Summer Jams 4: Presidio - Part I

“So, don’t be surprised when she tells you.” Kasen leaned back against the carriage with his legs crossed.  Next to him, Robert was lying across the seat with his head on his lap, sleeping.

Fiona was seated next to Tori, looking out the window excitedly as they rolled through the gates of Presidio and into the capital city of Sur.  Tori was seated across from her brother with a slight frown on her face.

“I have my hands full with my guests.  Am I required to attend all those luncheons?” Tori asked.  Next to her, Ilyana was leaning against the side of the carriage with a neck pillow Tori had made for her.  Her eyes were closed, and she was asleep.  Her mouth was open just a bit.

“You’ll need to ask Mama, but in general, it would be good for you to make an appearance not only as their daughter, but as the Countess of Cosora.  The nobles in Presidio don’t know much about you as a countess and your reputation here....”

Tori pursed her lips.  “It hasn’t changed much?”

“All I know is that the most they know about you now is that you have your own territory.  How you got it is the source of rumors-”

“It was forced upon me by the Emperor who wanted to tie me down because I am a valuable resource for the empire,” Tori said, matter-of-fact.  “What about this is mysterious enough to warrant a rumor?”

Kasen let out a heavy sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose.  “People say whatever they want when they’re envious.”

Tori let out a small scoff and looked out the window.  “Since this is to increase Idunn’s circle here, and let Robi and Fifi become familiar with the younger circle, I’ll go.”

“Are you worried about meeting familiar acquaintances?”

“No.” She glanced at Fiona and her eyes crinkled up.  What she was worried about was that her niece and nephew would be hurt.  Young nobles who grew up sheltered and privileged didn’t like others who they felt didn’t deserve their positions.

Adoption was fairly common in marches, especially in military families, but the higher the social class, the more adopted children earned criticism.  Unless they became legendary heroes, like one of Piers’ von Schwert relatives who was a high ranked officer and war hero, they’d be severely judged.

Children could be especially cruel, and Tori knew Fiona and Robert had faced such experiences already.  Ava would not always be around to defend Fiona, and Tori and Kasen could only interfere so much in a children’s fight.

“We cannot hide them to protect them,” Kasen told her, as if sensing her thoughts.  She looked up towards him.

Tori inhaled deeply and stroked Fiona’s hair as the little girl looked out the window beside her.  “People who are envious will say hurtful things.  She doesn’t have to be mean to them back or try to bully them.  I tried that, it didn’t help,” she added under her breath.

“Robi’s also faced some rude comments from other children, but they’ve targeted his leg.  It lessened once he showed that he didn’t care that his leg is prosthetic or that their words bothered him” Kasen said, though he was frowning as he said it.  No parent wanted to hear their child was picked on for a disability.  He touched his son’s sleeping head gently.  “I worry about them, too.”

Fiona seemed to sense the atmosphere and hugged Tori.  “Auntie, don’t worry!”

Tori pulled her onto her lap to hug her.  She didn’t know who she was trying to console more: her or Fiona.  “We worry because we love you so much.”

“I’ll get stronger, don’t worry.  I’ll protect both me and Robi!  And Daddy and Auntie!” Fiona paused for a moment and then began to name off everyone she knew as someone to protect.  Tori smiled softly and rested her chin on top of Fiona’s head .

“As long as I’m alive, I will protect you and Robi, too,” Kasen told her with gentle eyes.  “Daddy is your protector, always.”

“Auntie will protect you, too,” Tori said.

“I’ll also protect you,” Ilyana said with a yawn.  Her eyes crinkled up into crescents as she looked at Fiona.  “Although, my dagger abilities need to improve.”

“You should train with me and Nanny Rey while you’re visiting, Auntie!  Nanny Rey says you learn quickly,” Fiona told her.

Ilyana smiled softly and gave Fiona’s flushed cheek a light squeeze.  “How can I say no to you?”

“Hehe....” Fiona beamed a wide smile.

The carriage moved along and as they began up the hill to the Fortress, Robert stirred away.  He pushed himself up and wiped at the drool on his face as he looked around, a bit disoriented with his hair sticking up.

“Are we home?” he asked.

“We’re home,” Kasen told him.  Robert let out a sleepy hum and looked out the window, but appeared as if he’d fall back asleep at any moment.

They went through the gates and into the courtyard, where her parents were waiting at the door.  Sebastian and Idunn were there and so was a plump, pink baby in Sebastian’s arms.

“Val!”  Fiona was the first to hop out of the carriage and ran to Sebastian, reaching up to see her cousin.  “Did you miss me?  I missed you!”

“Only Val?” Idunn asked in a teasing voice.

“I missed you, too, Auntie!” Fiona quickly tried to reassure the adults, though it was clear that she wanted to see her little cousin.  “It must’ve been boring without me.  I will tell you a story later.”

Tori shook her head, but went to greet her parents and siblings.  Her friends were welcomed warmly, and everyone was congratulated.

“There is a big meal tonight, I hope you all are prepared!” Marquis Guevera said with a barreling laugh.  “All your favorites.  We even called in our old chef to make paella!”

“Ohh...” Ewan’s eyes glazed over with joy.  “I love coming here.”

