H - 147: The Purely Practical Value of Love (Patreon)

The royal family’s private dining room adjacent to the Queen’s apartments was small, intimate, and not truly very private. Aside from its easy and constant access by the necessary servants, royal duties involved a great deal of hosting, and to dine with the royal family was both a privilege to be awarded, and a lever to be pulled.

Breakfast was relatively private, on this day, with only the four royals and one exceedingly odd new friend in attendance.

“Not bad, right?” Franz said, grinning at Pheneraxa.

The dragon had been drilled on Vale table manners and was managing, mostly, to adhere to her training. Being a dragon meant she could get away with quite a few lapses in etiquette, and Percy’s endorsement covered the rest. Even so, she was devouring fried potatoes, sausage, and buttered raisin bread with single-minded intensity.

Pheneraxa retained the presence of mind to swallow and even dab her lips with a napkin before speaking. “I feel like I should defend Zhiiji’s cooking out of sheer loyalty, but honestly I cannot find a single complaint with anything I have ever been served here.”

“High praise,” Henrietta said mildly.

“Especially since you clearly thought the hors d’oeuvres were the best part of the ball,” Percy added, smiling.

“Not the best part,” Pheneraxa protested. “They were a highlight! But you looked incredible in that gown, Percy. And I actually did enjoy talking with people. Especially the ones who thought I couldn’t tell they were being passive-aggressive.”

Percy, still smiling at the compliment, took another bite, but the rest of her family froze.

“Surprising that there were any who thought I wouldn’t pick up on it,” Pheneraxa continued blithely, “or that I couldn’t remember their names and faces and add them to the files the Phantom Legion are building from Storyteller data. I’m sure Kaln doesn’t care which Verdi nobles are idiots, but at least now he’ll have access to that information if he needs it.”

“Unfortunately,” said Franz, “it’s not usually the idiots you have to watch out for.”

“I know,” Pheneraxa said, frowning. “If anything I was hoping for more than the very few who tried it. It seems most of those present had the sense to take a dragon seriously. That makes it hard to pick out the real threats.”

“That lot in particular are adept at not being picked out when they plan to be threats,” Etienne agreed.

“This kind of thing is exactly why detailed intelligence files are necessary,” said the Queen, dabbing her lips with a napkin. “For that reason I am planning to sign and return the Dragonlord’s intelligence-sharing treaty as is, despite the…rather peremptory nature of its delivery. Information from that device of Emeralaphine’s is a treasure trove I can ill afford to pass by.”

“I read that,” said Franz. “Honestly, Mother, he clearly went out of his way to consider our needs and lay out a fair agreement, despite being in a position to make unilateral demands. Zelekhir is shaping up to be a good ally.”

“So he is,” Henrietta agreed. “Though it must be said that consideration and compassion are not the same thing. Destabilizing Boisverd would not serve his political or strategic interests. I remain unable not to take note when my actions are dictated from above my crown. If it must be thus, however, I would certainly rather it be by one who considers our kingdom’s position than otherwise.”

Pheneraxa had been gazing fixedly at the Queen through her last several sentences, and now finished chewing, her eyes narrowed.

“On the subject of gathering intelligence,” the dragon said, “why would you not brief your daughter about Shao gift culture before making her interact with diplomats?”

“Raxa!” Percy hissed furiously.

Franz raised his head sharply, eyes widening; both his mothers reacted with more composure. Etienne tilted her head thoughtfully, while Henrietta paused in lifting her teacup.

“Shao?” she asked.

“What happened obviously wasn’t Percy’s fault,” Pheneraxa insisted. “How’s she supposed to handle foreign diplomats if she wasn’t told about their customs? Of all the—”

“Pheneraxa!” Percy barked. “Be nice to my family!”

“Or what?” Pheneraxa retorted, her tail lashing hard enough to audibly impact the floor.

“Or we’ll tell the chef to stop feeding you,” Franz said lightly.

Pheneraxa snapped her head around to stare at him, aghast. “You wouldn’t!”

“Of course we wouldn’t,” Henrietta sighed. “Franz, do shut up.”

“There shouldn’t need to be an attached threat,” Percy said coldly. “I care about them. If you care about me, that should be enough.”

