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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 3433667" data-attributes="member: 3448">They returned just as the Dowager Queen was finishing a nigh-interminable examination of hundreds of pieces of needlework, embroidery, and other courtly arts.  Alistair noted with equanimity the cold and angry expressions on Dame Brionna and Kit’s faces, but the Queen was so happy to finally be able to take her leave of Princess Cecilia that she neither noticed the flustered expression on her daughter’s face nor thought to ask who had been chaperoning them.  Princess Cecilia looked at Alistair with a resigned expression, and he suddenly worried that she would say something tremendously awkward, but she only said “Well, I’m glad that’s done with; was the gallery nice, dear?” “It was lovely, Aunt Cecilia,” replied Alistair, sharing a small smile with Mirabelle and ignoring the renewed glare this provoked from Kit. The Dowager Queen took her leave from Aunt Cecilia, and Alistair escorted Mirabelle to the door to the chambers, stopping to kiss her hand and promising her that they would see each other soon before she left. As soon as the door closed, Kit opened her mouth, but Dame Brionna quickly held up a hand.  “Wait, Kit-- make sure that the Queen is out of earshot before you say anything. Kit snapped her mouth shut and just glared for a minute or two. Dame Brionna looked at Princess Cecilia.  “May I ask what you thought of her, your highness?” “Oh, she’s a dear.  I think she would make a quite pliant wife.  The old bat, on the other hand, at least I can talk her under the table.  And he’s not marrying her.”  The Princess looked around at the two knights and Alistair.  “I should retire to a private chamber.  I’m tired, and I think you young people have some things to discuss.” Kit looked at Dame Brionna, who nodded this time, and then began yelling at Alistair.  “How could you?  I’d ask what you were thinking, but you clearly weren’t!” Alistair spoke in smooth low tones, trying without much success to placate Kit, “I’m sorry, Kit, but I was trying to win her over completely.  If we decide that a marriage alliance with Gates is desirable, I’m sure Mirabelle will push for it now, and would pressure her family to agree to annexation in the process.” “You mean Anna,” spat out Kit. “What?” “Anna, not Mirabelle.  Mirabelle was the older twin, but she died… their family insisted that Anna take her place.”  Kit turned her back on Alistair, but continued yelling at him over her shoulder.  “I’m not angry for myself-- I know you haven’t made me any promises-- but how could you do that to that poor girl?  She’s confused and being forced by her family to be the better loved sister because they wish she had died instead, and then you took advantage of her.” “Kit… I had no idea.  I didn’t know any of that.” “You knew that her sister-- her twin sister! -- had died less than a year ago.” “That’s true, but I also have lost close family members in the last year.  Not a twin, but my father and my grandmother, and even the memory of my mother. And being with you helped me a great deal.  I had no reason to know that her situation was different.” Kit refused to even answer that, keeping her back turned.  But Dame Brionna was happy to continue the scolding.  “But your grace, think about what a horrible mess you’ve made diplomatically.  She was a virgin!  And her family is very traditional and militaristic.  What if her brother challenges you to a duel?  Or even just denounces you for shaming Canberry?” “We already know that they care more about appearances than about any actual sense of honor.  If they didn’t, they wouldn’t have forced Anna to pose as Mirabelle.  So even if they find out-- which I don’t think they will-- they won’t make a public scandal out of it.” “Oh, wonderful, your grace.  We’ll just have to deal with a neighbor who hates us and wants revenge, but seeks that revenge through assassins, skullduggery, and political intransigence instead of open challenges or wars.  You’re right, that’s much better.” “Yeah, we can have seething hatred simmering below the surface with a neighbor for years this way.  Besides, what if you knocked her up?  Did you even think about that?  Somehow, I don’t think her family could miss that.  This was supposed to be the last succession crisis…” “She won’t get pregnant, Kit.  A ‘block’ has been placed on me to prevent any pregnancies.  Goodwife Burleytoes assures me that I don’t need to worry about that, but that it will dissolve naturally within three or four months, so that there will not be any problems producing legitimate heirs after I marry.” Kit paused at that, and Dame Brionna grudgingly nodded confirmation.  I guess those herbs the Manumistian priestess gave me aren’t necessary then… and that I don’t have to worry about them failing, Kit thought as she took in the new information.  “But that only makes it a little better-- you’ve still taken a very fragile girl and set her up to be hurt even further.  She’ll finally think she’s found someone who cares for her, instead of just making her a substitute for her sister, and you’ll send her the message that she’s just a meaningless toss.” “I already told you, I didn’t understand how serious her issues were.  I thought that Canberry needed the leverage… which is cruel, but I have to think that way.  And I wasn’t trying to hurt her-- I was also doing what she wanted…” “No, you were doing what you wanted!”  Kit stormed out of Princess Cecilia’s chambers, slamming the door behind her. Alistair went to the door and called after her, “I’m sorry you think that…”  But he had the sense to not follow.  Better to let the situation cool down before trying to fix it. Dame Brionna shook her head, a mix of disappointment and disgust on her face.  “We’d best get back to your chambers, your grace.  We still have a meeting with the Minister of the Mind scheduled for later today.”</blockquote>

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