Change tack, go after Madeleine.

You excuse yourself from Seki's presence, deciding to come at her from another angle later. She was proud, elegant and strong. A formidable woman. You knew there was a reason you liked her, you smile to yourself.

Heading into the ale hall, you seek out Ben Swain.

When not attending his lady, the bard could usually be found wherever people congregated, taking in stories, ale and anecdotes in equal measure. So it is that you find him sat at a table, engaged in conversation with Bezoriana of all people. Or Moira, if you preferred to think of her human glamour.

“I really must congratulate you on your tireless work, good woman.” Swain says, nursing his tankard. “I walked amongst the foot soldiers this morning, many of them had tales of the Merry Widow, and the kindnesses she had brought to them.”

“Ach, that name!” Bezoriana says, throwing her hands up in mock humiliation. “I hate it, I truly do! I already feel old enough, that name makes me sound as if I've seen a hundred winters!”

“Nonsense Moira.” the bard says, attempting to extricate himself from any offence he might have caused. “You're a fine woman, and evidently quite fertile still.”

“That's good a' you tae say.” Bezoriana says, fixing the former noble with a warm smile.

“In fact, a friend of mine, an archer I've... befriended was quite taken with you.” Swain says. “Told me you came by with ointment and soothing words after he suffered a burn.”

“Oh, that?” Bezoriana says. “That was nothin'.”

“The continent would be a far more hospitable place if other shared your conception of nothing, good lady.” Swain says, finishing his ale. “Your charity and generosity are as soothing as a rest beneath a sunlit willow.”

With that, the bard momentarily departs, seeking out another tankard to imbibe. You draw closer to the table, alerting Bezoriana to your presence.

“Edward, so nice to see you!” the demoness smiles. “Have you time for a drink? You'd be far livelier company than that one, I reckon.”

“P-Perhaps later.” you smile. “I heard some of your conversation, not to your liking?”

“That's puttin' it mildly, nephew!” Bezoriana smirks. “I cannae tell what this freak's goin' on about half the time, goin' on about sunlit willows and all that! Ach, I shoulda chosen a less taxing cover.”

“I imagine it has it's advantages, mmm?” you muse. “Going where you please, getting close to nearly anyone.”

“Aye.” Bezoriana admits. “Makes it easy to know who to harvest all the good honey from. 'Course, I've got my eyes set on Donald, after this one's due.” she tells you, patting her heavily pregnant belly.

“M-Maybe I can put in a good word for you.” you slur. Though knowing Donald, all you'd really have to do was point him in the right direction.

“Ah, nephew you are good! In fact-” Bezoriana begins, but you subtly gesture for her to be silent, as Swain returns.

“Your majesty!” the bard says, beaming as he notices your presence. “Ah, but this is a pleasant surprise!”

“What I have to say might be less pleasant.” you inform the bard, taking a seat at the table with him and Bezoriana. “I've another favour to ask.”

“At this point, I'm beginning to regret renouncing my birthright, your majesty.” Swain jokes. “It would seem I'm performing all the duties required of a vassal, but am ineligible for the rewards.”

“I... am sorry, to ask so much of you, but you're the only one smart enough to reliably stay on Madeleine's good side.” you say.

“Flattery will get you... quite far indeed, your majesty.” Swain remarks, supping from his tankard. “What is it you require of milady?”

“It's Jarl Hjordis.” you tell him. “She wants to meet Madeleine.”

“Oh, is that all?” Swain says. “I'm sure Madeleine will be quite eager to meet with her attacker, really.”

As a king, you're not used to being sassed, but you let it roll over you. What you were asking was a tall order, you knew that, but nevertheless, you needed Madeleine to agree to it.

“This is a serious matter.” you haltingly assure the bard. “Many lives could depend on what the giantess knows.”

“Very well.” Swain says, a good deal more seriously. “Perhaps we should go now, your majesty? I'll do everything I can to support you in this.”

Excusing yourselves, the two of you leave Bezoriana, heading off to Madeleine's quarters.

-

Swain lets himself in, and you slip in behind him.

