The Overlord's Court

Magnus payed his respects to his son, before eyeing Lucrezia's place. He guessed that Ophelia was her mother.

Lucrezia bowed her head and whispered to low under her breath for Magnus to hear her words. A minute more she lifted her chin back up high and proud.

Magnus didn't even try to eavesdrop. What she was doing was private, and it wasn't his place to interfere.

After a minute Lucrezia turned back to face the man. "Would you mind walking back with me, Sir?"

"Of course not," Magnus replied solemnly, having intended to anyway. It was his duty to protect her, after all.

Lucrezia gave Magnus a smile as she walked beside the man, before her indifferent face returned. "My Lord Brother will deal with the Bishop, so I ask you to keep this a secret."

"Of course, Milady, I was planning on it," Magnus replied, ever loyal to the throne.

Lucrezia nodded and walked beside the man.

"So how are your lessons coming along?" Magnus asked politely after a silence. "I remember you having to go to Professor Kirkland when we last spoke."

"Fine. I'm learning all the skills a Princess our beloved kingdom must know." Lucrezia replied. "Professor Kirkland has also been teaching me a few spells as well in his free time."

"Always a useful skill," Magnus nodded slowly. Unlike her brother, he supposed Lucrezia wouldn't serve time in the army as training.

"Indeed..." The girl replied, giving a small sigh. "I'm free from lessons for the day thankfully, preparations for a party I suppose."

"Because of the new arrival?" Magnus asked slightly bitterly.

"Yes. The Estern hostage must recieve our best hospitality. Other cases it's an excuse to become drunk and merry and for the men to bed any serving girl those nobles can get their greasy fingers on." Lucrezia said all of this in a conversational tone, as if talking about a new dress she had gotten.

"An accurate summation," Magnus replied with a nod. "How many Princes and Princesses of Estern are there?"

"Before the war there were three sons and four daughters." Lucrezia started. "The two eldest lost their lives in battle while the third assassinated. One of the daughters was supposed to be a bargaining chip of marraige to Loacis, but she suffered an illness on her way to their court and became infertile. The next eldest is the Princess we have in our halls at the moment. The oher two are still maidens younger than I am and the only surviving son has been rumored to suffer from consumption."

"The Mylosian royal family seems to have done rather well for itself then," Magnus replied, his tone unreadable.

"I wouldn't say that... the only trueborn children my Lord father had remaining that aren't in military service are Isaiah and myself. One boy and one girl. The boy has to be the next Overlord while all that's left is the girl to be a bargaining chip." Lucrezia said thoughtfully.

"I wouldn't be so certain of your future, milady," Magnus advised her. "We are the most powerful nation here, after all, and your brother loves you dearly. As long as those two remain constant, you won't be used as a bargaining chip."

"I have confidence in that." Lucrezia answered. "But thank you for your soothing words, Sir."

"My duty to keep you well, physically and mentally," the Field Marshal replied stoicly.

"Honorable. Very few keep to that duty." The girl replied. They soon entered the castle once more. "One of my maids is just down that hall, so I'll take my leave for now, Field Marshall Russel."

"Of course, milady. Call me if you need me," said man replied, inclining his head to his liege.

Lucrezia nodded, walking down the hall with shafts of light catching her hair and making it bright. Once she was out of sight the girl took a deep breath. Her maid walked up to her and dropped her a curtsey.

"Forgive me if you were waiting, Milady." The girl said demurely.

"Not at all, Mary. You did what I asked, yes?"

"Of course, Milady."

The girl gave a dazzling smile. "Thank you. Now please change me into another dress. This one needs to be mended..."

Magnus continued on towards the library, intending to start studying to take his mind off things.