"So? Grand children - when?" [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

Katiana's face reddened.

"Ah, big-sis - we haven't even yet do... we are waiting a bit, until things settle down..." [Katiana]

"What my dear wife is saying, is that her health is not optimum, due to her past experiences."

"Oh... yes I know how she grew up - my dear Katiana, I just want to go wring that bit... ah, I wish to give your step-mother a right talking to!" [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

"The steward is gathering some of the best doctors, alchemists, and magic healers for your hospital idea, my dear wife - so I will have them check your health."

"And you are coming along to visit the Kodiak tribe - they have some of the wisest healers, too! I'll tell them to have a look at you, too. Can't have a fragile daughter in law, after all!" [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

My wife's reddish glow slowly spread down her neck, and even across her hands, which were twisting the table cloth.

She muttered under her breath.

"These two... so embarrassing!" [Katiana]

Of course both my mother and I heard it perfectly.

---

Late afternoon we arrived at the ball venue, a side palace especially built for such events, with no issue.

The early evening was fresh, and the light fragrance around Katiana sitting next to me in the carriage was a lemony vanilla.

One day I will have to ask her where she gets those perfumes - I was not familiar with any of them.

We of course entered at the gate reserved for the emperor - that was the privilege of the Duke's family who were the reason this empire existed.

"You know, I always wondered... why are you just a duke? Your family could have easily just taken the position as the rulers..." [Katiana]

"Pfft... who in their right mind would want to do that? Our family has all the power of the emperor, but none of the boring political duties. And we can go out and play whenever we want... why would we give that up?" [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

Katiana put her chin on her fist and looked out at the palace grounds.

"Fair enough. Yeah, you sort of have the best of both worlds, now..." [Katiana]

"If you want to become Empress, I can arrange that, dear wife."

Katiana turned her eyes towards me and stuck out her tongue.

"No killing the crown prince. Didn't we both agree we'd control ourselves?" [Katiana]

"In that case I will bide by your wishes, my dear wife. We have arrived..."

I exited the carriage first and helped my wife and mother out.

They then, without a word of warning, grabbed both my arms and hooked theirs in, so that I was flanked by the two women.

As my mother has not aged since I was born, it looked as if I was a playboy being escorted by two equal aged young women. 

A subtle payback for something I did without realizing, maybe?

We entered the ballroom thus linked - a senior butler announced us.

"The Dowager Duchess of Rubiavon, and the Duke of Rubiavon with fiance, her Ladyship Katiana of Belirosa." [Senior Butler]

The chatter inside the ball hall silenced as dozens of eyes scanned us, the newcomers.

And then the voices started again, with most of them carrying questions about Katiana.

With her face twisted in a grimace, my wife muttered.

"Ah crap... I should have known they would be invited..." [Katiana]

Both my and mother's eyes followed Katiana's gaze.

There was a small group of noble women - none of them particularly familiar to me.

"Your step-mother, dear? Which one can I go slap?" [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

"The plump one in the garish pink dress with the yellow ribbons - she used to be thin, but I guess she has been eating up what little my useless so-called dad left us. And don't go slap her - you'll just get stupid on your gloves." [Katiana]

"And that plump young lady with the bad complexion - your step-sister?" [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

"Sadly, yes..." [Katiana]

"Well, we will make sure they can't get close to you, so just stick with me or Nitram all night. We are here to have a bit of fun, after all!" [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

"Have I ever told you how much I appreciate and love you, big-sis?" [Katiana]

"Fufufu that is sweet, dear! If you ever get tired of knuckle head over there, come travel with me!" [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

By this time we three - still embarrassingly linked - had reached the far side.

Just in time for the trumpets to sound, announcing the arrival of the Emperor, the second Empress, and the birthday boy, the crown prince.

The Emperor said a few empty words, before excusing himself and swiftly retiring - saying it was the crown prince's night.

The second Empress stayed behind up in the galleries from where she could watch us all below - nobles connected to her faction started to gather around her.

"He doesn't look like his father at all..." [Katiana]

I bent over to my wife and whispered so only she could hear.

"He's adopted. The first Empress and her son disappeared while travelling, six years ago. The second empress is a widowed princess from a neighboring country - the crown prince is her son from her first husband."

"Eh? That never was mentioned in the nov... ah newspapers..." [Katiana]

"You probably missed it, dear - it did happen six years ago. Oh look, a buffet - let's go have a snack, shall we?" [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

"Right behind you, big-sis! Coming too?" [Katiana]

The last to me - I shook my head.

"I'll leave you in my mother's safety - I've just seen someone I need to have a word with."

With that I bee-lined towards one specific waiter, and had him serve me a glass of wine.

"Report."

