Torgan Wine Ch. 42

"You have an Arrangement with Prince Draeseth." Kresh spoke speculatively, "For only part of the year?"

"The Arrangement is permanent unless we choose to dissolve it. In Ara, there would be protections for us both written into the law, but yes, he is entitled to only half of the year with me, the other half is mine to do with as I please. I'm required to remain in Torga unless we amend it."

"You would consider taking another husband?" Lady Sebba's horror had turned to envy.

"I would. Prince Andnaeuth had intended to make an Arrangement with me. I was considering him before I left Ara."

"You had not made a decision?" The Queen's brow furrowed.

"No. I can be impulsive, your Majesty, but an Arrangement requires thought." She made a face, and added ruefully, "And I had already agreed to be exclusive to Draeseth for the year. It would have been frowned on. Andnaeuth wasn't supposed to be trying to persuade me yet."

"Crown Princes are accustomed to getting what they want. Waiting is not something they enjoy doing." The Queen made a gesture and a mug of tea was brought to her as well as fresh glasses of wine for the Ladies.

"Persistence seems to be a trait of Princes, whether here or in Ara." Isonei held her cup, breathing in the smell of the tea and choosing to wait to try to taste it. "Draeseth pressed for the Arrangement and now he's pressing for marriage."

"You would still like an Arrangement with Prince Andnaeuth?" Shoban's mother looked at her speculatively.

"I would."

The Queen smirked. "Andnaeuth is charming and handsome."

"He is." Isonei smiled at her as if they were friends. "He can brighten anyone's mood when he wishes to, it's a rare gift."

"He can't brighten Draeseth's." The Queen seemed almost cheerful.

"True. But he wouldn't need to see Andnaeuth and I'm certain he would treat Andnaeuth's children as well as he does his own." She watched Queen Deventha's eyes widen. "After all they would be spending half of the year under his roof, just as Draeseth's children would be spending half of the year under Andnaeuth's."

The stunned looks around her suggested they had not fully grasped what she had said a moment before. "Children travel with their mother." She looked around attempting to conceal her amusement. "It would be farther to travel, and for me travel is difficult, but it strengthens the bonds between Houses. Traditions should be upheld."

"The sons of the Crown Prince of Ara would be traveling with you to Torga?"

"And daughters, yes," Isonei could see the Queen's ambitious mind working, "if I had an Arrangement with both. Draeseth doesn't want to entertain the thought." She shrugged, "But perhaps if he chooses to amend the Arrangement and allow Lislora into ours he would better understand how these things are meant to be."

She heard the women begin to whisper among themselves in Torgan and took a sip of her tea, almost immediately pressing the back of her hand to her mouth and lurching to her feet. Thrusting the cup at Duchess Hegana and hearing her exclaim loudly in Torgan, Isonei bolted to the edge of the hedge and began to retch. A servant darted forward with a basin and damp cloth but the peculiar translucent greenish liquid that had needed to come up was already on the ground.

The servant wiped her mouth and her face and helped her back to the gathering, speaking quietly to Queen Deventha as she resumed her seat.

The Queen frowned and tilted her face up. "You should go back to your rooms and rest Duchess Isonei. Whatever effects the veorola has they cannot be worse than being unable to drink."

Kresh rose and gently pulled her to her feet, "I will walk with her. Nei requires looking after."

"Make certain her servant gives her something for her stomach. It would make dinner unpleasant and short if she cannot eat without being ill."

"I intend to, your Majesty." Kresh inclined her head and guided Isonei out of the garden and into the empty hall before she spoke again in a quiet voice, "I saw your attempt to appeal to the Queen's ambition. You believe she may support you in going home for half of every year. I will not, Nei, I require you to stay. I will side with Draeseth when the matter is brought before the King, as will the priests. You will remain in Torga."

"You wish me to be miserable?" Isonei glanced at her and matched her frown.

"No more than you wish me to be." Kresh took her hand and squeezed it as they walked. "I will be miserable if you leave Court. You can enjoy my friendship and learn to be happy here."