A Counts Manor? Tori looked at Albert with both confusion and surprise. Isnt it a bit too soon?
The carriage left Viclya after a long weekend focusing on land partitioned for farms to villagers who wanted to return to farming. Idunn and her future successor had worked with Universit Professors, researchers, and villagers to review suitable locations for farms. Tori, as the Countess, felt it was her duty to sit through the entire report. She left Viclya exhausted.
How is it too soon? Youve been Countess for over two months and still live in a tent, Albert said.
Yes, but everyone on the mainland lives in a tent. A Counts Manor isnt necessary when funding is needed elsewhere. It wasnt that she hadnt thought about it. She had already secured the island NE12 as the location for her noble residence, but in the not-too-distant future. The tents are comfortable and Im not here for long periods of ti. I dont need to host important guests, and if I did, we have suitable space to do it. I want the focus to be on infrastructure and economic growth to fuel it.
...Are you hesitating because you spent all your money on the Lunar Pavilion? Ewan asked in all seriousness.
No, but now that you reminded , yes. Tori leaned back against the carriage bench with Alexander on her lap. I dont want to use money reserved for the delta for my personal residence. I know its quite common, as a nobles residence is used in receiving important guests, but its an unnecessary expense at the mont.
Do you ever plan on building one? Ilyana asked beside her.
Of course, but we must reach phase three of my project first and complete the basics of phase one of Cosora planning. At the earliest, were looking at starting to build next sumr, Tori told them. And thats only if I can afford it.
Albert let out a disappointed sigh and slumped back against the carriage bench. Is it still going to be on NE12?
Tori nodded. Grandpa Sophos says he wants to design and engineer it.
Henrik furrowed his brows and gave her a quizzical look. Isnt your Grandpa Sophos a teacher?
Grandpa Sophos is called an Imperial Grand Scholar for a reason. Many people say Mama and Kasey are geniuses, but only in select fields. Grandpa is a.... She didnt know what the term for Renaissance man was or if such a term existed in Soleil. Hes talented and skilled in many fields. He has the necessary qualifications and background to be an architect.
Albert shook his head as he looked at her, dumbfounded. Has anyone ever told you that you have an impressive family? Your eldest brother is the second-best swordsman in the empire. Your second brother and mother are brilliant. Your grandfather is an Imperial Grand Scholar....
Oh, Grandma Sophos is a gifted musician and composer, and Grammy is considered the worlds foremost expert on pre-dynastic northern Nazaria and Phariss.
Ilyana tilted her head to the side. What about your papa and his father?
Theyre very competent marquises.
Henrik lifted the corner of his mouth. Sohow, thats not as impressive.... Tori cracked a grin and looked back out the window.
Ewan, are we dropping you off at your parents or at La Garda? she asked.
La Garda, please. I have dawn exercises tomorrow. You know, the daily training so far isnt as difficult as I thought it would be, Ewan said. When I train with my masters, theyre much more demanding.
Isnt that a good thing? Ilyana asked. Youre more than prepared for what is expected of you.
And it sounds like youre more than just keeping up, Albert added.
Ewan nodded. The rest of the students said they took a break after the entrance exams, so they have to regain their peak forms after being lethargic for a few months. Master was right to have continue training through the sumr.
Sebby and Axton didnt push you as hard over the sumr as they did before your exam.
Yes, they said that they just wanted to remain competitive. It wasnt necessary to drastically improve, but I just couldnt deteriorate.
Have you heard from Sir Navarro? Tori asked. He shouldve started the special training for upper tier knights.
He said that theyre going to go to the mountains, then cycle through training with the marches.
What tier is he aiming for? Henrik asked.
First.
Tori and the others all looked impressed and nodded to each other. To be accepted in the program preparing for first tier imperial knights, they had to have significant accomplishnts and high scores in La Garda.
Sir Navarros more skilled than I thought. Hes from Sur; why didnt he beco a knight of the march? Ilyana asked, looking at Tori.
Toris lips tightened into a line. Sir Navarro is the youngest grandson of Viscountess Navarro and shes been trying to get him married or engaged since he was sixteen.
Albert and Henrik drew their heads back. Hes running away?
