Tori Transmigrated

Chapter 219: Naïve and Foolish

“Auntie, please tell Daddy to stop giving me so much work. If he keeps giving me work, I won’t finish and can’t go to Moss Hill.” Fiona sounded upset as she complained to Tori.

On her seat at a corner table at Duel Cafe, Tori adjusted the opaque pale blue and white crystal that was shaped and smoothened to fit in her ear. “Your dad told me that you don’t like doing your school work, so it piles up.”

“I told you!” Robert’s voice could be heard from the crystal earpiece scolding his sister. “Just do your school work every day and it won’t seem like a lot.”

“But I’m tired! I have so much to do!”

“You’re going to be five soon and your tutor only comes three days a week. How busy are you?” Robert almost demanded of his sister.

“I’m very busy! I have to check on my chickens, then I have stamina training with Grandpa, the manners training, then I have class, and then dance. Afterwards, I have to feed my chickens again and read to Val!”

“You call looking at a picture in a book and making up stories reading?”

“Auntie Idunn says my stories are more interesting than what’s written in the book!”

“Okay, okay, you both are very busy,” Tori said, placating her niece and nephew. The volume on the ear piece could be adjusted and as their voices rose, she tapped on her left ear piece to lower the volume. The right earpiece was to raise it. “Fifi, I can’t tell your dad to lessen your school work. I know you want to come to Moss Hill, but you have to work hard for it. If you do your school work every day, you won’t have to do so much on the weekends.”

She heard Fiona’s defeated, dramatic groan. “I’m dying....”

Tori rolled her eyes. She was glad that she was wearing an earpiece so the other people in the cafe wouldn’t hear.

“Fifi, it’s only for a few more months and then we’ll come to pick you up. Can you keep up and finish your school work in a few months?” Tori asked with an encouraging voice.

“I might not make it.”

“Then if you don’t make it, you can’t go to Moss Hill. Auntie, can I bring my friend Vivi instead?”

There was a horrified gasp on the other end. “You dare abandon your sister for someone else? You’ve changed, Robi! I’m telling Daddy!” Tori heard loud steps fading and Robert’s tired sigh.

“Robi, did you make a new friend?” Tori asked. She could almost see the exasperated expression on Robert’s face.

“We have the same tutor and he’s also from Horizon. His family moved here for business,” Robert told her. “We’ve gone into the city a few times to explore.”

Tori smiled, relieved that her nephew was making friends. Growing up as a noble limited one’s social circle to similar or higher ranked families, and from experience, they weren’t always the best company. In addition, there was always a lot of security around them, so going out to play casually wasn’t something that was done.

“Find anything good?”

“Some new restaurants. When you visit, I’ll take you.”

“Thank you, Sweetheart, I look forward to it. I’m sure your Uncle Ewan will be ecstatic.”

“Auntie, since you are bringing your friends, can I bring Vivi?” Robert asked once more, and Tori leaned back against her chair and furrowed her brows.

“I don’t mind taking him with us to Moss Hill, but will his parents let him come?”

“Safety isn’t an issue! There will be Guevera Knights and when we’re in Moss Hill, there will be O’Tuagh knights!” Robert’s voice grew excited.

“But what about his parents? Robi, we can’t make him come if his parents say no,” Tori told him in a gentle voice. “Ultimately, it is up to them and if we force it, it could upset his parents and make Vivi upset with his parents.”

“Daddy will talk to them.”

“But didn’t I also tell you that the travel plans have changed?” Tori kept her voice even and rational. “My plan is to go to Karap first, as I have to visit a friend and attend his dedication ceremony to the church as a witness. Then, we will go to Tres Arcos and Presidio for a few days, then take a ship to King’s Harbor to visit our cousins. That was the original plan, but now, my friends and I are also going to Enda in Nord and will end the sea portion of our trip at a northern port, and travel by land to Gorask.”

“Where Auntie Ilyana is from,” Robert said. “Is that going to take long?”

