PaulMichaels
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IGIWS: FIRST DRAFT: Ch.325: It's Not Easy Being A Noble.
🕑 Added 2025-02-02 17:18:29 +0000 UTCThe Queen brought Rya and all the other ladies into a large study where a table and chairs were waiting for them.
"Alright, ladies. Let's get started," Rianna stated as she walked over to the head chair and sat down.
Rya sat next to the Queen while Tayna and Nieren sat across from the two of them. Yuliana and Dalia walked around and took the seats that were next to Rya.
Young Elaine was still awestruck by how her life has done a 180. This barely been a day and she's gone from living in an orphanage to being adopted by a Royal Elf and living in the Maldurian Palace sitting in a room and having tea with Queen Rianna Meredydd. And even though it felt surreal, a part of her felt accustomed to this lifestyle. Like she was always a part of this.
'Please tell me that this is real... I'm not dreaming... am I?' Elaine thought.
"Elaine!? Get your head out of the clouds and sit up straight!" Yuliana said as she snapped her fingers.
The young girl blinked, realizing she was lost in thought. "Oh! Sorry, Mother!"
Elaine smiled and sat at the table near the Queen and the others.
"Well, now that we're here... Let's get down to business once Gretchen arrives with some tea," Rianna stated.
As if on queue the door suddenly opened to Gretchen and a few servants with a tea tray.
"Right on time as always, Gretchen," Rianna said, giving her maid a small smile.
Gretchen blushed slightly, and then began to set the table with everyone.
Once the table was set and everyone had a cup of tea.
Rianna turned her attention to the Ladies.
"Now... We have a lot to go over. So, let's not waste time. We have a lot of work ahead of us if we are going to get the Ladies of the Court on Rya's side. Once, Ysandra gets here then we can really dive into the details. For now. We'll go over the list of ladies that will do up to Lydia Revelia's coming of age party.
Rya frowned when Rianna brought up the Revelia name. Alaric was a cunning piece of shit that she was going to rid herself of once she gets the approval from the House of Lords to be wed to Quinus. Then there was his wife Leandra. Rya to many interactions with her but the few times she did the woman acted as though she was better than her. Like snake, she's been sneaking into the palace with a enchanted cloak to speak with Hilda in private to help her undermine Rya's relationship with Quinus. And lastly, Rya recalled the few times she saw Marcus Revelia. The coward wind mage who tried to betray Quin in the Tomb Of The Horde and he would have gotten away with it if Rya didn't intervene and saved Quin's life.
'Tsk! Damn Revelia's... When I think I only have deal with two of them then another pops up like a—huh?'
Rya rubbed her eyes to make sure that she wasn't seeing things as Miss Gretchen took a piece of chalk and began writing on a slate board with all the names of the Ladies that were coming over for a party.
It wasn't only two or three, Revelia's on the list but six. Of course there was Leandra and Lydia on the list, but then there was Sara, Jemma, Eleanora, and Clara were also on the list.
'Damn... They're like fucking rabbits or something.'
Rianna noticed that Rya was staring at the list with a frown on her face.
"What's wrong? Did you see someone on the list that you didn't expect?"
"I'll say. I didn't know that we would be dealing with so many Revelias. I thought Alaric and Leandra were bad. I can only imagine how their children would turn out. But, the fact that there's six more of them... That's a little disturbing."
Dalia and Nieren were nodding in agreement. Rianna smirked and replied, "Well... The funny thing about the Revelia daughters is that they dislike their parents."
Rya looked at the Queen with skepticism at first, "You're pulling my leg."
But when Rianna shook her head no, it made Rya's face light up in surprise.
"But... What don't I know? Surely one of them has to be similar to their parents, no?
"Maybe one of them would if they weren't used as pawns to further their parents and Marcus's gains."
That's when it hit Rya, 'So... They must have married off the girls to powerful men not out of love, but out of political or financial gain. So the daughters must feel some resentment toward their parents and possibly Marcus.'
"Who did they get married off to? Maybe they were able to have some influence over their husbands. I doubt any of the girls are spineless," Rya asked.
