“Lady Liliana!” a voice called out as soon as the door to the teleportation room opened. Liliana barely had time to brace herself before a smaller body flung itself at her. A warm, genuine smile stole across her face as her arms wrapped around the princess’ body.

“Crown princess Marianne, it’s good to see you,” Liliana greeted, her voice sweet as she hugged the princess back gently. She could tell the girl was using all her strength for the hug, but Liliana could barely feel it. The princess felt so small in her arms, even with the many layers of clothes the princess wore. She felt light, enough that Liliana was almost afraid an errant breeze would whisk the princess away.

“How was the trip? Was it your first time? Is the weather getting worse in the north? Have you been keeping yourself warm enough?” Marianne began to pepper Liliana with questions at a rapid pace as she pulled away from the hug, her face flushed in happiness and her face split with a beaming grin.

Liliana looked on at the princess as she asked question after question without pausing for a breath with a smile. The girl before her was so different from the shy princess she’d met on the balcony at her débutante ball months ago. Marianne seemed quiet and shy, but once one got to know her well, she became a never ending fountain of words and emotions.

“It was alright, a little uncomfortable afterwards, but it was my first time. It’s been snowing fairly regularly but nothing out of the ordinary, and yes, I’ve been keeping myself warm. How have you been, your highness?” Liliana responded to Marianne as soon as the girl finally took a breath.

“I told you to just call me Marianne!” the princess informed her, pouting a little. Liliana raised a hand to hide her laugh and smile.

“Yes, Princess Marianne,” Liliana responded, smirking a little at the way the princess huffed.

“No, just Marianne,” the princess grabbed Liliana’s hands and looked at her sternly, though the effect was a little ruined by the pout on her lips.

“Say it with me now, Mar-i-anne,” the princess slowly enunciated every syllable of her name and Liliana shook her head helplessly.

“I’m sorry your highness, but how could one as humble as me dare to speak to the star of our queendom so informally?” Liliana asked the princess, taking delight in the way the princess looked seconds away from stomping her feet like a child. She was so easy to rile up, Liliana could never resist the urge to tease her.

“It’s a royal order! You must call me Marianne.” the princess brightened as if she had come across a truly genius idea. Liliana sighed, but her lips twitched in betrayal as a smile fought her effort to hide it.

“Abusing your power like that? Whatever would the people think?” Liliana teased her friend.

“Shush, no one will know. Now do it. Call me by my name,” Marianne ordered and Liliana sighed once more, this time in defeat.

“As you wish, Marianne,” she responded, getting a squeal and another hug in reward.

“Now come, come, I have a room set up for us! I have the books I wrote to you about ready, and I want to hear your opinion on The Devious Duchess!” Marianne pulled away, grabbing hold of one of Liliana’s hands as she started to drag her friend down the hall.

Liliana let herself be led, marveling at the odd picture they made. The crown princess grasping her hand tightly, the shame of the Rosengarde duchy. She was certain rumors would fly freely and on wings borne of jealousy if any nobles saw them at the moment. Liliana knew that Marianne did not have many friends, nor did she often attend balls or tea parties despite the many invitations she must receive from social climbers looking to befriend the future queen. In fact, Liliana herself may be the only friend Marianne really had. She knew how shy the girl was in social situations.

Liliana took the chance, as Marianne gushed about the latest books she had found and read, to examine the royal palace. It was obvious their country was wealthy by the architecture and decorations of the palace, gold painted the walls and decorations they passed. Priceless jewels were embedded in mosaics on the ceiling and walls, and even on the statues standing sentry along the walls. If one was to cut out a five-foot section of the wall in the palace, they’d have enough gold to feed any commoner family for generations.

If they absconded with one of the huge, golden statues decorated with sparkling jewels, they’d be able to fund a barony for a year or two at the very least, perhaps longer if they were frugal. Lavish was an understatement to describe the palace, even the small section of it Liliana was granted permission to gaze upon.

Liliana also noticed the knights shadowing their steps. Liliana spotted two, but she would bet there were thrice as many hidden from her view. Having learned her lesson previously, she didn’t even dare to [Identify] them. The bit of aura they purposely let loose was enough to keep her curiosity in check. And she knew they let that much information out freely for a reason, for the same reason two of them were obvious in their guarding of the princess.

