Nowhere. His lands were nowhere, because the great Barony of Water owned a few city blocks and one of the trade routes across the Still Water.
Nothing compared to the hundreds of miles of land that belonged to Chenzhou and the Calia.
Eirian bit her lip as Philip forced a smile she recognized as the one he used when he’d been insulted and didn’t want anyone to realize.
The nobles of Sorrow asured their wealth in numbers. How much gold did they have in their vaults? How many jewels did they wear? How much land did they own? How much money other people owed them.
Well, nobody owed the Calia money, but everything else…the great Barony didn’t match up.
And Philip knew it.
“Here in the capital, Lord Ye. With the rest of Sorrow’s nobility.” Philip had never taken insults well.
Eirian accepted a glass of wine, Chenzhou snatched from a passing tray, and took a sip. She probably wasn’t doing as good a job at hiding her amusent as she thought she was.
Chenzhou nodded and took a sip from his own glass. “I wish I had more ti to explore the capital, but the needs of the Calia are extensive. It’s not often I can get away.”
Gods, Eirian sighed, he was polite even when he was being an asshole.
“Philip is always saying that one’s responsibilities matter the most.” Abigail smiled proudly, patting her husband on the arm.
Eirian offered her a sharp smile. “Prying Chenzhou away from his work practically requires the entire Crimson Army.”
Abigail bead, elated at having Eirian’s attention. “What dutiful husbands we have, your grace!”
Eirian was taken aback for a mont, as she realized Abigail was being sincere. Eirian had always assud the young Lady Partha was as cunning as Brigitta, both mbers of the lower nobility who had managed to marry far above their stations.
She’d even thrown wine on her the first ti they t.
…
Apparently, she’d misjudged the woman.
That was annoying.
She must have been a bit naive then, to have ended up with Philip, who’d never been shy about his ambitions.
That was actually a bit concerning as Eirian thought on it further. Most of her own fights with Philip during their relationship had been because she’d behaved in a way he didn’t like or he’d wanted things other people wouldn’t give him. They’d been so well matched because Eirian’s personality was just as strong as his. He’d never been able to push her around.
Sothing told her that wasn’t the case with Abigail, and she found herself feeling strangely sympathetic.
“How far along are you?” Eirian asked, trying to find sothing positive. Or at least, sothing that wouldn’t start a public fight.
Again.
“Six months.” Abigail rested a hand on her belly. “I think it’s a boy. Are you and Lord Ye planning to have children?”
Eirian glanced at Chenzhou, “We’re discussing it. I’m not all that fond of children.”
Abigail’s face fell a bit, but then she gathered herself and nodded. “I’m quite nervous. I don’t have much experience with children.”
Eirian had to give her credit; Abigail was certainly good at pushing on.
“Does Lord Ye not require an heir?” Philip glanced between them. Children had been a point of contention between Eirian and Philip.
Chenzhou smiled pleasantly. “A healthy child requires a healthy ho with parents who are ready to be parents. It would be unfair to have one before we can provide that. Eirian and I have plenty of ti to have children. Or to adopt. We’re enjoying our marriage for now.”
Abigail nods seriously, but Philip frowns. Eirian’s familiar with his parents, and as much as she hates it, she can acknowledge that he is most definitely a product of his environnt.
So is she.
Perhaps Chenzhou was actually the lucky one out of all of them.
She t Philip’s eyes when he turned to her, the first ti since the day he introduced her to Abigail, and she threw wine on the poor girl. “You missed the start of the season. It’s unfortunate you couldn’t make it back. Society went out of its way this year.”
Eirian shrugged, “Too much to do. The Calia has a court and society of its own that require constant attention.” An exaggeration she’d probably end up apologizing for later, but there was no one here but Chenzhou who knew that.
Philip’s eyes narrowed. “Is the Calia not a military estate? What use do they have for a court?”
“The Calia houses an army. Including their families and all those who supported it. The main estate is a city itself.” Chenzhou explained. “It has housed a full court since before my family took over two hundred years ago.”
Philip frowned. “Interesting. Do they keep with the season of high society?”
Seeing the confusion in Chenzhou’s eyes, Eirian stepped in. “As my husband said, the Calia is a military estate. Everyone in it serves in or supports the army, and we all know how contested the borderlands are. There’s hardly any ti for frivolous things.”
“But we are hoping to start soon,” Chenzhou added. “Eirian’s presence cos at a fruitful ti; we are looking forward to her reinvigorating the court.”
“A ball at the Calia would be so fascinating!” A passing Vicountess paused to comnt. “Please keep us in mind.” Chenzhou nodded politely as Eirian smiled and tried to place her.
She left before Eirian could, but it hardly mattered. When Eirian started throwing balls at the Calia, she’d just send out invitations to all of high society. About half of them were guaranteed not to make the two-week trip simply for health reasons, but the rest would, if only out of sheer curiosity.
Bridging the faded relationship between the Calia and the capital would be an excellent way to strengthen both her position, as well as Eric and Chenzhou’s.
“That would be so much fun,” Abigail gushed, and then blushed as she admitted. “I’ve never been outside the capital.”
Eirian was taken aback in surprise. “Really?” Philip had always considered himself a worldly man and talked about wanting a wife who was the sa.
Abigail was about to say more, but Philip suddenly stepped in. “My apologies. I see soone I need to speak to.”
He and Abigail bowed and hurried off, and Eirian blinked, surprised, as they hurried off.
“He seems…” Chenzhou trailed off, trying to figure out a polite word that wouldn’t anger Eirian.
She snorted. “He hasn’t changed.”
Chenzhou, cautious. “His wife seed nice?”
Eirian sighed. “She did, didn’t she? Poor thing.”
Chenzhou relaxed when he realized she agreed. “Hopefully, he treats her better than he did you.”
Eirian took his arm and squeezed in thanks. “Or that she’s too foolish to notice otherwise.”
~ tbc
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