Chapter Six: My Ladies

Previously: The Thornmeres

 

In between sessions, the gamer continued to study The Barony of Westervale. She even patched her comms to the simulation chamber computer, allowing her to continue their conversations.

 

There wasn't much canon information on Matilda Foxmere, Alys Hawkridge, or Adela Stoneleigh. Gamers didn't interact with them much, unless they were playing as Sir Adrian and courting Adela. The ladies' fates were largely randomized. If Westervale's fortunes were restored, then they often got married off outside the barony and were never seen again.

 

Besides that, the information about them was basic. All three were born and raised in Ravensbridge. Matilda's mother was a second or third cousin of the Baron's. Her favorite meat was wild boar, her favorite color was light blue, and her favorite activity was baking. She yearned to marry a lord.

 

Alys lived up to her surname by being an expert at hawking. Her favorite meat was rabbit, and she favored lavender, both the color and the flower. She didn't care if her future husband was noble; her own father was a commoner and once commanded great wealth.

 

Adela was the daintiest of the three. She favored herbs and vegetables over meat. She enjoyed eating custard and her main talent was embroidery. It seemed her father had been filling her head with tales of her royal ancestors, for she longed to marry a royal.

 

The gamer raised an eyebrow. That might not be such a bad idea. As long as she's around, she's a distraction for Adrian.

"Computer, in all of her various endings, does Adela ever marry a royal?"

 

"No, she does not, and cannot without direct player intervention. That said, there is no record of any player implementing such an intervention."

 

She smiled. "So it's never even been done before?"

 

"Players do not concern themselves with the fate of Adela Stoneleigh." 

 

She ignored the barb and instead pressed, "How could we go about it?"

 

There was a brief pause. "In the upcoming war with the Duke of Orvienne, the King of Avenholt could seek allies. While he has the numbers, he lacks the funding necessary to fend off an invasion. As a distant cousin of the Stoneleighs, he may be inclined to offer their daughter up to a foreign royal, as he has no daughters or nieces of his own."

 

She paused. "Wouldn't that royal still require a dowry? How would the King pay it?"

 

"Most likely by granting land and titles in Avenholt. The northernmost duchy of Wintervale borders the Kingdom of Orsyna. The title and castle are both currently vacant, typically reserved for players who prove themselves to the King. Note: Wintervale is a remote location whose name reflects its climate."

 

She mulled that over. "Tell me about Orsyna."

 

"The Kingdom of Orsyna is inspired by the medieval principalities of Rus, located in a region of Terra Prime later associated with the ancient nation of Russia. The capital city is Solyena. Orsyna is ruled by Grand Prince Aleksandr of House Koryev, Sovereign of Orsyna and Lord of Solyena." After a beat, the computer added, "He's married."

 

The gamer sighed. "How old is he? Does he have children?"

 

"The Grand Prince is in his mid-thirties, with multiple young children. He does, however, have a younger unmarried brother, Prince Vladimir, who is currently fifth in line to the throne."

 

The gamer perked up again. "What's the financial situation in Orsyna? Can they afford a war?"

 

"Orsyna is wealthy in silver, and unlike most Avenish rulers, the Grand Prince is financially shrewd. He will not enter a foreign war without the promise of profit. Avenholt could offer reduced tariffs, access to southern trade routes, and a share of any indemnities or assets seized from the Duke of Orvienne."

 

The gamer beamed. "Very well. The next time I run the game, have the Avenish King negotiate an agreement with the Orsynians. When it's finalized, have him send word to the Stoneleighs about a potential royal match for Adela. But make sure he keeps it vague. Something tells me Adela's not gonna be thrilled about moving that far away."

 

"Your assumption is correct. It is unlikely Adela will be happy in Wintervale. She dislikes cold weather, has no interest in estate management, and does not speak Orsynian."

 

The gamer smirked, tilting her head. "Players do not concern themselves with the fate of Adela Stoneleigh."

 

***

Rowena Thornmere gasped as the maids helped her into her new gown, and Edith supervised. She never considered herself much of a "rose" girl, but she couldn't deny the delicious feel of the silk upon her skin.

 

“The gown...” Her eyes widened. “It’s... it’s—”

 

"Valeronnese," Edith confirmed, sipping from a glass goblet of Calderran wine.

