Koyuki, the Necromancing Foxkin

CHAPTER 306: Royal Politics

While the conversation was going pretty well, there was still one point to consider: Christa herself.

"Your Highness, Christa is outside. Maybe we should invite her in?" I proposed.

"Certainly. Ignes, please fetch our newest maid." She replied, while taking a sip of her tea.

"Hatsumi, please accompany her." I said. "We have undead with the carriage, Hatsumi will ensure no misunderstandings happen."

I was nervous as we waited but Helena gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. There was also Kaito's unconcerned expression and I trusted his instincts.

"So, you have decided to become politically more active. Do any of you have marriage plans?" The princess asked suddenly.

"Skadi." Cassie blurted out.

"Skadi has plans?" The princess asked.

"No, I am going to marry Skadi." Cassie declared, while blushing a bit. Skadi was now blushing as well.

My eyes widened. I knew they were in a relationship but they had marriage plans already?

The princess seemed to ponder that. "Interesting. I can see how the merchant business from Skadi's family would profit from the title. And there is your alchemy, you might even provide some products for them to sell. House Ashburn could gain a considerable financial boost from your union in the long run. Your only problem would be succession."

"Um, I just love her." Skadi stated.

That caught the princess off guard. "Oh." After an awkward pause she laughed. "I suppose that is also a reason for marriage. What about you, Koyuki?"

"I am with Helena." I declared.

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"Really? You are an odd group." Princess Olivia replied.

I was saved from the conversation by the maids returning.

"Your Highness." Christa curtsied.

"Ah, my new maid!" Princess Oliva said, with a smile.

Christa's eyes widened and she glanced at me but did not respond.

"Christa, Princess Olivia has agreed to free you and hire you as a maid. Would you be ok with that?" I asked.

Christa looked shocked but quickly recovered: "It would be an honour."

"Splendid. Finding good and loyal servants can be a challenge." The princess said. "Now let's move on to other topics: Might I have a look at Hatsumi?"

"Sure." I replied and motioned for Hatsumi to approach.

The princess studied the runes on Hatsumi's arms with fascination. "It is quite fascinating to see the first vampire spellblade in person. I might not be a necromancer, but it is a significant breakthrough in our magical knowledge. It seems my confidence in you was not misplaced, Koyuki. You will be one of our greatest assets."

She stopped studying the runes and Hatsumi took a step back again. Princess Oliva looked at our group. "Since you are becoming more important I need to tell you about the current state of our internal politics. The Coltons are our loyal supporters. Reynold Ashfield and Conrad Payton want more ducal powers and are pushing for more slavery. Cathleen Barkworth is mostly interested in trade. She wants to reduce the royal taxes but she is not aligned with the Ashfields or Paytons. Most of the dukes would like a part of her lucrative industry but she has not committed her daughter to anyone yet."

The princess looked at Helena. "Now you might be more familiar with the situation in the north. Brian Harold wants the county of Frost. Partly because it used to belong to his duchy long ago and partly because of its location. The Thorus trade mostly runs through the county. There is also the military strength of the Frost family he would like to acquire. What you might not know is that the duke has expressed his willingness to help the crown if he gets support to annex the county in turn."

"Bastard." Helena muttered.

"Francis Winston has started allying with the Ashfields, however I heard that Archibald is no longer engaged to Florence. A rather fortunate outcome." She said with a smile.

"Your Highness, my family has no intention of changing our liege lord." Helena said.

"I will keep that in mind." Princess Olivia replied.

"Your Highness, Koyuki has already helped the Barkworths." Kaito said. "I believe we could win them over, especially with the tensions at the border. Maybe Koyuki could be deployed in their territory, if needed."

Princess Olivia nodded. "Koyuki is not quite powerful enough to be a war-winning asset, yet. But I understand where you are going with this. Cathleen does not have the strongest personal army. Interestingly, she does not have that much influence in the royal army either. If war broke out I would not be surprised if our legions accidently created an opening, only for the Ashfields to recapture the lost territory afterwards."

While I listened to the conversation I was internally panicking. What had I gotten myself into? Why was the princess involving us in politics? I was a second year student, not someone who influenced dukes! I looked at Christa's face. While she stood there, looking professional, I wondered what was going on inside her head? Hopefully I made the right decision. But she would be free and could quit her job if she wanted to do something else. Hopefully I could talk to her privately before we left.

"I am glad I found such a strong ally in you." Princess Olivia stated. "After we are finished here, there is a small gathering in the main ball room. It will allow you to impress some of the nobles, although none of the dukes are here. Make sure to remind them that our future archmage stands with the crown."

My ears drooped. Oh no, more politics!