Huge thanks to Todger65 for help in editing and Nthusiastic for beta reading and making good suggestions!
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Dressed and with her hair braided and covered, Isonei came out of the bedroom on Draeseth's arm. The Hallocs and all four midwives were seated comfortably and sipping from wine glasses, enjoying what sounded like a pleasant conversation.
Halloc Urroth rose with a smile as he noticed her, "I was told you were generous, Duchess, but to share Lord Vigrim's wine is a pleasure I did not expect."
"Such good wine is meant to be shared." She beamed at him as he offered her his seat. "Thank you, Halloc Urroth."
"My wife's generous spirit is one of her many fine traits. I have never met a woman as forgiving and gentle."
"Halloc Aurim told me of the village she visited. The Duchess made a lasting impression. Some of the craftsmen have offered their services to the sisters at the convent. The boys have begun learning carpentry and building looms."
Isonei looked at Draeseth in surprise, "They'll need material to use on the looms!"
Before she could insist that he send some Halloc Urroth laughed and nodded, "The women of the village have sent skeins of rough spun threads and the older girls are making trips to the village to learn how to gather the fiber and spin it."
She placed her hand over her heart, "They were wonderfully warm people."
"Halloc Aurim also spoke of your bravery, the villagers and his own priests were afraid when Prince Draeseth arrived in a temper." He glanced at the Prince, "But you rushed out and put yourself between them to make peace and compelled his Highness to promise them a school as an apology."
"Did he keep his word and give it to them?" Isonei tilted her head slightly.
"He did, Duchess. Did he not tell you? Koinzost Ernelis was built immediately and they are taking children from surrounding villages. For payment, the children's parents are required to perform kindnesses for others. I have been told, widows have never eaten so well in the Kroscur." The Halloc beamed, "Sellac Gesosin sent a letter praising you as well. Much of this was your idea?"
"It was. But she thought it would be too difficult to put into practice. It was felt I didn't have a good grasp of the effort I was suggesting be undertaken." Isonei offered a delicate shrug. "She wasn't wrong. It seemed like the perfect way to give the children some of the skills she said they would need, but I've never done any of the work myself."
"All ladies weave..." He looked slightly baffled.
"That is not a skill my wife was taught. She can tend a hive, brew honey beer, and she said she can make silk flowers." Draeseth gave her a proud smile. "My Duchess was born to a life of leisure."
It was difficult not to laugh at the Halloc's stunned look. "I offered to learn to do something. I suggested I could help with the cows."
Draeseth broke into laughter and then coughed, struggling to compose himself.
"Lislora nearly laughed herself sick as well, my flower wine. It was obvious to her I'd never been near one."
"You would be insisting the herds be bathed and scrubbing yourself raw after a walk through the barn, my soap loving wife. Tending cattle is a job better suited to those who do not fear dirt." He began laughing again as she made a face at him.
One of the midwives asked a question and Mes began talking rapidly with a great deal of amusement in her tone. The Munian woman looked startled when Halloc Aurim barked a laugh. He gestured for her to continue, asking a question of his own.
The Torgan Prince came to stand next to her as he listened to the conversation. "Would you like some wine, my Isonei?"
"No, but I would like the juice I was drinking earlier. I think it's still in the bedroom. Have you had any of the wine? It was lovely when I shared some with her Imperial Highness." She smiled as Krouth brought her a cup almost before she finished speaking. "Thank you, Krouth."
"I have. I prefer wine from the Kroscur but it was pleasant." He took the glass Krouth brought him with a curt nod. "Krouth is meant to be my servant, but you imply you wish me to drink a glass of wine and he fetches it."
"Is it my wine or your wine?" She fluttered her lashes, "Knowing Master Krouth he fetched you the wine you enjoy."
"Your wine is my wine, woman." Draeseth took a sip and gave her a look of annoyed amusement. "Flower wine."
"You can't possibly pay him as much as he deserves."
He glanced at Krouth and made an amused sound in his throat. "I had never seen the man be pleasant until you came. He was always loyal and reliable; you make him beam with pride."
"He should be proud! You would be lost without him." Isonei sipped her drink as he gave her a black look. "You would! Can you find anything without him? I can't."
Draeseth's eyes began to glitter. "He does that deliberately, my Duchess."
