It was shortly after sun set when Dowayne Aliksandria’s carriage arrived at the Shahrizai town house. The hostler took charge of her carriage, horses, and driver while a servant with downcast eyes led her in to the dining room.
Dinner was amazing, as always. Each course more delicious than the last. And the company – well how does one describe dinner with a dear friend? Aliks had known Count Niklos Shahrizai for many years. They met when she was still making her marque. She had been cast as the Winter Queen in the Longest Night Masque the same year he was selected to be the Sun Prince. Later, he contracted her as a patron and their friendship had never faded.
“My lord, please send my compliments to your chef.” She said, dabbing her lips with the silk napkin.
“And your usual marriage proposal?’ he asked with a smirk, gesturing a servant to deliver the message.
“Not this time, my lord.”
“Oh?’ he said, his eyebrows raising a bit, “Was the dinner not as good as usual?’
“Oh no, if anything she appears to have out done herself yet again, but there is something I wish to discuss with you that may affect my ability to wed.”
“I am intrigued.”
“My lord,” she began, “you and I have known each other a great many years and I would like to think that, as such, we have developed a certain familiarity with each other, In that vein, I would ask if I may speak frankly with you this evening?”
“Aliks, please, say what it is you wish to say, you know we don’t suffer on pretense betwixt us.”
She smiled, looked down, took a deep breath then began, “I have been, for some time, engaging in a clandestine affair with Waldemar nó Mandrake.”
Count Niklos nearly choked on the wine he was drinking as the laughter took hold of him, “That is the least clandestine of affairs my lady.”
“Well, that may be true, but I have to at least pretend it’s a secret. After all, what would it look like for the Dowayne of Cereus House to be going to Mandrake to be tied up and whipped?” she said indignantly.
“I trust that’s not all you do there,” he said with a smirk.
“Well, as it happens, Waldemar has asked me to light a candle to Eisheth.”
“Hence no marriage proposal,” he noted.
“Exactly.”
“Congratulations.”
“I haven’t said yes,” she replied.
“Is it your intention to say no?” he asked.
“I’m not sure, I wanted to hear your thoughts on the matter.”
“I think it matters not what I have to say, but what you want, my dear. But since you asked, I think you will make an amazing mother. Elua knows you’ve raised enough adepts in Cereus House. But in all the time we’ve known each other, I’ve never heard you express any interest in children of your own.”
“Both of those things are true and I worry about if and how my life would change once I had a child. I have worked very hard to get where I am. I do not wish to give it up.”
“A lady can do both,” he pointed out.
“But can this lady?”
“This lady stood up to the City Judiciary. I don’t know if there is aught this lady cannot do.”