 

Rowena was breathless as she examined herself in a full-length mirror. "I never imagined owning a true Valeronnese gown."

 

"You will find la Vicomtesse is a very generous woman," Edith assured her.

 

"I don't deserve her," Rowena confessed, twisting and turning to see the dress from all angles. She ran her hands over her body.

 

"Of course you do," Edith countered. "We both do. Consider this... our turn. Before Mireille purchased Roseward, I wore faded rags. I spent my days scrubbing the floors, washing clothes, and trying to keep Simon Rosemere from pawing at me. Now, I wear fine linens. I go to the most expensive shops, I eat the most delicate sweets, and I get to drink my favorite wine all day."

 

Rowena's mood suddenly darkened. "I don't think the other ladies will be happy to see me."

 

Edith snorted. "The other ladies will do whatever Mireille says."

 

***

 

Mireille closed the holographic screen, grinning. She didn't know if Edith was actually programmed to be this loyal, or if this was the result of her own interventions. Either way, she enjoyed having characters on her side like this.

 

"Computer," she said cheerfully, "fast forward to the arrival of the other ladies."

 

"Done."

 

Mireille practically skipped down the stairs to her sitting room where Edith had welcomed her guests, and was pouring them wine.

 

"Is this the same Calderran from the other night?" Adela was saying. "I so enjoyed that."

 

"It is, my lady," Edith replied.

 

 

"I love the glass goblets," Matilda gushed. "I hope to get a set on my wedding day."

 

"Are you to be married then, Miss Matilda?" Mireille asked, entering the room.

 

"My lady!" Matilda greeted ecstatically, as she and the others milled around the Viscountess.

 

"Matilda's not getting married," Alys said, falling into gossip mode. "None of us are. But I heard the Baron is trying to wed Lilibet of Fairmont."

 

"Lilibet?" Adela's eyes widened. "Did her parents finally let her out of the convent?"

 

"They did," Alys told her. "Along with her measly four-figure dowry and a tiny scrap of farmland."

 

"At least she has a dowry," Matilda grumbled. "I would kill to wed the Baron, even if he is a greasy old man. Can you imagine it? Me, Baroness of Westervale."

 

Mireille's hand flew to her pause bracelet. "Computer, how much is Lilibet's dowry exactly?"

 

"Two thousand, three hundred and fifty crowns. Though traditionally a small sum for a noble marriage, it is admirable her parents were able to save such an amount in these difficult times."

 

Mireille was dismissive. "Good for them. They can keep it. Tell me... how big would Matilda's dowry need to be to make the Baron choose her immediately?"

 

“A dowry of seven thousand crowns would make Miss Foxmere competitive,” the computer replied. “Ten thousand would make her the favored candidate. At fifteen thousand, the Baron would abandon his negotiations with the Fairmonts and propose to Miss Foxmere almost immediately.”

 

Mireille grinned. "Resume game."

 

She was about to turn to Matilda when Rowena arrived. She was barely recognizable in her new gown and styling.

 

She bowed to Mireille and only Mireille. "Viscountess," she stated coolly, shoulders back and chin up, as though echoing her mother. 

 

Adela blinked several times. "Rowena?" She stepped around to get a better view, unable to believe her eyes. The Rowena she knew was often covered in mud and stinking of horses.

 

"Miss Adela," Rowena replied politely, but this time, Mireille noticed she wasn't as shy as before.

 

"Your gown!" Alys gasped, looking her up and down.

 

"Your hair!" Matilda exclaimed.

 

Mireille and Edith exchanged smug looks before Mireille told them, "Rowena is to be one of my ladies. I promised her mother a dowry in exchange for her company." She deliberately paused. "I invited you all here in hopes of asking you to be my ladies as well... if you should be so inclined."

 

They exchanged looks before Alys blurted, "What would that entail?"

 

Mireille kept her tone whimsical. "Oh... teach me and Rowena to embroider, attend music and dance lessons with us... attend all my parties and indulge me in all the gossip and the latest Avenish fashions."

 

"Our fashions are dull and embroidery is duller," Alys stated bluntly. "But yes to all the rest."

 

Adela shot Alys a brief, wounded look, as though taken aback, and Mireille didn’t miss it.

 

I made the right decision, she thought. Adela is a sweetheart, but it'll be better if she goes north.

 

Next: Sword and Shield