“So... what was that about?” Vincent asked her a few minutes after they had left the dining hall.

“That was about getting you free of your nannies so we can talk without them hovering. I'm going to owe Ezra for that... need to get him something nice. Anyway... You seem very adamant about leaving on time for our trip. Care to explain?” Elaina asked sweetly.

The two of them walked slowly down the hall, passing a maid who curtsied to them before going on her way. Vincent looked thoughtful as he composed his thoughts.

“...My territory is going to shit, and it is very likely I will have to deal with challengers to my authority, or possibly full scale uprisings if I delay too long.”

Elaina's steps faltered and she looked over to him, then lead him over through a door and onto a balcony overlooking the courtyard, now cleaned from the blood and offal of the other day.

“Why haven't you teleported over and dealt with it before now? You took an entire force with you to deal with the enemy attack yesterday.”

“Moving a large group of people like that is something I can really only pull off a few times a day, and most days I used it to move our forces around, to the point that I am pretty tapped out. Certainly I wouldn't be in any position to accept a challenge to my authority.”

“You aren't in any position to accept a challenge to your authority now” Elaina said as she jabbed two fingers in the spot she had identified earlier at breakfast as being particularly tender, eliciting a gasp as Vincent bent over and grasped the railing.

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“So what was the plan then? I hope you DID have a plan.”

Vincent gave her the side eye as he composed himself.

“I did have a plan. While we are travelling in the carriage I would teleport out to my holdings and gather information, make myself known to the notables, and teleport back before anyone ever knew I was gone. If I am just moving myself, I can teleport within a hundred miles dozens of time per day, you wouldn't even know I was gone! I'd stretch it out over the days we travel. That way I have time to rest up in between meetings, I don't overexert my powers, I can choose when I want to duel people as they will not be expecting us till the carriage passes through, and I have a mobile safe haven from any of my more murdery constituents who decide the best way to deal with me is through assassination instead of an honor duel.”

“That is... remarkably well thought out.”

“Thank you I thought so. But my last contact with some of the farther flung territories is... bad. As in it could only be days before someone claims control or a full scale revolt happens.”

Elaina paused, leaning on the railing.

“Then we'd best get moving, while Ezra has them distracted.

Elaina turned to Vincent with a smile, as he returned it with a look of surprise.

“Come on, we can get in my carriage and go. My coachman will listen to me!”

“Yeah but the guards will listen to my sister. Even I think it would be irresponsible to take my fiance out into hostile country without some guards.”

“Weeeeeell... I had a thought about that.” Elaina said as she took his hand and pulled him away from the balcony.