Lady Jacqueline

As it happened, none of the rulers of the attending states of the Confederation attended in person. Grand Duke Adelhelm of Rheinland was too old move. Understandable so he sent his right hand man instead. It disheartens you to find out the Grand Duke left his man nothing to say of and to you.

The Duke of Nornover, Duke Dolphus wasn't attending at all. He didn't even bother reading the missive sent to him. His son was too busy doing other things, according to the representative of Nornover that was sent as proxy. The representative tried real hard to hide his disdain for his liege Lord. It worked for the most part but you and Otto caught it. His eldest daughter, who would turn 18 in a couple of months time, did come though. Except she didn't bother hiding her contempt. She excuses herself and the representative follows after her after giving you a respectful bow.

Franz Jacques' guard gather the weapons of your men and show them to their quarters. A servant then leads you to a girl around your age. She had brown hair braided in the style of a crown. Her brown eyes matched her hair. She was definitely of noble birth, her elegant dress indicated as much. But her dress was low cut and revealed the deep cleavage of her copious bosoms. Her slender arms were clothed by her arm gloves. Her petticoat hid her lower limbs. She had a figure was like an hourglass. Her posterior wasn't as prominent though. Not that it disappoints you.

"You must be the King of Ostgrenze." She smiles. You smile in turn, "I am." You take her hand and kiss it. "But I am at a disadvantage. I do not know you."

"Jacqueline, good King. I am the daughter of the Arch Duke."

Your eyes widen at the revelation. "You are to be my step-sister." You say calmly.

She remarks, "Quite right, my soon-to-step-brother. Do tell me and please do not restrain your tongue. What are your thoughts on my father? This is not a test I assure you."

"I like him enough to consent to marriage with my mother."

"And am I to assume that union of my father's realm to yours has nothing to do with that?" She raises an eyebrow with a cunning smile.

A coy grin dawns in your face, "It contributed greatly no doubt but it all went down to his sincerity. He made his love for my mother known and he spoke from the heart."

Jacqueline steps closer to you, "Are you sure of that?" Her face so close to yours with her smile unwavering. She was challenging you.

You meet her little challenge and push your face even closer, "No bones about it."

Jacqueline tilts her head somewhat to the side but her eyes remain focus on you. "Confident." She slowly pulls back from you with a single step. "Well your mother seems nice enough." She remarks kindly. "Oh I can't wait for little siblings to come crying out into the world nine months from now." She happily spreads her arms outward. "Your little sister Adelheid is cute and adorable little thing."

"I am glad you're getting along well with her." You motion for her to walk with you, "I'd offer you my arm but I heard you are engaged to the Prince of Frankia."

Jacqueline giggles, covering her mouth with a hand, "Ah Louis, a friendly and kind young man. I think you'll get along well with him. His father though may be a different story. King Francois threw a huge fit at my father."

"It's a nice piece of land. Your family helped see to that." You compliment. "The Frank King must have wanted it for so long and being denied it must have understandably upset him."

"Quite right, good King. King Francois demanded that my wedding to Louis be set not too long after this wedding."

You nod. "Are the Frank King and Prince here?" you ask. Jacqueline answers, "They are."

"Should I be worried about King Francois?"

Jacqueline shrugs her shoulders, "He'll act coldly to you. So try not to do anything to make relations with him any worse."

You continue to converse with the Lady regarding other things and you walk and walk while doing so. Unknowingly you both make your way to the council chambers of the Arch Duke. You ask Jacqueline if her father might be in there. She honestly doesn't know. You turn the knob and find it unlocked so you figure what's the harm and open the door.