>>6279302<span class="mu-i"> And so, six years later </span>
There had not been much that had changed on the national stage. The nobility remained standoffish but subservient, the bishop of Rittersbach kept stuffing his face with food, and the rest of the realm remained content as well. Your new fleet had grown as well, though you needed someone to lead; the office of <span class="mu-i"> Reichsadmiral </span> had remained vacant in those times, as you wanted to personally oversee the build-up, but perhaps you should find someone to fill the office once more.
Within the family, Sophia was now fifteen years old and would turn sixteen, and thus legally an adult, this winter. You had dithered thus far with arranging a husband. She may not be the heir, but she was the spare, and besides that, she had obtained the diploma for the study of the magical arts. Mages were rare enough as it was, and you knew that she was more than an ordinary daughter to simply be wedded off. She was an advantage, a being who could potentially wipe the floor with entire armies if she were sufficiently powerful.
She was quite self-aware of the fact as well. And she had virtually plundered the old mage's tower of the Albrechtsburg, spending six months of allowance to build a golden armillary sphere and spending the night looking at the stars. Perhaps it was for the best that she wouldn't inherit; she seemed to be far too engrossed with the studies of magic and the mysteries of the universe to be burdened with ruling a kingdom.
She was still a full princess, though, and most certainly looked the part, with pale blue eyes, lovely locks of black hair, and a countenance as white as snow. And her mother and grandmother had instilled all kinds of ladylike qualities in her.
Your other daughters had likewise grown; Alexandra had grown to love the outdoors and the equestrian arts. Zoe could weave and embroider like an adult. And Konstanze had a talent for music that seemed to be unmatched in the kingdom.
As for your only son and heir, young Dietrich, the crown prince, who had turned six this summer.
>He is spirited and curious, always in and about the grounds of whatever castle or palace you currently occupy.>A wild boy, as wild as you had been, with a wooden sword and hobbyhorse always in his hand.>Mischievous and charming, with a penchant to get others in trouble through plays on words.>A brooding, silent boy, reserved and silent in his manner and affairs.And as for Sophia, who should you want to receive her hand?
>She is too valuable to let go; I will bring over some distant kin, the Adlershorsts from Tautenland.>I should not show favouritism; I will send out envoys to the neighbouring kingdoms. 