Essentially, yes, Tori replied. Also, half his brothers, sisters, and cousins are either Guevera knights or soldiers. He said sothing about not wanting to be compared to them. To be honest, I cant bla him for either reason.
Ewan counted off his fingers. If hes training for the first-tier knights, then they wont be able to get a hold of him for at least four years. He looked at the others, impressed. The knights are so busy training; they dont have ti for much else.
What do they do in this special training? Albert looked horrified and Tori smirked. She could only imagine what torture Albert was envisioning.
Ewan furrowed his brows and seed to think. I know that a lot of it is still the standard conditioning, drills, and teamwork exercises, but they also get special training for different life or death scenarios from specialists. Like Nanny Rey!
Albert seed to relax. That doesnt sound so bad. Nanny Rey is an incredibly good instructor. Ilyana and I have learned a lot.
Albert, the way Nanny Rey teaches you and Ilyana is different from the elite training she runs for top march knights. Axton is terrified of Nanny Rey because he had to go through her training regin, Tori told him with an amused smile.
Alberts face paled. But shes so nice...and your nanny....
Henrik snorted. Toris nice to us, but you saw her with von Dorn. You can be nice and still be dangerous.
Special treatnt! Ilyana bead as she clapped her hands together once and grinned.
Speaking of special treatnt, Axtons birthday is in a few weeks. I asked what he wanted to do, and he wanted to invite us to the reopening of the first of the renovated phase one inns, Tori said. It is about a day out on the main route to Anlar.
What did he change? Henrik asked as he leaned back.
Tori took a deep breath and tried to recount the details. The main building facade remains the sa, but the lobby and rooms have been remodeled to what the standard lobby and rooms will be for all his inns. The stables and guest carriage house are also being renovated, but theyll be done later. Think of this first inn as the template for all the others. There is also a two-story extension that was built. Ground floor has a general goods and travel supply store and kitchen. The upper floor has a dining area and smaller rooms for private dining.
Albert sat up straight. He built a general goods store attached to the inn?
Tori nodded and tried to suppress her grin. Yes, that was my idea. It includes travel supplies from bags to carriage spare parts, and a ready-to-eat section of baked goods, dried ats and cheeses, and palm-sized versions of Seniors at pies under the na Golden Fields Pie.
She caught the sly smiles appearing on her friends faces. Is this perhaps in direct response to the Cow Man? Albert asked, almost tentatively.
Tori looked out the window with an air of nonchalance. I think we all know what its in direct response to.
Henrik let out a loud guffaw. Is that where you invested in his inn?
Tori shrugged. If the inn has food and supplies, the guests dont need to go anywhere else. In addition, Axton and I have rebranded the inns for consistency. When people see the logo and already have a set expectation of the inns quality and anities, they are more likely to want to stay at that inn. They know what they will get.
So, you two did change the na, Henrik said. He gave her a suspicious look. Please tell that you didnt use a portmanteau.
I did that once! Tori slapped her hand against the door fra. Alexander looked at Henrik and seed to snort before swishing his tail, irritated. We gave it a very simple na: The Lunar Inn. This particular one is The Lunar Inn at Millers Row.
Not only was it simple and scread out this is a fantasy inn to her, which she personally found funny, but it was also based on the Lunar Pavilion, which would be the most luxurious of Axtons inns. Each location would include the na of the village or town it was in for ease of identification, unless it was out in the middle of the forest, in which case it would be sothing akin to The Lunar Inn at Mountain Pass.
Henrik let out a relieved breath and rubbed his chest. Thank goodness. I thought you were going to na it sothing like Axtoria.
Tori stared at him with a dull look. That na is not that bad.
I liked it, Ilyana said with a slight pout. I think it sounds fancy.
Youre no longer allowed to na things, Henrik told her with a straight face.
Ilyana scoffed, sowhat offended. Why not?
Your nas are descriptions.
Thats what nas are supposed to do!
You dont call a jar a vessel to contain things.
I an for brands!
Lions Gate Den.
Furniture for a den; soones comfortable ho, and by our Lions Gate Group. It tells you all you need to know.
Albert scrunched his face and Ewan looked out the window, as if he heard nothing.
Well just do a vote next ti, Tori said. For example, we need to na the section that will be selling our crystal powered goods.
