About One Year Later – The Current State of Itheria

Inside your grand palace, there was a personal study of yours that housed a private library. It was not to the scale of the palace’s main library that Vessa normally lurked in, but it was grand enough to house the entirety of your Royal Council. Naturally, not all maters of the Kingdom required a Royal Court to be convened, and you sat in a leather upholstered chair in front of a large oak desk. You were not alone. Your Royal councilors were present, the members of which had slightly changed since the day you first wore the crown.

Your Royal Steward, the aged and ever-loyal Lord Gilbert, sat in a wooden chair not too far from your desk, but perhaps a little further than the rest. Your Royal Chancellor, the voluptuous Countess Marissa Loon, sat in one of the chairs across your desk. Her breast large from the milk they recently delivered to her less than a year-old daughter, Marianna Loon. Your Court Mage, the powerful Lady Vessa, sat next to Marissa in her usual white mage robes, her lavender eyes ever calculating. Your Marshal, The middle-aged and stalwart Sir Garret, leaned against one of the bookshelves in the study. His thick hairy arms were bare as a show of ****. Your Spymaster, the lithe Akina, the feline beastfolk was behind you, the side of the desk opposite of Vessa leaning on her own set of bookshelves. Then finally, your Fiance, the Beautiful Princess Clara man Philosi, who took a chair next to Vessa. The two intellectuals, as you had surmised before returning to your palace, had grown close.

“The wedding is a mere week away. So let us cover some of the basics as the Dukes arrive,” Began Marissa, her voice motherly and calm, “You are King Bryce of Itheria, Duke of the Crownlands, Opheal, and Hightree. With these titles, your house is wealthy and rich in resources. Count Lance of Weyland County is your acting steward in Opheal, and Countess Lani of Yutani County is the Stewardess of Hightree. They have received invitations to the wedding and plan to make it. Your house has always had strong claims on these lands and while they deserve Itherian hospitality, they do not need their hand held.”

“The same should apply to my mother, Duchess Regent Mereen.” Added Clara, “She’ll leave my new sister Megan behind.”

“Duke Magus is already settled in his Manor here in the Capitol,” Declared Garret, “He’s requested a stay here in the Palace. Which should be accepted given the glory he brought Itheria in the war with Countess Eria, and the fact that he is blood to you.”

“It should go without saying that you do not want to make an enemy of the Duchy of Frost Peaks.” Vessa said flatly.

“Understood,” You say, “Lord Gilbert, see that rooms are prepared for Duke Magus.”

“It will be done, Your Majesty.”

“And Vismarck,” Continued Vessa, “Has been loyal to house Itheria for generations, but only because they benefit from the wealth it brings them. Naturally, a war machine of their caliber requires resources, we supply those resources. Be generous with Duke Oliver Medden and his family, but not too generous.”

“Noted.” You reply, while taking a physical note of Vessa’s comment.

“Initially, Lord Admiral Fainwright refused the invitation.” Announced Garret, ceasing his leaning on the bookshelf and began to pace about, “But when word that the Kingdom’s newest Duchess, Duchess Irene of Goldfields would be attending, he seemed to find time away from his skirmishes with the Sirens to make the date. Their feud on the claim to Tarin has been persistent. Both the Lord Admiral and Duchess Irene are sure to try and win your favor as to who holds the claim.”

Vessa scoffs, “That claim should have been settled decades ago. The Duchy of Logos as never had claims on the mainland. Still… do not fold to either of them, Your Majesty.”

You write down another note.

“That settles the Domestic visitors.” Declares Marissa, “We do have a couple surprise foreign dignitaries coming.”

“Uninvited foreign dignitaries.” That would likely be Akina’s only comment for the meeting.

“A Princess Fiona of Gaelica, and a Princess Elenwe Arinyagimli of Elileithel.” Marissa continued.

“Elileithel has a royal family?” You ask Vessa.

Lady Vessa shakes her head and says, “The Elves of Elileithel are too barbaric for such niceties. She is likely the heiress to an influential tribe. They tried communicating multiple times with me while I was getting things back together in Phebis. I’m sure news of Itherian armies crushing a demon has them keen to gain us as allies. The demon scourge still haunts their northern borders.”

“And Princess Fiona?”

“The youngest daughter of their Royal Family. With Duchess Irene’s known hatred for the Gaelicans, things should get… interesting.”

“Explains Irene’s decision to come. Irene probably thinks the redhead will try and snatch Bryce away from our precious Clara.” Snickered Akina. That for sure would be her final comment for the meeting. You gave her a look that ordered as much. Still, the comment had its effect, making Clara’s body go rigid and her jaw clenched.

“You are to refer to him as Your Majesty!” Clara said calmly despite her obvious anger.

Akina just rolled her slitted feline eyes.

“I will see that our foreign guests are treated well in the Palace.” Commented Lord Gilbert with his raspy voice.

“See that you do.” You nod.

“Well, if our elven dignitary is looking for an alliance, we can humor her. I’ll have my advisors look into why the Gaelic Princess wishes to attend. I suppose it’s just nice this visit doesn’t involve raiding our port cities.” Said Marissa.

“Been o’er a decade since the last raid.” Sir Garret added. “In any case, security will be absolute. Akina and I will see to that. And so, I’ll take my leave.”

“Me as well.” Akina followed Garret out the door.

“I’ll go prepare palace accommodations for all our guests, just in case.” Lord Gilbert rose from his chair like the aged man he was, and left the study.

That left only the ladies Vessa, Marissa and Clara present. Besides you.

“May I speak to His Majesty in private.” Requested Vessa. Being the powerful and ancient elf mage she was, Marissa and Clara did not even have to glance at each other before getting up and leaving the study. If they had further business. It would have to wait.