“You could’ve been here more often if you became a Guevera knight.” Sebastian  smirked and several of the imperial knights escorting them choked back their complaints.

Ewan rubbed the back of his neck shyly.

“A shame Montan couldn’t make it,” Tori’s mother said with a disappointed sigh.  “Sometimes, I worry the boy works too much.”

“It’s fine if Axton is staying behind,” Tori said.  “He can’t live without Axton.”

Her mother chuckled as she took her arm and led her in.  “Well, Axton is a good boy too.”

“We’ve given you the same rooms as last time you visited,” Idunn told them.  “And Constantine, your room is next to Albert and JP’s.  Take some time to rest and settle in.  In a few minutes, snacks and a light lunch will be brought to Fifi’s courtyard.”

Tori smiled the entire time.  Everything was done to ensure the most comfort of her friends. Fiona’s courtyard, where she kept her chickens, was where they often gathered, so it was fitting.

“I got a new table, so we can play a game at night!” Fiona said.

“What do you want to play?” Henrik asked.  “We’ve packed several games.”

“Zombie Apocalypse!”  Fiona threw her arms in the air, excited.  “I want to behead the undead, too.”

“All right, Zombie Apocalypse it is,” JP said.  “Do you want the Diablo City version or the Necromancer's Forest?”

One was modern day, and one was fantasy.  Tori personally favored Diablo City, as she’d used a lot of elements from living in California, from the occasional earthquakes to the landscapes.

“Pick Diablo City,” Sonia whispered to the child.  Fiona nodded.

“Diablo City!”

“Then that’s the plan.”

“Tori, before you go to your room, Mama and I need to go over some plans with you.  I know you’re here for vacation, but we need your help,” her father told her.

“All right.”  She gave her friends a nod, signaling them to go ahead without her, and then followed her parents back to her father’s study.  Once the door closed, she looked at her parents with a curious expression.  “What do you need me to do?”

“First, how are you feeling?” her father asked as he put his hands on her shoulders and squinted his eyes, looking over her in search of wounds.  “You were asleep for a month.”

“I’m fine.  The protective air bubble around me worked better than expected.  Master Ramos won’t let me do any serious crystal work, but he said I can start doing energy cycling to reacclimate my body to grounding and crystal work in a few days,” Tori told them.

“Listen to Master Ramos,” her mother told her in a serious voice.  “Do not push yourself, Tori.  This is the third time you’ve had crystal shock.”

She opened her mouth to assure them she was fine and this time, she could still walk, but her father cut her off.  “I don’t care if you can walk this time.  You were also asleep for several times as long.  Do not do more than necessary.  You must lay a foundation and carefully build up.”

Tori took a deep breath and nodded.  “I know.  I am pacing myself.  Master Ramos calls me every other day when possible to discuss my progress.”

“Good, good.”  Her father appeared satisfied.  He looked at his daughter with mixed emotions.  “To think that you collapse an entire cave system.  It was an area several times as large as the surface village.”

“It’s not difficult.  As long as the proper supports are taken down, it’ll collapse on its own without anything holding it up,” Tori replied.  “Most of my energy was spent on spreading the effect as far out from the city as possible.”  It was for the best, too, as if she concentrated her energy into one specific spot, the sink holes in the area would’ve been far deeper.

“Not many people would have done what you did,” her mother said in a low, concerned voice.  “You were with enemies, unprotected and didn’t know if support was coming.  It was an incredible  risk.”

“In addition, you’d sent out those two and to cover them, walled off the village to contain as many soldiers as possible,” her father said.  He shook his head and rubbed his temples.  “Sometimes, Victoria, I don’t know if you fully know the strength of your abilities or vastly overestimate them.”

“Papa, I am very careful with my strength,” Tori said as she lifted a hand to her chest.  Even as she said it, she sounded a bit dodgy.  “I wouldn’t have exerted so much energy if the situation didn’t call for it.”

Her mother frowned.  “I don’t know what is wrong with Monica’s son.”

Her father scoffed.  “It’s good he’s not the Crown Prince, lest this empire is doomed.”

Tori drew her lips inward.  Papa, you have no idea how right you are.  “The point is that he’s safe.”

“You should not go on another trip alone with Prince Piers again,” her father said in a stern voice.  “It is clearly bad luck.”

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.  “It wasn’t Piers’ fault.”

“He’s bad luck.”

“Papa.”

“He’s trying to steal my daughter.”

“Papa!”  Tori’s shoulder slumped.  “He’s not stealing from anyone.  Also, I have to live there because of school and my territory.  If anyone is to blame, it is the Emperor.”

All three of them sneered.  On a professional level, they thought he was a good, dependable, and intelligent emperor, and would support him.  On a personal level, her father was unimpressed, Mama wanted to beat him, and Tori thought he was a conniving old man who was lucky he married Mama’s best friend and produced Piers.

“Let’s not think of unpleasant thoughts.”  Her mother still wore a dark look.

“My trip to Geyser Cliffs was great before Gideon arrived,” Tori said.  After the incident, she just started calling Gideon by his name with a hint of disgust in informal situations, and no one, not even the Emperor, said anything to stop her.  “The hot baths were very relaxing and there was a waterfall.  Ilyana packed me a bunch of fruit and I had a picnic with Alexander.”

