It was a custom for traveling nobles to provide for their escort even if not every one of them was employed by said noble in some way. Maureen as a Duchess was therefore expected to follow this tradition regading the soldiers as well.
Staying in character as the poor, exiled for no conceivable reason and mistreated innocent wife of a heartless man who, it was known everywhere, loved another - a role she rather enjoyed playing - Maureen looked at the soldiers helplessly as she prepared dinner.
The fire under the pan burned well, but the mushrooms, tree bark and edible roots she had gathered under the confused and annoyed eyes of her escort did not promise to become a very satisfying meal to the men who thad not quite grasped what kind of situation they were in.
"Uh...my lady?" One of the guards standing around her bowed politely, his perfectly cut dark blonde hair and impeccable manners proof of his definitely noble descent. "It is nearly sunset. If it pleases you we could arrange our lodgings and dinner at the inn first. If your... potion is not time sensitive I am certain the inn would be pleased to offer their hearth for your purposes."
Maureen turned a quizzical and seemingly hopeful gaze at the man first, then the officer who had been dead silent for a while. "An Inn? My honorable husband entrusted funds to you?" A smile started to spread on her face. "How wonderful! I feared that this as a meal and the cold, hard ground under the stars as a bed would be our fate during this journey!"
"Huh? My lady?" The now terribly confused guard looked at her and then at his leader, apparently hoping for an explanation and a way to avoid eating tree bark and grass roots.
Maureen, in the mean time, happily babbled about those supposed funds. "How much did he prepare? A journey like this usually takes approximately 1000 gold for this number of people if the gold is spent economically. Though with enough gold I ought to ensure I find appropriate attire quickly as well, so a balance would have to be reached between traveling expenses and a dress to save face..."
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
The officer was slowly turning green while his men assumed that, surely, they wouldn't have to sleep outside...or eat whatever Maureen was concocting in that pan of hers.
"...what about your dowry?" The officer forced out. "And the Duke ensured me you were skilled with your...herbalist skills."
"What about my dowry? My husband is governing that territory as the head of the family." Maureen pretended to be utterly clueless still as she watched the expressions on the men's faces drown in pity. "And my herbalist skills were originally a hobby and family tradition. I fear I cannot compare to a true professional. If my lodge wasn't at the edge of settled territory there likely wouldn't be anyone in need of my skills at all." Her words happily painted the picture of a once carefree young girl from a baron territory that had cluelessly fallen prey to schemes and the greed of others.
"Well, that is not important now. You said you had brought funds from my husband for the journey?" Of course he hadn't. It was her who planted that thought into everybody's heads. A few of the soldiers frowned as if trying to recall what exactly had been said at the beginning.
He officer stood straighter and hardened his expression, his weathered face looking dignified despite the idiotic fur puffs of his uniform. "No, my lady. He did not. His words led me to assume that your life style was affluent enough in your chosen countryside home to finance a comfortable journey and proper presentation at court in Ingverstedt."
Maureen pouted at the man who had just ruined her fun of letting his underlings go through a labyrinth of emotion. "You are a cruel man, sir. How could you play with my feelings this way? To give me such hope only to cause me pain." She sighed and then turned to the soldiers. Bowing deeply in apology, she gave them her best forlorn look.
"I can only apologize in advance for the discomfort and inconvenience you will have to suffer in the following days on my behalf. As you certainly know, I have nothing but my feeble skill at herbalism to feed myself, let alone others. May the gods reward you for your patience as I am not able to." Maureen stood straighter then and gestured towards her strange dinner concoction. "Now...as it is all I can possibly offer, please have some of this for dinner."
With this, surely nobody would suggest she take part in the court celebrations for more than a few moments, right? If everything went well...a capital full of parties, markets, attractions, dancing and action was only waiting for her to explore!