Chương 50: I'm Sowing Discord

Baron Hart appeared confused and looked from Tori and Kasen, to his daughter and her friends. Alessa was standing stiff with a look of horror on her face. On either side of her, Dimitri and Gideon were at a loss. Tori could almost see the gears in their heads turning as she stood up straight and faced them.

"Your Highness, Mr. Guthry," Kasen said, without a hint of remorse in his voice.

"I didn't expect to see you here. Are you coming through on your way to Moss Hill?" Even Andy seemed to have a bit of a smirk on his lips as he crossed his arms over his chest. He loomed beside Tori, as if daring the two young men to say something.

"My lady, my lord." Baron Hart's voice reflected his confusion as he turned to Tori and Kasen.

"Perhaps you are mistaken. They are my daughter's friends from school." The corners of Tori's pink lips curled up.

"I am aware, Baron Hart. Mr. Guthry sits behind Lady Hart in the second row of our homeroom class. His Highness Prince Gideon sits across the aisle from her." She looked at Baron Hart with an amiable smile.

"I sit in the back row of the same class." The color fell from the baron's face as he fixed his eyes on Gideon. He immediately bowed.

"Your Highness! Forgive my rudeness! I was unaware that it was you!"

"No, Baron Hart, there is no need for an apology." Gideon quickly turned to try to calm their host, but tossed a glare at Tori.

"It was I who should apologize to you for deceiving you."

"Deceiving...?" Tori pretended to sound surprised. She put on a look of shock.

"Your Highness, were you not properly introduced?"

"Lady Hart," Kasen said in a firm voice as his cold, blue eyes fell on Alessa.

"As the hostess and the acquaintance of these two young gentlemen, it is up to you to properly introduce them. Baron Hart is unaware of what His Highness looks like, let alone the son of the Prime Minister." I really do have the best brothers, Tori thought to herself as she held back from beaming at Kasen for collaborating so smoothly with her without being asked. Alessa's mouth opened, but she didn't seem to know what to say.

"I...." Baron Hart coughed and looked up with a panicked expression.

"Son of the Prime Minister?"

"Mr. Guthry," Tori said, gracefully lifting an arm and motioning towards Dimitri. She looked over at him and gave him a sweet, innocent smile.

"Are you traveling with your parents? I haven't seen Madam Guthry and Prime Minister Guthry since the end of the Spring Festival. Will they be at my cousin's succession ceremony?" She watched as each sentence seemed to make the situation worse. First, she outed them. Second, she asked about their parents and implied her good relationship with Dimitri's. Third, she gave them a reminder that while Chetterswickshire was Alessa's home town, Tori was family to the region's marquis. They couldn't touch her.

Baron Hart's face reddened. He seemed to be trying to calm himself as he forced a smile on his face. He raised his hand and looked towards the pale-faced old man lingering by the hall.

"Patrick," Baron Hart said. There was a slight tremble in his voice.

"Can you bring our guests to the dining hall? I need to speak to my daughter for a moment." Tori was glad no one could read minds, as she was internally cackling like a crone hopped up on caffeine.

"Baron Hart, this isn't Alessa's fault," Dimitri said with a look of concern.

"It was His Highness and I-""Mr. Guthry," Kasen's voice cut him off and they looked towards him.

"This is a familial concern." Tori tried to hold back her smile as her brother essentially told Dimitri to mind his own damn business. The butler came forward after appearing to have to collect himself.

"Your Highness, my lords, and my lady," he said.

"Please follow me. Dinner will be served soon." Tori gave the old man a closed-lipped smile as Kasen sent one look of warning at both Dimitri and Gideon before leading her forward, after Andy. It was one thing to look at Dimitri in such a way, but to give such a look to Gideon? Did Kasen have no fear? She pursed her lips. Then again, he wasn't afraid of Piers. Still, sometimes, her brothers were too brazen.

"Admiral O'Tuagh, Lord Kasen, Lady Victoria, please sit here," the butler said as he motioned to the right side of a long table that had been prepared for them.

"Mr. Guthry, please have a seat here. Your Highness, I will move your place setting."