As you enter the Sinnabarrovian heiress' workspace, you're greeted by a most unusual sight. Elodie, Madeleine's devoted lady-in-waiting, is seated on the couch you'd previously seen Madeleine convalescing on. On the blonde's head, hiding her put-upon features entirely from you, is a bucket.

“Oh, Your Excellency, not the bucket again!” Swain says, exasperated. “I thought you had moved beyond that.”

Madeleine is leaning over her alchemical workstation, mixing a concoction that is utterly unfamiliar to you.

“I had, but then Ellie said something that simply irritated me too much to go unpunished” Madeleine insists, before stooping to snort a little Jitterleaf powder.

“Are you sure that's wise, Madeleine?” Swain asks. “Given your recent head injury?”

“That was days ago, Benjy! I want to move on with my life.” the red-headed princess sniffs. “Forget it ever happened.”

That... might prove difficult, you think, given what you're about to ask of her.

“...If you insist.” the bard mutters. “So, what did she say?”

“What did who say?” Madeleine asks.

“Elodie, milady.”

“Oh, of course. Well... I hardly remember it now. It was two hours ago.” the princess comments, pinching the bridge of her nose. You imagined it saw plenty of punishment. “You know how Ellie is, though! Always running her mouth off. I've only been able to get any work done since I made her put that bucket on her head. Bucket time is quiet time.”

“Quite.” Swain says, rubbing his jaw.

“Edward.” Madeleine says, her eyes finally alighting on you. “What brings you here? Looking for Kara, here to apologise again?”

“Neither, in fact.” you state plainly. “I'm here to ask a favour of you.”

You explain what you require of the princess, and how it might benefit the war effort.

“That's a lot to ask of someone who's already suffered so much, Edward.” Madeleine frowns. “That senseless beast nearly killed me! Now you want me to, what, have afternoon tea with her?!”

“From what I understand, milady, Hjordis merely wants to meet with you, in a controlled environment. It could very well be to apologise for what she did.” Swain conjectures, as he removes the bucket from a grateful Elodie's head.

“Or it could be to finish the job!” his lady retorts, her voice increasing in pitch.

“To tell you the truth, I think she's intrigued by you.” you tell Madeleine. “She knows you designed her cell, now.”

“The feeling isn't mutual!” Madeleine says. “I intend to stay as far away from that knuckle-dragging brute as possible, thank you very much!”

You weigh your options for a few seconds, before your mind catches on something. There was one card you had left to play.

“I know something that may be of interest to you.” you reveal. “W-When I was visiting you and your father last your, I came across a plot against you. If you meet with Hjordis, I'll tell you what it was. Who was involved.”

“That's... rather duplicitous, Edward.” Madeleine says, looking darkly at you. “A truly honourable king would tell me now, wouldn't abide any threats to an innocent woman such as myself.”

“I suppose... I'm less than completely honourable, then.” you say, fixing the redhead with a dark smile. “But I give you my word, meet with the giantess, and I'll tell you everything I know.”

Madeleine hesitates for a few brief moments, glancing over to Swain, before relenting.

“Fine. I'll speak with Hjordis. But she'll stay in her cage, and you'll provide me some extra protection.”

“A-Anything you need.” you slur.

You take your leave of Madeleine, until her meeting with the Deanian giantess. As you hobble out of the princess' rooms, Swain follows close behind.

“Nicely done, your majesty!” the bard smiles warmly. “You take to diplomacy rather well. And if I may ask, how did you become aware of Chancellor Bistodeau's treachery?”

“H-How do you know Bistodeau's involved?” you stammer, taken aback. “I-I-I mean, what makes you think the Chancellor is involved?”

“Ah, your majesty, you've met the man. It would be stranger if he was not conspiring against our dear crown princess.” Swain plainly states. “Be that as it may, I'm sure milady will be most glad to learn of the particulars, of any co-conspirators you may have discovered.”

Given that the only other person involved was Madeleine's hated step-mother, you could well imagine it.

“She'll have the information, if I get what I want.” you assure him again.

“Quite so, your majesty, quite so. Now, where does your work take you next?”