They were a very visual deterrent to anyone thinking of harming the princess. Liliana couldn’t fault the queen for making sure her daughter was well protected. She was the only heir to the queendom and had been terminally ill for much of her life. It was a miracle the queen even let anyone around the princess at all.

“Here we are,” Marianne declared, and Liliana focused on the door before them.

A servant opened it and revealed a room that could be called subdued compared to the rest of the palace. A cheery fire danced in a hearth, warming the room to a comfortable level. As Liliana entered the room, she handed her cloak to a servant, no longer needing it in the heated room. She looked around as she made her way to a chaise lounge. The walls were a rich brown, bookshelves decorated two of the walls, crammed full of tomes and books. On the other walls hung scenic paintings of fantastical vistas that gave color to the room. The room was furnished with dark brown furniture; the chairs and chaise were upholstered in a beautiful mahogany silk that showed off that as cozy as this room was, it was still dripping in wealth.

As the two girls took their seats across from each other, tea was served by a servant, the delicious floral scent filling the room, the scent of burning firewood undetectable, likely as the result of some enchantment. A pile of books sat on the table in front of them, next to a generous supply of sweets and finger foods. Marianne leaned close to Liliana on the lounge, picking up a book excitedly and ignoring the waiting tea. Liliana picked up her own teacup, noticing the gilded edges and rose design on the delicate white china before she took a tentative sip, a floral, almost fruity, taste danced across her tongue.

“Ah, do you like the golden blossom tea?” Marianne asked and Liliana nodded as she took another sip. She almost choked as the words registered. Golden blossom tea was incredibly expensive, as it was made in small batches in the Alfein Empire and had to be shipped to them. It was said to only be grown in one location, and could only be harvested once a year under the light of a full moon and by priests blessed by the goddess of the moon.

“I’ll have the servants send you some when you go back,” Marianne said offhandedly.

“Yo-Marianne, that would be too much for one as lowly as me,” Liliana hastened to try to stop her friend from sending her home with a gift worth more money than she’d probably see in her entire life, cumulatively.

“It’s no trouble, we have so much of it. It has strong medicinal qualities so everyone sends it as a gift for me, for any reason,“ Marianne waved off Liliana’s concern as if it was nothing. Liliana conceded defeat, knowing that it was pointless to argue with Marianne and not wanting to see the princess look at her with her big puppy dog eyes. Ruby red eyes had no right to be as heartbreakingly adorable as they were on Marianne.

Liliana settled in as Marianne began to give her reviews and thoughts on the novels she’d brought. Some were ones Liliana had read at the princess’ urging and they traded opinions, sometimes needing to refer back to the book in question to settle disagreements. It was an easy time, carefree in a way Liliana so rarely got to enjoy. She treasured the hours they spent talking about nothing more important than their opinions on the romance of fictitious characters, or mourning the death of favored characters. Liliana was almost loathe to direct their conversation to more real issues, but as Marianne set down the last book she had brought, Liliana set her own tea and cake down and turned to her friend, a serious expression on her face.

“Princess Marianne,” Liliana started, holding up her hand when Marianne opened her mouth to scold her for using her title.

“I’m being proper, because I’m making a request from a vassal to her liege,” Liliana told her. Marianne closed her mouth, her face settling into seriousness with a speed that was impressive. Gone was the excitable and sweet young girl Liliana had been rating the attractiveness of male leads with ten minutes prior. Now the Crown Princess sat beside her.

“If I had reason to believe I know the identity of someone behind three assassination attempts against me, what would I need to get the royal family to instigate an investigation?” Liliana asked, her voice grave.

Marianne’s eyes widened, and Liliana did not have to wonder if the royal family had been made aware of the attempts on her life. She was unsurprised to have her assumptions that there were spies in the manor confirmed. Rosengarde was the strongest duchy in the queendom. It would be foolish for the royal family to not keep an eye on them at all times.

“The royal family rarely gets itself involved in the nobles’ territories. Typically, you would take this to the lord or lady over the perpetrators’ lands,” Marianne informed her, her eyes sharp. Liliana’s eyes stung at the fact that Marianne hadn’t simply dismissed her concerns, and instead was treating this seriously and with care.

“This person does not have anyone higher than them, other than the royal family,” Liliana stated calmly. It was obvious who she was talking about. She could see the realization in Marianne’s eyes, but neither would state the name. It could be misconstrued if the wrong person heard Liliana openly saying she suspected her stepmother of trying to kill her, and of Marianne entertaining the idea. It could be seen as the royal family antagonizing the Rosengarde duchy.

