Page 105 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
“Interesting. What triggered such a move? I recall he didn’t much care when we were children.” Or perhaps, given his own prior admission that he was unaware of what was going on in his household, he genuinely didn’t know.
Both were as likely as the other.
“Rumours of your monster aid policy reached us before you’d even presented it to the Stein nobles. After all, you were the talk of the capital after your engagement to the Grand Duke was confirmed, and people were desperate to learn more about you. The rumours of your hidden political prowess stoked the fire that the marchioness and Lady Sophia had started.” Vivi sipped her tea. “And, as I said in my letter, the servants were all too quick to share what they knew. Your father had no choice but to put his foot down with your stepmother and your sister.”
“It took him long enough,” I remarked. “I’m glad they’re both facing the consequences of their actions.”
“Indeed. You played a smart hand at Georgina’s tea party with the way you navigated her showing up.”
“I had to. I could no longer stand how they treated me. They went too far.”
“I daresay that pushing someone down the stairs could count as bad treatment, yes.”
“What a fantastic imagination you have, Vivi.” I smiled, keeping my gaze cast downwards at my embroidery. “I actually have a favour to ask of you, if you don’t mind.”
“How could I ever?” she replied sweetly. “What is it?”
“We’ve come accompanied by the head mage and a few others from Stein. Lady Aerwyna wants to forge a closer bond with the Magic Tower, and I hoped you might be able to help with it.”
She paused, pressing her lips together. “I can’t promise much with the current group of old guys in charge. They believe that the tower should be the singular home of mages across the empire, and they’re particularly stuffy about Stein. The mages are said to be exceptionally talented, perhaps more so than many of ours here.”
“What about Lord Ivan?”
“That’s about all I can do. My father’s hands are tied by the council of mages, but Ivan’s situation is very different. He often does things like this on my father’s behalf, and he doesn’t have a good relationship with all the older mages anyway.”
“Why not?”
“His noble rank. Why else?” She held out her hands and shrugged like it was the most obvious answer. “Between us, His Majesty has already decreed that Ivan will receive the title of Marquess when he takes over as the Head Mage from my father, but they don’t like that the position is going to someone not from the top families.”
Right. The Head Mage was usually from House Trelawney or one of the other major noble houses. Lord Ivan’s power had come out of left field for many, and it made sense that a lot of the older mages had an issue with him.
Personally, I thought that a little bit of new blood was a good thing.
“Are you sure that working with Stein’s mages won’t make things harder for him?” I briefly set my hoop down so I could sip my tea. “I would hate it if you both suffered because of my request.”
“Nonsense. Ivan is the future Head Mage—who else would be better than him to cultivate a relationship with Stein?” She smiled warmly. “Don’t you worry. Just introduce us at the ball, and I’ll take it from there.”
“All right. Thank you, Vivi.” I returned her smile. “How are the other ladies?”
“Practically chomping at the bit to see you at the hunt. I hope your tent will be open to us, because I don’t think Georgina will leave you alone. Oh, unless you’ll be sitting with the Imperial Family?”
I laughed, resuming my stitching. “No, I won’t be. I believe it was proposed by the Empress, but Kalon refused on the grounds that I’m not officially yet a member of the Imperial Family.”
“That’s right. When are you getting married, anyway? And where will it be? Here or Stein?”
“I’m not sure. We’ve decided upon a slightly longer engagement.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Is that because of your aid policy?”
“Partially. It’s a big job, and I want to fully settle IN before assuming all the duties of a Grand Duchess.”
“I wonder how long that will last. His Highness is surprisingly affectionate with you.”
I paused. “It shocks me on occasion, too. Then again, he did say that he convinced His Majesty to agree to our engagement by telling him that he fell in love with me at first sight.”
Vivi blinked at me. “He what?”
“That’s exactly what I said to him when I found out.” I sighed. “Anyway, that’s enough about that. You mentioned that you had something for me in your letter.”
