Notes: 1) If you see this anywhere but Literotica, it isn't supposed to be there!
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Lislora tried to keep a pleasant expression on her face but it was difficult not to grit her teeth. Draeseth pressed her hand to his thigh under the table.
"Isonei has been kinder to me than I have deserved at times, your Majesty. The wording wasn't intended as a slight to her. She suggested it. We spoke of the-"
He waved his hand with annoyance.
"She suggested a proper marriage if one of these Arrangements is dissolved?" Kamrus Olauth sounded dubious.
Before she could answer, Draeseth did, "Yes. It was also her suggestion that Arrangements only be allowed to those marrying Arans to preserve Torgan traditions but that is something only my father could decide."
"Was she not the one who insisted on this imitation of marriage in the first place? She brought this perversion into Torga. Now she suggests proper marriage?" The sour look on the gaunt man's face made her feel unsettled.
"She was made to promise not to marry in the year between their festivals. She tried to think of a way around it because she loves me. That was why she first suggested the Arrangement."
"Why was it you had to press her into it?" King Orgath asked with a slightly snide tone. "If she was trying to find a way to offer you something like marriage? And why won't she give you another?"
It was Lislora's turn to press his hand reassuringly as his face darkened with embarrassment and his jaw clenched.
Kamrus Rimathe spoke up almost cheerfully, "Duchess Isonei is baffled that you would ask it of her at this time, your Majesty. A woman in mourning wouldn't marry, it would be pushed back. I was told that this Arrangement should have been postponed but she didn't feel it would be fair to his Highness and Duchess Lislora.
"Aran ways are peculiar and they should be shown better more wholesome ways to live but if the silver Duchess is any indication they are well worth the effort."
"She sees the value in Torgan ways. I credit young Hodrim for that." Gillaugrim spoke up with a faint smile.
"She has only praise for Halloc Aurim and the priests she's met as well." Rimathe looked deeply amused, "Duchess Isonei-"
"The rest of us should have been permitted to speak to the woman." Kamrus Olauth laid his fork next to his nearly untouched plate. "I suspect the woman of deception and of choosing who she speaks to carefully. All of the Kamruses should have been permitted to judge her character for themselves."
"Do you find her deceptive, Duchess Lislora?" King Orgath eyed her with a sharp smile. "You had some difficulty with the woman as I recall?"
She glanced up at Draeseth and saw the grim look on his face. He'd been willing to degrade himself and the Aran woman to regain his father's good graces but... She found she couldn't do the same. Isonei's kind, earnest words came to mind and she inclined her head.
"The difficulty was all on my part. I can be thoughtless and I've been sour in my condition. My husband's silver Duchess is unfailingly kind and I've never known her to lie." The memory of Isonei's odd behavior concerning the carcanet sprang to mind but she pushed it from her mind.
"She's incapable of it." Draeseth smiled faintly before adding, "But she'll hold her tongue on some matters."
"She has an expressive face," Adareth spoke up quickly. "Even in her grief, I could see she was truly pleased to see me looking well."
Burgath sipped his wine, "I'm not surprised. She worried over you as if she were our sister."
"She's a gentle and generous woman," her Majesty offered warmly, "without compromising her pride, and a welcome addition to my retinue. I would have expected you to bring home a woman of her quality, Burgath."
"I may still, Mother, most of her sisters are also in impressive Houses and all are reputed to be exquisite beauties according to her brother. Her sisters in House Iarmaris are Princess Daeira's cousins. Rogath might also look for a wife among them."
The eldest Prince inclined his head and smiled, "I may look. I was impressed by the way they view the adoption of children. An Aran woman would see no difference between my girls and the children she would give me."
"The father's House is most important to them." Draeseth relaxed next to her. "And they enjoy large families. It matters little who bore the child."
"A child is a joy." Burgath lifted his cup and his voice and many followed suit toasting the sentiment.
"What a pity she felt unable to join us." His Majesty leaned back in his seat and glanced toward a waiting servant. "I'm certain that as much as the generous little Duchess adores her family she wouldn't mind sharing more of her father's wine with us and our esteemed guests. Have it brought out."
"How much did he send?" Kamrus Gillaugrim looked as if he wished to argue but Draeseth lifted his hand and summoned a servant.
"Be certain a glass is sent to Duchess Isonei. She shares gladly but I would have her enjoy some of the wine."
