Spring now winds down into summer and the months continue to pass. Rumors being what they are, tales of the Longest Night and the following morning have yet to truly die. I must admit, I am not quite certain that I want them to die. Times are changing, and upheaval can always be used to the advantage of the clever strategist.
The Somervilles have been a problem since Phedre’s time, and this debacle might be the final straw that tears down the Somervilles. I have been advised that our family’s interactions with the disgraced family are to be curtailed, if not eliminated outright.
I was, of course, summoned home to give my account to the Duc de Morhban and it seems a number of elder family members are not fully pleased with Odilia nó Dahlia’s closeness with the newly crowned King. I have managed to convince them that pressing the issue would likely cause ripples none of the family would want to deal with. I mentioned our own family history, reminding them of the many issues caused by Imriel de la Courcel’s separation from his future bride. While there will surely be grumblings within Kusheth about a member of the Night Court so close to the Throne, none will be voiced in public.
I have returned to the city after this conference, a renewed purpose in his mind. I do believe that Odilia nó Dahlia will be very good for Gustav, and the young princess Livette will need trustworthy friends, and who can teach her more of the nuanced observations that she will have to learn to survive here. There have been promises from cousins to join me in the City over the summer, and I have, in return, promised the family that at least some of the female cousins will be introduced to the princess as people she can trust. Perhaps, in the future, if an appropriate cousin can be found, there may be another union between the Swan and the Keys.