“To Gorask, perhaps half the summer, then we’ll visit Buchenberg and make our way back down to Viclya. The journey north and through Osten will take the bulk of the summer and I’m sure that Vivi’s parents don’t want him to be gone for so long.”

Robert was quiet for a moment. “Are you going to take us there, too?”

“Well, that was an option. Your dad is still considering it, as that is a long time to be away, and safety is always a concern. He suggested having you and your sister end in Moss Hill then another ship would bring you back to Tres Arcos before returning to Presidio. When I get back to Viclya, you two can come visit and play there until the end of summer.”

“But I’ve never seen Nord....” Robert sounded as if he wanted to go, and Tori chuckled.

“I don’t think I can handle so many children at once. Marco and Mateo are coming with us to Moss Hill and if I take you two, I’d have to take them. If I take them, then Ava and the others will want to come,” Tori replied. “That means the nannies will come, and at least one parent per child.”

Robert let out a heavy, conceding sigh. “I know....”

“But, if we meet you later in the summer, after our portion of the trip through Nord and Osten is done, Vivi is welcome to come with you to spend some time in Viclya,” Tori told him with some reassurance. “Is this something you can consider?”

“I can consider it, Auntie. I’ll talk to Daddy about it and let Vivi know. He said he wanted to go back to Horizon to visit his grandma this summer.”

“Well, then, there we go. It may just work out better this way. We can spend some time in Horizon, too.”

“Can we visit the orphanage?” Robert asked in a hopeful voice. “Daddy is letting me make safety charms and I’d like to give them out.”

Tori lifted her hand to her chest and pressed against it. Her nephew was an angel. “Of course, we can go to the orphanage. We can invite them to Viclya for a weekend. They recently came for ice skating early this year.”

“Okay! You’re right, Auntie. This is probably a better plan. I’ll discuss it with Daddy and convince Fifi,” Robert told her with determination.

“All right, when you get confirmation, call me. I’ll let you go, as I’m at Duel and my food has arrived.”

“Okay, wait!” There was a pause. “Fifi! Auntie’s going!”

There was some silence, then heavy approaching footsteps. An out of breath little voice panted. “Bye, Auntie Tori, I love you!”

“I love you, Auntie Tori,” Robert added.

“I love you, both, too. Good night.” Instead of sliding her finger across the comcry, she put her finger on the earpiece for two seconds. She heard a small ding and the comcry on the table dimmed.

“My lady, your quiche.” One of the staff members at the cafe brought her a tray with her quiche and a drink. She gave them a small nod before reaching up to remove her crystal earpieces.

“How are they?” Henrik took a seat across from her and waved for a coffee.

“They’re working very well. Surprisingly comfortable for being crystal,” Tori replied as she wiped the earpieces on a clean napkin and then put them into a small compartment with a sliding lid build into the comcry compact. “The call quality is very clear and it syncs up well with the comcry now that the compact has been changed. If I’m wearing it, I can hear the dings when someone calls if I’m away from the comcry itself.”

Henrik furrowed his brows and looked at the modified device. “Do you think three paces distance from the comcry is too little?” he asked.

“I think it’s enough, as too far and the earpiece will drain energy faster in order to maintain the connection with the comcry. The further away, the more strained the connection and the more energy needed to keep it. At three paces, the earpieces can last two or three hours.”

“But they’ll be charged once they’re back in the comcry compartment,” Henrik said. Tori handed him her modified comcry and he flipped through it.

The compacts that comcry came in were interchangeable, as they were designed to protect the actual crystal that facilitated communication inside. If they cracked or were broken, what was important was the crystal inside. That crystal could be removed and put into another comcry compact.

Anahata Island had created modified compacts that allowed for easy transition and had a compartment for earpieces. In addition to the flashing ring, these new compacts had another crystal that made it vibrate with incoming calls. Tori had sought out a few people to test it at Axton’s belated birthday party and the reviews were very positive.