"There's no need," Gideon said, quickly holding out his hand and moving over to the place setting across from Tori, where he would've sat.

"I would prefer to sit here." The butler looked torn. Gideon was technically the highest ranked person in the building; he should've been at the head of the table.

"Mr. Mulligan," Kasen said as he took a seat to Tori's right. Andy sat on her left.

"Allow His Highness to sit where he pleases." Tori almost felt pity for the poor old butler who was just trying to do his job. Eventually, he bowed his head and stepped back.

"I will bring in the wine, my lords and lady." With no other servant in the house, the butler headed to the kitchen. The dining hall was silent and Tori had a slight, pleasant smile across her lips as she looked around. The light crystal chandelier was in good condition and none of the crystals were dim. There was a fire going in the hearth across the room. She liked the cozy, rustic atmosphere.

"Your Highness, does your family know you are here without escort?" Kasen asked in a calm voice.

"I have a dozen knights following me. Half of them are in the village and the remaining six are keeping a close eye on the manor. They're standing guard just outside the walls," Gideon said, as if defending his decision.

"So, that's who they were," Andy said as he leaned back against his chair. He looked over at Kasen.

"I told you there was no need to confront them."

"We can never be too careful," Kasen said. His eyes flickered to Dimitri.

"And you, Mr. Guthry. Does your family know?"

"Yes, Lord Kasen," Dimitri said, avoiding Kasen's eyes.

"They are two days ahead of me and I will meet them at Lady Siobhan's succession ceremony."

"Oh, so you are here for my sister's ceremony," Andy said.

"How interesting."

"Admiral O'Tuagh, we only wished to travel through without drawing attention to ourselves," Gideon said.

"Surely, you can understand that we didn't wish to trouble Baron Hart to host a prince and the Prime Minister's son when he can't afford it."

"I can understand, but deceiving him was uncalled for," Andy told them.

"Do you have any idea how humiliated he must feel right now?" Gideon sat up and looked towards Tori with resentment.

"He wouldn't feel humiliated if Lady Guevera hadn't revealed us!" Tori could feel the temperature in the room drop.

"So, you are saying that it is my sister's fault that your lie humiliated Baron Hart?" Kasen said in low, measured words. The two across from them tensed.

"What if I were the one to greet you first? Would I be in the wrong to have followed convention and greeted you?" Gideon's face flushed and he looked away. Tori raised a brow. She was sure that if her brother wasn't there, all the blame would be put on her and Gideon wouldn't shut up about it.

"We didn't know that you, and Mr. Guthry, were staying here under false identities," Andy said. He sneered and shook his head.

"This was a mistake. I never should've arranged to stay the night." He pushed his seat back and stood up.

"Tori, I'm sorry. Kasen, you were right. We should leave."

"Leave?" The butler stopped by the open door to the kitchen, the wooden cart he was pushing with two bottles of wine and two silver platters of carefully arranged appetizers creaked to a stop in front of him. He circled around his cart and rushed forward.

"My lord, is there a problem?"

"There's a problem?" Baron Hart appeared at the doorway from the hall with a look of concern.

"Admiral, is something the matter?" Behind him, Tori could see Alessa wiping at her red eyes. She almost wanted to scoff. Did you cry? Bitch, it hasn't even been five minutes!

"Alessa?" Dimitri immediately rose from his seat.

"Are you all right?" Gideon didn't say a word. He walked across the room to Alessa as she entered, forcing a smile on her face and pretending everything was all right.

"It's nothing," she said.

"I'm fine." It was clear she was anything but fine, and Tori rolled her eyes. There was no yelling that could be heard; if anything, Baron Hart likely asked her what was going on and scolded her for keeping the identities of the two boys a secret.

"Baron Hart, this is my fault," Gideon said, rushing to Alessa's defense.

"I was the one who wanted to come without the imperial entourage and purposely didn't announce my identity in order to keep a low profile. It was not my intention to burden you or Alessa."

"We didn't wish to trouble you, Baron Hart," Dimitri added.

"We thought it best to keep our identities quiet." Tori wished she had poured some wine so she could enjoy watching this to the fullest. Before Baron Hart tried to refute or reassure them, Andy spoke up.