"Well... Sara's the oldest daughter and was married of to Count Ferdinand von Griant from the Kingdom of Hjorleif. He's the current King's younger brother and his third son. There kingdom produces the best metal on the Wasser Continent, which is across the sea east from Fiafyr. And I think she's the fourth? No, fifth wife," Rianna said.
"Fifth?! Oh? Is the Count a player?"
Rianna shook her head in disgust and explained, "The Count's a philanderer. He likes to play the field and has had several mistresses throughout his life. I heard that he's had over a dozen wives and countless mistresses. He's currently in his 50s, but his appetite hasn't died down. So, Sara refuses to take the count's last name and she hasn't had any children with him either."
'That's not surprising. It's clear that he's not even loyal to his wives or the women he sleeps with. No wonder Sara refuses to have anything to do with him. Life as a noble isn't as glamorous as it seems. At least, not for these poor girls who have been forced into marriage with a man they don't love,' Rya thought to herself.
Rianna continued, "Sara's probably the luckier out of all the daughters. She's doesn't have to sleep with her husband every night. So long as she does it with him every once in a while, it's enough for him. Plus, the man's so busy having affairs that he doesn't really have time to care what Sara's doing."
"She's pretty lucky. So, she can still have lovers, then?"
Rianna shook her head no, "No, I heard the count's jealous and possessive. He'd never allow her to have a lover. He one of those men that find it disgusting if another man touches their woman. He thinks that womanhood will be wrecked by having their manhood entering their body."
Rya could sigh at that type of stupidity, 'Really? This dude sounds like one of those morons from the red pill community where a woman's vagina is ruined by another man's penis entering her body. Like they think their dicks are big enough to resize a woman's vagina for themselves. Fucking, please. The only thing that could wreck a vagina is pushing out a child. And it can heal in a three to six months. If not, there's my magical healing. Some dudes are just fucking dumb.'
Rya finally noticed Rianna and the others were looking at her, "What's wrong?"
Rianna was amused by Rya's reactions and giggled, "You were sighing and had a disgusted look on your face. But you don't know how lucky you are to have a man who's in love with you and willing to do anything to please you. He's the complete opposite of the Count."
Rya shrugged, "Well, I can't deny that. But I'm not out of the woods yet. I need to get these ladies on my side and—WHOA!? W-Why isn't Gretchen stopping?"
Rya looked at the chalkboard that Gretchen was writing on and the list of names was past fifty and she wasn't stopping.
Tayna smirked, "What? You've dealt with creating trade deals and navigated the House of Lords with no problems? You can't handle this?"
Rya had a look of befuddlement on her face as the list kept growing.
"'I-I mean, understanding people's financial interests and making them see reason is easy. But dealing with a group of... People that only care about appearances and being the best in their own way. How the hell do I approach them? And do we have any pictures of them?"
Rianna, Tayna, and Gretchen all burst out in laughter.
The Queen and the ladies were impressed by Rya's ability to understand her opponents, their goals, and their ambitions. But now, Rya had to figure out what to do with the Ladies of the Court, and Rianna too had a similar reaction when seeing so many names of people she's never met.
Nieren was impressed by her sister's intelligence, but her head was spinning as well.
Dalia had a blank look on her face. She had no idea what's going on and she didn't care too much.
Elaine smiled, 'Sister is so honest. I never knew dark elves had such pure hearts and souls.'
Rya grimaced when the three humans Ladies were laughing their asses off, 'Ugh. I guess that's a no... Fuck me. Why did I put this off until today? Damn, this is going to be a shitshow... No, no, no! Positive attitude, Rya. Positive Attitude! I've crammed information about Fortune 500 companies in the past and came out smelling like roses! This is no different, right?'
Gretchen was the first to regainer her composure and began writing more names of Minor Noblewomen, which made Rya's heart sink.
Rianna was the next one to calm down and wipe away the tears that formed around her eyes. She cleared her throat and took a deep breath.
She spoke with a soothing voice, "Okay. Okay. Sorry, sorry. I can understand your frustrations, Princess Vellanax. We noblewomen must stick together, after all. It's hard being a woman in this world."