The nervous man looked to the King and then quietly murmured, "Your Highness, it has already been poured. There was not enough. His Majesty ordered a glass sent to the Aran Lord instead."
"Send her mine." Lislora hissed to them both. "I don't need a glass of it."
"What is all of this whispering?" King Orgath sounded almost cheerful.
"My Torgan Duchess has ordered her glass of wine sent to Isonei. It seems when the wine was poured there was not enough to send my silver Duchess a glass." Draeseth spoke grimly.
The other Princes looked surprised but pleased and Burgath inclined his head slightly in approval.
"Nonsense. The little Duchess is in mourning and Burgath said she was so exhausted she's probably already asleep. You'll enjoy your glass, Duchess Lislora, and be able to tell her how pleasant it was in the morning." The sharp look his Majesty was giving her paired with his viciously cheerful smile was unnerving and all she could do was incline her head. "Good. I expect everyone to enjoy their glass."
Draeseth had returned to his sword straight posture and looked as though he could sour milk with a glance. Lislora tentatively placed her hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze.
"She will be pleased that we made the attempt." He put his hand over hers. "And I will find more of her father's wine for her."
Trays filled with the glasses were brought around with the desserts and most took theirs eagerly. She noticed, however, that Kamrus Rimathe refused his until Kamrus Gillaugrim spoke to him in a voice so quiet she could hear none of his words. After that, he took the glass grudgingly.
"It's sweeter than I usually prefer but pleasant." The King sipped his glass and eyed his sons who were dutifully sipping it as well.
Lislora took a sip as well and had to press the back of her hand to her mouth. The wine was sweet and had such a pronounced floral taste it was almost perfumed.
"It isn't to your taste, Duchess Lislora?" His Majesty's delight was clear in his tone.
"Rich wine doesn't always agree with women in her condition." Kamrus Gillaugrim offered carefully, "Duchess Isonei struggled with everything before her loss, I doubt any fault lies with the wine."
"It's undrinkable." Kamrus Olauth set his glass down with a look of distaste. "What grapes does the man use?"
"None. This wine is made solely of honey." Rimathe sipped his with a faint smile. "She pours smaller glasses and sips it slowly. I was told it pairs best with light hearts and good conversation."
"It shouldn't be called wine if no grapes are involved." Olauth eyed the glass as if it had offended him and it struck Lislora as amusing despite the roiling of her stomach.
"Let the woman leave the table," her Majesty spoke firmly but in a voice that barely carried down to them.
King Orgath waved his hand dismissively and Draeseth rose to help her stand, escorting her to the doorway where a baffled servant stood. "She's feeling ill."
In a rush, the man took her into the kitchen where she was no longer able to hold it in, grabbing for the closest basin like thing at hand, a tureen that had the remnants of soup still in it. It was a small miracle that she only got some of the vomit on the sleeve of her gown. Gharol was called for and her face was wiped with cold water, her mouth rinsed, and her sleeve cleaned as best as the woman could.
As she made her way back out Krouth was standing in front of the King bowing deeply, "Her Grace was feeling poorly and I believe Ximesra put the gifts in her bedchamber to make her-"
"Why were they not fetched from the chamber?" King Orgath scowled and leaned forward slightly.
"Her Grace is asleep." An expression Lislora couldn't place passed quickly across the man's face. "The men that were sent struck Ximesra on discovering she'd been drinking her Grace's wine. I did not want the Duchess to wake to such news. She was grieving when she was left in her chamber."
"No one is to strike my servants but me," Draeseth spoke in a low tone, his scowl rivaling his father's. "Nor do men enter my wife's chamber while she's in a state of undress."
"The Duchess sent for her father's wine?" King Orgath eyed the slim servant as if he were going to catch him in a lie.
"No, your Majesty. A glass was sent to Yornaith and he asked Ximesra to take it to her Grace. The Duchess had requested solitude for her meal and bath and for Ximesra to attend him. I observed them for propriety's sake."
"Ximesra drank the wine intended for my wife?" Draeseth's hand curled into a fist.
"Her Grace was asleep and allows her such freedoms." Krouth bowed again.
The King began to smile viciously. "Have the men I sent summoned. If we can't enjoy the sight of Isonei's charming Aran gifts, perhaps we can have a small bout. To allow you to punish the men who struck your servant, of course."