Henrik nodded. “When do you think we can go to market with them?” he asked. “Everyone I’ve spoken to who is testing the compacts speaks very highly of them and likes the advancements with the compacts. They especially like that if they lose an earpiece, they can make it beep from the comcry to find them.”

The amount of ear buds Tori had lost in her original world was so frustrating, she went back to using Bluetooth headphones that connected one earpiece to the other. They were just easier to find and were more difficult to drop accidentally.

“That’s good. There have been some issues with raising and lowering the volume with taps and stokes, but once people are used to it, it’s fine,” Tori replied. A tap raised the volume, a slow stroke down, like scrolling, lowered it. One could use either ear piece, but it did take time to get used to. “I think with this in mind, we can aim for mid-summer and start with pre-sales during the Spring Festival.”

Henrik made a little triumphant fist and nodded. “Excellent, that’s what I was hoping for. Having pre-sales will give us a good idea of what designs people want and will alleviate some of the rush in the mid-summer.”

Tori nodded. “That’s what I was thinking, too. I want to try to keep them as affordable as possible and luckily the crystal pieces are just scrap crystal.”

“Don’t waste any of it,” Henrik replied. His coffee came and so did another quiche. He reached for the fork beside it and it was suddenly swept up.

“Thanks, Henrik. I was getting hungry!” Ewan picked up the plate with the small quiche and used his foot to pull out a chair so he could sit. He shoveled a piece of quiche into his mouth as he sat down. Henrik narrowed his eyes.

“That wasn’t for you.”

“Was it Tori’s?” Ewan looked towards her and saw that she already had a partially eaten quiche. “She already has one.”

Henrik tilted his head back. “How is it that you’ve grown so much physically, but retain the same habits....”

“I guess I’m blessed?”

“That wasn’t a compliment.” Resigned, Henrik waved towards the counter to order another quiche.

Ewan blissfully ate the quiche and looked towards Tori. “Where’s Prince Piers? He’s always with you.”

Tori gave him a deadpan look. “He’s not always with me. And his birthday is coming up and the official ceremony for his promotion to crown prince will be happening. It’s apparently a long, complicated ceremony, so they have to practice,” she replied. “That’s why his brother didn’t come with the club today. He has to be there, too.”

Henrik raised a brow. “Aren’t you supposed to go?”

She scoffed. “Why do I need to go practice? I’m going to be a guest like everyone else.”

“But aren’t you going to be escorting His Imperial Highness like usual?” Henrik asked as he was given another quiche.

Tori shook her head. “No, the ceremony itself does not require an escort. It’s mainly a procession, and I think there are some speeches and a prayer at the Horizon Cathedral. He doesn’t need an escort. When he’s greeting people at the palace, his father will be with him. At the most, I may be able to dance with him at the reception ball, and that’s only if he has time.”

Henrik and Ewan exchanged silent, doubtful looks and then glanced back at Tori.

“Are you sure?”

Tori nodded. “I’m absolutely certain. I'll show up and eat and drink.”

Tori was naïve and foolish.

She tried to hold back a frown and keep her face neutral as a light aching began to make itself known in her arms. The Archbishop of Horizon’s voice echoed against the vaulted ceilings of the Horizon Cathedral that was draped with garlands of flowers and banners with imagery representing Soleil.

She stood two steps down and to the right of the altar where the Archbishop was speaking to the crowd of people who had come for Piers’ Crown Prince Ceremony. Her arms were bent at the elbows and holding up a white satin pillow with a draping purple cloth with gold tassels across it.

On top of the cloth was a ceremonial sword to be presented to Piers.

To her left, just a bit closer to the altar, was Axton. He held a similar pillow with a purple cloth and gold tassels, but on his pillow was the coronet of the Crown Prince of Soleil. Both she and Axton were dressed in white with a purple sash.

Axton had a thick, but stout gold crown around his head that had to be brought from storage. It was the Ducal Crown of the Alvere Duchy. He wore more jewelry than Tori had ever seen on him including rings, heavy gold necklaces with pendants, and numerous medals on his sash.

