Brigitta is still relatively new to be Lady Soliel, just shy of two years, but she'd been to dozens of official dinners in that time, and she thought she knew what to expect. They all have the same steps, even if the look is different. Like a play, which makes sense since everyone plays a part at these things, and no one is ever sincere.
Brigitta learned that lesson the hard way with her sister and then with Eirian, whose friendship had disappeared the day Brigitta accepted Francis's request to court. She's still a bit sour over it. Francis had been lonely for so long, as his daughter Eirian should have been pleased, he'd found someone new.
And Brigitta was the Lady Soliel the family needed after such a long break after Erin's death. She was young, energetic, and most of all, she wanted to make an impact. Do something good for the name after everything that had happened with Erin Soliel.
Given the tantrum Eirian had thrown over the marriage when they'd first told her, watching her now was vindicating. Lord Ye was clearly going out of his way to make his wife comfortable and didn't seem to mind his wife's sharp edges. There was no indication of a pregnancy yet, but Francis was getting closer and closer to getting a source inside the Camelia and one of the chambermaids had let it slip that Chenzhou had been in Eirian's rooms when she was getting ready. After watching them whisper to one another behind their wineglasses, Brigitta was comfortable assuming the relationship was progressing well.
"Where is the babe?"
The question took her by surprise, not just because of the subject but because Lord Ye was asking her directly.
It was the first time he'd acknowledged her and Brigitta beamed. "Oh, sleeping. He was tired from the journey, Lord Ye."
He frowned. "It's a long journey for a child. Is he well?"
Brigitta balked. "O-of course. He was with the nursemaid the entire time."
The Lord on Eirian's right raised an eyebrow. "Why did you bring him?"
She felt Francis stiffen next to her and she put a calming hand on his arm. "We thought it was time for him to meet his sister."
"I've met him," Eirian pointed out and then immediately turned her attention to the deserts being put out.
Apparently, Lord Ye didn't see an issue in indulging his wife's unhealthy appetites. Brigitta fought down a disapproving remark. Eirian had the luck of enough status and wealth that most men turned a blind eye to her less attractive qualities. Brigitta had never had that luxury, but any attempt to share that knowledge and experience with Eirian had been met with a wall.
Eirian swallowed a bite of a fruit pudding. "And you didn't bring him to dinner."
"This is hardly the place for a child," Francis put in. "We didn't want him to interrupt."
"Then when are you planning to introduce them?" Lord Ye looked confused.
Francis waved a dismissive hand. "Tomorrow will be fine. Everyone will be rested and refreshed. It will be the perfect time."
Eirian froze.
Lord Ye shared a look with the man to his left. "I doubt getting up that early tomorrow will leave anyone rested and refreshed."
Confused, Brigitta glanced at her husband.
A tall willowy woman seated across from Brigitta raised an eyebrow. "The journey back to the capital is best started early in the morning, Lord Soliel. Otherwise, you will not make a safe place to rest for the first night."
Francis stiffened and Brigitta quickly realized what he had. "You're expecting us to leave tomorrow?"
All of them, Eirian included, looked surprised at his raised tone. Francis voice always rose when he was surprised or shocked.
Lord Ye shared another look that was mirrored by pretty much everyone else in his court. "How long did you intend to stay?"
Francis scoffed. "I thought long enough to check on my daughter."
"You've checked on me, I'm fine." Eirian said instantly.
Rage grew hot and fast in Brigitta, her greatest weakness she knew. "We have barely spoken since we arrived."
"Which is still more than we spoke before." Eirian snapped back. Their tempers had always been well matched.
"The Camelia is not a vacation spot." Someone further down the table muttered and Brigitta knew that tone of a disapproval well. It was the one her mother used whenever one of her children did something she thought she'd taught them not to.
"The guest rooms are only intended for temporary stays of a night or two." Lord Ye kept his voice placid, but the lines around his eyes and mouth betrayed the tension.
"Then move us somewhere meant for longer." Francis snapped.
"There aren't any." Some of Lord Ye's temper leaked out in those words.
Brigitta scoffed. "How can there be none?"
"Because this is a working estate, Lady Soliel." It was the willowy woman across from her again. "There are no inns, the only restaurants cater to soldiers, the only fields are parade fields."
"The only physical wellness treatments are given in my hospital, and we do not accept anyone who is not an injured soldier of the Camelia." A bookish man with pale skin covered in decadent robes sniffed, as if the very idea was abhorrent.
"Then what are guests meant to do?" Brigitta demanded. Off balance at the sheer disrespect they seemed so comfortable sharing, but also the idea of weeks locked in the rooms with no one but her husband or child to speak too.
The Lord on Eirian's right, who was rather attractive if Brigitta was honest, shrugged. "Stay out of the way until they leave."
Embarrassment and fury rose in Brigitta's cheeks and even Francis couldn't hide his own.
For a moment Brigitta was mad at her own husband. How had he not warned her about this? He had insisted on making the trip to talk to Eirian in person. He had done all the negotiating for the marriage. Brigitta had brought nothing with her but her wardrobe and her maids. Was she truly meant to stay locked in her rooms for weeks one end?
Francis shifted. "Surely there are celebrations or luncheons?"
Eirian snorted. "There hasn't been a ball or party thrown at the Camelia in a hundred years." She paused, shared a look with her husband. "Speaking frankly father, we're still working to make the estate safe for those living in it. There have been…incidents."
~ tbc