Distracted Discussion [4/6 Emma/Fiona, C ]

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

"I suppose I do admire her, in a way," Fi had to concede that point to her niece. Oh, she was most certainly not looking forward to facing Spencer's ire, but she would own up to her mistakes. Spencer was a dear friend of hers, thus she owed him that much at the very least. She owed it to the friendship she valued so deeply. Emmaline's next question had her think quietly for several minutes.

"Oh, I know her ambitions are quite high, her father said as much. I was trying to determine if she was worthy of the end goal of those ambitions." Fiona gazed at Emma for several moments, "What I share with you must not go beyond this carriage." With that warning in place, she went on with a single word, "Riordan."

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Emma blinked at the sudden and abrupt change of atmosphere in the carriage but leaned forward to receive her aunt's confidences. Rewarded with only a single word, she sat back and frowned, thinking it over before she lifted astonished eyes to her aunt. "That is a high ambition. It... it's not done and hasn't been since the start of the Kingdom. What makes them," because she had no question in her mind that the crafty Duke of Indigane was behind that ambition, "think that they have the ability... no, the right to change that?"

Pausing for breath, Emma made herself stop and ask curiously, "What do you think of it?"

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

At that, Fiona spread her hands and shrugged. "That's what I was attempting to find out in talking with the young woman, but I unfortunately handled it rather poorly. I understand that tradition has its place in the world, but I also know that change must also have its equal share. How else is the world going to progress, otherwise?" The Iron Princess frowned in thought.

"The kingdom has been stable for a few centuries now. Though the St. Claires are powerful in their own right, I doubt they would plunge the kingdom into civil war over the right to have one of their daughters on the throne. Besides, you have to consider Riordan, too. He is working so very hard to be as different from his father as possible. Is there a St. Claire that can handle him? Is there a St. Claire that wants to handle him?"

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Emma was intrigued that her aunt was so willing to share her thoughts like this, openly and without the hesitation she normally displayed. Feeling the weight of the honor, she straightened a little and paid close attention to the words, thinking them over before she offered a reply. If Fiona was going to speak to her as one worthy of confidence, then here was her chance to prove she too had matured - not just temporally, but politically. "An equally fair question may be, does he want to handle a St. Claire? How much do we really know of Julia St. Claire or her sisters?"

She paused, forming the sentence carefully before putting it between them. "You are right in that there is a time and place for tradition, but is a tradition worth following if the consequences are grave? I would rather not see a civil war in my brother's marriage bed or on his throne. Certainly I must marry for the good of the realm, that is the duty of a princess. But Riordan must consider the good of the throne and people, not just the realm when selecting a bride. Yes?"

Emma hoped she'd said that in a way that was not a very young girl's perspective, but more the savvy young woman she struggled to be.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

When Emmaline started to speak, Fiona turned her attention fully on the young woman, clearly curious to see just where her mind would go. Emma was going to be in the court of another country sooner rather than later and Fiona truly wanted to know if she were prepared to handle it. The term sink or swim was apt here, even if it was just a little cruel to apply. Unfortunately, however, Court could often be a very unforgiving place. "That is a discussion we'll have to have with Riordan. Or rather, perhaps you could?" She didn't know if the rift had yet been mended between the two.

"You are correct," she smiled slowly, "And I do not know if this Julia St. Claire is going to be the best choice to put on the throne. I would much rather Riordan have a partner than a trophy, or worse, an enemy like you said. That is why I am seriously considering broadening the list of potential candidates for the seat. However, if such a measure going to be successful, it's going to require considerable support."

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Thinking on the best means to approach her brother on the subject of his marriage and the numerous implications involved in it, Emma answered, "It might be better to let me speak with him about it. It will be a good means of testing the waters, if he is still angry with me for speaking so sharply to him." She hadn't enjoyed it, but the slap and harsh words had been necessary to divert Riordan from the path of dissolution he was hell-bent on walking to spite their father.

She sighed again with the mention of Julia St. Claire. The woman was beautiful and intelligent, no question. Her pedigree was impeccable. There was still something about her, though, that left the young princess ill at ease with the prospect of calling her sister. "Whom would you expand the list to? Obviously we couldn't appeal to Lord St. Claire, but some of the other dukes and their vassals might have an interest in a change of tradition."

