POV David
I bemoaned my fate once again as the Queen winked at me knowingly. I cursed the fact that the woman saw every pleasure in tormenting me.
Seated to my left was the Crown Princess, Veria. She'd been making small talk with me throughout the feast so far. But perhaps most cruelly she'd placed one of those ladies rather against my sudden rise to power on my right. Viscountess Rena Jackowitz was the other individual attempting to monopolize my attention.
Between the two of them I had several political dealings… I suppose that meant I belonged to neither the Royalist or Noble factions. But the obvious attempts of two prominent figures of both factions sitting beside me and trying to take all of my time from the other was no doubt leaving the others with… mixed opinions.
At least tonight Soxera had decided not to attend the festival so I wasn't burdened by the duties of managing the kingdom's diplomatic relations as well as my ceremonial duties as a noble.
"Lord Fulton, you're dressed quite handsomely tonight." Lady Jackowitz complimented with a roguish smile.
"I'm afraid it's my sister's fault." I chuckled. "She insisted I advertise her brand to my peers."
"It does suit you rather well, does Lady Fulton make more appealing attire as well?" Her highness Veria butted in.
"She does, this fetching dress was designed by Lady Fulton. It suits me well does it not Lord Fulton?" Lady Jackowitz leaned towards me for a brief moment.
"It most certainly highlights your beauty Lady Jackowitz." I replied with a smile and nod.
"What do you think of my attire for the evening lord Fulton?" Her highness asked.
"It suits your status well." I replied sorely wishing I could just disappear. I cast a glance across the table at my fellow man, but he was busy talking with a lady to his side.
The odd conversation between the three of us continued. I merely wished I could disappear and the two of them could directly argue with each other instead of using me as a medium.
"Oh, Lord Fulton, I must thank you for the deal we worked out, perhaps we could discuss another further after dinner?" Her Ladyship asked with a knowing glance at Her Highness. I nodded while I was affixed with a glare from Her Highness.
"I'm always open to conducting business with those that wish to further the interests of the kingdom." I replied neutrally.
"A deal with the royal family would be of much better benefit than a mere Viscountess." Her Highness replied, "perhaps we could work something out instead?"
I continued fending them off until dinner was finished and the party moved to the gardens. Now the real cream of the festival was to be conducted, well for the nobility at least. The best wine of the last year was brought out to be consumed, i'd heard the peasants used whatever alcohol was available.
My sister appeared suddenly at my side, handing me a glass. This act earned her glares from Lady Jackowitz and Her Highness Veria who apparently had the same idea.
"I think your advertising worked." She whispered as she pinched my shoulder. "I've had people asking me about it all night. I'll make a killing!"
I chuckled as I drained the glass. "Then I won't have to fund your stay here much longer I hope?"
"If this keeps going on I might be the one funding you." Rebecca teased. "Thanks, I'll make it up to you."
"You don't have to. I got a couple good suits for nothing, that's all I could ask." I replied with a gesture at the rest of the nobles wearing their odd dress and attire for this formal evening.
"About one in six noble ladies apparently liked your designs enough to purchase and wear them to this event." I noted. "I wish I could have that kind of success so quickly…"
"Well I see another group of ladies eyeing me for an opportunity, I'd best wring some gold out of their pockets." She winked towards Jackowitz and Veria.
"Let them have a memorable evening, will you David?" With that odd remark she disappeared into the crowd. Damn women playing their games. You could have at least told me what they wanted Rebecca!
I sighed as I walked over to the two ladies that were trying to quietly aurge which of them should approach me first. Having dropped off my empty glass with a servant I took the extras from their hands, quickly draining those glasses as well. I passed them along and hook my arms over their shoulders.
"Come on, I had a surprise prepared." I gently lead them to the terrace overlooking the distant city and the winding river below. I let go of them and spun about so I could lean against the terrace railing and see the two of them.
"What is the surprise lord Fulton?" Lady Jackowitz asked.
I glanced at my watch. "Any moment now."
A bright red light suddenly lit up their features and I smiled at the surprise written so clearly on their faces. A moment later the loud crackle of the firework exploding reached us. More flew into the sky, casting green, yellow, and orange lights across the plains below the castle. They slowly stepped up to the railing. "It's actually both of your birthdays today."
They looked at me, shocked I knew that. I shrugged and smiled lazily as I turned to watch the show as well. "Happy birthday Your Highness, My Lady."
As we watched a new salvo of fireworks rose into the sky blasting apart into elaborate art scenes, but most importantly was the two with the heraldry of their houses, since underneath were their names.
The two of them were leaning against me. I found it a bit enjoyable that they weren't arguing anymore. I also pointedly ignored the shrill screaming of the wizard in the back of my head.
"I don't think anyone has done something like this for me before." Lady Jackowitz spoke softly. She glanced up at me. "Are you trying to court me?" She teased.
"I'm showing my appreciation to two of the most helpful people here." I replied. "But I did want to see you genuinely smile."
They both chuckled a bit as we silently watched the fireworks while the rest of the party watched in murmurs of awe. I supposed the alcohol was finally getting to me but I could swear they were both resting their heads on my shoulders.
After a bit I heard Jackowitz chuckle quietly to herself before glancing up at me. "Call me Rena."
"Sure." I wasn't sure where this had come from but making a few friends among the nobility wasn't a bad thing. Perhaps this was the beginning of a long friendship, who knows.
With the festivities winding down I made to return to my room, it had been a rather long day. "Lord Fulton, her majesty wishes to speak with you."
I resisted the urge to curse and slander her very name and instead followed the servant to the Queen's study. A few candles lit the desk as she glanced up at me with a reproving look.
"Lord Fulton, I'll ask what you meant by that display for I do presume it was you." She leaned forward with a hostile air about her.
"Furthering my political aims." I replied dryly.
"Oh? Is that why you displayed the crest of house Jackowitz so soon after my own?" She asked.
"In a way it tells a story…" I murmured softly. "That they are on your side…" I continued. "Regardless, they're going to have to work hard to maintain their reputation within their faction."
"Oh, so you are attempting to dismantle the noble faction? I'm afraid it won't be that easy." She chuckled.
"I have grander plans than merely dismantling the noble faction." I chuckled. "But that's for another day."