One of the midwives stood up speaking sharply and he looked her way in surprise. His reply in Torgan was cool but when Halloc Aurim spoke with a scowl, Draeseth inclined his head and offered the woman a shallow bow.
Isonei reached out and touched his arm frowning faintly. "My-"
"He should not give you such looks, Duchess." Halloc Urroth spoke quietly. "A wife should be cherished. Your hesitation to marry him properly begins to make sense when I see such things."
"His expressions only look concerning if you don't know him. His eyes glitter when he's amused and he-"
"He should not give you such looks." The Halloc frowned at her.
"She has never feared my scowl, nor should she." Draeseth placed his hand over hers on his arm. "I have promised the Kamrus that I will better control my temper, she may tell me if my expressions upset her."
"When you're truly angry they do, when you're annoyed or just making a face to get a reaction from people I enjoy it. The way you can scowl with amusement glittering in your eyes is actually something I find charming." She gave him a genuine smile and watched his face soften.
"When you look at me that way, I know I have made the right choice, my Duchess."
Halloc Urroth made a soft sound of annoyance and Draeseth's face soured again. Isonei gave the man a peeved look.
"What were you able to keep down for lunch today, Duchess?" His frown deepened slightly. "You seem cheerful except when you tire or are hungry."
"I haven't had lunch, Halloc Urroth. I was woken just before the midwives arrived." She sipped her juice. "But I can drink today. That makes me a little more cheerful than I was. Yesterday was awful."
"You should eat something. The midwives were of the opinion that anything that appeals to you should be permitted." He glanced at Mes. "Have a meal arranged for your mistress."
"Honey and pickled onions sound good to me, maybe another shade pepper or two." Isonei inclined her head. "I kept down the two I ate earlier."
"Shade peppers?" The Halloc narrowed his eyes. Draeseth began speaking quietly in Torgan and the priest nodded and gave a command to Mes.
"He says I should give them to you sparingly, your Grace. He thinks peppers are unhealthy." Mes was attempting to school her face to neutrality as Krouth often did, but her anger showed through.
"Peppers are very common in Ara and Mun, Halloc Urroth. I ate them, freshly picked, with my father in the garden as a child. A little heat in your food doesn't harm you. These have been pickled and are milder because of it."
"Perhaps you would let us taste them and judge?" He spoke quickly to Halloc Aurim who nodded and gave Mes another command.
The Munian woman stiffened and looked at Isonei for permission. "You may fetch them, Mes. And cut up one in small pieces so our guests can taste it." Isonei looked at the Hallocs with some amusement. "His Majesty and his sons didn't find the taste pleasant, but none of them spat it out. I would offer you a whole one but they have a wonderful flavor and I would be very unhappy with you if you wasted one."
Draeseth made an amused sound in his throat as Halloc Urroth relayed her words to Halloc Aurim. "The only flavor I tasted was my tongue burning, my Duchess."
"Torgans have delicate palates where heat is concerned." She offered him a look of mock commiseration, "You were born in the cold and greyness of Torga, peppers taste like the heat of an Aran summer. You would melt under the sun." Holding her impish grin back became impossible as he made a sour face.
"They did not say I should refrain from putting you over my knees, woman."
"I'm almost certain you didn't ask them. I haven't seen you blushing." Isonei fluttered her lashes at him and his lips twitched as he tried to hold his sour expression.
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Isonei tried not to laugh as Halloc Urroth chugged down his sour milk. The midwives had listened when Draeseth had cautioned them and not attempted the peppers. Halloc Aurim, on the other hand, was eating the bites from the plate with relish. As she took a second pepper for herself to eat she pulled out another for him as well.
He shook his head and pointed to the onions as he said something in Torgan.
"He wants to try an onion, your Grace." Mes came forward eying the extra pepper in her hand and Isonei offered it to her with a warm smile.
"I want to try some of them too, but I'd like to have honey with them. Krouth should be back in a moment." She beamed as Mes took the pepper and slipped out of sight through the doorway to devour it.
"You should not let her eat your food." Draeseth scowled down at her.
"You tease me for being selfish with the foods I enjoy, Mes and I both miss the tastes of home. I'm glad to share with her. If you and Krouth were living in Ara, would you truly do anything differently?"