Like the hair dryer and heated brush? Albert asked. Tori had let them try the finalized versions of the items and they loved it. No wonder Alexanders fur is always so soft after his bath.
Itll also include the cooking plates, heating boxes, refrigerators, air conditioning units, tools for farming, things to charge crystals, and so forth, Tori said as she scratched Alexanders chin. It doesnt have to have the na Lions Gate on it, wed just be the mother company. Ilyana opened her mouth. Just think about it for now! There isnt a rush. Since the items will be sold at the Lunar Pavilion, there is plenty of ti.
Ilyana grumbled and sank down on the bench.
They dropped Ewan off at La Garda and he carried with him a bag of snacks hed picked up while in Viclya. When he had started, he gave out beverage cooling charms to his peers when he was introducing himself and had invited a few new friends to play dungeon crawl. Tori didnt think he was doing it on purpose to advertise the ga and Duel, but rather, Ewan had just wanted to share his fun with others.
Tori dropped the other three near Cafe Fortuna so they could get dinner first, as she had to take Alexander back to Piers house. As the carriage stopped in front of it, Tori held her cat in her arms and squinted.
Why do I feel like a parent who can only see their child on weekends...?
Nyaow....
Well, I know thats whats happening, but you know I cant bring you to my dorm. Tori rolled her eyes as one of the knights who was stationed at the entrance of the building stepped forward to open her door.
Good evening, Countess, Sir Lloyd said. Good evening, Master Alexander.
Nyaow!
She didnt question why they referred to her cat as Master Alexander. At this point, she no longer cared. Hello, Sir Lloyd. Are Axton and Piers already back?
Yes, my lady. Master Alexanders food has also been prepared.
Wonderful. Thank you. She was let into the building and put Alexander down, allowing him to race up the stairs, owing. Perhaps he could already sll his food.
His long, urgent owing echoed through the stairwell and halls. By the ti Tori caught up with him, he was on his hind legs in front of the door to Piers and Axtons flat, scratching at the door with his front paws, and sounding as if he were being starved to death.
The door clicked open. Welco ho.
Nyaow! Alexander wiggled through the crack between the door and the fra before it was fully opened.
Did you have fun with your mom this weekend? Piers was ignored as Alexander flew inside.
He was so popular; how could he not have fun? Tori asked as she raised a brow and stopped a few paces away. He ate a little in the carriage, but slept most of the ti.
Its all right, I had Mama J prepare his al and Axton just returned from the cafe, Piers said. After he eats, he will go to sleep without a fuss.
Thanks again for letting him stay here, Piers, Tori said as she raised a hand. She turned around. Ill see you next week.
Do you want to co in? Piers asked, taking a small step outside.
No, Im going back to Cafe Fortuna to et the others for dinner.
Wait. Piers took another step and Tori looked over her shoulder.
What is it? Piers avoided her eyes and hesitated a bit before raising his arms. Oh, right. She nodded and turned around. Greeting hug. She lifted her arms and welcod him against her. Piers movents were much smoother now. There was almost no tension in his shoulders. Tori ntally counted to three and lowered her arms, but Piers didnt let go. She furrowed her brows after another few seconds and then gently patted his back. Sothing was wrong. Are you all right?
No.
Tori frowned. What do you feel? Sad? Angry? Upset?
Upset. A little angry, he said. He had hunched over and pressed his face against the top of her head.
It is okay to feel that way. What made you upset and a little angry? Tori asked carefully.
Father is being unreasonable.
She heard a heavy sigh from the doorway and looked over. Axton crossed his arms and leaned against the doorfra, a tired and helpless look on his face.
Are you going to tell , or should I ask Axton?
Ask Axton.
All right. Tori remained in place, still stroking Piers back to calm him as she t Axtons gaze. What happened?
Soone has proposed to let Piers be introduced to young won as prospective brides and the Emperor agreed.
Hes only twenty! The words ca out before she could stop herself and Tori winced. To her, twenty was quite young to get married. Dating, sure. Perhaps the start of a long engagent as the couple tried to get their careers in order, but marriage was a bit too soon in her opinion, especially when the person was very busy. However, it was quite common in Soleil, and while unpopular now, arranged marriages amongst the nobles were still a thing. I an, a little early dont you think?