"Baron Hart, there has been a change of plans," he said.

"My cousins and I need to leave at once."

"Is it an emergency? What's wrong? Is there any way I can be of assistance?" Baron Hart looked torn between speaking to the two teenage boys and the two men. Andy's face was cold and he shook his head once.

"There is no need for your assistance, Baron Hart. We will have our men prepare our things." Tori and Kasen stood up, as well. Baron Hart looked helpless.

"Then... then, Admiral, my lord, my lady, please at least eat before you leave." He waved his hands towards the table.

"My butler has prepared his specialty for tonight's dinner!"

"The knights might not have eaten yet," Tori said in a quiet voice. Kasen shook his head.

"They already ate, I've checked. Andrew will leave compensation for the food." Andy looked back at Baron Hart.

"If you'll excuse us, Baron Hart. We need to inform the knights. They will assist us." He gave the lesser nobleman a wry smile.

"Please enjoy your meal." As he stepped around Baron Hart to leave, Tori paused in front of him and gave him a small nod of her head.

"Baron Hart, it was a pleasure to meet you. I apologize for our hasty retreat. Rest assured that I will follow through with Stackhouse Bricks. Thank you for coming to meet us there today yourself."

"Daddy, you went to that woman's place again?" Alessa's voice went from distraught to disbelief. Tori looked towards her. Alessa's face remained red, but her eyes narrowed and her lips pulled into a frown.

"Daddy, she's not a good woman! She's trying to take advantage of you!"

"Alessa!" Baron Hart turned just as red. He looked at his guests apologetically before turning to his daughter. He tried to lower his voice.

"This can be discussed later-""You said you'd never remarry after Mumsy died!" Alessa said, choking back a cry. Tori's eyes widened. Oh my God, I'm sowing discord. And it doesn't even have anything to do with me. Suck it, game. I'm better at setting up sympathetic encounters than you.

"Tori." She felt her brother's hands on her shoulders, steering her away. Kasen looked towards Baron Hart with a frown.

"Baron Hart, I suggest you deal with your family before you have guests again." He took Tori's arm and pulled her out the room.

"Let's go." As they walked out of the dining hall, listening to Baron Hart trying to calm Alessa in vain, who was adamant that Madam Voss was a seductress out for his title, Tori looked back one last time. Gideon and Dimitri both looked at a loss as to what they should do. Their hosts were arguing in front of them, dinner had yet to be served, and the poor butler was looking at his tray of appetizers that were going to waste.

Tori pulled away from Kasen's arm when they were in the hall and waved it to get the butler's attention. Surprised and seemingly worried, he came towards her.

"My lady?"

"Mr. Mulligan, forgive my rudeness, but I'd love to taste your cooking. Is it possible to take some with us? I will have any containers returned once we get to the next town," Tori said as she gently took his arm and gave him a reassuring look, as if to tell him none of this was his fault. The old man's face softened and he nodded.

"I will bring it out to the carriage, my lady."

"Thank you, Mr. Mulligan. I'm sure it will be delicious." Moss Hill was a sprawling cliffside fortress overlooking King's Harbor. If the Fortress in Presidio was a crusader-era stronghold, then Moss Hill was a classic medieval English castle. Thick, massive gray stone walls rose up from the ground surrounding the hill and circled the lush green grounds as stout, but sturdy square keeps peeked over from the center. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

The well-maintained compacted dirt road wound through the fields and led to an impressive gatehouse with knights patrolling the walls around it. Beyond its western side was an impressive view of the continental empire's largest harbor and the Hesjan Ocean it led to. Tori was almost pressed against the window to try to get a good look at the castle. While Victoria was very much a Guevera and the south was her home, she had blood ties to Moss Hill and the O'Tuagh family that lived there.

They guarded the harbor below and maintained the majority of the empire's navy.

"This is where Grammie grew up?" Tori asked as they approached the castle.

"Yes," Andy said.

"Eili told me that her ship from Nazria arrived yesterday. She should be waiting for you." Former Marchioness Catherine Guevera, nee O'Tuagh, was Victoria's grandmother and Tori had treated her as such. While she had spoken to Grammie multiple times through her brother, parents, or Gramps' comcry, this would be the first time Tori would meet her. She was a bit nervous.

