprising, for Red is still a new mother, and it is your own mother’s grandchild. In another kingdom or in another family, you suppose this is when you, the now third heir to the throne, should be filled with emotions such as jealousy or envy at the child who has taken your spot on the line of succession. However, you are simply more well-adjusted than many other royals, simply look at Herrman if you must give an example. The only thing you can begrudge Edith on is being your idiot brother’s daughter, and she is more of a victim of that than anything.