Pheneraxa froze, her mouth half open, and her expression morphed rapidly through shock, realization, and regret.

“Oh, the hairpin incident,” Etienne said mildly. “I remember that! Let’s see, you were… Fourteen, I believe? Don’t worry, nothing came of it. Royal or otherwise, no reasonable person expects perfect performance from the very young. We gave them a few extra presents and the whole business didn’t even impact trade discussions.”

“And, obviously, we did fully brief her and Franz about Shao customs and what formalities to expect,” Henrietta added.

Mouth still open, Pheneraxa turned back toward her, helplessly twitching both claws upon the tabletop as if unsure how to grasp this entire situation.

“You don’t get recused from royal duties for flubbing one introduction,” Percy said quietly, staring down at her plate. “The investment in training a member of the royal family is considerable. A princess has value. She isn’t swept under the rug except for a years-long pattern of incompetence.”

“Percy, you know that isn’t—”

“They tried,” Percy continued, interrupting her brother. “Royalty have to be able to quickly memorize such details and be able to produce them at need. I…I just… I could never concentrate. I was given actual training in this, Pheneraxa, and it’s like it would just…shut off, like someone turned a switch in my head, if it wasn’t a subject I was already interested in. Because of that training I’ve memorized most of the known sky, but when I was briefed on actually important things I needed to do I would listen, and try to absorb it, and it just…disappeared out of my head.”

“We really did try,” Franz added. “Mother brought in every expert tutor the crown’s influence could reach. Do you know, all those damned puffed-up bookworms had the audacity to tell us Percy was hopeless, or unintelligent? As if any thinking person could speak to her and not see how smart she is.”

“Very learned people unfortunately tend to become mentally inflexible,” said Henrietta. “Perhaps you understand the feeling, Pheneraxa.”

The dragon hunched her shoulders, looking miserable.

“I’m getting better,” Percy insisted. “Izayaroa knows a lot of mental techniques. I have regular exercises I do. I’m not… Still not adequate, not to the level I need to be to fulfill my duties, but I’m already improving more than I ever thought I would. Izayaroa says my variance makes it harder to learn certain mental skills, but there’s no reason I shouldn’t be able to, eventually, with enough effort. I just didn’t have access to the very specific techniques I needed before. Nobody in the Vales seems to know them.”

“It cannot be denied that we failed to provide everything Percy needed, to rise to her full potential,” Henrietta said quietly. “I promise you, it was never because we were not trying.”

Etienne reached across to gently squeeze her hand.

“I…knew that,” Pheneraxa said. “I should’ve remembered it. I’m sorry.”

“I’m very grateful that you’re so protective of our daughter, Pheneraxa,” said Etienne with a small smile. “As a parent, you never quite stop worrying, but knowing that an actual dragon is determined not to let any harm befall her is as great a reassurance as anyone can have.”

“How in the world did this come up?” Henrietta asked. “That was such a small incident, and it was years ago.”

“Oh,” Percy said sourly. “Jean-Pierre and his little coterie came swaggering up to me at the reception, basically the second Franz was out of sight.”

“Ohh, I see,” Franz said thoughtfully. “Well, that tears it. I’m going to start murdering them this time.”

“Franz!” Henrietta snapped.

“They did this in front of Pheneraxa?” Etienne demanded. “I knew those kids were stupid, but that is truly beyond the pale. I gather you drove them off?” she added directly to the dragon.

“Actually,” Pheneraxa said smugly, “it was Percy who drove them off. You should’ve seen it.”

“That’s my girl,” Etienne praised, beaming.

Henrietta heaved a sigh.

“Mother, Maman,” Percy said with a pensive frown, “do you know what’s…wrong with Colette d’Auviny? I’d never paid particular attention to her before, but as soon as I showed spine to Jean-Pierre it seemed like she wanted to see him humiliated, not me. And I could take that for sucking up, if not for the way she continued talking to me afterward. I think she might be another variant of some kind.”

“Percy, no,” Franz said gently, reaching over to take her hand. “She’s high. Lady Colette is at all times absolutely zapped off her pumpkin. That bitch hasn’t been sober a day since puberty.”

“Franz!” Henrietta thundered.

