You're ok with Mary being a problem and treating her mother differently would be rude

Walking away from the pair you reach the spot you had seen Edin and Clare walk off to but there is no sign of them. You check around the area a bit more, talking with people who talk to you and getting pulled into a few more discussions with more of Mary's officers. Unlike the first group the ones around here are more up for heaping praise on, it's strange having so many people openly complimenting you. The cheers you'd get from the audience during your Friday duels had always felt nebulous, people enjoying the sport more than cheering for you. As the compliments were layered on you were increasingly willing to linger a bit longer. Not just for the praise but because you took the chance to ask about Mary.

Everyone you asked had nothing but praise for her. Not just for her military ability, but personally. She is loved by her officers and the rank and file, she would eat and drink with them, respected the opinions of those who had demonstrated talent, was remarkably upwardly mobile. Turned out more than half of the officers you were talking to were not nobles. There were some amusing anecdotes about nobles that arrived assuming power because of station that ended up digging and cleaning latrines. Impressively one of the women telling a version of that anecdote was one of nobles. No one you talked you responded with any awareness to your probing about her having a confrontational attitude.

When you left the latest group you noticed the sun had moved past mid-day. You had spent a lot longer talking you thought you had. That also meant it would be unlikely Edin and Clare would be around, or at this point pre-stretched. Wondering around a bit more you discover the food and start picking at it. It's mostly pastries, though with Delilah here you would have surprised if there was any meat left. As you eat your feel a presence approach.

"How are you enjoying the party Christopher? I saw you sharing some tips with Mary's officers, would I be amiss to ask if you could assist Lady Stephanie in her training of my Daughter's personal guard?" Aurora asked, picking at the food next to you, "I'm sure I orders more meat to be provided." She waved her hand and someone appeared for her to speak with about bringing out more meat for the soldiers. The blushed reply of they are trying was followed by a glance at Delilah hanging out by the place the platters were coming from. Aurora smiled at them and offered the use of several doors in an attempt to flank the carnivore.

You tried not to smile at the exchange. So far all of your experiences with Aurora had been relatively high minded politicking and manipulation, it was nice to see her dealing with something, kinda, mundane. "It's interesting." You said look around at the people around you. "Is this happening all along the route of the parade?" It is a question that had occurred to you during the speeches.

"Yes, the streets are closed for table and food to be provided, entertainment is also provided. I believe your friend Lucia is performing at the base of this hill." Aurora dropping that suddenly was a nice reminded that you had and probably will be spied on for so long as you are in the capital. "Sorry, I didn't mean to set you ill at ease. She suddenly went from a street performer to being booked by the parade's organizer herself. I was curious about her."

"So you're spying on me but that one was unintentional?" A bit petulant for a response but you felt justified.

"No I'm spying on my daughter to make sure she get you to impregnate her I'll know, you are the one who keeps bringing her into other relationships." Aurora's response was also a bit petulant but from the slight tug on her cheek you got the idea she was joking.

"Fair enough." You answer taking a bit of a pastry. It was sweet and fruity. "I doubt I'd be all that helpful at teaching Mary's guard."

"You won't know unless you try, I'm also sure Mary would appreciate you spending time with her guard. Considering how you've left her twice now, you might owe her an attempt." Aurora's voice held a smirk but its contents made you **** on the pastry a bit. "Have you considered what you will do with Diya?"

It takes a moment to remember that is Hanna's last name. "I've learned that she can stay in the capital, but I don't know what to do." Of the two real options you have neither is all that great.

"Then allow me to make a suggestion. Give her to Mary." Aurora lets it hang for a moment before continuing, "I'll instruct her to look after Diya and not to offer her to any of her officers. When you and Mary leave for campaigns Diya will travel with you. In the capital she was be kept secure and you may see and talk to her whenever you want."

You stand there for a moment to process what was just offered. It amounted to Aurora trying to get you and Mary closer using Hanna but it did suggest an understanding of you as a person. "So what was it you and Delilah were discussing?"

Your questions gets a smile from Aurora who turns to look at Delilah, who was in the middle of interdicting a platter of meat that was trying to flee from her. "Whoever that is, I'm considering marry her to Isabelle." That once more makes you **** of your food. "Let me know what you decide Lord Christopher. And to try not to try with my daughters heart too much." Aurora walked off with that comment to join a conversation with some soldiers.

You watch her for a moment before grabbing a few pastries and heading over to Delilah, determined to get them to spill whatever they had talk with Aurora about. When you reached them their interdiction had been successful and they were sitting on the grass munching down most of the platter as quickly as they could. Seeing you they smile and after an internal debate offer you some of their food. You show a pastry and decline getting a look of relief as they resume.

"I wanted to ask what you and Aurora were talking about?" You asked sitting next to them and eating your pastries. There was a tingle as an illusion spread around you.

"I asked how long it would be before the war starts and if she really believes you would fight with Mary." Eve answered. "Delilah, asked how she washed her hair." Their face blushed and Delilah answered, "I panicked."

"War?"

"Holding a parade for the sake of a defeated bandit might have been necessary if that bandit was famous however Hanna wasn't well know. It could have been a way to introduce you and Mary as a couple to the populace but if it was you would have been **** to ride with her for the duration. That leaves building up support for her military and respect for the royal family's ability to protect. Only reason to do that is if there is a reason to bolster such support, a war is most likely since her daughters don't seem the usurping type and there hasn't been any build of city guard to prevent an uprising." Eve explains between mouthfuls of meat.

"You just figured that out and asked Aurora? What did she say?" You weren't sure if you should be impressed or a little scared.

"Why not?" Eve asked then their face coloured again, "You didn't have to ask so bluntly though." "I said I was sorry. And she said there have been reports of forces being built along the southern border. It might not lead to war but it might."

"Oh." You process this for a second. "So how long?"

"A few years, forces being built up is the prelude, preparing supply lines, equipment, maps takes a long time, building forces now is to prevent a preemptive attack." Eve said as they finished off the platter and stood up, heading towards their interdiction spot. The illusion left with her and as you sat there finishing off your last pastry you considered how concerned you had been about the idea of Mary going to war.