Finding Eric a wife would be no easy feat. There were certain requirements for a queen, some that were more flexible than others, and no matter what, they would end up under intense scrutiny. It was important to find someone who would be able to stand up to the constant criticism and blatantly two-faced members of the High Court. Especially those whose own female relatives had lost out.
For a long time, Eirian and Eric had assumed they would marry. Not because they had any romantic interest in one another, but because they trusted one another, and Eirian had most of the skills required of the Queen. She got marked down for her temper and her general lack of interest in children, but even Helena hadn't been put off enough to refuse them.
She was a bit surprised that her father hadn't been pleased with the idea, whether it was because Eirian was closer to Eric than he was, or because Queen Consort wasn't the same as King, but he'd been loudly against any suggestion of it.
The talk had never gotten serious because of Eirian's entanglement with Philip and Eric's own lack of interest in marrying anyone, let alone a woman, but the assumption had always been there.
Well, in all fairness, Eric didn't have a preference for gender, but he couldn't stand simple-minded socialites of any wealth or status. Like Chenzhou, he wanted someone who could be a partner above all else, which unfortunately limited his options since most of the candidates were unlucky to forsake their family ties to be solely loyal to Eric's interests. It was a large part of the reason no Vermeer had married into a royal family since they'd lost the throne themselves. No member of their family would put the interests of a spouse, no matter how powerful, above the interests of the family.
Except maybe Finn.
But she couldn't imagine nerves, eager to please Finn, and overly serious, brooding Eric would make a good pair. Poor Finn would be snuffed out like a candle by the stress of the court, and Eric would get bitter and mean, unable to protect someone close to him. It was a recipe for disaster.
And Eric needed children, unfortunately, since all his siblings had died without them, and Eirian had claimed Brendan. It was always possible that her father and his new bride could have another. Brigitta certainly had years left in her for more children, but Eirian doubted they'd let the next one go as easily. Especially if Brendan showed so little interest in returning to their fold as he grew.
There were a few possibilities in the capital, and Eirian thought on them as she fed more magic into the water to raise the temperature again as the sun started to drop in the sky.
Philip's cousin, Lady Marbel of Water, was one of the highest-ranking socialites who was still unmarried, but Eric had a grudge since Eirian and Philip had ended so badly.
Lady Washi was close in rank and stunning, but had only just turned sixteen. Although her parents had pushed into society a year earlier than usual, Eirian knew Eric would never be comfortable bedding someone so young, and for the security of his throne, he'd need to have a child in the next year or two, just to prove he could.
Lady Roseveil and Lady Mianmian were both of marriable ages, but Eirian knew that behind the faces they presented to High Society, they were deeply in love…with each other. She suspected there was even a pact between them to foil any marriage plans made by their families until they eventually gave in and let them marry each other. That was a scandal waiting to happen if either of them married Eric.
There were a few possible candidates in the lower levels of High Society. A few generals in the Imperial Army had daughters of an age, but that ran the same risks as the daughter of the current High Court Judge. Any sign of favoritism would cause undue unrest that threatened Eric.
It would almost be less of a headache if Eric decided to marry a commoner.
There were a few candidates at the Camelia. Eirian took a deep breath and ducked under the water, holding it as long as she could and floating in a slow somersault as the water rocked.
Lady Yang's daughters were both successfully married, if not happily, according to Marian.
Lord Yin had an unmarried daughter, but apparently, the girl was unmarried by choice, which could mean she was picky or just uninterested.
She had no doubt that the moment word got out, the Wen's would have multiple options available, but she still didn't like Wen Chunhan, whom she hadn't seen in person since her return.
Vitali was unmarried.
That thought made her laugh, and she burst to the surface, choking on water that tasted strange from all the oils and salts.
It took a few heaves to get it out, and she felt embarrassment creep across her face as she glanced around to make sure no one had seen her nearly drown herself.
Vitali and Eric would be an amusing catastrophe to watch, but in no way successful in the long run. Vitali showed no interest in leaving the battlefield anyway.
Henri had a sister, as did Mingzhe, and both those families were ranked well enough that high society wouldn't be able to complain too loudly. Though there would definitely be accusations of favoritism, given the connection they both had to Eirian now. It might be offset by the distance, since the woman would be living in the capital, where neither family had an exceedingly large influence.
If anything, there was value in tying the Camelia deeper into the fabric of the capital after it had been absent for so long.
~ tbc