Father was already married when he was my age. Piers still hadnt let her go.
Tori rolled her eyes. The Emperor had latched on to the Empress when she was still his senior at Lyce. Mama said he was like an annoying leech they couldnt lose.
Okay, lets think about this rationally. He agreed to introductions. Were those his exact words? She looked at Axton pointedly. He nodded.
Your mother and I are selecting six young ladies to introduce to you. Several nobles recomnd them. You are to have coffee or a small al with them before the new year, Piers seed to repeat. That is what Father said.
He didnt say he was going to marry you to soone, right? She felt Piers shake his head. He didnt say that you had to commit, right? He paused and then nodded. Then, thats not so bad!
What? Axton nearly slipped from the doorfra. What do you an its not so bad?
Piers drew his head back and pulled away with a look of betrayal on his face. Tori sighed.
So dramatic. The Emperor isnt stupid. My own opinions notwithstanding. He didnt confirm an intent to marry or an engagent. The etings are only an introduction. It could be beneficial to et and be in good standing with them.
Axton stared at her, dumbfounded. This does not bother you in the least?
Personally, I dont think Piers is ready for marriage yet considering hes still in Universit and hasnt been nad crown prince, so were not sure what his future holds...and.... Her voice trailed off as Axtons face grew darker with each word. Oh...you an Piers getting married or engaged from this? Its not going to happen any ti soon. I highly doubt that as soon as they et, theyll arrange a wedding.
Piers looked down. I dont want to marry them.
Then dont marry them, Tori said. She sighed and stepped closer, taking his hands. Piers, no one is forcing you to get married right now. Im sure your father only agreed to introductions to quell the interested parties. Think of this as sothing similar to all those etings and luncheons youve been going to for networking.
Piers squeezed her hands and nodded. Okay.
Good. And the sa process stands. If you feel uncomfortable, leave. You can send an apology for any rudeness later. What is important is that you are safe, Tori told him carefully. He nodded. Axton and your knights wont be far away, so they will help you.
Piers seed to stare at her hands in his. Can you co with ?
Axton stood up straight and blinked at Piers, surprised.
Of course! If I can fit it into my schedule, I can co with you. Axton turned to look at her, slack jawed. You have to tell well ahead of the eting and Ill need to confirm the date and ti-
Tori, before you agree, shouldnt you at least consider what it would look like for Piers to be introduced to other won with you on his arm? Axton asked, almost squeezing between them.
Tori snapped her mouth closed. Oh yeah.... She furrowed her brows. I would...scare others away, wouldnt I? And if theyre there with the intent of marriage and not just because soone forced them to, then it would be insulting.
Good, you understand, Axton said, appearing a bit satisfied.
But considering my reputation of being close to Piers, if they did co with the intent of marriage, isn't it just declaring that theyll fight for him and a slap in my face? Was she overthinking this?
Well...I suppose thats a bit true-
And whatever relationship I have with Piers should be seen as stronger now because I wore a tiara at the Empress Banquet. Wouldnt their going after Piers be even more insulting to ?
Axton looked confused. What does a tiara have to do with anything? Many high-ranking noblewon, especially those within marriageable age, wear tiaras at formal functions.
It was identified as a piece from the imperial familys collection. Tori shook her head. Im a bit impressed that soone was able to identify it considering it had been locked away for so ti. Soone has a good mory.
I picked it because your dress was purple, Piers told her. It matched very well.
Yes, I know, Tori said as she gave him a reassuring squeeze. But you know how people are. He nodded obediently and Tori looked at Axton. If there is no way around the etings, find out who is being introduced to Piers and their prospective motive: if they really want to marry him, or if they ca under pressure from a family mber or have so sort of obligation. Nobles wont send a diocre daughter to be introduced to the first prince of Soleil, so they must have so achievent. If they co under pressure or obligation, but have no interest in marriage, then maybe theyre soone we can work with in the future.
And if theyre not? Axton asked, with a bit of resistance.
Tori looked at Piers. Do you want to keep them away? Piers nodded. Tori looked back at Axton with a hint of defiance on her face. Then, I will keep them away.
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