Chapter 33: Political Decisions
That evening, the young Master Fenn, decided not to head to the fresh baths after what he had witnessed. At least, not right away.
Firstly, he protectively sought out to ensure the servant girl was taken away by her colleague... whom he'd come to know as Layla was in a more stable state. He had waited for some time to get confirmation from Layla... Only when he was sure that "Aro" that poor blue-hued servant girl, was in safer hands and that she was going to be okay, and that the damned gaudy peacock was not going to double back to lay his hands on any of the ladies, again, especially while washing and in an even more vulnerable position.
Instead, Master Fenn doubled back to his room. Something in his mind made him want to check up on his father.
Perhaps it was just the entire commotion that had gotten to him.
'Perhaps…' Fenn thought, 'Perhaps I just want to talk to father. Gauge how he would have reacted and handled such a situation! What a King would do, and would have made of the situation.'
And so Master Fenn retraced his steps, back over to their wing of dark grey-toned Raven Palace.
With the raven lights now on the scones on the wall, it added a silent foreboding atmosphere to the place. It certainly fits in with the Raven Queen's infamy for lack of warmth. Yet, Fenn couldn't help but think how perfectly it worked aesthetically with the sweeping silence of owls. Despite the potential eeriness it added, he had to admit that it also added a peaceful element. Not even the crackle of fire disturbed the night's silence… a peacock, however, had been another story.
Just when he had thought, looking after his inebriated, old father, who had had a pint or five too much of that fine Raven blood wine, and that this was going to be the most burdensome task of his evening. Not that he minded, he would rather his father was well and okay for the next day… Only to find out that he was under the same roof as someone of Master Chaitav's nature and ilk. It made the young Tawny prince equally furious and nauseous.
It didn't take long for Fenn to reach the dark and ornate door to their chambers. Opening it as quietly as he could, using that special owl finesse for perfect and undisturbed silence.
Sweeping gracefully over to Lord Fielder, just as a snore bubbled to the lips of his father. Prince Fenn couldn't help the smile that softened his thoughts and expression. It gave the young prince peace of mind.
He still didn't quite understand why he had felt the need to check on his father, and settled on that, the events that had just taken place really... they had disturbed him so much. In front of the women, the staff, and King Easton, he had never wanted to admit this or let it show. Now he could breathe. What he had witnessed had taken a mental toll on him. Not wanting to wake his father, he moved over to the sofa, where he had placed the extra jug of water. Pouring himself a glass with a shaking hand.
He coolly studied the glass, his mind racing over Lord Easton's words. His caution against going to the Parliament of Owl's with the concerns and actions of the Peacock Prince. Despite not being an owl, knowledge of individuals and standards was prided on. Such information would be considered essential, if not vital to know… in case another harpy got hurt.
One from an Owl Harpy Clan. Especially if this was how the peacock harpy royals acted.
Lord Fenn decided then and there that he would do his best to ensure that Seraphina would be mated to either himself or someone in the Raven harpy clan. She would be a good leader, and should she need it, he would always be an ally to her and the Raven Kingdom, so long as her mother ruled and then Seraphina after her.
He would never allow the peacock, with such questionable, barbaric, and outrageous conduct, near such a dark beauty like her. The owl prince spent a fair few hours considering in detail how he would ensure that the oldest Harpy twin would be mated to him.
It was not just a matter of the Princess and him getting on; there had to be political advantages. While the Tawny's territorial advantages were apt, their political and military advantages were scarce compared to the Eurasian's. He had to admit it, even the peacocks, reproduced quickly so they had numbers on their side - although, he could never picture either of the twins with that cretin.
In the morning, he would go over his plan with Lord Fielder. His father would help make it happen. For he was a King after all, whereas he was merely a prince.
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Unbeknownst to any other guest at the Raven Kingdom, Lady Nox had already had discussions with Lord Easton.
She had not made any promises, but she had listened to the Eurasian Harpy King's proposal... they were old acquaintances, from long before she was a queen. Now that she was a Queen in need of a powerful match for both of her daughters, what he offered was indeed a promising and enticing.
Of course, the Raven Queen was not seeking a love match for either of her daughters' mates. As with all harpy mating's, this was a strictly political business affair. There was no room for love in these affairs.
The Eurasian Harpy kingdom was vast, and the air currents there carried a warm breeze to the wing. With many, many soldiers in the event, they were ever needed. Not that there had been a reason for Harpy to fight for many years - thanks to her.
With the warm air currents. The Queen accepted that flights would at least be pleasant, if not different from flying in, to one of her daughters.
That is, if she agreed for one of them to be mated to a Eurasian harpy. Lord Easton had brought two sons...
Sephora seemed the most likely candidate.
It was not a match that could be made with Seraphina, risking a Eurasian ruling over the Ravens... and owl? With their stuffy conduct, even by her standards, it was out of the question.
As Lady Nox pondered this, she became more and more certain that if one of her daughters was to be mated off to the Eurasians, Sephora was the one she would mind least.
It wasn't a terrible match... but the Raven Queen was going to hear all of the offers put forward on the table before she made her mind up. This was only the first gathering of suitors and many others would soon follow over the coming weeks and months.
Seraphina would be mated to one of the Lord's Sons. Everen Velwraithe's son was a high candidate; their house held considerable political influence with their forces and so held respect.
Lord Easton was told just as much during their flight, and logically, he respected the strategizing of the Raven Queen. Everyone expected it from her.
Some of the Lords were leaving the very next morning, and some noble Raven suitors were attending an event that had been planned for tomorrow: preferably for Lady Nox, this one would be a "Raven Harpy Only" event. She had heard enough from Clan outsiders for now, their sweet and delightful offerings of power, veiled thinly as their own political desires. Attending would be all of the kingdom's noble houses.
The Raven Queen now lounged alone again in her quarters. Her wings were from a night flight. She remained still, with her eyes fixed on the contents of the cup. Sipping on more of her blood wine as she weighed up the political options.
Grabbing her challenge of wine, the Queen moved to a separate part of her room that contained a large, dark, and ornate desk. Pulling out the drawers to find that guest list, "Where is it?" She muttered to herself, "I'm sure I put it here somewhere..." The wine was doing her no favours; however, there were some quite delightful suitors going to be in attendance. Perusing the list of potential eligible bachelors was at the forefront of her mind.