“That does sound relaxing, but next time, you will bring more knights with you,” her father said in a worried voice.

“We had quite a few...it’s just the poison gas....”  Tori trailed off.  She’d been thinking about a way to avoid it if such a thing happened again.  “I didn’t think they’d use it outdoors, since it isn’t a confined space, but the minerals that caused the gas were planted along that strip of road and were highly concentrated.  As for the carriage...a vent with a fan to suck out the contaminated air would be useful.  Perhaps install some air crystal to purify the contaminated air at once.”

“It is good to learn from mistakes and disasters,” her mother told her.  “I only wish you didn’t have to go through them to make these adjustments.”

“We’re just relieved you’re safe, Tori.  When your brothers called....”  Her father pressed his hand against his heart.  “Every Marquis knows what awaits their family is dangerous, but even when it happens, it is not without its fear and worry.  You are my children first.”

Tori lowered her head and nodded, a bit guilty especially since while she knew her father felt that way about all three of them, he was always most vocal about it with her.

“You will be starting Université soon.  It is not necessary to take on more duties like this.  I will speak to the Emperor about it,” her father told her.  She nodded once more.

“That aside, I wanted you to join us at a luncheon tomorrow,” her mother said.  Tori perked up.  This was what Kasen had warned her about.  “It is a good time for Idunn to expand her social circle in the region as the future Marchioness Guevera.  As her sister-in-law, it would be appropriate for you to attend and show your support for her.”

Tori nodded again.  “Of course, Mama.  I’ll attend them while I'm here.”  How many could there be? Two?  They were only there for a week and a half.

Her mother’s eyes brightened.  “Excellent!  There are three luncheons, two brunches, and a dinner at Viscountess Navarro’s.  I especially wanted you to go there, as you are friends with her grandson.  A dinner at Count Mendoza’s and an engagement party at the Montes de Castillo.”

Tori remembered the last name mentioned and cocked her head to the side.  “Who is getting married?”

“Your old peer, Lady Angelica.”

Tori jerked her head back.  “Lady Angelica?  But she’s my age!”  She remembered the girl who’d approached her at one of the winter balls she was forced to attend.  They were ‘good friends’ who talked smack about others before the accident.

Her mother chuckled.  “She isn’t the only one getting engaged or married.  You missed Lady Ferrero’s engagement party.”

Tori didn’t like Lady Ferrero or the rest of that little clique, so she was fine with missing it.

“A few of them are older than you, so don’t take this as normal,” her father said in a stern voice.  “You don’t have to get married so young.  Or ever.  You may do what you wish.”

Tori beamed and hugged her father.  “Papa understands me.”  It was rare in her original world and in this one where parents supported their child’s wishes on such a subject.

Gregorio looked at his wife with a smug look as he hugged Tori.  “I told you those rumors of engagement with the Crown Prince were only rumors.”

Antonia rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.  “I’m well aware they are not engaged, Gregorio.  Still...Tori, do you love Piers?”

“Yes, I’ve made that very clear,” Tori said.  She was very vocal about how much she loved Piers and the others.  “But I don’t have romantic feelings towards him.”

Gregorio nodded, pleased, but paused and frowned.  “Has he coerced you into a political marriage?”  Romance was one thing, but politics was another.

“It has been discussed,” Tori replied truthfully.  “But not settled on.  A political alliance, is beneficial for both parties.”

Her father visibly paled.  “Antonia...he’s stealing my baby.”

“He’s not,” Antonia sighed.  “And political marriages with the imperial family and marches happen often enough.  Look at Monica.”

“She married that idiot for love, and Oliver didn’t want her to marry the Emperor, either!” Gregorio said with a scowl.

“What sane person did?  She could’ve done better!” Antonia insisted.  “He’s boring and needy.  Not to mention average in appearance at best.”

Tori drew in her lips once more.  Her mother certainly had high expectations of her friends.  Also, the Emperor wasn’t ‘average in appearance’.  Gideon resembled him almost as much as Piers resembled the Marquis General, and Gideon was a very popular love interest.  He wouldn't be a love interest if he were only ‘average in appearance’.

Sure, Tori didn’t find him particularly attractive, but that was only because his personality and attitude towards her was bad.

“Mama, Papa, you know Piers is very good to me.  He’s dependable and trustworthy, and supports my decisions,” Tori reminded them.  “I told you he gave me a ship as a graduation present because he hopes I will travel safely.”

This seemed to wound her father further.  “In the coasts of Anlar, they give ships as engagement gifts.  Father gave Mother a ship for their engagement to follow her family’s tradition.”  His voice was tight.  Tori forgot about that.  Cousin Deidre’s Ocean Queen 

was also an engagement gift from Cousin Eili.

Her mother sighed.  “You’re overthinking it.  Tori, how is your ship?  Do you like it?”

“I love it!  It has the latest crystal technology-”

“You see, Gregorio?”

“It’s about as big as Sur Oro, but Uncle Renzo says it’s a little larger.”

“That’s quite a gift.”