Rianna looked at the board and her face turned serious, "Now, let's get through the rest of the Revelia daughters first then we'll go through the Major Noblewomen and their daughters, then we'll get to the Minor Nobles."
Rianna took out a notebook and a pen. She started writing down the daughters' names and their descriptions.
Sara was the oldest daughter at the age of thirty while Clara Revelia was youngest at the age of seven. If these girls weren't happy with their parents then maybe Rya could find a way to help them. Or she might feel guilty for wrecking their lives when Rya inevitably ends Alaric and Leandra's reign.
Yuliana was surprised by how many noble humans were attending the coming-of-age party. But when she was living in her kingdom, the wood elves only had 238 Noble families compared to the Human Kingdom which had over 1100 families.
'Yeesh! I thought the Wood Elf Kingdom was large, but it pales in comparison to the Fiafyr Kingdom. I better act like I've dealt with something similar. Because I don't want to get laughed at like Rya just did. Ugh, that was so humiliating... I'm not going to make a fool out of myself, dammit!' Yuliana thought as she tried to calm her nerves. She was the last surviving full blooded wood elf Royal of the Wood Elf Kingdom. She couldn't look bad in front of the human Ladies.
Nieren was trying to follow along and she didn't know how Rya was able to remember so many names and titles. She was getting a headache just trying to keep up with what they were saying.
She was hoping she would hear some juicy gossip from the Ladies, but she wasn't prepared to hear so many names.
'So... many... names... Ugh! I'm just going to focus on the ladies that I think will be important. Yeah! Sis just needs me by her side and my bow will be ready to take down anyone who gets in our way. That's all that matters.' Nieren thought to herself as she decided to shirk her duty of remembering all the names.
"Hey, Nieren?"
Nieren jumped and looked over at Rya.
"W-What's wrong, sis?"
"Do you think you can get Jemma Revelia to open up?"
"Huh?"
"Do you think you can try talking to the second daughter of the Revelia family?"
Nieren stared at her sister with a blank expression.
"Jemma Revelia?"
"Yeah."
"Uh, why?"
"Well, she likes archery... Weren't you listening? You were there."
"What? Of course I was listening. She's the youngest, right? I'm good with kids," Nieren said as she put her hands on her hips.
"She's twenty-five and the second oldest daughter," Rianna said, correcting her.
"Oh... Um, so I guess that would make her the middle child, huh? Okay, I'm definitely good with the middle child," Nieren said, smiling.
"Are you sure, sis? You weren't paying attention at all," Rya said, glaring at her.
"What do you mean, I wasn't paying attention? I'm a princess so of course I was paying attention. Right, Mother?"
"Of course," Yuliana said, trying to hide her smile.
"That's right. I'm a princess so I have to be aware of everyone. You know what, I was even thinking about ways to improve relations between our kingdoms, too."
"You were?" Rianna asked making the high wood elf panic a bit.
"Uh, yes. I was. In fact, I think I can totally get her to open up," Nieren said with confidence.
Yuliana was happy to see her oldest daughter embracing her noble lineage, "It's about time you threw away your sissy adventuring ways."
Nieren looked sad for a moment, but then smiled, "Oh, yeah, Mother. I'll show you I'm a worthy heir to the throne."
Yuliana frowned when she noticed that Nieren being condescending. "So, I can get rid of your bow? I'll do that right—"
"MOTHER!? Don't you dare! This bow is mine and mine alone!" Nieren yelled as she held her bow tightly.
Everyone just smirked at Nieren's panicked reaction.
"Then start acting like a proper Princess and pay attention. Or I will take your bow away for good," Yuliana threatened.
"Okay, okay. I will pay attention. Please don't take my bow," Nieren pleaded.
Some of the ladies laughed at the exchange, making the high wood elf pout.
'God, Nieren is adorable when she's all pouty. I just want to tease her more,' Rya thought.
And just as Rya was about to poke fun at her big sister, the door opened revealing the head maid.
"Your Majesty, the guests have arrived," Lady Rose said.
