Necessitas is the mother of frustration

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

Her parents are actually going through with this. Carolina has negotiated and argued for countless hours now, only to find out that they signed the treaty behind her back. Never mind that she will one day rule the country of Necessitas in her mother's place. She's being married off like chattel to a man who cares more about his profligate affairs with various lovers than about his own kingdom.

Some stories call him a demon. Carolina is already convinced he's a monster.

She won't weep. Not in front of the court. But when she sweeps into the privacy of her own room, angry tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "This is wrong," she whispers.

Comments

[toavoidcrashing]

Being out with the horses all day means Niner usually relies on the grapevine or an evening catch up to learn what's being going on in the castle during the day. And since in this case the business concerned is rather private, it doesn't make it to the grapevine. So when Niner strides inside and finds her Lady looking miserable that evening, she has no idea what caused it.

'Who needs stampeding?' Not that a lack of base knowledge will stop her jumping to conclusions.

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"My father," Carolina says. "My mother. The delegates from the kingdom I'm being wedded into. How do you feel about regicide?"

[toavoidcrashing]

Wedded. They knew there was a chance of that coming about, but they had all hoped to Avalon it wouldn't, or Carolina would at least get some say.

'I think I could be swayed into it,' she decides.

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

Carolina's laugh sounds more like a snort. "My parents or the future king?"

She shouldn't press Niner's loyalty, but she's feeling extra cynical today.

[toavoidcrashing]

There, a laugh. That's good. 'Whichever you point me at. Though I may take all of them out if that would be easier to deal with.'

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"Well, that would certainly kickstart my reign. Or not, since I have to marry if I ever want power."

Does she?

[toavoidcrashing]

'Wait, are you serious? So what is supposed to happen if they die and you're unmarried? Are you the Ruler But Not Really?'

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"I think they'd have to renegotiate," Carolina says. "It could be worse. Maybe they'd marry me into the Crimson Corps instead."

[toavoidcrashing]

'The only thing that would work between you and Crimsons is your hair color,' she says, sitting down on the bed. 'So who is it?'

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"And that can be changed." Carolina lets it revert to its usual sun-kissed brown in demonstration.

"Prince York, for that quiet neighboring kingdom that has been trying to make peace with Crimson and Azure kingdoms."

[toavoidcrashing]

Niner smiles and runs her fingers through it once. 'And now there's no way you could work with those red dicks.'

It takes her a moment. There are a fair few kingdoms and, unlike her Lady and other of similar standing, Niner is not rquired to remember or even know the rulers of each. 'Isn't he the one rumored to be a sex driven demon?'

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

Carolina leans into the touch, desperate for affection. The real kind, not the conditional love of her parents or the fake love of the coming prince.

"That's him," he says. "Do you know a good exorcist?"

[toavoidcrashing]

Well, who is she to refuse that silent request? Niner slips her fingers into Carolina's hair again with a smile.

'None powerful enough to deal with a demon,' she admits. 'Would it work if a bunch of them worked together, do you think?'

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"I think you had it right the first time," Carolina admits. "Just trample them and save the exorcists the trouble."

[toavoidcrashing]

'Would that kill a demon?' she wonders. 'I'm willing to give it a try at least.'

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"I'll keep you posted." She signs and leans against Niner's hand. "At least we have time to plan before they get here."

[toavoidcrashing]

She putspreads her fingers to support Carolina's head. 'At least they didn't push you at a man and say "hey, this is your future husband". How long have we got?'

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"They basically did," she says. "We have maybe a month before he gets here. You got any ideas?"

[toavoidcrashing]

'Hire assassins to kill him on the journey?' she suggests. 'Enchant him so he loves you and does everything you say? Act terribly so he calls the marriage off himself?'

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"Did you hear about the last assassin who tried to kill him? Better pass on that one," she says. "But an enchantment...that could be useful."

[toavoidcrashing]

'I heard that an assassin was taken in by his spell and is now a mindless sex slave, is that the one you mean?' She's fairly sure the Prince isn't actually a demon, but every rumor has a grain of truth. 'There's plenty out there, and we have no shortage of Brewers.'

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"I meant the one that was stopped by his covert bodyguard," Carolina says. Why do the stories never line up? "I may have to investigate the Brewers if the first encounter goes poorly."

[toavoidcrashing]

'Oh, yeah. I didn't hear as much about that one, it's a new rumor, but I know of it. Two assassins sent after him in the space of a month or two? I wouldn't say that's a good sign.' There had better not be any more while he's here that could put her Lady and home in danger.

'Good plan. Maybe have a few ideas so they can act more quickly if need be?'

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"You'd think my parents would listen to that one," she says. "Maybe these assassins would pay you for knocking him off for them?"

"Get them acting early? I'd be all right with that."

[toavoidcrashing]

'I'd take that money,' she decides after a moment's thoughtfulness. 'As long as you help hide my involvement.'

'Yeah. So think about what enchantments might be useful or necessary.'