Her father still narrowed his eyes suspiciously.  “What is it called.”  Tori pursed her lips and hesitated.

“For Whom the Sun Rises.”

Her parents were quiet, and her mother’s eyes slowly crinkled up.  “He is trying to take you from us....”

“Mama-”

“At least he’s good looking.”

“Antonia!”

“This is something we should consider seriously, Gregorio, especially when many of Tori’s peers here are becoming engaged.  This has come up often during social events and even during meetings.  It will continue to do so,” her mother said, rationalizing it.  “We don’t want to seem as if we’re stifling Tori’s prospects, but I also don’t want others to think that she is lacking.”

Tori thought for a moment and agreed.  Noble marriages, while many married for love, many more were still socio-economic agreements.  If her parents tried to protect her from it, their peers would say that they’re harming their daughter.  If they said she was too young, it wouldn’t work as so many people her age were already getting engaged.

But if her parents said that Tori didn’t want to get married, it could be misconstrued that she was incapable of doing so because no one wanted her and not wanting to get married was just an excuse.

It was laughable, as she was a Countess with a territory, but logic didn’t matter when people didn’t like you.

Using Piers as a meat shield worked for both of them, but she didn’t know if that would work in Presidio.  In Horizon, they were often seen together, so even if they didn’t make an official announcement, it was speculated, and everyone believed it.

In Presidio, the imperial family was a distant memory most lower nobles wouldn’t meet in their lives simply due to convenience.  Tori also had her previous reputation to deal with.  Literally no young nobleman in Presidio would consider her with other options readily available, unless they were targeting her specifically to take advantage of her wealth, rank, and influence.

She furrowed her brows.  “How often do you think this will come up?” she asked her mother carefully.

Antonia took a deep breath.  “Often.  In fact, you should be prepared with a suitable answer to placate them.  When it comes to marriages, they don’t seem to have any restraint,” her mother said with an ugly look.

“Kasen is already in his mid-twenties, and they are still asking about  him.”  Her father frowned.

“It’s actually increased because of Fifi and Robi,” Antonia said, her expression growing concerned.  “They keep saying that the children need a mother.”  Antonia’s face reddened with anger as she seemed to remember something. “Do you know what they told me?  That their daughters wouldn’t mind being a stepmother.  Mind!  As if my grandchildren are a burden!”

Gregorio stepped closer to grasp her arm and pet her gently to calm her.  “I am sure they are just concerned about the difficulties of parenting children who they did not birth and are simply too ignorant to phrase is better.”

“I don’t care what they think!  Kasen doesn’t want to get married either, so he doesn’t have to!” Antonia looked determined and Tori nodded.  “There are plenty of excellent women who can guide the children in their lives.  Who needs their poor excuses for noble daughters!”

Tori also stroked her mother’s arm to calm her.  Kasen getting married and the kids having a stepmother also worried Tori, but Kasen had told her that he didn’t plan to get married.  Having children was enough and he was happy with that.

“Calm down, Mama.  You’ll have to face some of those people tomorrow,” Tori said.  “We’ll find something else to talk about.  I’ll see if any of the others want to come and talk about Horizon to distract the guests from sensitive topics.”

“Will they want to come?” Antonia asked.  “They are welcomed to, but I was worried it would be troublesome and uncomfortable for them.”

“It doesn’t hurt to ask.”

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

“No, I can’t.  There is an exercise tomorrow that Master suggested I attend,” Ewan said as he tossed some dice onto the table.  “Also, it sounds too fancy.  I didn’t bring any fancy clothes with me.”

“We can provide fancy clothes,” Tori replied.  She looked around the table.  “It’s mainly women, but there are usually a few young men, and we may make some business connections.  Henrik?”

“Going into the city to visit some partners,” Henrik replied.  “Albert, you’re trapped in a three-story building that is surrounded by zombies.”

“How many?”

“What does it matter, you didn’t roll any powers, nor do you have a weapon,” Sonia said with a slight snort.  She wasn’t much for fantasy games or for storylines that took place in space, but she seemed to enjoy stories that took place in what Tori considered a ‘modern setting’.

If Sonia had transmigrated to Tori’s original world, she’d likely transition the best out of all of her friends.

“I can still run.”  Albert defended himself. “Zombies are slow.”

“Right now.  Once one player levels up with crystal nuclei to level ten,  zombies also level up,” Henrik told him as he held the storyline in his hands at the head of the table.

Albert balked.  He looked around the table and Tori felt a bit of sympathy for him.  Out of everyone playing, only he and Fiona didn’t roll for any powers, and he was also the only one of the groups who hadn’t picked up a weapon yet.

How he’d survived so far was a miracle in itself.

“Is anyone close to level ten?” he asked in a wary voice.

“I am!” Robert raised his hand and smiled.

“That’s only because Fifi can’t use crystal nuclei, so she gives you whatever she finds!” Albert looked abandoned.

“It’s teamwork!” Fiona said as she bounced in her seat next to her brother.

Robert nodded his head once.  “I have to protect my sister.”

Albert groaned.

“You have to make a move.  What do you do?” Henrik pushed the game along.

