There was a ti and a place for Tori to correct an individual on her relationship with Piers.
And this was one of them.
Across the table, next to Prince Cyrus, Gideons head shot up as soon as he heard the foreign princes words. His eyes went from his brother to Tori, and carried a mixture of uncertainty and horror. Axton flinched a bit, but didnt show any outward discomfort; almost as if he expected it.
Piers raised a brow and slowed his eating. Those who were seated closest to them were high ranked nobles, including Duchess Fekete. Though she maintained a regal composure, Tori could feel her eyes boring into her side as if waiting for new, savory gossip.
Before she could think of a way to correct the visiting prince respectfully and clearly, Piers spoke up.
The Countess cos from a region where marriages are not decided so early, especially when she is still in secondary school, Piers said in a surprisingly calm voice. As such, we are not formally engaged.
Toris sharp eyes shot at him. Formally? Why do you have to say formally? Cant you just say Im not your fiance? If he could read her mind, he mustve been purposely avoiding her hostile gaze.
Prince Cyrus didnt react much. He seed to consider Piers' words before nodding once. I understand. The matter of marriage, especially for soone of our rank, is not a simple matter and must be well considered. He looked towards Tori. I apologize for the mistake, Countess Guevera.
Not at all, Your Highness, Tori said as she pasted a smile that didnt reach her eyes on her face. She had to consider the situation. She couldnt push that he was mistaken once hed apologized. After all, he was a visiting prince, and they were trying to make him an ally. In addition, the vagueness of Piers statent would quiet down those who were eyeing both him and her.
According to her fathers calls, there had been an irritating increase of inquiries about her future since she was given her title and land. Peers and acquaintances had na-dropped young n in their family. Her father and brothers werent stupid. They knew what was happening and they did not like it.
But they were in Presidio for the most part. Her family could detour interested parties there, but Horizon was a bit out of reach.
Tori didnt want to use the concept of fake dating. She read fanfics when she was younger; she knew where that led. However, as much as she didnt want to admit it, Piers always hanging around her being misunderstood as sothing else was useful. God knows she did not want or have the ntal capacity to deal with the headache of suitors or whatever they were called.
With everything going on, shed probably lose her patience and stab soone.
Okay, Piers. You win this ti.... She slowly drew her sharp eyes away from Piers.
Prince Cyrus seed at a loss. I had heard that you often escort Prince Piers and made an assumption.
Tori kept smiling. It is one that is often made as I accompany His Highness often. His Highness Prince Piers is my senior and his seniors are my brothers. When I ca to Horizon, they entrusted him to watch over . I can only do my best to avoid being so troubleso.
She pretended she didnt see Axtons sidelong look. She troubled Piers so often, it was why Fiona called him her sidekick.
The Countess has proven one of my staunchest supporters, Piers said. I could not ask for a better one.
Prince Cyrus lifted his glass and made a little salute towards Tori. Tori lifted her own drink to return it and then took a long sip of her wine.
She managed to avoid the subject for the rest of the evening, but did hear it discussed around her as she wove through the crowds making small talk and letting familiar guests of Viclya know that she was going to open spaces for winter visits, as a new building had gone up at the foot of the hill near where the ice-skating rink was. While built with a matching facade as the other buildings, the inside was versatile and could be decorated according to the weather and season.
Yes, we have had a sizable migration of people recently, as relatives of my villagers mainly from the border region have co to settle. Weve been very proactive in getting them resettled and introducing them to the culture of the delta, Tori said as she spoke with Ambassador Izel. They are looking forward to the opening of Chili Xicalli next sumr.
Do they like the hot sauce? Ambassador Izels smile widened.
They love it. This sumrs most popular food was, unexpectedly, oysters with hot sauce, Tori said.
The...after taste, as you call it, is strangely addicting, the woman replied with an acknowledging nod. Countess, the chefs who will co to cook at the restaurant have been selected. Their paperwork should be completed by their arrival this winter. Will they be able to move to Viclya then?
Yes, Tori said with a nod. There are several buildings with courtyards on Rois that Ive selected for our foreign chefs. She looked past Ambassador Izel. Where is Ambassador Das? I should tell him about this, too.
Ambassador Izel looked around for the other dignitary and found him with his wife, enjoying the frozen fruit cream.
The Countess should consider adding crushed nuts to this, he was saying with a look of concentration.
Additional topping options would be good, his wife agreed. Tori caught their eyes and made her way over to tell them about the living arrangents.
She also managed to get several other ambassadors she was working with to clarify the living arrangents for the cooks being sent to Viclya. The rent for the restaurants and living arrangents would be rent free, but the foreign investors of the restaurants were covering the staff, ingredients, and specialized cookware. Tori was also investing in each restaurant by personally ordering all the table, serving, and general cookware required from the other country, and having them shipped over.
She was also working closely with each group of investors to arrange and decorate each restaurant appropriately. Unfortunately, since comcry technology required contacts to register each other in order to communicate, she could only write letters and have comcry etings when one of the dignitaries was available.