Grammie preferred to go by her professional title, Professor Guevera, as she was what Tori considered an archeologist who studied ancient building ruins in the subtropical deserts of Nazria. It was her passion and Tori respected that. Sure, Gramps wanted to be with her, especially now that they were 'retired' from their noble duties, but he would not hold her back from what she wanted to do. Gueveras loved their partners, he told her, but their love would not imprison them.

Tori's mother was a rarity in that she willingly accepted the position not of a spouse, but of a partner that held equal power. If something happened to her father, her mother would be in charge. Sebastian wouldn't inherit the title automatically in such a case. It was why their mother's title was 'Marquess' and not 'Marchioness'. Siobhan would also receive the title 'Marquess'; that version of the title was what female marquis were called in Soleil.

Her cousin's husband would be a spouse and his title would be 'Marchion'. He did not have equal power and if something happened to Siobhan, then their son would be next in line. Kasen had explained that this system pre-dated the empire, and even the old kingdom of Soleil, and was a specific holdover kept from the tribal warrior class modern Marquis families were descended from. The carriage wasn't stopped at the gatehouse, presumably because they were expected.

They and their entourage of knights entered a large courtyard that was already decorated in preparation for the succession ceremony. Garlands of flowers were draped across the yard, held up by wooden poles in large flower pots. There were banners featuring the names of previous marquis as well as the banners for Anlar and Soleil. When they came to a stop, Tori already had all her things gathered and she was ready to get out. A guard opened their door and Andy was the first to get out, followed by Kasen.

As Tori prepared to simply hop out, a small crowd had gathered and someone cried out for her. Tori snapped her head up as she landed and saw a short, plump woman with graying-reddish brown hair and blue eyes making her way towards her. Tori felt her eyes moisten and a familiar pressure on the bridge of her nose as the old woman rushed towards her. Her heart ached and she raised her arms.

"Grammie!" She was pulled into a warm, tight embrace with seemingly no end. Tori wrapped her arms around the old woman who was so vibrant in Victoria's memories, that affection came naturally. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Grammie smelled of sage and vanilla, and was warm and familiar.

"My sweetheart," Grammie said as she held Tori against her and seemed to gently rock her.

"I've missed you." She kissed the side of Tori's head and stroked her hair back. Grammie's eyes seemed to study her, as if checking for any discomfort.

"How are you feeling? Are you all right?" Tori smiled.

"I'm fine, Grammie. The accident didn't leave me with any permanent physical pain."

"Good, that's good...." her grandmother said as she took Victoria's hands and squeezed them. She looked at Tori apologetically.

"I'm sorry I didn't come back to see you last year." Tori's smile softened.

"Grammie, I told you that you didn't need to come home. I woke up and was disoriented and a bit amnesiac, but I was fine otherwise. By the time you would've gotten back, I'd have been getting ready to leave for Lycée." Grammie still looked upset and didn't let go of her hands, even when Tori's father, Marquis Gregorio Guevera, spoke up.

"Mother, I, too, would like to greet my daughter."

"You saw her a few months ago! I haven't seen her in over a year!" Grammie snapped as she pulled Tori back against her. She shot her son a glare.

"I have only one granddaughter!"

"Mother-""Well, then, Great Aunt, at least let us greet her," a woman's amused voice said. Tori turned her head and saw several new faces. She didn't immediately recognize them, but she knew they were related. There was an older man with gray and chestnut hair and blue eyes who resembled Andy, then three women, all tall with brownish-red hair. Two were broad and looked muscular and one of them had an undercut with the top half of long, curly hair pulled into a ponytail.

The leanest of the three had a braid and the last one had a short bob of curly hair. All the women had hazel eyes, wore pants and tunics with lace detailing, and were looking at her with amusement.

"First, let us greet our youngest," her mother, Antonia, said as she seemed to appear beside Tori and give her an embrace.

"How was your trip?"

"Very scenic. I was able to do a lot of landscape watercolors," Tori said as she hugged her mother.

"Have you and Papa been here long?"

