“Susanne, could you see if Megan is done with her baby?” Felthinus said, leaning back over a couch to look at his wife, a woman his same age who had short curly blonde hair and a tired expression on her face that framed peculiar but pretty yellow eyes.

“Yes, of course,” she said softly, giving Blas and the others a glance as she left.

They had moved from the dramatic throne hall to a sitting room, relaxed as Blas fed fish snacks to his birds and gushed over them like a child. Alliana watched Susanne leave, a small displeased expression on her face, “I heard you took a new mistress, Felthinus.”

“Ah… yes. Amira. She has Sathy and Abigail to learn from though.”

“Abigail is 27, and you turned 37 not too long ago, didn’t you? Amira, I heard, is as young as Megan?”

“19 is hardly young for a girl like that…”

“Mm. I suppose…,” Alliana huffed, looking away from him. Men like him disgusted her.

“Blas perhaps you should look into a mistress?” Felthinus teased, sensing her displeasure.

“Huh?” Blas said, looking up confused, hair out of sorts from the birds trying to preen him. He had missed the conversation entirely.

“Well, only one heir is quite a risk… don’t you think? And if Alliana can’t, then it’s up to you to find someone who can. There’s no harm in it. After all, our King does so.”

“That-”

Alliana stood and left the room with a slam of the door without saying another word, her infertility problems hitting a nerve.

Blas looked to the door with a long sigh, “Brother that was uncalled for and you know it.”

“I’m only speaking the truth.”

“We have Alister we don’t need any others.”

“And what if something - gods forbid - happen to him?”

“Don’t act as though you wouldn’t want that.”

“As much as I want your title, even I won’t stoop so low as to wish death on your son. I just make sure to have many children. It’s a contingency plan, Blas. Don’t be so childish and think that keeping to only your wife is the right choice. It’s amazing she managed to even have Alister.”

“You’re crossing a line. You know she is sensitive about it. Can we just have a normal conversation for two minutes?”

Felthinus sighed loudly, alcohol swirling in his glass, “Fine. It’s just something you should be worrying about. That’s all. I have to look out for my little brother.”

“Ugh. Sure you do.”

“Now then, Little Alli isn’t so little anymore. I haven’t seen him since he was, what? Three? He must be nine now.”

“Eight,” Alister answered through gritted teeth, “I turn nine in a week.” He already hated his uncle so much.

“Close enough. The full recall rumor has been spreading, too. I assume it’s true? He doesn’t hold himself like my youngest, Holly. She’s seven.”

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“I know. Yes, brother, it’s true.”

“Well what was your past life like, Little Alli? Were you a noble?”

“...I don’t like talking about it,” Alister stated plainly, staring at Felthinus with angry boredom. He was such a typical noble, it was annoying to listen to him. He was more grating than the damned kids.

“He wasn’t a noble, no, brother, but you know that’s not common anyhow. The fact that he is a full recall is very good all the same,” Blas argued, arms folded, “The king’s interest is piqued, for sure. He’s good with magic, that’s all you need to know.”

“Ohh, how cute. I’m sure you’ll be getting him into a school when he’s a touch older, then? Though, I don’t know what you could possible have him learn in the middle of nowhere…,” Felth was grinning, still unbothered and entertained by this back and forth.

Blas huffed, rolling his eyes at his older sibling, “I think I’m going to be moving back to Rythwith…”

Felthinus coughed on his drink, “What? Now?? It’s been years. I was beginning to think you’d never return.”

“As much as I know you’d love it if I never did, this trip has made me realize I can’t keep Alliana and Alister from the city, even if I needed some time away. It’s been long enough,” Blas explained, still paying more attention to the bird than him, “I hate war… I hate everything to do with it. But how am I supposed to keep Alliana away? She loves this place, loves the social life. When Alister was very little it was easier, but now it’s getting harder to ignore.”

Felth grumbled, swirling the glass, “...As much of a pain as it’ll be to have you back, annoying me at every turn, I… suppose I’m happy you’re feeling better, brother…” He sighed, motioning to Alister, “It’ll be nice to take him to the capital. I’m going to be getting Holly baptized while we’re there. It feels like a good time to get it done. Our sister Sianna’s daughter Varia will get hers done too. They’re in that good age range between five and ten to do it. We could get Alister done as well?”

“Mm… I don’t know,” Blas said, resting a hand over onto Alister’s shoulder, “I’d prefer to wait until he’s a bit older. What god are you going to take Holly to?”

“I was thinking Iker, for power, or Sanso, for wealth and prosperity.”

“Those are decent choices. I feel like Iker is the safe pick.”

“I suppose. Wisteria, was it? Are you baptized?” Felth changed focus to her suddenly.

Wisteria stiffened. She had been silent this whole time, and for very good reason. There was nothing decent about his man… but he was a margrave, and Blas’s older brother. She eyed him for a long moment, and Blas and Alister both tried to speak up for her, but she raised her hand, “It’s fine. I just didn’t expect to be brought up. Ah…” She forced a pleasant smile onto her face, “I am baptized, yes.”

“I heard from some servants that you’re a refugee from that mess down south. I’m happy someone with gem features like you has persevered. People like you too often end up enslaved,” he mused, sounding genuinely displeased with the state of slavery, “What deity did your mother or father choose?”

“Vera. She’s more commonly worshiped in Typer Qoar.”

“Ahhh. She’s one for… luck, right?”

“Yes, sir. She is usually worshiped for good luck in the harvest alongside a couple of other harvest-specific gods like Inyet. We thank her for helping us escape the terrible war,” Wisteria said, her answer well practiced, “I’m not accustomed to my hair and eyes being so… visible. We had to hide it for a long time, but the Duke and Duchess have assured me I have their protection. Duchess Alliana even lets me call her Auntie.”

Felthinus chuckled, “Ahhh… yes. She must be so upset at me right about now. Perhaps I went a little too far. She and I have never really gotten along, from the time she and Blas were engaged onward. It’s such a pain.”

“She probably is, Fel…” Blas muttered, “You know she’s sensitive about that. So you should go apologize. You two don’t get along, but forcing matters doesn’t help either.”

“Yes… fine fine. I will. I’ll go apologize. I swear I’m getting soft with age… Wisteria, dear, wear your hair proudly. It’s all you have right now to separate you from the commoners,” he said, standing and heading to the door, “I might be seen as an asshole, but I assure you, I’m kind compared to the Arfranz and Margrav families. Duke Arfranz prizes himself on worth. On coin. On blood. To him, your worth will be tiny… And to Duke Margrav, he… well, he aims for social ties and importance. He and Alliana go toe to toe every time they meet.”

“What of Duke Xalo?” she asked, watching Felthinus leave.

Blas answered that for him, “Lucius Xalo is a wild man… strong… a hero of the kingdom. He is strange, however, and few know much about him. He is a force of nature and simultaneously a terrible and wonderful example to follow.”