Tori’s ankle length white dress made her look like a snow covered tree topped with a gold circlet. Her hair was down and a stray strand was tickling her nose, but she couldn’t lift her hand to swipe it away. She’d been standing for some time and her arms were starting to hurt.

Unbeknownst to her, during such events as Piers’ Crown Prince ceremony, high nobility played an important part. One representative of a duchy, one representative of a march, and one representative of a county were required to present symbolic items to the heir or incoming monarch. The representatives needed to be the current title holder or a blood-related immediate family member in good standing.

The Ducal representative was to present the coronet, as a symbol that they who were once independent kingdoms continued to succumb to the rule of the imperial family and the future heir. As Piers’ best friend, there was no question that Axton would take on the role.

The representative of a county went to Chamberlain Thorpson, who was the current Count of Glacier Falls on the border of the Central Corridor and Nord.

No wonder he’s aged so much. He has to babysit the Emperor and run a county. Tori mentally lit a candle for the graying middle-aged man.

The representative for a march was contested, according to what Axton told her. Originally, Piers wanted his mother to be the representative as she was the sister of his uncle, Marquis von Schwert. However, she was also the Empress and the Emperor argued that she should be with the imperial family during the ceremony to show solidarity.

This went back and forth for weeks and Piers had ordered people around him not to tell Tori because he didn’t want her to be dragged into the tedious ceremony knowing how busy she was. Unfortunately for them, the Emperor won.

Piers tried reaching out to other members of the march. Auntie Lucia was his next closest alternative, but she gave up her courtesy title when she married. She needed a title to be part of the ceremony. The rest of the march members were too far away or too young, as they had to be an adult.

Tori was the obvious candidate. She was the daughter of the current Marquis Guevera, an adult, and though she had her own peerage, she hadn’t given up her courtesy title and was still referred to as Lady Tori in Sur just as much as she was addressed as Countess Guevera.

When Axton, against Piers' wishes, called her to tell her the situation, she didn’t hesitate to agree. After all, how could she not support Piers on his big day?

She rushed to the cathedral to practice, and she walked through the entire process. The Empress also had her ceremonial clothes prepared as well as provided the jewelry and various symbolic items to wear when she represented the marches.

Of course, during the practice runs, the speeches and prayers were not done in full length. Tori had no idea that she would end up standing for a better part of an hour holding a sword. And it was a ceremonial sword. Ceremonial swords were always heavier than regular swords meant for heavy use as they were gilded, and gemstone encrusted.

The Archbishop stepped down and Chamberlain Thorpson came up to read what sounded like legal text about Piers’ new position to the crowd. Tori’s arms were locked in place and aching, so she zoned out and could only make out ‘Future Sun of the Soleil Empire’ as something Piers was called.

It was only when Chamberlain Thorpson stepped down and there was a shift in where Piers and the others were standing that Tori drew herself out of her boredom. Piers knelt down on a cushion on the steps of the altar with his father in front of him. The Emperor read some text, then turned to Tori.

Now was her time to dump the sword. She kept her chin up as she glided across the floor and held out the pillow. She bent her knee, like she practiced, and lowered her head, lifting the pillow with the sword to present it to the Emperor.

He took the hilt in one hand and held the sheath in the other as he lifted it and turned towards Piers. Tori carefully stepped back, keeping her head lowered before returning to her place beside Axton. Her arms still ached a bit, but an attendant came to take the pillow off her hands.

The Emperor presented the sword to Piers. “Piers Emil Geran du Soleil, Future Sun of the Soleil Empire, with this sword, you will take on the duty to protect your people and their lands with the full authority of a monarch second only to Us.”

“I accept this duty.” Piers raised his hands and accepted the sword. He bowed his head to his father and moved the sword to his side, attaching it to his left.

Axton stepped forward with the same fluid movements that Tori had and presented the coronet to the Emperor. The Emperor’s hands held the gold rim between them as he picked the coronet off the pillow. Axton slipped back into his position and handed off the pillow to another attendant.

