The Royal Deal Chapter 93

Chapter 93 – Duties of a Duchess

It was a sunny day, serene and peaceful. But Athyst felt far from it. After the incident at the training, things were a bit awkward between her and Alexcent. It wasn’t very obvious though that might be because she barely t him. She vaguely rembered in her drowsy state from sleep that Alexcent ca to her night late in night. Then she fell asleep. She hadn’t t him in the morning again.

Athyst sat at a dainty table at the garden, drinking tea. She saw Pon walking towards her. “Pon!” she called, “Just in ti. I wanted to ask you sothing.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” he said, “Pease go ahead.”

“Is your original na really Pon?” she asked, distracted.

“No, Ma’am,” he said, “My full na is actually Forte.”

“Oh!” said Athyst, “Why does everyone has such short nas here? I notice that everyone’s na is cut short. Is there a reason for it?”

“Well, His Excellency had it shortened while addressing,” said Pon, “Since the nas are long and ti-consuming.”

“Oh,” said Athyst, thinking, “Does that include Gen and Hill, and everyone else?”

“Yes, Madam,” he said.

“Then by any chance, does Alec call the Empress… Bell?” she asked, excited. Although, she didn’t recall Alec ever calling the Empress ‘Bell’.

“I am afraid not,” he said, “It would see rude to call the Empress in such a manner.” Pon hesitated. “But when His Excellency was younger, he would address the Empress as ‘Hey’”

Athyst laughed. It was strange to think of Alec, young and naïve, calling his sister ‘Hey’.

Their conversation was halted by the brisk arrival of the servant, Lunia, “Madam,” she addressed Athyst.

“Lunia,” said Athyst, “Would you like a cup of tea?”

“No, Madam,” said Lunia, looking Solemn. “I am a little worried about Roman.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I think she is having trouble managing the separate house,” said Lunia.

“In what manner?” asked Athyst.

“The employees there tend to underestimate her as the manager, since she forrly worked there as a maid,” she said, “She seems to be having a hard ti controlling the workers.”

“When Dajal was in charge, he ruled with an iron fist,” said Lunia, “Nobody dared disobey.”

“Dajal used violence, he abused the workers,” said Athyst firmly.

“I think more discipline is needed,” said Lunia, “Work isn’t getting completed because Roman’s authority is being undermined. Ti is running out to prepare for the annual festival.”

“Annual Festival?” asked Athyst.

Pon chose this mont to speak up, as though he had been waiting for a chance. “Yes, Madam,” said Pon,” There will be an annual festival soon enough. It is the reason I ca to visit you. This is the extra budget added for the annual festival.” He handed her the docunt.

Athyst took the docunt and looked at it. “What is the Annual Festival?” she asked.

Pon began to talk in detail. “The Empire’s parliant this year will soon be over. During the three months of the Congress’s reopening, aristocratic households are holding a eting to gather their heritages. That’s the annual festival.”

“A eting?”

“Yes, until a new parliant is launched, indirect and direct heritage of the family will gather to discuss about next year’s budget, taxes to collect, new projects to close, and will co to a consensus to submit them to the parliant next year. That’s how Congress restarts, discussing approval and distribution of subsidies for new projects, conducting audits on projects that ended, and discussing national events. Before the new parliant begins, the annual festival is needed for the aristocratic families to consult and receive the budget for next year. And the indirect heritage families will soon be arriving to participate in the annual festival.”

“And how long does this festival last?” asked Athyst.

” It lasts about a month.”

“I see.”

“And greeting the guests is the responsibility of the Duchess,” said Pon, “Which falls on you.”

Athyst nodded. The Annual Festival is a big fancy family reunion of a sort, then. All the skad family or relatives will be gathered, she thought, damn it, I guess being a Duchess has its disadvantages. I hate family reunions.

Athyst also knew that that there were unfair expectations and responsibilities especially placed on won. The tables were prepared for a al. The n in the family ate first, then the children and lastly, the won. Which was very unfair. Sitting at a table eating the cold leftovers. She wasn’t really looking forward to it.

The chores would be never-ending. Preparing food, setting the table, washing the dishes. Well, she deserved a rest before she dived into the work. And no matter how devotedly she accomplished it, a slight dissatisfaction would always be followed by nagging of ‘insincerity’ or being not very genuine for the families’ presence. Sigh.

Maybe the Skad family reunion will be different, she hoped, maybe it won’t be as brutal and ruthless as what I went through. Or maybe they are petty. What if I prepare it extravagantly and they bla for being wasteful, or if I am a little resourceful, then they will bla for not upholding the glory of the family. This is terrifying!

“Then prepare the festival sa as last year,” suggested Athyst.

“What?” said Pon, shocked, “But this is your first ti introducing yourself to the family…”

“I’m sure nothing I do will be enough,” said Athyst, “So it is better to just stick to whatever had been going on in these festivals. I also need to figure out this festival before I begin to prepare for it. So please prepare this year’s festival the sa as last year. I will gather enough information to think of sothing for next year.”

“Really…would that be all right?” Pon asked.

“Yes,” said Athyst firmly, “So please do as I say.”

“Yes, Madam.”