Rianna smiled, "So, the Baroness has arrived?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Also her sister and Baroness Dowager, Fyrella Coldforge just arrived by their airship," Lady Rose informed.
"Oh, good. Please bring them in," Rianna said.
"Very well, Your Majesty," Lady Rose said. Then she left to escort the new guests into the study.
Ysandra Fairchild and Saffron Fairchild both enter the study and bowed.
"Welcome, My Ladies. Thank you for coming," Rianna greeted them.
"We are pleased to have been invited, Your Majesty," Ysandra said.
"We thank you for inviting us to the tea party, Your Majesty. And also we have a gift," Saffron said. Then she handed over a box wrapped in gold wrapping paper.
"You didn't have to," Rianna said.
Saffron smiled, "I insist. If it wasn't for your future daughter in law then finding new mages for our guild would have been much more difficult. So this is a token of my gratitude."
"Thank you, then. I shall open this later," Rianna said.
Saffron smiled and then looked at Rya before giving her a bow.
'Wow... I didn't know that they were hurting that bad to get new recruits... Well, I guess no one has my artifact to easily find them,' Rya thought.
Elaine was had a concerned expression and she looked like she wanted to ask a question.
"Oh? Does the young princess have a question for me?" Lady Saffron asked.
"Ah!..." Elaine yelped.
"Don't be shy, my dear. You are a princess and should be confident in yourself," Saffron urged.
Elaine took a deep breath, then looked at Rya.
"Is my friend Mary doing okay?... I never been away from her for this long?," Elaine asked.
Saffron smiled and gently patted her head.
"Mary is doing well. She'll be heading south with the other children mages to the Arcane Sanctum of Duskwild. I can get you a Messenger bird so you can write her a letter. If you would like," Saffron said.
"Please... Can I send a letter and a present for her?," Elaine asked.
"Of course, dear. What do you want to give her?," Saffron asked.
Elaine smiled brightly.
"I have some of her favorite sweets that she loves to eat and a couple of my old books that she liked," Elaine explained.
"I'll get you a Messenger bird ready in a few days. You can write your letter and give it and the gifts to the bird. It'll find her," Saffron said.
"Oh wow... Thank you!" Elaine said.
"You're welcome," Saffron said.
It was at that point when Lady Fyrella Coldforge came into the room. The old dwarf walked in with her dwarven pride and confidence. She curtsied to the Queen and noticed how much Rya has grown in such a short amount of time. It made her proud that her teachings in Noble etiquette was helping the dark elf princess. But then she saw Dalia sitting there not paying attention to anything while slouched in her chair and picking earwax out of her ears.
Fyrella's eyebrow twitched a little as she hurried over to the Wolfkin as hit her chair with her cane.
*BAM!*
Dalia yelped in surprise as she sat at attention.
"Sit properly. Don't you have any manners, girl!?" Fyrella asked.
"L-Lady Dwarf!? You're here!?" Dalia panicked as she thought she wouldn't have to see this stern woman until after her lessons were over.
"It's Lady Fyrella and I am indeed. You haven't forgotten my teachings. Have you, girl!?," Fyrella asked.
"Um no, I haven't. I was just... Um," Dalia panicked.
*Whack!*
"EEP!" Dalia yelped.
"You don't talk back to your elders. Do you understand!?" Fyrella demanded.
"Yes ma'am. I understand. Please forgive my insolence," Dalia apologized while sitting properly
"Humph! I leave you for a few months and this is the state of your etiquette. You're luck that Lady Rya favors you," Fyrella grumbled as she sat down in a nearby chair.
Queen Rianna chuckled at the scene.
"Be nice to her. She's pregnant," Rianna said.
"I can see that, Your Majesty. But that doesn't mean that she can slack off. Pregnancy is not an excuse for a lady not to be proper. It's disrespectful to Lady Rya," Fyrella said.
"True... She's need to be on her best behavior for the party. I'll leave it to you to keep our Wolfkin friend on her best behavior," Rianna said.
"She won't step one toe out of line, Your Majesty," Fyrella bowed.