The Emperor held the coronet up, over Piers’ body. “Piers Emil Geran du Soleil, Future Sun of the Soleil Empire, with this coronet, you will bear the weight of governance of the empire with the full authority of a monarch second only to Us.”josei

“I will bear the weight.” Piers remained in place, with his chin raised just enough so that the Emperor could place the coronet on his head without it sliding off.

“Rise, Crown Prince Piers Emil.”

Tori watched Piers take a deep breath and slowly rise to his feet. He turned around to face the crowd with his new crown, a sword, and thick book of Soleil law in one arm. His deep purple cloak trimmed with white fur swept around him, dragging on the ground as applause filled the massive chamber.

As instructed, Tori stood in place, unmoving like a statue.

The Archbishop read one more prayer, blessed Piers, and then a chorus began, signaling Piers to leave the cathedral and return to the palace. With slow, steady steps and a trailing cloak arranged by attendants, Piers walked down the wide aisle to the doors. The Emperor and Empress followed him, then the Emperor Emeritus, Gideon, and extended members of the imperial family.

Axton stood beside Tori and followed after them, flanked by imperial knights. Chamberlain Thorpson followed behind them.

Everyone kept stoic looks on their faces as they walked up the aisle. On either side there were visiting local nobility and aristocracy, various friends and associates of Piers and his parents. Somewhere in the crowd, Ilyana was with the others and once the procession was over, they would be able to take a break from the pomp before going to the reception dinner and ball.

But not Tori.

She stopped at the top of the stairs leading to the street from the cathedral. Piers got into a carriage by himself, and attendants helped him with his cloak. Then members of the imperial family got into two more carriages.

Tori and Axton stepped forward when their carriage arrived. She climbed into the carriage and took a seat across from Axton. Sir Atienza, who was temporarily assigned to guard her carriage, leaned inside to secure the windows.

“My lady,” he said in a low voice. Somehow, he managed to slide a heating box into the carriage from beneath his uniform cloak. “A ‘message’ from Lady Agafonova.”

Tori’s eyes widened and she used her layers of skirt to hide the box from being seen as Sir Atienza stepped back. “Thank you!” He saluted her with a fist to his chest, bowed to Axton, and then closed the door.

Tori stretched out her arms and let out a heavy breath.

“How are your arms?” Axton asked.

Tori scowled and lifted them. “They’re shaking.”

“The crown is lighter than the ceremonial sword,” Axton said. “This is why Piers didn’t want you to have to take part in it.”

“They couldn’t make a lighter sword?”

Axton shook his head. “No, that sword has been used for this ceremony since the Unification.”

Tori rubbed her aching biceps. She looked out the window and tried to hide her tired expression. She lifted her hands and waved as they began the slow procession through all of the city’s districts.

“At least I can take a rest.”

“If I knew which carriage we were using, I would’ve put food in it ahead of time.”

Tori smirked and moved her legs to the side to reveal the heating box. “Let’s see what my best friend got me.” She unlatched the box and found sandwiches and some water.

Axton craned his neck. “Did she pack any for me?”

“There is more than enough for two here. It’s from Cafe Fortuna,” Tori said. She had to spend the night at the imperial palace the night before. It was hectic and she didn’t have the chance to arrange food for herself during the ceremony and procession. Ilyana was well prepared. “Do you want ham and cheese or egg?”

“Egg.”

“There are some cookies and pastries, too.”

“I’ll save them for dessert.” She handed a paper wrapped sandwich to Axton and the two ate as they went through the city. With their hunger mitigated, they were in a better mood by the time they finished the procession and returned to the palace. The sun was setting and a trail of carriages with guests was waiting to enter.

The spectacular imperial palace was decorated even further for the event. The carriage went through the main gates and towards the center palace. Massive double doors were open and Tori realized it was the first time she’d enter through them.

In the past, she went through the side entrance that family members used. She and Axton got down from the carriage and put on their stoic masks as they climbed up the steps. Tori had no time to admire anything, as she was focused on her task.