"Just a few days," Antonia said. She released Tori and Tori was immediately swept up by her father.

"My baby girl! You must be so tired!" Gregorio gushed as he lifted Tori off her feet. Tori giggled.

"It was long, but it wasn't bad." Still trapped in her father's embrace, Tori peered over his shoulder to who she believed were Andy's older sisters.

"Cousins?"

"Heh, I knew she'd recognize us," the woman with braided hair over her shoulder grinned. Tori perked up as she was released.

"Cousin Bridget? I spoke to you on the comcry."

"Oh! You recognize my voice!" Bridget looked pleased as she walked forward to embrace Tori.

"So, you are the owner of Lions Gate and the one who is building on the Cosora Delta?" Tori nodded as she hugged her new cousin.

"Yes, thank you for helping with the shipping." Bridget smirked.

"I'm not doing it for nothing. I heard there are many islands... can you name one after me?"

"Bridget." The woman with the undercut smacked Bridget's shoulder. She looked at Tori with a softened look.

"Don't listen to her. A ship was given her name when she was a girl and now she wants her name on everything." Tori narrowed her eyes and wanted to make a guess as to whether this woman was Siobhan or Eili. She decided to go with the former, as she looked a bit older than the other woman.

"Cousin Siobhan?" The woman raised her brow.

"What makes you think I'm Siobhan?"

"It's because she looks old, right?" the third woman laughed. Immediately, another smack was heard and the woman rubbed her arm and glared at Bridget, who was the one who hit her.

"Am I right?" Tori asked rather than admitting she had guessed based on prospective age.

"You're right," Siobhan said. She embraced Tori and then stepped to the side, with an arm still around her, and pointed to the last sister.

"That one is Eili. Big mouth, big chest, no brains." Eili scowled.

"I don't have a big mouth!" The two oldest sisters seemed to stare at the youngest one for a moment and Tori couldn't help but mirror their look of disbelief and exasperation.

"And that's the adjective she decided to defend against...." Siobhan rubbed her head with one hand before leading Tori forward and giving her an introduction to other members of the O'Tuagh family. The older man who looked like Andy was, as Tori suspected, the current Marquis O'Tuagh, Lawrence. His father and Grammie were siblings. Grammie was, unfortunately, the last remaining sibling, as her three brothers had either already passed away or, in the case of her youngest brother, died in battle.

There were still plenty of people for Tori to remember. There was Siobhan's husband, Duncan; ten-year-old son, Aiden; and seven-year-old daughter, Maeve. Bridget had a husband, Baldwin, and four-year-old daughter, Ava. Lastly, there was Eili's wife, Deidre. Andy was not yet married, but everyone was trying to set him up. At lunch in the dining hall to welcome Tori and Kasen, the O'Tuagh sisters seemed to gang up on their hapless little brother. Andy tried to insist that he was too busy.

"Busy with what?" Bridget snorted.

"You're on leave right now. You should take some time to meet some of the girls we've found for you." Tori happily ate her roast beef as she watched her cousins argue, though part of her felt bad for Andy. In her original world, she had plenty of relatives constantly asking her why she wasn't married yet or why she didn't want to get married. They often had genuine concern and would always ask her what she'd do when she was older. If she didn't get married and have children, who would take care of her?

Wouldn't she miss out on motherhood? There was never a shortage of people trying to introduce her to their friends' sons or nephews or other random men, even when at 40, she'd figured they'd give up. In this world, marriage was still expected and in some cases required, but no one liked their future planned and shoved down their throats by other people. Tori was resigned to her cousin's pitiful fate.

"I am going to be busy! I was going to take Tori sightseeing," Andy said. Tori looked up from her food with wide eyes; she didn't recall agreeing to be someone's excuse to get out of blind dates. Andy met her gaze and she could almost see the desperation on his face.

"Right, little cousin?" She could feel several eyes on her as she chewed. She glanced around and swallowed, "Cousin Andy was going to take me to explore King's Harbor. Maybe take me out on a ship." The last part wasn't ever discussed, but if he was going to use her as an excuse, she was going to milk the opportunity to have fun.

"You see?" Andy said. He seemed to try not to appear too relieved.