Still, all investors had been invited for the next Spring Festival so they could look over the restaurants, give it a dry run, and make any minor changes before they officially opened in the sumr. She made sure to keep them all up to date with dashboards and project tilines, as well as being very transparent about where spending went.
Is it too late to arrange a restaurant that would serve Hong food? Ambassador Wu had stood with the small crowd of other ambassadors as Tori went through the living arrangents and current construction status.
It is not, Tori said with a bright smile. As we are a fledgling village, we are building in phases so as not to overuse our current resources. Rois is a relatively large island and there will be plenty of room for more restaurants and shops to cater to our guests. The current group is our stage one for the Cosora Cultural Exchange program. Next sumr will be our initial test.
When will you be accepting partners for your next stage? Ambassador Wu asked.
We have a running list, Tori said. Nazaria is currently deciding on a location from the areas provided, and Lords Nobuzaki and Lady Mizuha are working on a suitable nu of food that can be served bearing in mind the availability of ingredients and transportation costs. The Xhor Empire has also been invited, but we are still sorting through possible investors.
Then, I would also like to put Hong on the running list.
Of course! Tori perked up. Do you have so ti to visit the delta? It is a small, developed area, but the weather right now is ideal for visiting.
I will accept the Countess invitation, Ambassador Wu said with a nod.
I will have my people contact the Hong Embassy to arrange for a visit this month, Tori said. Please expect a welco packet within the week.
Ambassador Wu looked pleased, and Tori caught sight of Axton raising his hand just a bit to beckon her over. Tori excused herself and made her way across the courtyard.
Can you prepare one of the apartnts in Rois for Prince Cyrus? Axton asked.
Yes, a few are ready for guests and face the Kings Plaza, Tori replied. I will need to ask for additional imperial knights.
I will arrange it, Axton said, keeping his voice a bit low. Piers also wants a small eting space that is secure.
There are so available on Rois. This isnt a problem. I will have everything prepared, Tori assured him.
The third Prince of Pargath was a higher priority than the ambassadors and dignitaries. Soleil had good relations with Pargath, but with the current King of Pargath ill and no announcent on who the heir apparent was, they werent sure how long the good relations would continue. If the information they had on the first Prince of Pargath was correct and he was on suspiciously friendly terms with the Duraga Federation, then there was a chance that Pargath would no longer be neutral.
What Piers was concerned about was the border region and proximity of Pargath to Soleil. It could easily be used as a launching point for the Duraga Federation to bypass the land border. In addition, Pargath was the nearest gateway for land trade east. Its where it got the majority of its wealth.
Toris land trade connections ca directly through Pargath. Prices had gone up as rchants faced increased trading taxes and the flow of goods had beco more scrutinized. She was notified that so items were being confiscated or could not leave by trading ship, as before. This included her supply of fireworks.
The fortified city-state had lasted so long without being swallowed up by surrounding powers because of its neutrality and willingness to work with other nations. They protected themselves with a small, but strong navy around their waters, and their topographical position as a peninsula with a large bay made it easy to defend from land.
But political positions changed.
If Piers wanted to make an ally of the third prince to ensure continued neutrality and trade, then Tori had no hesitations about assisting him.
Axton, tell Piers I want to go to the crystal table, Tori told him.
Axton gave her a confused look. When?
Soon. Tonight, had given her a flood of information and at that mont, her brain couldnt organize all of it. The theory behind the crystal table was that it would help a user solidify their thoughts based on collected information, both conscious and subconscious, which influenced their intuition.
She wanted to try that.
Axton gave her a small nod and they parted ways. Tori continued making rounds and bolstering Piers reputation amongst his peers and visiting dignitaries. In between small chats, she checked on the available snacks, and was questioned about her current research on crystals.
Most of the focus was on ho goods and the improved lifestyle of her villagers. Overall, the ball did what it was supposed to do, and Tori felt she ca out on top with a few more contacts and possible investors.
What do you think? Axton asked as they sat in Piers carriage going back to the palace. Success?
There was so criticism of my involvent in the deltas developnt, Piers said. With the show of crystal technology and the steady developnt of the city as a port resort town, including the popularity with foreign investors, those who had concerns were silenced.
Tori frowned beside him. How much criticism was there about your involvent?
That is not sothing to worry about, Piers said.
Was there a lot?
It was mainly concern about the use of imperial knights guarding the delta, not so much about whats happening there, Axton replied, ignoring Piers glare. The first, second, and third tier imperial knights are funded by the imperial family, but the fourth and fifth tier imperial knights that typically patrol the city are from a separate budget.
The majority of the patrol knights in the delta were fifth tier, Tori said. They were either first or fifth tier knights. Their accommodations and food were paid for by my budget though.
It was only a relocation assignnt and usually this isnt enough to cause an issue, Axton told her. We think it is because it was in relation to you.
Im so popular, Tori said in a dull voice as she rolled her eyes and looked out the window. The budget for my delta is available for review at all tis and I have been transparent with my project budget and funding sources.