For the duration of Piers’ welcome and greetings to guests, she and Axton had to stand in position a few steps away like guardians. At dinner, they would be seated near Piers, and it wouldn’t be until the ball portion that they’d be free of their duties. She looked towards Piers. She hadn’t had a chance to talk to him since that morning. To most people, he looked serious and focused, but Tori could see the irritation in his brows.

As she and Axton came to greet him before getting into place, Tori made a point to hold his hand and praise him for his hard work. She him that if he was overwhelmed, she and Axton would cover for him while he took a break.

His gaze softened and he squeezed her hand. He didn’t seem to want to let go, but Tori was steered away.

Guests were announced as they arrived. The process was similar. Curtsy or bow to Piers, congratulate him, then curtsy and bow to the Emperor and Empress before being walked to the ballroom where refreshments and such were served to tide them over before the meal.

Madam Martin came with her husband, son, and daughter-in-law and stopped to tell Tori that Albert was with the others, and that a knight had come to escort them through the usual side entrance to avoid any scrutiny from other guests. Tori thanked her for the news.

As the guests arriving began to dwindle, Ilyana somehow escaped the ballroom and asked if Tori got the food.

“It’s the only thing keeping me from rioting right now,” Tori replied in a low voice. “I won’t be free until after dinner. Wait for me in the garden courtyard just outside. Look for one of Piers’ knights to bring you there.”

“Got it!” Ilyana scurried away and Tori followed the procession to dinner.

They entered the ballroom and the Emperor walked ahead to make the announcement himself. He opened his mouth when he froze and looked over the top of the guests’ heads. Tori furrowed her brows and turned around.

Chamberlain Thorpson lowered his arms and seemed to be making a signal. When he got the Emperor’s attention he took a deep breath and stepped back, standing to the side of the entrance. He took another deep breath.

“Her Highness Princess Celine Rosalie du Soleil, Honorable Royal Consort Master Petir, and Honorable Royal Consort Madam Georgia!”

Tori’s brows shot up. It was her. Piers’ legendary aunt whom the Emperor complained about all the time. Tori was a little excited to see the woman for the first time. She’d only see portraits of Princess Celine in the palace. They were, for lack of a better term, glam.

All eyes seemed to be drawn to the entrance as a tall, slender woman with short silver hair walked through the open double doors. Big, shining violet eyes were bright with excitement as she entered with a smile and raised her arms.

“Good evening, everyone!” Her voice was high and sweet, like a bird. Her pastel purple dress had a square neckline and layers of draping over her full floral patterned skirt. It was very much a Rococo style dress with poet sleeves trimmed with lace, ending just above her wrist. She wore heavy, dangling earrings that could blind others while layers of silver chains draped over her chest. She held a matching fan in her left ring-covered hand. “Forgive my unkempt appearance, I hurried to come on time!”

From the corner of her eye, Tori saw the Emperor’s face twitch. The crowd of people parted as the princess walked through. A half step behind her on either side of her were her husband and wife. Soleil only recognized one spouse at a time, so many polyamorous partners could not be legally married, though they could get specific partnership rights.

There was no specific term for the partners who weren’t married, but had partnership rights, so most people just referred to each other as husband and wife. It was preferred to avoid legal marriage altogether, as it was felt that if two people were legally married within the partnership, that would devalue the other partners and their relationships. It was also easier to deal with if there was an inheritance and children, as each partner had their own set of rights instead of having to go with Soleil’s traditional inheritance system.

According to what Tori read, Soleil used to allow for poly-marriages, but there were a series of very messy inheritance battles that eventually ended them, and a simplified system was put into place.

Master Petir and Madam Georgia were both former imperial knights and upon taking Princess Celine as their wife, they were no longer formally knights, though they could keep their title. Tori squinted and studied the two people behind the princess.

They were much better looking than in the portrait and Tori assumed it was because their suits were very sleek; not at all flashy like in the portrait, which fit with their cold, statuesque beauty better. Master Petir had a gray streak in his thick, black hair. His brows were bushy, and his gray eyes were sharp. He had a neat beard and thin lips with a single scar splitting the corner of his left eyebrow. Tall, broad shouldered, with a stern expression on his face.

