They had a pleasant conversation.

Ms von Felsenstadt and Alan had just finished their meals and sat at the dinner table, chatting over a glass of wine or two. Luna was grooming herself on the window sill, nobody the wiser that she wasn’t a regular house-cat.

 ‘So, Alan, tell me a bit about yourself,’ Maria said, sipping from her glass.
 ’Well, there’s not that much you don’t already know,’ he shrugged.
 She smiled at him, ‘O, I know who you are and who your family is. But I don’t know anything about you personally—know what I mean? Why don’t you tell me why you came here?’
 He nodded, ‘Alright. Apart from my father ordering me to come, I suppose, in part it’s nostalgia for those days I spent at the palace when I was little. Then there’s the side of me that wants to prove itself—to my father mostly—it’s the first real responsibility I’ve taken on and I want to see it through to success. I guess, I’m hoping what I can do here in Mirantia might better my own and my sister’s position.’
 She listened intently, ‘And what about your father? Do you want to help him achieve his goals, maybe bring him home from exile?’
 Alan looked unsure for a moment, ‘I—I don’t know. I’m not even sure what his goals are. I want to believe that he changed but something at the back of my mind keeps nagging me that he is still seeking his older brother’s throne. If there was some way to lift his exile, I’d be happy to pursue it but I’m weary that he might exploit the opportunity.’
 Maria pondered a moment, ‘Even if he did, the people who used to support your father are all gone now. I think you overestimate how noble your uncle is. After your father’s exile, he made sure to root out the people involved in the plot and as far as I can tell he succeeded.’
 Alan gulped audibly, he knew kings had to be ruthless on occasion, but he had never pictured Malcolm as anything other than wholly benevolent, ‘I—I guess, that was necessary to keep the peace.’
 ’It was. Don’t fault your uncle for making tough decisions. Frankly, his methods were effective but tame compared to what I imagine Queen Imperia would’ve done to a bunch of traitors. Many of your uncle’s enemies escaped the axe and where made to flee with their families, like you have done.’ Alan just nodded along with her explanation, deep in thought. ‘Now, let’s talk of more pleasant things,’ said with a big smile, ‘I still would like to know more about you. You mentioned your sister—Catrina, yes?—tell me a bit about her.’
 Alan looked at her and raised an eyebrow, ‘I thought you wanted to know about me?’
 ‘Sometimes we learn the most about people by how they view others.’ she smiled at him.
 ‘Where to start then?’ Alan began, ‘I suppose, she’s been my rock to cling to at the very least since we have lived in exile—maybe even sooner. I certainly think we were lucky that we get along so well. I shudder to think what it’d been like if we had hated each other with nobody else our age around. She has quite a mischievous streak in her, and she knew how to push my buttons when we grew up but today I wouldn’t trade her little jabs for anything in the world. I’d do anything for her and to protect her. Don’t get me wrong, she’s certainly not a dainty flower that needs protection from the world. She’s the toughest woman I know and can look after herself. But if she should ever need my help I’d not hesitate a second.’
 ‘She sounds like someone I’d like to meet in person,’ Maria said.
 Alan nodded, ‘I think she’d like that and I hope you meet sooner than later, Ms von Felsenstadt,’
 ‘You may call me Maria, if you’d like,’ she smiled at him.
 ‘Does that mean we’re friends now?’ he laughed.
 ‘You seem like a decent man, having you as a friend will probably be beneficial in the long run,’ she winked. ‘So, I’m curious. You don’t have to answer and if you do answer my question, I assure you I’m not judging you at all. It’s just, I was wondering: Two young people growing up alone, no other people your age around. And as you said you were very close. Is there more to your relationship with Catrina than just siblings?’
 Alan blushed, this was the moment he dreaded but he had promised his sister not to be ashamed. He cleared his voice. ‘W—Well, if you mean what I think you mean, then no. We don’t have that kind of forbidden relationship between siblings,’ he could swear Maria looked nearly disappointed. ‘But we are far closer than what’s normal, I think. She’s quite affectionate with me and people who don’t know us would probably think we are a couple.’
 Maria mulled the information for a moment, smiling at him, ‘Interesting. As I said, I wouldn’t judge you even if there were more to it. In fact, it’s quite common for siblings in Obscuria to experiment with each other—well, sisters do at least, brothers and sisters is less common.’
 Alan looked at her in surprise, ‘Really? I did not know that.’
 She chuckled, ‘Alan, you have spent thirteen years trapped in a villa. I wouldn’t expect you to know much about Obscurian culture. In fact, your villa is a bit of an anomaly.’ He listened intently, very intrigued at what she was about to say. ‘You see, Obcuria is a matriarchal society. Normally, the guard captain of a garrison is always female and the guards themselves are at the very least half split male and female. The fact that your father had requested only male guards was quite an insult to us. But your father is a very chauvinistic man and thinks women can’t fight.’
 ‘I would like to say I’m surprised but he treats my sister the same way,’ Alan said solemnly.
 Maria sighed, ‘I expected as much. It runs in the family, I suppose. Your uncle treats your cousin Adella similarly, sadly.’
 It was the first time Alan had heard that particular fact, ‘Really? She’s the Princess Royal. Wouldn’t he give her more responsibility?’
 Maria said ruefully, ‘Far from it—unless you consider tea parties with the wives and daughters of other nobles as a great responsibility—he’s kept her caged in that palace. Not too dissimilar to you and your sister, I reckon.’
 Alan hunched backward in his chair, fingering a cord on his shirt nervously, ‘I had no idea—What about Stewart and Duncan? Is it the same for them?’
 Maria burst out laughing, ‘No, not at all! I’m sure you’ve heard rumours about your cousins. About their carousing and womanising. Well, they’re all true, Though, the rumours about Stewart have died down lately. They can do nearly do everything they please. It’s a great double standard; Adella is expected to stay virtuous ‘til the day her father deems some offer for her hand worthy of her. And the two young men have a different girl in their bed every night. That’s another part of Obscurian culture that’s so very different. We certainly don’t expect Obscurian women to protect their maidenhead until they find someone to marry.’
 Alan chuckled, ‘Catrina’s more Obscurian than Mirantian then.’
 Maria was intrigued, ‘Truly? How so?’
 Alan sighed, ‘Let’s say she’s very well acquainted with the guards and staff.’
 She nodded approvingly, ‘Sounds like she’d fit right in at the Obscurian court. Maybe your uncle should make her ambassadoress.’

They continued their discussion of Obscurian culture and customs and the hour turned very late. Maria got up from her seat and signalled Alan to do the same. She stepped closer to him.
 ‘I greatly enjoyed our dinner and conversation, young Alan. I don’t think I can remember the last time I nearly lost track of time. Sadly, it is getting late, we should retire for the night.’ He replied in kind.
 She leaned forward and whispered in his ear, ‘I’d like you to come to my chambers later, so we can get to know each other even more intimately,’ Her hand went to his crotch and gave him a squeeze for emphasis. ‘I won’t be offended if you decline but I think we’d both greatly enjoy it,’ she purred and then licked along his lobe. She leaned back again and looked in his bewildered eyes, ‘Think about it. Just give me some time to freshen up. I’ll leave the door unlocked, should you decide to come—and if not: Have a pleasant night, Alan.’ With that she sauntered past him, swaying her hips. She stopped in front of the door for a moment and gave him a very promising glance over her shoulder.

Maria had told him that Obscurian women were very forward when it came to sex and were expected to make the first move, but he didn’t expect her to propose him just a bit afterward. He looked to Luna as if asking her for permission but the shapeshifting cat was fast asleep—maybe the conversation was too boring for her?