“In such an instance, we would need evidence or enough reasonable suspicion to launch an investigation. Other than that, only a Duke or Duchess can request a visit from the Inquisitors in such a case,” Marianne said slowly.

Liliana nodded. It had been as she suspected, but she’d needed the confirmation. Instances of the royal family launching investigations into noble families or on individual nobles was rare, typically whichever noble was above the noble family under suspicion took care of any misconduct and handled the proceedings themselves. The royal family really was only needed in cases where a duke or duchess was the one at fault. However, the royal family always kept a force of Inquisitors on hand. Men and women trained in information gathering and, while not spoken about, torture. If the Inquisitors were called, noble blood would be spilled and heads would roll. Their name was synonymous with death to a noble.

“What evidence or reasonable suspicion would be necessary for the Inquisitors to be sent?” Liliana asked.

“Paper proof of the deals. Invoices or financial records of poison or assassins being hired. If the suspected is of noble blood, two or more of noble blood willing to make a statement of seeing the perpetrator using the poison or giving the kill orders. A magical recording of it would suit as well. A full confession, of course. For reasonable suspicion, if the suspected is seen with an assassin, eyewitnesses who are not of noble blood, the person being confirmed to have possession of the poison. However, this only gives us reasonable suspicion, and an investigation would be launched.” Marianne listed out the reasons, giving Liliana a very condensed version. For the royal family to truly step in, it would have to be for a fully confirmed crime. An investigation also called for enough evidence to basically convict, and Liliana frowned at the need to have those of noble blood to work as witnesses for an immediate arrest. The classicism of this world was sometimes jarring.

“However, a Duke or Duchess can request a visit from the Inquisitors for any reason, though it is rarely done,” Marianne finished and Liliana nodded. She doubted that last option would happen unless her father was truly incensed.

“Thank you, that was helpful information,” Liliana bowed her head to the princess.

“If you can get me enough proof, I can send the Inquisitors as soon as you send word.” Marianne leaned close to her to whisper it and Liliana lifted her head, smiling slightly at the princess.

“Mother is ready to put a leash on the duchy. She’ll send the Inquisitors in a heartbeat if we have the proof. Do that for us and I promise you’ll be seen as a friend of the royal family for life,” Marianne breathed, her words so soft and light Liliana struggled to hear them, even with the princess practically pressed against her. Liliana blinked, pulling back a bit in surprise.

Politics had never been an interest of hers, nor a strength. But it seemed she’d missed important details with her negligence. She hadn’t suspected that the royal family had been so wary of the Rosengarde duchy that they wanted blackmail over them. It made sense in hindsight. The Rosengarde duchy was essential to the Queendom, it protected two borders and was the largest territory in the Cista Queendom, with the largest militia to match. Her stepmother was also part of the faction that was against the royal family, even if her father was more neutral. Removing both her stepmother, someone against the royal family, and getting more control over the Rosengarde duchy in one fell swoop would only further solidify the royal family’s power, and make an easier time for Marianne’s eventual ascension to the throne.

Liliana hadn’t expected Marianne, the shy wallflower, to be more well versed in politics than she. However, it was not a surprise once she thought about it. A politically inept princess would be a disaster for their queendom, and the princess has likely been schooled on politics as soon as she could talk. Liliana looked at her friend with newfound respect and awe, seeing her not just as the weak and fragile flower she appeared to be, but as the future queen of their queendom. For a moment Liliana saw a second image superimposed over Marianne, of her much older, more regal with a heavy crown on her head and scepter in hand. A confident aura around her that radiated surety and pure power. The image vanished in a blink, but the feeling didn’t, and Liliana resisted the urge to take a knee and make a vow of fealty to the princess.

“Now,” Marianne clapped her hands and the cloak of royalty fell from her in a second, the mood of the room lightening with a simple grin from the girl. “I’ve been wanting to see your Bonds for so long. Shall we go to the courtyard so you can bring them out?” Marianne asked excitedly, once more looking like a girl of fourteen with eyes sparkling in anticipation. Liliana took a moment to readjust as she mentally filed away the information she’d been given, plans already forming in her mind.

“Yes, let us go, Marianne,” Liliana smiled softly to the princess, her nerves and stress fading under the comfort of knowing she finally had an ally. That she finally had someone who knew what her stepmother had done and believed her.