“I stick my hand out of the window in hopes of being scratched or bitten by a zombie so I can become a zombie, and be freed from the constraints of being a powerless human,” Albert said in an exhausted voice.

“Roll a 15 to see if they take the bait and you don’t just get your arm ripped off,” Henrik replied with a slight smirk.

Tori watched as the dice hit the table and rolled.  Her eyes crinkled up and she patted Albert’s shoulder.

“14!” Sonia snickered.  “Albert just gets his arm ripped off.”

“Next round I’m just going to bleed to death!”  Albert draped himself over the table as the others gave him pitiful looks.

“Do you want to join us at the luncheon tomorrow?” Tori asked, hoping that would make him feel better.

“Tori, I’ve been going to those things since I was Fifi’s age.  With all due respect,” he said as he remained half laying on the table.  “I would rather get my arm ripped off.”

She shot him a glare and looked around the table.  She opened her mouth to invite the others individually, but one by one, they answered.

“Constantine hasn’t gone around the city yet, so we’re going to go with him,” JP said.  “I follow behind Robi and Fifi’s trail of destruction and split open zombie heads for crystal nuclei to enhance my water ability.”

“Are you going to fight at all?” his sister asked with narrowed eyes.

“My water ability is lacking, and I don’t have any padding on my arms and legs, or gloves.  Close range combat can get me scratched or bitten,” JP replied.  “Not worth it.  I’ll just do collection work.”

“Mitigating risk is prudent,” Constantine agreed.  “I held back until I was able to wrap magazines around my arms and legs as guards.”

Tori sighed.  “All right, what about you, Ilyana?”

“Fifi wanted to take me to a cafe in the city,” Ilyana replied.  “I didn’t think you’d have a luncheon the day after we arrived.”

Tori furrowed her brows and looked at Fiona.  Her niece was looking at the map of the city on the table excitedly and didn’t seem to be paying attention to anything else.

“Fifi, why aren’t you going to the luncheon?  Mama put this together so you could meet other noble children,” Tori said in a soft voice.

Fiona wrinkled her nose, but didn’t look up from the table.  “It’s boring.  I’ve already been to some.  I want to go take Auntie to a cafe.”

“She’ll go with us when we’re going around the city tomorrow,” Sonia told Tori to reassure her.  “And Nanny Rey will be with us.”

“It’s all right to let her go, Auntie,” Robert said with a smile.  “I will go to the luncheon.”

Tori knit her brows together, but nodded.   “All right, if you’re sure.”  She sighed and sat down at the far end of the table, watching the group continue to play until somehow Albert became a zombie lord.

She then gathered Fiona and brought her to her room.  Fiona had her own room, but still wanted to stay with Tori, so they gathered some of her things and carried them to Tori’s room.  Alexander had yet to return, but one of the windows was opened to let him in.  Tori didn’t worry about him at the Fortress.  There weren’t really any other cats except for the ones that caught rodents, but Alexander seemed to be quite good with most animals.

“So, tell me about how the other luncheons have been,” Tori said as she tucked Fiona in.  “Did you make any new friends?”

Fiona squished her face.  “There were other kids, but I don’t think they’re friends.”

Tori raised a brow a bit.  Usually, Fiona was quick to make friends and would say so.  She and Istvan were best friends in Viclya and even Ava, who’d been jealous of the attention Tori gave Fiona, had become friends after Fiona decided Ava was her hero.  “They are just acquaintances?”

Fiona hummed and nodded.  “Friends are like you and Auntie Ilyana and Uncle Ewan and the others.  You play together and share food.”

Tori cracked a small smile.  “Fifi usually shares what she has and likes to play, too.  Have you not played with other children?”

Fiona took a deep breath and seemed to hesitate.  “They’re boring.”

“How so?”

“They only like to talk about their dresses or things their parents gave them, but they don’t want to play what I like,” Fiona replied.

“People have different interests,” Tori said.  She stroked Fiona’s hair back gently.  “One day, you will also find friends that play what you want to play.”

Fiona nodded her head, appearing a bit sleepy.  “I play with...Cousin Ava...Cousin Maeve...Marco...Mat....”

Sleep overtook her and Tori sat on the edge of the bed, her smile fading into a worried look.

When Victoria was Fiona’s age, she had always been eager to play with other children her age, but her friendly naivety shielded her from realizing the other children didn’t like her.  Perhaps it was because Victoria had been showered with gifts from her family and it appeared as if she was showing off to make others feel bad.

As a result, the other children were jealous and things ended up as they did, with Victoria reacting badly in defense and gaining a terrible reputation.

She didn’t want Fiona or Robert to end up like that.  Robert was smarter than Victoria and had a better handle on how to react.  He was sensitive to the changes around him and his emotional intelligence was sharp.  In addition, he tended to imitate and be influenced by his father and Sebastian.

Fiona was unrestrained and did what she wanted.  Kasen indulged her.  Tori indulged her.  Everyone around her indulged her.  Tori’s heart began to ache, and she silently prayed that Fiona would not meet the same social fate as Victoria.

“You are better than me,” Tori said softly.  “You will be happier.”

She dimmed the lights and walked out to the balcony to call Piers.   After she asked about his work and checked to make sure he was resting and eating properly, she told him about the luncheon.