“Be careful, Percy,” Etienne warned. “That girl is by far the worst of the lot. The rest of them are just spoiled and useless—d’Auviny has actual criminal connections to go with the drug habit. She also brews some of her own potions, and sells to the lower nobility. Mark me, she is going to be dead or in prison before twenty-five, and it only hasn’t happened yet because her family is powerful enough to protect her and she hasn’t annoyed the wrong people. I don’t want you near whatever incident finally does her in.”

“I certainly do not socialize with her voluntarily,” Percy insisted. “After yesterday, I just…wondered.”

“It is good to wonder,” Henrietta said, nodding. “The more understanding one seeks, the more one has, and more is always better than less. And sometimes, Percy, a thorough understanding reveals only that someone is simply not worth the effort it took to understand them. Lady Colette and her entire social circle are of that type.”

“Yes, Mother,” Percy said.

Etienne wiped her mouth with a napkin, and pushed her chair back from the table. “And I fear the day will wait for us no longer. Pheneraxa, please feel no need to rush. The rest of us, however, had better be off to our various duties. Today’s events will require some additional setup from each of us.”

“Well, it…looks like I’m pretty well done, anyway,” said Pheneraxa, looking down at her completely clean plate with regret.

“Care to shadow me this morning, then?” Franz asked, also rising and offering her a hand. “It’s busy work, but I think you might be interested to see the organizational details involved in setting up the parade.”

“Oh…” Pheneraxa looked over at Percy. “Actually, I’d hoped—”

“Percy,” said the Queen, also rising, “I need to have a private word with you before we part to our respective duties. It should not take long.”

“Oh? I mean—of course, Mother.”

The royals and their guest stood, stepping away from the table and heaving off in three directions. Pheneraxa glanced longingly over her shoulder at Percy just before the dining room door closed behind her, barely slipping the tip of her tail through in time.

Henrietta led the way through the glassed doors onto the balcony just off the dining room. It opened onto a view of the Palace gardens, protected from sight of the city beyond by the surrounding battlements.

“I wanted to let you know,” said the Queen, “we have begun getting marriage offers.”

“Oh? Well, Franz is the heir apparent. After recent events, other parties likely expect him to ascend the throne soon.”

“Well, yes,” Henrietta said with a small smile, “that’s par for the course. I meant offers for your hand, however.”

Percy’s mouth fell open. She blinked three times in rapid succession.

“Naturally, we have been for years,” Henrietta continued. “A princess is a princess, regardless of circumstance. Until recently, these were form attempts by various parties of so little significance I could afford to ignore them. Which, fortunately for them, I did, while also taking note of just who had the abominable temerity, in case I should need to address them in the future. But no, this is different. There have been three serious and, it must be said, rather prestigious approaches from other kingdoms in the last month. Making an alliance by marriage with any of them would be exactly the kind of opportunity I would perforce seriously entertain, in more normal times.”

Percy had gone utterly pale and now clutched her skirts to keep her fingers from tapping nervously. “I… I see. If that is in the best interests of the kingdom—”

“These are not normal times,” Henrietta said gently, reaching out to take her hands. “And no, at the moment, I don’t believe it is. Currently such entanglements would complicate our situation without much improving it. Ours are not the sort of problems which can be resolved through more alliances. Dragonvale’s protection means Boisverd has little need to fear external attack; the several significant threats we face all come from within.”

“I see,” Percy repeated, sagging slightly with visible relief.

“At present, in fact, I am inclined to rebuff all such overtures on the grounds that pursuing such an alliance would interfere with a far more relevant and valuable prospect.”

Percy blinked twice more, tilting her head and frowning.

“Dragonvale is anything but a conventional kingdom,” Henrietta continued. “It lacks a royal family in the same sense that we and most Vale states have one. Realistically, however, it does have one. In point of fact, Dragonvale is such a pure autocracy—more so than any other state I know, as the Dragonlord has no aristocrats, bureaucrats, or any other such internal factions to appease—that the only detail of relevance in negotiating with them is the character of the Dragonlord himself. And Ar-Kaln Zelekhir appears to prize family above all.”

“I would say that’s accurate,” Percy agreed, nodding.

Henrietta nodded in turn, smiling once more. “And so, an alliance by marriage with Dragonvale would be of tremendous value to us. Far more than any other option.”

