They talked and talked while the tea turned cold and the cookies disappeared from the table. They speculated about how the factions were divided and whether there would be any direct confrontations or back-stabbing, assuring each other that they would be alright after everything calmed down.
The talk about the crown's future ceased after they ran out of nobles to discuss, the last one being whether Lord Pontague, the old lord of Timisa in the south-east of the country was still alive or not.
"He's still alive, Iris. I'm on my way there with a present from my grandmother. She and the former lady of Timisa were good friends and she wouldn't like if her husband were forgotten on his own birthday."
Iris looked fondly at Elisabeth, not wanting to let her go just yet. "When is his birthday?"
"A week from now. My grandmother sent me in advance to make sure I'll be there in time, but I doubt lord Pontague even cares about such matters."