"Tori's developing a delta region; she should know how to sail. Who else is going to teach her?" Tori snapped her head towards him. This was escalating.

"Wait, I never said I wanted to learn to sail-""That's going to take up so much time. How can I possibly meet these women you're talking about?" Andy said, motioning to Tori.

"She needs to know her way around a boat if she's going to be on the delta."

"Actually, I do know how to paddle-""Then, that's perfect! Lord Ramsey's daughter is an avid sailor," Bridget said with a predatory glint in her eyes.

"I'm sure she can help teach Tori." Tori could almost see Andy's mind stop working when he was cornered. Sorry, bro, I've done what I could. You're on your own. Tori shook her head and concentrated on her meal. She was distracted as a servant rushed into the dining room and went straight to Marquis O'Tuagh at the head of the table. Lawrence sat up straight and looked surprised.

"She's early," he said before turning towards the table. He lifted his goblet and tapped the side with his knife. The clinking sound quickly got everyone's attention and they turned towards him.

"The entourage of Empress Monica has reached the edge of King's Fields. She should be arriving within a half hour." While a few family members looked surprised, Tori's mother let out a heavy sigh.

"She told me she'd be here around sunset." Antonia lifted her hand to rub her forehead the same way Tori saw Axton do when he was tired of whatever random, unnecessary thing Piers had done that gave him more work. Tori drew in her lips and tried not to laugh.

"Alston, are the Empress and Prince Gideon's quarters ready?" Siobhan asked.

"Yes, my lady," a middle-aged butler said firmly.

"And the rooms for their entourage prepared as well?" Siobhan continued.

"The knights will be housed in the central garrison while her personal attendants have servants quarters in the east wing, adjacent to Her Majesty's room," the butler said.

"We're almost done with lunch, but prepare a light meal and some tea and coffee for Her Majesty," Lawrence told them. He looked across the table, towards Tori's mother.

"Antonia, as discussed, you are the liaison on our behalf. If you need anything, tell Bridge or Ei."

"Of course, cousin," Antonia said with a small nod of her head.

"I will ensure her stay is enjoyable. I've already discussed with Bridget on the plans before and after the ceremony."

"What about Prince Gideon?" Duncan, Siobhan's husband who reminded Tori of a short lumberjack, asked.

"Have we prepared activities for him or will he be joining Her Majesty?" Tori looked down at her food and continued to eat, as if it didn't concern her. Both Andy and Kasen didn't say a word either.

"Some of the activities, such as the tour of King's Harbor and the naval yard, will likely have him come along," Bridget said. She frowned.

"Should we prepare more?"

"Tori, you're His Highness' age," Eili said, looking across the table. Tori tried not to make a face.

"Do you have-""No, sorry, Cousin Eili, I just don't have time," Tori said, repeating Andy's earlier words.

"I still have daily calls to make to the delta and have orders to review. Not to mention my sailing lessons with Cousin Andy. I'm afraid I wouldn't make a good liaison." Eili looked a bit taken aback, but her siblings laughed.

"Tori, we're not going to make you a liaison," Siobhan assured her.

"Of course not." Deidre, Eili's wife, who was a captain in the navy, shook her head.

"A prince who lets his knight duel a young lady unprovoked is not worth your time." Tori's eyes widened.

"You know about that?" She looked around the table and everyone seemed to turn to her parents, who then turned to Kasen. She narrowed her eyes.

"You told Mama and Papa?"

"You didn't say it was a secret."

"Ugh...." Tori groaned.

"I was going to ask if you have any ideas on what he'd like to do," Eili said, wrinkling her nose.

"Does he fence?" Tori shook her head.

"I don't think so."

"Ride?" Bridget asked. Tori shook her head again. She squinted.

"I honestly don't know what His Highness is interested in." With one exception.... Suddenly, Andy placed his utensils on the table and stood up.

"Before I forget, and while the only ones around the table are family, I believe I should tell you all what our dear little cousin had to face at Lycée." Tori grimaced and slowly raised a hand to try to calm him.

"I know I said I wanted to inform the family, but maybe not right now. We just arrived."

"No, they should know, especially if he's going to bring her here," Kasen said, his voice low.