Piers went quiet for a moment.  “Does Fifi not want to go because she has been targeted?”

“Targeted?”

“I’ve heard that there are cases where someone will try to appeal to the child of an unmarried individual in hopes of gaining the attention and affection of the said individual.  If that does not work, they can resort to bullying the child to force them to act in accordance with their wishes.”

Tori narrowed her eyes.  “That’s certainly a possibility.  I’ll watch carefully.  Now I’m a bit relieved that she isn’t going to the luncheon tomorrow.”

“I understand if she doesn’t want to go.”

“You would.”

“Will this cause any trouble for you?  You do not like your peers in Presidio.”

“I don’t have very strong feelings about them now, but I don’t know how they feel about me.  Every time I see them, they’re in limited capacity.  Just greetings and light conversation.   Everything is distanced, so there isn’t much depth to the exchange,” Tori said.  “But now, with my peers here getting engaged, the question is bound to come up regarding what my plans are.”

“Are you proposing to me?”

“No.”

“Oh.  She cracked a small smile.

“I plan to tell them I am not considering marriage until I finish Université.”

“That is an understandable plan.  It will give you time,” Piers agreed.  “They can be very aggressive in asking, as you know.  Be on your guard.”

Tori scoffed.  “I’m more on my guard around nobles than I was around Adrien Rosiek.”

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“By the time you finish in four years, won’t it be too late?” Countess Ferrero lifted her hand to her chest in the ‘clutching pearls’ motion as she heard Tori’s answer.  “By that time, most young men will already be in relationships.”

Tori kept a pleasant business smile on her face, but inside, she was screaming.  “If that is what the gods have planned for me, then so be it.”  She made it sound as if it were in the fate of someone else, but received looks of sympathy for the group of middle-aged, terrifyingly invested, noble women around her.

“My lady, if you are looking for someone, I have a nephew in Horizon,” one woman offered.  She paused.  “And a lovely niece, if you are more inclined.”

I don’t want either.  “Thank you for your kind thoughts, Lady Ferrero, but for now, I simply don’t have time.  In addition to Université, I am running a fledgling county and a company.”  Tori wanted to mention her crystal work as well, but was worried that someone would ask her to do something with crystals and in her current state, she was limited in what she could do.

It didn’t seem like the parlor trick of freezing, boiling, and returning a glass of water to its normal state would impress them.

“Tori, can you come here for a moment!”  Idunn’s voice was clear and regal, sounding a bit different than when they were at home, teasing Sebastian.

Tori gave the women surrounding her small, acknowledging nods.  “Excuse me, ladies, and madams.  My sister calls.”  She slipped away, handing off the wine glass she’d been nursing to a server as she swept across the large garden courtyard to get to Idunn.

As she reached the tall, beautiful blonde woman, Idunn put her arm around her and brought her forward.  “Tori’s work with foreign delegations has led to the opening of several restaurants in her county.  There is cuisine from all over the world.  Tori, how is the tourism in Viclya?”

“Summer is our peak period,” Tori said, launching into a well-used speech on the state of her county.  “We’ve also expanded into winter travel, though the delta does not get any snow....”

The curious guests with Idunn were women about the same age as Idunn, all who wanted to get to know the future Marchioness Guevera.  Their interests were a bit different from the older noblewomen who were trying to marry off the children in their family.

“Will you be returning to your county soon?” someone asked.

“After a few months.  I am traveling to the marches this summer.  After this, I am going to Moss Hill,” she replied.  “I am accompanied by friends who are sightseeing at the moment.”

“Friends from Horizon?”

“Yes,” Tori said.

“A shame they couldn’t make it.” No, it wasn’t.  They were the lucky ones.

“Speaking of being unable to make it, where is Miss Fiona?” one of the women said.  “My sister is particularly fond of her.”

“Oh, is your sister around the same age?” Tori caught Idunn’s grimace too late and couldn't stop herself.

The woman tilted her head to the side and gave Tori a confused look.  “My sister is twenty-one.”

“Ah...well...Fifi’s appeal spans all ages,” Tori said with a wide smile.  She let out an awkward laugh before looking towards Idunn.  “I’m going to check on Mama.”

“I’ll join you.  I have yet to greet some of the elders,” Idunn continued to smile.  She excused them from her group and looped arms with Tori, bringing her close.  “Lady Beltran’s sister, Miss Juliana Herrera has been very vocal in her interest in Kasen.”

Tori restrained her immediate instinct to react in shock and kept her composure.  With a smile still pasted on her face, she kept walking with Idunn.  “That’s the first I’ve heard of it.  Since when?”

“I asked around and apparently, she had an interest in him while she was in Université.  When he came back, she had her sister ask around about him,” Idunn said, keeping her voice low as they passed other guests and gave them some smiles.  “But you know our brother.  Kasen isn’t interested.”

“He barely has time with how often Piers sends him out, too.”

“Yes, all his remaining time is spent with Fifi and Robi.  But now that Fifi and Robi are here, many women have shown an interest in Kasen...or more specifically, being a ‘mother to’ his children.”  Idunn’s  pleasant demeanor almost faltered with her suspicion.  “Fifi will try to avoid these gatherings because those women always try to pester her.”