Percy stared at her for a moment, then went bright pink from cheeks to ears as she mentally caught up with the suggestion.

“At present,” Henrietta said seriously, “the core of our situation is our utter dependence upon Dragonvale. My objective—the course I feel I must pursue for the good of Boisverd—is to find ways to free us of that dependence and subordinate status. However, I cannot take any action that risks our relationship with Dragonvale. Uncomfortable as it is to acknowledge, we depend on them utterly for our continued survival. The linking of Boisverd’s royal family to his would make that relationship permanent, and sufficiently resilient that we would gain room to begin strengthening our own position and prying Zelekhir’s claws out of our internal affairs without antagonizing him.”

Percy’s face looked dangerously scarlet now. “M-mother—”

“This is still a new and developing situation,” Henrietta said gently, squeezing her hands, “and one whose complexities have only just begun to unfold. I am not prepared to say that this is the course Boisverd needs you to pursue, Percy; I do not yet believe that to be a certainty. What I am certain of, and wish to reassure you of, is that if you do decide to pursue this yourself, for personal reasons, it will in no way abrogate your responsibilities to your family and country. In the absolute worst case, I can find a way to benefit from that arrangement. In most of the cases that seem likelier, it will immensely benefit us with no need for any maneuvering on my part.”

Percy swallowed heavily. “I—I don’t know if… That is, I’m not quite sure that—I mean, I suspected that—but, um, you know I have trouble reading people—”

“Percy,” Henrietta said with a wry grin, “that dragon adores you. Absolutely smitten, I tell you. To the point that everyone has noticed; she is not very adept at concealing her thoughts. Be assured that after yesterday, the entire nobility has taken note of this and begun to build their various plans around it. These are all Valefolk—their assumption will be that the dragon is going to get what she wants, and it is not wise to stand in her way.”

“Ah…yes,” Percy agreed with a wince. “She does tend to blurt things out, doesn’t she? Not quite the way I do—I think Pheneraxa knows exactly what she’s doing and it doesn’t occur to her to care. Not out of any malice, just… Well, I’ve noticed dragons tend to be like that. It’s not hard to see why.”

“Indeed.”

“I’m sorry about what she said at breakfast, Mother. I know she didn’t mean any—”

“Pheneraxa is my favorite dragon, and it’s not particularly close,” Henrietta assured her. “If I must have one of those creatures hanging about my home, I vastly prefer the one who loves my daughter, is clever enough to solve the problems she inevitably causes, and is naive enough for me to pull her strings when necessary. If I never see her mother again it will be too soon, but we can’t always have what we want.”

Henrietta paused, her expression growing more thoughtful, and squeezed Percy’s hands again.

“You know, Percy, that I married your father as part of a treaty. It was all politics, and we were both very fortunate that we got along so well. It wounded me terribly when he passed. With your Maman it was just the opposite: no political situation made our marriage necessary, but there was also none that made it problematic. And…she was simply the one I wanted.”

Percy nodded, smiling through her lingering blush.

“And sentiment aside,” Henrietta continued seriously, “Etienne has been of incalculable material benefit to me. Those of our class mush prioritize maneuver and alliance above emotion, but you should never discount the purely practical value of love. To know, always, that there is someone unconditionally on your side, to have them as a source of comfort and peace amid the chaos of existence… Woman to woman, Percy, and speaking as one who has been there, sharing your life with the right person will encourage you to become the best possible version of yourself, as you do the same for them, in a virtuous cycle that makes you together something far greater than the sum of your combined potential alone. If the vicissitudes of life grant you the opportunity to have love, and still uphold your royal duties, it would be an immense shame to miss it.”

Still blushing, and still smiling now, Percy nodded. She opened her mouth, then frowned in frustration, finding her voice not cooperating.

Henrietta gave her fingers a last squeeze before letting them go. “You know the schedule for this morning, my dear. Why don’t you take a moment to enjoy the cool air and gather yourself? Don’t dawdle excessively, mind, but the world can spare you a moment.”

Percy nodded again, then suddenly rushed forward, throwing her arms around her mother in a hug. Henrietta hesitated only for a half second, and only from sheer surprise, before hugging her back.