Madam Georgia was also tall and reminded Tori of an athlete. She had ice blue eyes and thick, straight blonde hair in a simple braid over one shoulder. Her clothes matched Master Petir, but her coat tails ran longer and her pants were loose, almost wide-legged, and from a distance, appeared as a skirt. All three wore matching rings.

Tori nodded with approval. As expected of Princess Celine. Also, she seemed to clearly have a specific type: tall, stoic, and cold.

“Opposites really do attract....” she said in a quiet voice.

The flashy, perky princess stopped before the Emperor and his family and did a formal curtsy. “Brother! I’ve returned!” She shouted in a dramatic voice and Tori watched the Emperor close his eyes, as if to remind himself that they were related, and he could not kick her out.

“Welcome back, Celine,” he replied in a regal voice. “And welcome to my brother and sister.” He gave the two behind her a nod and the two bowed.

“Your Majesty,” they chorused.

“Monica! How are you, my sister!” Princess Celine turned her attention to the Empress and almost skipped over to embrace her. The Empress looked much more amused and hugged Princess Celine.

“I am well. It’s good you could make it.”

“I was determined!” Princess Celine released the Empress and gasped as she saw Gideon standing beside her. “Silver hair...is this Gideon?”

Gideon’s cheeks reddened. “Hello, Aunt Celine.”

“Gideon!” Princess Celine did not hold back and hugged her youngest nephew. “Look how big you’ve gotten!”

“Your Highness, soon you’ll be as tall as I am.” Master Petir’s face softened, and Tori watched him and Madam Georgia’s expression relax into one of familiarity and fondness as they looked over Gideon.

A sharp gasp left Princess Celine as she stopped in front of Piers. Her eyes went up and down the man in his ceremonial clothing.

“Piers....” Princess Celine’s face softened at once. Her hands rose for just a moment, before she brought them back down against her and stood up straight, restraining herself from her eldest nephew. “Congratulations, Piers.”

Piers gave her a small bow of his head. “Thank you, Aunt Celine.”

Her eyes reddened a bit as she looked at his face. “Look at you...so tall and handsome. You get it from our side of the family.”

The Empress let out a small, indifferent snort. “All that travel seems to have made her eyes deteriorate....”

Piers gave his Aunt a small smile and took a step forward. Princess Celine’s eyes went wide, and her mouth nearly opened and stayed agape as Piers put his arms around her and gave her a gentle embrace.

It was quick with only a single squeeze, but it was enough.

“Piers....” Princess Celine gasped and seemed frozen in place. Even her husband and wife looked stunned. “You hugged...did you see that?” She looked at her spouses. “My nephew hugged me! He’s never hugged me!”

Madam Georgia looked helpless and nodded. “I saw.”

“He’s grown,” Master Petir said with an approving nod. Princess Celine’s lips trembled.

“He hugged me....”

The Empress lifted her chin proudly. “He has started to embrace family more often,” she said, as if she was constantly showered with Piers’ embrace. “He’s been practicing with Tori.”

Tori closed her eyes and held back the urge to groan as if beaten. While it was true, it didn’t need to be spoken out loud.

Princess Celine’s eyes went wide and she looked at her sister-in-law. “Where is she? She’s Countess Guevera, right? Gregorio and Antonia’s youngest?” She turned around, almost frantic. “Where is she....” Her voice trailed off as her violet eyes landed on Tori. Their gazes met and Princess Celine seemed to take a deep breath. She drew her head back and her eyes looked Tori over thoroughly.

Tori gave her a smooth curtsy. “Good evening, Your Highness. I am Victoria de Guevera, Countess of Cosora.”

The Princess drew in her lips and bit them excitedly. She nodded and grasped the arms of her husband and wife. “I’ve known this since he was a child, but now more so than ever,” she said in a firm voice. “My nephew has incredible vision!”