Tori tried to hold back her frown.  “Mama was worried about this.”

“We’re all worried about it.  I don’t want my niece and nephew to be used,” Idunn said.  “I’ve instructed the knights to watch the children carefully, keeping an eye on Robi’s interactions.  He’s a bit more resilient and his indifference has frustrated some of the children his age, but this just means the children aren’t sure how else to attack him.”

“Instead of attacking him, they should be trying to befriend him.  Robi’s a charms genius and if he keeps this up, he’ll grow up to be like Kasey.”

Idunn smirked.  “Yes, breaking hearts and doing whatever he wants.”

“Robi is gentle at heart.  He will be kind,” Tori said with some insistence. “And Kasey is kind, too...within reason.”  Very slim reason.  Honestly, if Kasen didn’t want to deal with someone, he wouldn’t bother.

Idunn sighed.  “If they keep pushing him, he’ll be upset. Our brother has made it clear that he is not interested in marriage.  Unfortunately, the interest in him has not waned.”

“It’s hard being so attractive.”

Idunn held back a laugh and gave Tori’s arm a playful shake.  “You silly girl.  I bet you wish you were with your friends instead of being here.”

“Yes, but this is important to you and Mama.  I’ll come. Ilyana and the others can enjoy themselves without me and we’ll have plenty of time together outside of these events.”

“Hmm...I do like Ilyana.  She’s a bright, intelligent girl.  Not to mention fiercely loyal.  To think she punched the former Prime Minister’s son for you,” Idunn said with a gentle, approving smile.  “If she were older, and I had a say, I think she’d be a good match for Kasen.”  She giggled.  “The gods know how that girl looks at him.”

Tori’s eyes widened.   “You’ve seen her?”

Idunn gave her a knowing look.  “Tori, everyone’s seen her.  She stares at Kasen as if he’s a gift from the gods.”

“Yes, but she knows there is a significant age difference.  She says she just likes to admire him,” Tori said with a subdued cringe.

“Well, right now it is significant, but the older one gets, it becomes less and less constraining.  Of course, I doubt Ilyana will stay single for long.  A beautiful and kind-hearted girl like her will be swarmed sooner rather than later.”

“She received at least one love letter or confession a week while at Lycée,” Tori said, unable to help feeling as if she were bragging.  “She’s courteously rejected them all, but that doesn’t make her any less popular.  But, right now, she’s focused on Lions Gate.  When we start Université, she’ll be even busier.”

“Ah, there is Mama.  She has that look of wanting to get out of a conversation,” Idunn said with a sigh.  “She really doesn’t have to host these events for my sake.”

“She wants to because it is important for you to familiarize yourself with your peers,” Tori said.

“I’ll go save her.  You’ve been standing and chatting for a while, and you were traveling the last few days. Go and take a seat. Mama and I will join you in a bit.”

“All right.  Also, don’t tell Ilyana that you know about her crush on Kasen.  She’s already mortified when we mention it.”

“Understood.” Idunn laughed a bit and Tori slipped  out of the garden and into the shade of the portico.  The water and trees in the garden provided some coolness from the midday sun, but it was still a hot day.  Presidio was hotter than Horizon and though Tori had put on thinner clothes, it was still hot.

She waved for one of the maids.  “Please get a cool, damp towel.”

“Yes, my lady.”  The maid scurried off and Tori leaned back against a thick stone column.  A handheld electric fan...that’s what she was going to develop next.

“...no, the boy seems unbothered.  Also, he’s Lord Kasen’s pupil, as well as his son.”  Tori heard a voice coming from one of the narrow enclaves along the courtyard.  She looked around and couldn’t see anyone.  “The younger one, the girl...she’s the annoying one.”

Tori frowned at once.  She knew exactly who they were talking about and stood up straight. She followed the sound of the voice with quiet steps.  She leaned back against a wall and peered around the corner to see a young woman standing in an out of the way spot, holding a comcry and frowning.

“I told Helen and Teo to remind her of her place,” a young woman with a proud sneer.  “They’re just adopted children holding back their father from a happy marriage.  Eventually, once Lord Kasen is married and has real children, they’ll be forgotten.”

Tori’s eyes widened.  Her mother’s indignant words filled her head.  As if my grandchildren are a burden!

“I trust you don’t think that he’d be in a happy marriage would you, right?” Her shadow fell over the entrance of the enclave as she slid around the corner and leaned against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest.

The young woman’s eyes widened as her head snapped up and her face filled with color.  “Who-”

“Victoria de Guevera.  Countess of Cosora,” Tori replied as she looked the woman up and down.  “So, I heard you talking about my niece and nephew?”

The woman paled.  “You misunderstand-"

“Did I?” Tori asked.  “Well, to be fair, I didn’t hear you mention their names, but there were some keywords here and there.”

The woman let out a nervous laugh and shook her head.  She snapped her comcry closed and shook her head.  “I was talking about other children, my lady-”

“Oh, so you were talking about other children?  And in such a negative tone,” Tori continued on.  She narrowed her eyes.  “Who are you?”