Dalia whined. She had hoped that she'd get a break. But it seems like the strict dwarf has her in her sights and there was no way out.
Rya felt a little bad for her friend and she did come a long way from what she used to be. But when she was around Rya, Nieren, Tayna, and Yuliana she would show her true self. But when she was around others, she was proper and a lady.
Rya tried to warn her a few times, but Dalia brushed it off.
Rianna nodded and looked at the list of women that Gretchen wrote down, from them to go over. In total there was over 300 names, which were the daughters, wives, and granddaughters of the nobles.
Most of the women are around Rianna's age, but some are younger. And a few were older.
"There are a lot more noblewomen attending this party than I thought," Rianna said as she examined the list. "Gretchen, write a list with the women on most importance. I want to know whose on Leandra's side and who are undecided."
"Right away, My Queen," Gretchen replied as she went to a table and sat down to work.
Rya's eyes almost fell out of her head seeing so many names. She wasn't sure what to do, but having this list categorized would help immensely.
And so the ladies got to work figuring out who were the most important women to get on their side. And who was the best to approach and get into their circle. And once Rya was getting into the groove of things she started seeing a way to win the majority of them over.
The biggest thing Rya had to do was getting certain women on her side that will help spread the good word about her and her allies.
Rianna and the other ladies were very impressed at how quickly Rya was getting the hang of court politics. And soon it would be lunchtime after spending three hours in the Queen's Study.
Once everyone was done and their lists were made, the Queen ordered the food to be brought up and the servants were quick to do as their Queen ordered.
"You are a natural, Rya. I was expecting you to take a lot longer to come up with a plan. But you've done better than anyone expected," Rianna smiled.
"Well, I would be lying if I didn't say I was a bit nervous about the whole thing. I know we need to win the hearts and minds of the Ladies of the Court. But I wish I started this last week," Rya replied.
"Better late than never, My Dear. And you'll have me, Ysandra, and the others helping you along the way," Rianna replied.
"You should know, Rya, that Leandra isn't going to hold back and neither will her allies. They will pull out all the stops to get what they want," Ysandra stated.
"I'll be ready, Baroness. I'm not going to let some uppity bitch—women—scare me. I've come too far to let that happen," Rya said.
Everyone chuckled at Rya's correction.
"Oh, I just can't wait until you start using the language of the court," Nieren smiled.
"You will need to watch your tongue, Ry. You'll have the nobles breathing down your neck and looking for any sign of weakness," Yuliana replied.
"Yeah... I know... It's gonna be hard not saying what I'm thinking. I'll just have to think of it like an actor. Just put on a face and play a part," Rya said.
"It's like what I've taught you, Lady Rya. You must read in between their words to find out their true motives," Fyrella spoke up.
"I know... It's just... I'm worried that I won't be able to read between the lines. Or I'll say something and offend someone. Dealing with men is easier to find out their motives. Women can trick me unless I have the facts," Rya said.
Rianna was now understanding how qualified Rya was. She was always a strong woman who had the strength to deal with men. But dealing with treachery from women is the hardest thing to overcome and Rianna even struggled to weed them out. But Rianna believed that Rya could overcome what she couldn't.
"You are a very capable woman, Rya. If I didn't see how well you are doing, I would say my son picked the wrong person. But now I know, you are the woman my son truly needs," Rianna smiled.
Rya was very touched by those words. She never thought she would ever hear that coming from the Queen of Fiafyr. But Rianna could tell she needed someone to believe in her.
"Thank you, Queen Rianna," Rya bowed her head.
"Well, least get some lunch and have a few hours to relax before starting up again before dinner. It helps to reset the mind and body," Rianna smiled.
"Yeah... Let's do that," Rya nodded.
The others agreed.
And so the ladies had a lovely lunch in the palace garden. While on the outskirts of the city of Tairal in the Divalo Manor. A certain Duchess was busy ordering around her servants to get the Manor ready for the party before she began planning her next move to undermine Rya.
Comments
Marek Gwalt
TFTC
PaulMichaels
No problem
Micheal Kennedy
Thanks for the chapter!