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona had been wondering just what transpired between the two siblings, but she had wisely kept her nose out of it. This was a conflict the two of them had to work out, and Fi had it on good authority that Riordan would not much appreciate more meddling on her part. "Let me know how that goes, please. I ... would like to improve the relationship between us, both as my nephew and my future liege." The latter portion was a little mercenary, but that was the nature of royal life.

"Aside from the Duke of Indigane, I know the Duke of Fairfield has been trying to change things around with the King's Council." Her voice then turned remarkably dry, "I wouldn't be surprised of Lord Rupert was interested." That man was the worst kind of snake, in her opinion.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

She smiled gently, nodding her agreement to Fiona's request. "I'll wait a few days and then ask him to join me for a walk in the gardens. It seems a good, neutral place to have a talk, and he won't be so likely to yell at me." Emma didn't enjoy being yelled at, even if it was occasionally justified. "I think we'd all like to see some peace restored between us. I believe Riordan may want it too, but I'm not afraid to make the first gesture."

Distracted by the mention of the Dukes and Lord Rupert, Emma's nose wrinkled daintily. "Lord Rupert can never obtain enough information. The man is not to be trusted, no matter how well informed he is, as far as I'm concerned. I understand that he looks on you favorably, though?" Emma was intrigued to know Fiona's real opinion of the Master of Intelligence.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

"Very good," Fiona said with an obvious tone of approval and gave a kind smile. "And even if he does yell at you, let me know and I will do my best to straighten him out. He can ill afford to have poor relations with us, but... I can imagine that he would want to do so, anyway. We're all we have left," the thought saddened her briefly.

Seeing Emma wrinkle her nose seem to amuse Fiona, and she sighed thoughtfully. "I do and I don't. I am rather fond of his daughter, but he is another matter altogether. Yes, one can call him an opportunist, but I imagine that there is something... more to him than just that. I don't want to necessarily say evil, but..."

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

"Yelling is our father's preference, Aunt. Riordan is more likely to curse and storm around." A smile twitched at her lips, thinking of it. Thankfully, he was cut from a different cloth than Sedrick, but her brother had his own demons that haunted him. "But we will see what comes. It will be difficult, I know that much." It wouldn't be easy, at least not first, but she knew the time had come... and perhaps this time, she could use a more gentle means of influence.

"His daughter?" She blinked in confusion at Fiona. Rupert de Vere had a daughter?

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

"It will be difficult, but you are strong and you will work through it. I have faith," she smiled gently and leaned back to consider the implications of it all. Even if Sedrick had gone about it in a frankly poor manner, she couldn't deny the benefit of an alliance with Sarkozsy. It may just work in Riordan's favor... or her own. Dismissing the thought from her mind for now, she blinked at Emma.

Suddenly, she laughed at herself, "My apologies. I meant his niece and ward. He has his own children, but ... it is clear that Marisa is the most valuable person in his life."

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

"Oh!" Feeling foolish for failing to realize whom her aunt spoke of, Emma laughed weakly. "Yes, that much is very plain. Is she much like him? I know she is one of your protégées, after all. I have little acquaintance with her." The young lady in question made Emma feel inadequate, ill at ease and gauche beside Marisa's obvious sophistication, yet she'd never treated her with anything less than correct courtesy.

"Perhaps we ought to incorporate some of the young ladies of the court in the planning, Aunt. It is time I took stock of those who might vie for Riordan's hand, what do you think? A tea could be in order."

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

There was no doubt that Marisa de Vere was a special sort of lady, but Fiona did not want Emma comparing herself to her. They were two completely different women. "She is just as clever and observant as he is, that is for certain. She is definitely a creature of the court, and I believe she is going to use this session to make her mark. What will that mark be? Even I am not certain just yet. I will have to wait and watch closely."

At the second idea, Fiona couldn't help but smile with approval, "A very fine idea, Emma. I know I can trust your eye and judgment in this matter. You have a way of cutting through the thick of things, but you do so with a fine touch."