The carriage plodded along the gravel path occasionally swaying to and fro, much to the annoyance of its occupants. The coachman drove the horses as best he could to avoid the worst spots in the road but he would occasionally hear the complaints from his josled occupants, the young ladies, Marah and Liana, of the Moraceae Family. The carriage was painted with deep purples and reds the colors of the Moraceae family. The family crest, a half fig with a mulberry on either side surrounded with foliage, decorated either side. Although they were an ancient family with royal ties to the Buxalian Empire, the Moraceaes had been considered part of the lesser Nobility until only a generation ago. Marah’s father Lord Batis had married advantageously and won himself the title of Viscount. Liana’s late father the Lord Morus had prefered the battlefield than the court life and made a name for himself as a commander and inherited a title as Count. What the Moraceae lacked in wealth they made up for with ambition. As the girls got closer to their destination the muddy road gave way to smoother gravel.“We should be getting close now the road isn't as bumpy now” Marah mused as she grabbed her cousin's hand in excitement. “I'm sorry Father wasn't able to send you to last season's Debut ...or the one before that” she continued voice dropping. “But now, we get to debut together” Marah smiled and gave her cousin's hand a light squeeze. Liana smiled back but couldn't help but feel anxious. She kept her mind distracted by glancing around the carriage. Although the carriage was well maintained it was showing its age. The curtains on the windows were faded from years of sun and the interior upholstery has become threadbare in places. Liana traced her finger over the floral brocade of the seat. “Uncle has been good to me even though he couldn't send me to court, the extra two years of lessons more than made up for it.” Liana had been trained to be a courtesan. Her last two years she had spent with Viscountess Lasiandra Oxalis, a former lover of the King and her aunt’s sister. “Aunt Lasiandra was a great teacher,” Marah gave Liana’s hand another squeeze “she’s trained you well.” Liana smiled. “Thank you, having you there with me will be such a comfort.” Liana assured her cousin. The girls spent the next half hour or so in relative silence watching the trees pass through the carriage window. 

The vast expanse of wilderness suddenly gave way to an ornamental rod iron gate with gilded leaves entwined with copper roses. Four Sentinels, clad in the green and gold, the colors of the court, stood on either side. The Coachman brought the carriage to a halt. “Please present your papers!” The lead Sentinel shouted. He was an older man with a slight belly and balding head. Although he was balding he still had a very thick and luxurious mustache. Years on the job had left his face riddled with sun spots and creases. The Coachman quickly complied with the request. A parcel containing the girl's invitations to the Debut, proof of patronage, and family pedigree, was handed over to a younger Sentinel. He glanced over the paperwork before lightly tapping on the carriage door then entering. He looked to be about the same age as the girls give or take a few years. He had sandy colored hair and brown eyes. He glanced at Marah “Lady Marah Moraceae,” he bowed his head slightly before turning to Liana. “Lady Liana Moraceae” The Sentinel smiled playfully. Something in his eyes made the girls uneasy. This look was almost predatory. “Enjoy the court, the The Royal Family, Rosaceae, welcomes you” The Sentinel quickly hopped down from the carriage before shouting “All clear!” To his companions. The Sentinels took the gate pins out of the ground and swung the gates open. The Coachman urged the horses onwards. 

“What a strange man, did you see the way he leered at us?” Said Marah. “Quite unsettling” agreed Liana. She glanced back to see the same Sentinel staring at them as they drove away. Uncle had warned her about the staff at court, many of them were spies for one Noble or another. The majority of which belonged to the Queen Dowager, Alania . “Every movement you make will be watched, every word you say analyzed for every possible meaning. Give them nothing to use against you.Their eyes see more than you know.” Liana could hear her mentor, Lady Oxalis saying. 

