“I think he would, at the least, consider it,” he said lower. “Especially if his son was insistent. If you presented the idea to the Prince first, you could appear as a united front against his father. But you need to protect yourself as well. How does Queen Svana fit into this? How does Cyrus?”
“Cyrus becomes my knight. He moves into the castle or I build him the cottage in King’s Land,” I said, unsure. I rapped my fingers against the table. “I don't know. But Eli, if I can create a title, create a new duchy…I can help my friends.”
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
I shifted the map, exploring its details with more intent. I was quiet for several moments, then I landed on Locke, on Viscount Willoughby’s house seat. I sighed, poring into it with frustrated need. “I have to considerwhythe offer was appealing… That’s what you said. Why it worked in the first place.”
Elías waited.
“The Viscount is strategic. The eldest sons have married well. He wanted Daniel to marry a woman he picked for him. Dan called her a socialite. But that’s not all she was. She would’ve had to mean something. She would have had something he wanted his house associated with.”
“Yes,” he said. “Yes, exactly. Good. Who was she?”
I worked my jaw, searching each city, each marker, each area of control. “Who’s unmarried or recently married in the last few years, who might fit the description of ‘socialite and title climber?’ She would have been rich. Not a Jónsson. …What of the Fosters?” I asked. “There’s five of them. The youngest just debuted. I remember–my father told me she wore the same pastels I did. He said I’d started a trend. The Fosters are wealthy,very wealthy. They’re all very fair. They’re all very aware of how fair they are. Does that sound like socialites to you?”
He grinned. “Yes, it does.”
“And there are no other ladies of marrying age in Oreian nobility besides myself and our cousins. Willoughby wouldn’t be set to marry a cousin. It was a Foster. Who do we think? Daphne? She’s just a year his junior. And, her father is very, very important in Dawne society. He has friends from school within the ranks.” I gasped, almost surprised at myself. “The Viscount wanted that connection. Of course he did! My mother inherited the title. She was first born. I was born before she died. My aunt was. He missed his opportunity to be Duke of Dawne because of her!” I sat back, then moved forward again, determined. “I can do this! I can do this, Elías. I can give him importance in Dawne. I can giveherimportance in Dawne.”
“Tell me,” he said, motioning to the map.
I nodded, nervous, almost too-scared to hope it might work. “I could name her something. Something important. Friend of the Crown, nay, ‘Esteemed Companion of the Crown,’” I said. “My aunt has those–esteemed companions. I used to think it was a filler title but perhaps it’s not.”
“‘Esteemed Companion’ is a very generous title. It would certainly elevate her from maid to more,” he said.
I blew out a breath, still considering. “Or.”
“Or?” he asked.
“Or…” I traced my hand along my mother’s land. “Or, I could appoint her Baroness. There are several vacant baronies in Dawne. I could appoint her as Baroness for valor and for commitment to the empire. She did save my life in the fire. She is just as brave and deserving as Willem is of his knighthood.”
“Baroness,” he said. He sat beside me and thought about it, letting the word roll in his mouth. “Baroness sounds good. Important, just like you wanted. It’s a true statement, of course.You’re telling the world this woman is important to you–to the Crown.
“She is,” I said. I stood, then began to pace the room–in thought, not concern. “And what better compliment for the Viscount than for the Queen to say, ‘I want your son to marry my most cherished and courageous friend?’” I asked.
Elías’s face relaxed into surprise. He chuckled robustly. “Svana, this is… This is exactly what I meant by playing the board. Look at you. Look atthis.You’ve created a duchy. You could’ve destroyed a woman, but instead you’ve empowered her to be its Duchess. You’ve arranged for her to marry the man she loves while simultaneously maintaining good will between empires, while detaching yourself romantically. You’ve designed for your knight to return home to live in your service, thus realizing a life-long dream of his. You’ve allowed your cousin a chance to marry someone he’s picked for himself–a very crucial thing for the son of a Viscount. This is…This is perfect, Your Majesty. This. This is what a good Queen does for her people.”
“I’m trying,” I said. I exhaled deeply, then found my hands. “I have to draft this. I have to present it. They have to agree. What if they don’t agree? What if the Viscount thinks… I don’t know? That Miss Josicelyn isn’t good enough. What if I offend him?”
“You won’t. Not if you handle it with care. He’ll be here for the wedding. Present the idea to him personally. Tell him you could not think of another lord who deserved the connection more than Ser Willoughby. Tell him that his son has served you in such greatness, has brought such gallantry to the Willoughby name that you could not bear to lose her to any lesser man.”
“Wow that’s… very direct,” I said. “Very flattering.”
“I try,” he said.
“And it’s absolutely perfect. Yes. I’ll do just that. We’ll need to arrange for the Viscount to be stopped before he departs, and invited to a private audience with me as soon as possible.”
“Yes. When you tell him of the idea, make sure you stress the closeness of the barony’s location to the road to Locke.”
“What? Why?”
“Because the Viscount’s seat is in Locke. It will plant the idea that his estranged son might visit home more frequently, and give him hope that he might find purpose to visit North Aire.”
“Can you write that down for me?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said. “I’ll do it now.” He pulled a sheet of paper toward himself and took the quill. “I’ll draft the changes to the Treaty as well. Then your appointment of both women. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No,” I breathed, suddenly overwhelmed with relief. “No, this is so much. I cannot thank you enough. I cannot imagine what I would have done without you. Everything is just…I didn’t even know I could do all this.”