There isnt much they can do. They can only complain, Piers told them. The majority of the funding has been from private resources: your family, myself, Henrik and Lady Ilyana, and individual investors. The money from public funds initially ca from the ergency disaster fund.
We stopped getting funding from that after the first year, Tori said. She scowled in her seat. No matter what, I am sure there will be criticism. Im sure allowing foreign investors in restaurants is being scrutinized.
It is, both Axton and Piers chorused.
This just hasnt been done before, Axton said. There are restaurants in the first and second districts catering to foreign guests, but it is limited. If you want foreign food, it is best to go directly to the ho of a dignitary, as they bring their own household staff.
Does Pargath have an embassy?
Yes, its where the third prince is currently staying, Axton said.
The Ambassador from Pargath is his mothers brother. Piers kept his eyes out the window. His mothers side is a particularly influential family.
But one family versus the Duraga Federation? How much weight could they possibly have in comparison? Axton asked with a raised brow.
There is reason for concern. Piers looked out the window.
Tori leaned back against the seat and furrowed her brows. She was silent for the rest of the ride to the palace and when they arrived, Tori went directly to the crystal table. When she was close enough, she could feel the pulses calling to her.
The doorway was clear, and she could see the glow from the room.
Alexander? Tori stopped two steps into the room and squinted. Her cat was lying at the foot of the table, right next to the hole that went into the ground.
Nyaow! As if caught, he jumped up and trotted over, nudging her dress, and leaning upwards to be carried. Tori bent down and picked him up, draping her long cat over her shoulder.
I really dont want you wandering so freely around the palace, Alexander. What if you get locked in sowhere? Tori said with a frown as she walked towards the table. Her cat nudged her head and let out a purr, as if doing so would soften her heart to him.
I can assign a knight to him while he is here, Piers said.
Tori gave him an annoyed look over her shoulder. Thats not necessary, Piers. Hes a cat. She walked to the table and looked down at the glowing surface. The map was limited to Soleils mainland and a few surrounding areas, but nothing beyond that.
Tori handed her cat to Piers and put her hands on the edge of the table. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, grounding. The pulse of the table matched her heartbeat, and she opened her eyes.
Imdiately, her gaze was drawn to the brighter than normal glow around the Cosora Delta. She frowned, as aside from her crystal, there were no others placed there. In addition, the table surface of the map was glowing, but her crystal was not.
Can I add crystals? she asked without taking her eyes off the table.
Piers put Alexander on the ground. There are spare pieces. I will get the box. He crossed the room and seed to scan one of the shelves for a wooden box. He pulled it out and frowned. It is dusty.
Thats fine, Tori said. Open it and bring it to . He took out a handkerchief and wiped the top of the box before undoing the latch and holding it open beside her. Inside the cushioned, fabric lined box were various clear crystal obelisks. They were no larger than her pinky finger.
She reached in and closed her eyes, picking one at random.
She then placed the small obelisk in the delta and watched it begin to glow. It seed that was the right move. She pinched the top with her finger and felt a shock. Her eyes widened as she snatched her hand back and stared at the small crystal.
Whats wrong? Piers asked.
Does the crystal shock you?
No. Piers frown. You felt a shock?
I felt a shock and I thought of soone.
Who?
Tori lifted her head to look at Piers. Hadley Voss. Kasen recruited him to work in information sourcing before the sumr. Hes been going between the delta and Anlar. She didnt know what exactly Madam Voss middle child was doing for Kasen, but she knew it involved observation and gathering information from small villages in the guise of a brick rchant.
Piers looked back at the table. Is his crystal glowing?
Tori turned to the crystal and nodded. Its glowing.... She wiggled her fingers and moved her left hand over the crystal once more. She pinched it and released it quickly in case there was another shock, but nothing happened. Suspicious, she pinched it again and lifted it up. Another part of the table glowed, and she quickly placed Hadleys crystal on it.
Fendersmith Fields, on the border of Anlar and the Central Corridor. It was an agricultural region until the drought and fires, creating an exodus from the region, Piers said. Farming is still difficult for the area.
Tori tilted her head to the side. Is this near Harts mothers familys ancestral property?
Piers paused for a mont. It is the location of her mothers ancestral property. Piers moved his hand over the table and traced an invisible line nearby, coming from the mountainous area near the lakes. This is all agricultural or forested land. It is possible to put a trade route here to better access the area and go directly to the coast. It would pass Fendersmith Fields.
Tori squinted. A prospective trading hub. I wasnt expecting that.... The delta was still glowing, and Tori took out another obelisk. She put it down on the delta and watched it light up before pinching it again. She let out a hiss. Why does it keep shocking ?
Who did you see?
Tori gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes. Ambassador Wu.
Piers furrowed his brows. And where does he go?
Tori took a deep breath and pinched the crystal again. She lifted it up and imdiately made a face. Are you kidding ? Hes not even a Soleil citizen; I cant make him go there.
Where? Piers pressed.
Tori almost slamd the small crystal on a bay on a peninsula. Pargath.
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