As the carriage approached the castle the girls craned their necks to get a better view. The castle was not particularly tall only four stories, but what it lacked in height it made for with surface area. Rosacea Castle was larger than most villages. Metal, stone and glass formed vine like structures across the facade givinging the palace an ethereal appearance. Liana had once heard the palace described as the world's largest greenhouse but instead of plants it housed the nobility. “It truly is a greenhouse for nobles is it not?” Marah asked rhetorically. Liana made a small noise of agreement. The carriage stopped at the dismount area. The girls waited for the Coachman to open the carriage door. “This way, ladies. From here you’ll have to continue on foot. Rest assured I’ll see to all your baggage.” said the Coachman as he opened the door. Marah stepped out of the carriage first followed by Liana. They could not help but notice there was an unusual number of people milling about many appeared to be writing or drawing furiously in notebooks.“Ladies Moraceae!” a voice shouted. Liana turned towards the direction of the voice “Lividia!” Liana exclaimed and greeted her with a warm embrace. “I’m glad you are here.” Liana said. “Of course, I would not miss your debut after all the work mother put into making you a proper courtesan.” Lividia smiled. “How is Viscountess Oxalis?” asked Marah. “ Mother is well, she does have gout again though so stays at home in the country house. Come, I have to take you to my rooms. What would people say if I did not bring my cousins in for some hospitality? This way.” Lividia led the girls away from the courtyard. “Lividia why were so many people taking notes in the courtyard?” Marah asked. “Oh those men, they like to record the arrival and appearance of all the debutantes that arrive no doubt they deliver any tidbits of interest to their lord or lady. Some of it will also make its way into the Debut List for all the nobles to read. But no need to worry both of you look lovely, not too tired from the road. And your choice of complementary gowns in the family colors played off well.” “That was my mother's idea. Deep red for Liana because of her dark hair and purple for me.” Marah piped in “It was a good choice. "Up the stairs here my apartment is on the third floor.” Livitia led them up a grand white and gold marbled staircase with green flags hung from the bannisters. Attendants placed golden planters full of white roses along the sides of the steps in preparation for tonight's festivities. The girls headed up the stairs. “The fourth floor is for the royal family and their closest retainers. Third floor is for Dukes, Marquesses and a handful of favored Viscounts. The Second Floor is for all other nobles that’s most likely where they will place you for the time being. First floor is the common areas, and the levels below are for the servants.” Lividia explained. She led them down a corridor and to the fourth door on the left. A Sentinel posted outside opened the door for them. Inside were rooms more grand than either of the girls had ever seen. A golden clock rested on the mantle surrounded by large crystal specimens. “Oh my, is this auntie?” Marah inquired about a painting along the wall. “Yes when she was younger. The King had it commissioned.” Lividia said. “It's rather sultry.” She remarked. “Your rooms are very grand.” Liana complemented although she couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. “Yes, well, being a royal bastard of the King's former favorite does have it's perks. Most of my other half-siblings don’t have apartments half as nice.” A maid came around and poured tea for everyone while another presented a plate of assorted treats to the girls. “Thank you. You may leave us.” Livitia waved the maids away. “Now down to business. I assume Uncle Batis has given you some names of noblemen to focus your attention on.” “Yes,” Liana replied, putting down her teacup. “The men in House Sorbus: Lord Adonis and Lord Oleander, or Lord Cassian of House Coriaria if neither prove receptive. Uncle also hopes that I might catch the eye of the other Dukes, but even he admits the improbability of that situation.” “Hmm, I’ll admit I cannot help you much with Lord Cassian. He is a close friend of the Prince but mostly keeps to himself. His twin sisters on the other hand, sheesh.” said Livida making a noise of disbelief. “They are something else.” Lividia shook her head. “Lord Oleander will flirt with anything that has a pulse, but this older brother Adonis would be the more desirable match considering he’s heir to a dukedom, but he is more interested in himself than anyone else. If his age doesn’t bother you, their father, Duke Xeres was known to have a fondness for your mother. You might be able to use that to your advantage.” Livitia finished. Liana admitted she didn’t much care for the thought of Duke Xeres but if it would help her family and herself she would do it. “Now it’s very unlikely that any of these men will seek you out, even I have limited access to them. King Pyrus likes to keep his bastards at arm's length, so they cannot interfere with affairs of state. My ability to help you ends with the information I can give. There’s some hidden stairways that lead to the common areas on the Fourth floor. Look for seams along the walls. If you get lucky you might be able to find one of the men you seek there. It would not be a proper meeting, but it would be a foot in the door.” Livitia advised. “Not like Uncle’s plan is exactly proper, anyways.” Liana joked. “Now be fair, Liana, Father has every intention of finding you a suitable husband when the time comes. Being mistress to a rich and powerful man will only help strengthen your position.” Marah assured. “She’s right, the men here are like stepping stones.” Livitia added. "It's good that Uncle brought you to court early. It will give you a chance to get to know the regulars at court before it's flooded with country nobility. I'll introduce you to my friends later tonight."

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"My lady, your Uncle, Lord Batis is at the door." A maid announced. "Send him in."Livitia ordered "My girls!" Batis exclaimed and rushed towards them with outstretched arms. "I trust you had a pleasant journey from Morececae Manor?" Batis said between hugs. "Yes, Uncle." Liana responded and gave him a kiss on the cheek. 

"And, I trust you have been showing my girls the utmost hospitality, Livitia." Batis hugged her as well. "Naturally" she responded. "Rest up tonight, Liana. Tomorrow I'll see you in my chambers to discuss our plans for you." Batis invited. "Yes, uncle." Liana agreed.