"What's going on?" their father asked as he frowned. He looked at Tori.

"Has he done anything to you?" Tori let out a low breath. She put her utensils on the table. It looked like there was no avoiding it now.

"Let's begin with the primary player. I have a classmate named Alessa Hart...." She sped through her meetings and subsequent clashes with Alessa chronologically, then one by one, brought up the various love interests that troubled her, how they connected to Alessa, and what they had done to wrong Tori. The only love interest spared was Constantine as he actually hadn't been terrible to her. She even had him on her comcry so they could coordinate his return to Horizon via the delta.

However, for Gideon, who falsely accused her; Fabian, who tried to duel her and lost; Adrien, who stole her designs and accused her of theft; Dimitri, who almost broke the law to bribe her; Montan, who blatantly threatened her; and Tom, who broke in and vandalized her store, she spared no detail. Bridget likely expressed the family's reaction best.

"Are they stupid or crazy?"

"They understand who you are, don't they?" Eili frowned.

"Does the Prime Minister know his son did that?" Tori's father demanded.

"When I see him at the ceremony-""Papa, it's fine," Tori said, raising her hands.

"I'm actually on good terms with Prime Minister Guthry and Madam Guthry. This is between me and their son. Same with the others. They have been annoying, but it's nothing I can't handle myself. Just think of these as children's grudges. I only wanted to make it clear what happened in case something happens at the succession ceremony and I become the subject of a 'misunderstanding'." Siobhan was leaning against her chair and thinking.

"I want to ban that Hart girl, but Tori brings up a good point that His Highness may cause a stir."

"It's not necessary to ban her," Grammie said, calmly.

"Just watch her and make sure she doesn't say or do anything that could trouble our Tori. If she does, we will deal with it."

"It sounds like she has a way with words," Gramps said as he stirred his post-meal coffee lazily.

"Lawrence, see to it that if she says anything, it doesn't go beyond these walls." Lawrence nodded.

"I understand, Uncle Victor." The entire dining hall was quiet and Tori closed her eyes. While it was good that it was all out there and that her family was on her side, she really hoped this wouldn't make anything too awkward. If it was obvious two marquis families were shunning Alessa, it could be construed as two marquis families bullying Alessa. And it would all lead back to Tori. If Gideon blamed Tori and tried to use his influence as a prince, would the imperial family get involved?

Would Piers be enough to help her? A small part of her worried that this could be taking a step towards her family being made into villains, as in the game's sequels; one of the very things she was trying to avoid. A small cough went through the hall and the butler seemed to nervously take a step forward.

"My lords and ladies... the Empress has arrived." Crap, how long have I been talking? Tori sucked in a sharp breath, but before anyone could say anything, her mother was walking past the table, heading straight for the outer courtyard. Now that she thought about it, her mother had been strangely quiet. Tori scrambled to follow her.

"Mama!" Tori didn't pay attention to anyone else as she ran after her mother. She saw her mother walk through the open entryway to the outer courtyard and before Tori could step outside, she heard her mother's uncharacteristic yell.

"Monica!"

"Toni! I've missed you! How are you-""What did your son do to my daughter?!" Tori cringed as she stumbled out into the courtyard. A large, ornate carriage with a familiar seal on its doors had stopped in front of the entrance along with two smaller ones filled with luggage and attendants. There were at least four dozen imperial knights in the courtyard, some of which were familiar faces to Tori. The door to the largest carriage was open and a dumbfounded woman stood just outside of it as her mother yelled at her.

Tori narrowed her eyes. The woman looked familiar and she wracked her mind to try to remember. She sucked in a sharp breath; the woman wasn't wearing glasses now, but she was the woman from the pinecone challenge who hurled a pinecone at her husband. Tori knew she must've been related to Piers if he talked to them! His parents! He didn't even introduce me to his parents! Her eyes widened. Wait... then that man who hit four pinecones was the Emperor? Wow.

Before she could voice her surprise, the woman let out a scoff and stood her ground against Tori's mother.

"What are you talking about?" the Empress said as her face heated up. She puffed up her chest.

"I have it on good authority that Piers hasn't even kissed her yet!"