“I’m -”

“Never mind, we’ll find out.”  Tori reached forward and grabbed the woman’s wrist, dragging her out.  Her cold expression and the woman’s cries of protest caught the attention of other guests and she saw Idunn and her mother look towards her with wide eyes.

“Tori?” her mother gasped.

“Mama, do you know who this woman is?” Tori asked.

Her mother was quiet for a moment and Idunn answered her.  “That is Miss Herrera.”  She gave Tori a small look, as if reminding her that it was the Miss Herrera they had spoken of just a few minutes earlier.

Tori’s eyes widened and her grip on the girl tightened, earning her a yell.  “My wrist!”

“Get out!”  Tori pulled her forward and released her, sending her stumbling forward.

Murmurs filled the area as the crowd of guests moved closer to see what was going on.  Tori could hear someone whisper ‘my gods, she hasn’t changed’, and other quiet critiques of her actions.

“Juliana!?” Lady Beltran, who they were speaking to earlier, rushed forward when she saw her sister.  She looked up at Tori with accusing eyes as she knelt down to help her sister up.  “My lady, what is going on?”

“Your sister said that she has been telling two children named Helen and Teo to ‘remind’ my niece of ‘her place’; as an adopted daughter holding her father back.”  As soon as she said it, both Antonia and Idunn stiffened and cold looks washed over their faces.

Antonia’s eyes were becoming red as the jovial atmosphere around Idunn chilled.  She turned to Lady Beltran’s sister.  “Is this true?”

“No!” she gasped.  “She’s lying-”

“Why would I lie about such a horrid thing?” Tori said, seething.

“I never said I was talking about Lord Kasen’s children!” the woman gasped.  “You never heard me say their names!”

“That’s true,” Tori acquiesced.  “But you did say my brother’s name. And tell me, who else would have their father also be their master and be an adopted child?  You said the ‘boy was unbothered’, but the girl was ‘the annoying one’.”

Antonia’s anger was palpable in the air.  Idunn’s jaw clenched.  “Lady Beltran, take your sister and leave at once.  Anyone who says such a thing about my family, especially my family’s children, is not welcomed here.”

Lady Beltran looked pained and Tori saw her hands that were helping her sister squeeze them to the point that her sister cried out in pain once more.  Lady Beltran lowered her head. “Yes, my lady.”

“Wait, wait,” a man about her age said, rushing forward.  “Surely there was some mistake!  Lady Victoria-”

“Countess Guevera,” Tori cut him off in a cold voice.  Her title was no longer just a courtesy title, and she wanted them to remember it.  The only noble present higher ranked than her was her mother.  Even Idunn’s status as the wife of the heir was still technically a courtesy title.

The man winced and didn’t appear to want to acknowledge Tori’s title, but spoke up anyway.  “Countess Guevera said herself that she did not hear the children’s name.  You may have misheard Lord Kasen’s name, as well.”

“Even if I did, are you saying that all of you are fine of Miss Herrera disparaging your children?” Tori asked as she raised a brow.  “You accept an adult telling children to bully another?”

“She wasn’t lying,” a daring voice came, and Tori saw Lady Duarte, of the peers Victoria had animosity with, approach.  “Lord Kasen’s children are adopted.”

“You’re going to quibble with me, Duarte?” Tori looked at her as if she were an idiot.  “At the very least you acknowledge she was speaking of my niece.  Miss Herrera’s exact words were ‘remind her of her place’.   In what world is that said in a positive manner?”

“I didn’t mean it negatively!”

“You called my niece annoying.”

“I never said it was about that girl!”

“Lady- Countess, perhaps you are overreacting,” the man said as he moved between Tori and Miss Herrera.  “Maybe Miss Herrera was joking.  This is a misunderstanding.”

Tori’s eyes squinted.  “Joking?  What kind of disgusting person jokes about making children bully each other?”  She cocked her head to the side.  “Or is that the kind of person you are?”

The man’s face flushed and Idunn stood by Tori’s side.  “If you feel that way, then you may leave as well.  No Guevera will take such an insult.  I suggest to Lady Beltran that you discuss your sister’s actions and correct them, less they cause more...misunderstandings.”

Lady Beltran shrunk back.  “I’m sorry, my lady.”

Antonia lifted her hand.  “Call for the knights to escort them.”

“I’ve brought them, Mama.”  A calm voice spoke from the side and Tori didn’t need to look over her shoulder to know that it was Kasen.  The horrified face of Miss Herrera was good enough.

“Kasen.” Idunn knit her brows.  “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”

“I am as well,” Kasen said as he stood to the other side of Tori.  His icy eyes glared at the woman shrinking behind her sister.  “I’ve been polite in the past, but it seems that no one takes my opinion to heart, so I’ll repeat myself clearer this time.  My children are my heart.  I will not marry for any reason, and most certainly will not marry anyone who harbors ill will towards my children.” He looked away with disgust all over his face.  “I am indifferent to many things, but there are few things I truly hate...and one of them is people like her.”

Miss Herrera’s face grew paler as she trembled, appearing as if she’d fall over at any second.  Then, she burst into tears.

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A.N. - 

Robi tries hard and Fifi is like "f- this, I'm gonna go play with my chickens".  And honestly, I am Fifi on this.