The World Dragon's Heir

Chapter 513: Some Are Too Soft

When the guard returned to make his report, he found everyone waiting for gossip, and apparently already aware of where he had put Miss Janice.

"The young mage is from Biverlow Academy, a childhood friend of hers. Normally, she wouldn’t have given him the time of day, but he’s too nice to refuse her accommodations.

The carpenter doesn’t mind, I paid him for the extra roommate, and he got a three-room house preparing for when he has family, but his wife isn’t yet with child."

Dominic smiled. "So, there is a good chance that you were matchmaking?"

"When you look at it from a distance, possibly. But more likely that boy will end up as the sit in the corner and watch guy in whatever relationship he finds."

Trionne nearly spit up her tea as she began to laugh.

"I don’t think it’s that bad. But he might need a more docile sort of wife than that schemer. Perhaps we should have someone introduce him to one of the ladies Dagos?"

"Not one of yours?"

"No, they would chew him up and spit him out. The Ladies of Shersdonia aren’t known for being mild or indecisive.

Though..."

Dominic laughed as Poppy’s face went bright red.

"So this is what Royal Advisors talk about when they don’t care who is listening?" She asked.

"This is strictly work related. We’re at a marriage event, and it’s part of our duty as hosts and chaperones to help the younger generation find their perfect partner.

If you would like to take a break from helping Princess Alexis host, we could start looking for someone to match you with as well." Dominic suggested.

Poppy winked at him. "Father would never approve of it. I am his precious Princess, reserved for moments of political necessity. Certainly not a minor Princess who can have a love match."

Dominic shrugged. "There are political matches to be made here as well. Though, given your position, he will likely want you to go for one of the Royals.

Ooh, we should invite the youngest Prince here. Is he old enough?"

Prince Fahad laughed at Dominic’s innocent question. "He’s nineteen, younger than Poppy. He also got married just shy of two years ago."

"The King really doesn’t hesitate to get his children married off, does he? It’s sucking all the fun out of teasing the Princess."

Trionne watched Dominic and the Royals banter, then turned her attention out the window. There were many more matches to be made, and her ladies should be outside soon.

They had guardians to watch them, but she had ideas about who would be best for them that she needed to confirm.

Namely, the members of the Duskblade Sect that weren’t present in the Manor. Some of them had Noble bloodlines, but they had chosen to attend the commoner side of the events, if they were attending at all.

"You look like you have a great need to meddle, Advisor." Prince Fahad noted.

"Indeed. There are mages who should be in the dating pool, but they have chosen not to attend." Trionne agreed.

"Of the Duskblade Sect? They gave up their claims to Nobility years ago."

She shrugged. "The blood remains, and they have strong magic. A generation of strongly magical children is never the wrong answer. Far better than diluting it down with someone who can hardly operate a magitech lamp."

Dominic drummed his fingers on the desk. "Well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to give the ladies of Shersdonia a tour of the Academy. They could visit with the Sect members while they were there.

Titles might not be part of the deal, but if the Royal Court doesn’t object, or wishes to pass them titles, I believe that Cygnia’s rules would allow her family to inherit the title from her."

Dominic mentally reviewed the rules that the tutors had drilled into his brain. Yes, that was right. Foreign titles granted to one partner were granted upon their spouse, regardless of gender.

The rule was old, as women could actually inherit in Cygnia now, but that hadn’t always been the case, so a Royal Decree was passed to clarify.

Likely because of a situation just like this one.

Trionne smiled. "That will be a great start for them. I’m sure that many of them are looking for status, and with their magic, they’ll be great choices of wives for the Barons in particular.

A lot of things around the Barony improve when you’ve got a powerful magic user living in the manor. Even more when she has motivation to make things better beyond just income.

It’s mostly my personal preference that they keep the magical bloodlines powerful."

A knock at the door alerted Dominic that they had probably been in here long enough that there was trouble outside again.

"Come in."

"Your Grace, we’ve got multiple airships on the ground and..."

"And?"

"And, uh, how do I put this delicately? I have no fucking clue what we’re going to do with five hundred noble blooded ladies under the age of twenty with no guardians."

Dominic smiled, while Trionne snickered and Poppy covered her mouth with her sleeve, pretending to sip her tea while tears of mirth rolled down her cheeks.

"How many men arrived with the airships?" Dominic asked.

"That’s just it. There are no men. None. Not even the airship crew. I thought that we would get some from north Cygnia, but they sent all their unmarriageable daughters and kept the sons at home."

Dominic sighed. "Who are they supposed to marry if nobody is sending us sons?"

"Oh, it gets better. The north didn’t just send us dignified Noble daughters. They sent war widows, Noble blooded servants, and what I am pretty sure is the entire population of Readewentle’s Top Brothel pretending to be Cygnia Noblewomen."

Dominic popped the top off the rum and took a long swig.

"Alright, say that again slowly. I think I might have heard it wrong the first time."