Countess Marissa Loon

The court remained silent for a time, perhaps wondering how you had come to your decision given the recent events at Luxem. Them aside, it was the most obvious choice for you. The recent events have given you a very strong hook on Countess Marissa given that you saved her from the possession of a succubus. She could perhaps try to turn that on you knowing that you had planted a bastard in her, but if Akina was to be believed, the Countess had every intention as claiming the child as her husband’s.

“Your Majesty.” Lord Gilbert whispered in your ear, “Perhaps you have not heard being in Phebis, but Countess Marissa has fallen pregnant. Would she not want to stay home?”

“She will come to me and fulfill her duty to King and Country. We will pay her travel costs, and she would make a fine Chancellor. Send word right away to Luxem.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lord Gilbert bowed and snapped his fingers at an assistant of his not too far away. The young boy then ran to another area.

“Yes!” You proclaim, “Countess Marissa shall become the new Royal Chancellor. It will be an extraordinary opportunity for her to regain prestige given recent events in Luxem. Events that were outside of her control. Long has House Loon been a loyal ally to the Crown, and now it will once again be able to prove that loyalty to me. If there are any objections, speak now.”

There was a murmur or two, but ultimately, no one in the court objected. Even if a few probably did want the position for themselves. It went without saying that your choice was not entirely illogical. Luxem was close, and within the Crownlands. That being the Hold that had been in your Family since the founding of Itheria, even before Opheal and Hightree became part of the family’s ownership. House Loon was also a very loyal house that had served for generations as rulers of Luxem County without ever trying to **** intrigue on your family, at least not that you knew of. You trusted Lord Gilbert’s and Lady Vessa’s teachings in the matter.

And with that matter resolved, more news of the front had come in, and the news was good. It seemed that Duke Magus and Gregan were steadily advancing into North Phebis with victories being proclaimed at every skirmish against Countess Eria’s forces. Lord Admiral Wainwright was managing to maintain the supply line at sea despite increased activity from Gaelica ships off the coast, and Duchess Irene’s Regent, Antonia, was having no issues making sure food was in ample supply for the ships. Lady Vessa had used Magical Arts to communicate that efforts to rebuild Southern Phebis were underway, and that the former Queen Mereen and Duchess Lilya were ‘cooperating’ with Itheria’s new rule. You could not have planned it better yourself, so you thanked the gods that there were competent people under you that were able to make the war go in your favor.

“Is there anything else to discuss?” You asked.

The hour had grown late and the sun was setting when things were finishing up. Even half the courtier’s had dismissed themselves after figuring there would be no feast for your recent return.

“No? Good. Court Dismissed.”

A clamoring of footsteps and voices rang out as everyone suddenly had a place to be or thing to say. The few that did stay behind asked questions about Countess Marissa’s credentials to be a Chancellor, a question that Lord Gilbert was apt at answering. There were other’s who stepped up to compliment the beauty of the future Queen, and other’s that just had more gripes that were not addressed during the day. Not wanting to stick around for any longer, you escorted Clara out of the throne room.

“I never imagined a throne room could be so large, or a Palace so grand!” Clara exclaimed once in private corridors.

“Quite the difference from Phebis?”

“It’s night and day! The antiquity of Itheria certainly shows compared to Phebis’ short history in the region.”

“Wait until you see the bath house. No longer will you have to wait on a maid to bring you warm water in a trough.”

You were excited to show her too. The bath house had been a pride of your family for centuries. Coven magic and years of dwarven engineering and masonry was invested to make your favorite place in the palace, and now you could share it with someone who had never seen it before. You rushed her over, summoning maidservants to prepare new clothes and aromas in the water, and by the time you both arrived, Clara’s eyes were aglow. The maids stripped you both, then washed you both, before the two of you entered the hot water of the bath which radiated the smell of lavender.

“Does it please you, My Queen?” You had a very good idea what the answer to that question would be.

Rather than respond with words, Clara simply scooted closer to you in the water and laid her head to rest on your bare shoulder. With both the of you sitting breast deep in the water, soaking in the scents and the peacefulness around you, You finally closed your eyes. Doing so made it easier to forget the four maids in the bath house waiting on you should any further requests need fulfilling.

“All of Itheria and Phebis is ours now.” you whispered.

“…Not yet.” Clara replied sheepishly.

“You’re right. There is still work to be done,” You sighed, “And a wedding to be planned.”

“Will your cousin really do what needs to be done? He strikes me as an honorable knight. One that wants to do things fairly.”

“He is.” You say with certainty, “But men of the Frost Peaks know just how cold the world can get.”

Your mind drifted back to the night that you proposed your plan for Phebis to Magus. He seemed disappointed in you, but also trusted your schemes enough to put faith in them. In the end, Magus grinned. Just like old times, as much as he hated that you could get him into trouble, Magus did not mind being a bad guy every once in a while.