"My lord, you will find the wine is the correct temperature - although the crudites look tasty, may I direct your attention to those hors d'oeuvre? The Dowager Duchess is fond of them, or so I'm informed." [Shadow dressed as a waiter]

This was code - "All clear, nothing unexpected. Mostly crown prince's faction here, but small smattering of first empress' are here too. Mother orders me to make contact."

I nodded and glanced around - several of the butlers and maids were my and my mother's operatives.

In a small group I spotted the nobles that still supported the disappeared first empress.

Wandering over to them, my arm was suddenly linked up.

"Good idea - if I remember correctly, it will prove very profitable supporting those loyal folks, husband of mine." [Katiana]

This was at least the second time she had gotten this close without me feeling her presence - maybe she had a latent scouting talent that we could explore?

Later - now was the time for mingling.

---

"Ah, my dear Lady, you are extremely entertaining! Such a story! My Duke, you are so lucky to have such an enchanting fiance!" [Marquess of Caraesal]

The Marquess of Caraesal and her husband were the head of the first empress's faction, so winning their trust was vital.

Katiana had been telling unfamiliar - and at times slightly risque - stories; where she had gathered them was beyond me.

I was grateful that she expertly provided the social lubricant that allowed me to become accepted by this careful bunch.

They had started off naturally suspicious - after all, my family was considered the cornerstone of the empire, and we were known to be a fiercely neutral and independent faction.

My actions tonight - daringly at the current crown prince's birthday party - was a signal to the Empire that my family was no longer fully neutral.

That was my mother's wish - she obviously had something big planned, which she had not even shared with me.

I leaned over to Katiana.

"What do you know about all this? You mentioned profit. Has mother shared anything? Not even my bakery knows."

She whispered back, holding her fan in front of her mouth.

"Nope. I just have my own reasons - as a reward for going along with our selfishness I'll tell you what I can. Later - if you let me sit on your lap again, keke..." [Katiana]

The band changed the music, signaling the start of dancing.

"Shall we?"

"Oooo... I've been learning lately, so please take care of me! And sorry if I step on your feet..." [Katiana]

"Step all you want, just have fun."

I led Katiana to the dance area, and away we whirled.

At the end of the first dance, two unwelcome figures approached.

The second Empress, with her son the crown prince tagging behind.

"So this is your fiance, Duke - how unexpected! But then, your family never has bothered with rank in your marriages, have they?" [Second Empress Tarsha]

I just nodded curtly.

My wife did a full curtsy - and stayed down.

"Greetings to the Moon and Star of the empire. I am Katiana of Belirosa." [Katiana]

The crown prince's eyes were bulging at my wife - my fist clenched unconsciously.

"You may rise. Duke, this dance is mine, is it not?" [Second Empress Tarsha]

"As you say..." 

I led the second Empress to the dance area - out of the corner of my eye, I saw the crown prince ask Katiana for the next dance.

Surprisingly she accepted.

This dance was a complex one, where the couples swung into the center of the ballroom, then drifted outwards, and back into the center - rinse and repeat.

During this time, I strained to hear the conversation Katiana was having with the crown prince.

It seemed he was trying to proposition her - but I only caught part of her answer, as we drifted in opposite directions out to the edges of the ballroom.

"Mother in-law...discovered that...king...laid hands on...wife of...then she...ripped off...family jewels...fed...tarter...garlic. Funny yes?" [Katiana]

Even with my excellent hearing that was all I could catch - it sounded similar to one of her risque stories, but the mention of my mother confused me a bit.

The second Empress and I swung our way back into the center, and as I passed the crown prince I clearly saw cold sweat on his shocked and stricken face.

Ah, I suspect he has given up any ideas about my wife.

I parted ways with the second Empress with a few empty words - she retired back to her spot up on the balcony with her faction.

After this I danced a few more times with my wife.

During the break between the last two dances, I joined Katiana at the buffet.

"Is it just me, or are some of those waiters not...waiters?" [Katiana]

She whispered at me from behind her fan, darting glances in four distinct directions.

Following her gaze, I saw what she meant.

Whereas my bakery agents were blending perfectly in, these four were obvious goons.

And when they thought no-one was looking, they were  sizing Katiana up.

"Seems you have a fan base, dear wife. Should I remove them?"

"Nah... probably has to do with the warning I gave that sleazeba... the crown prince. Got him rattled, hehe..." [Katiana]

I notice both my agents and mother's had already spotted and marked the goons, so I didn't bother myself about them anymore.

After the last dance, we decided to call it a day, and met up with mother near the exit.

"Children, thanks to your hard work, I've been invited by Marquess of Caraesal to visit her estate to discuss... things - so I'll be heading home with her. My maids already know and will bring what I need." [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

Mother's dress shop was very efficient, as they proved time and again.

"Then goodnight big-sis! Let me know if I can join you in a few days - I'd like to make some friends in society..." [Katiana]

"You need to work on your puppy eyes, not convincing, dear - Nitram even did it better when he was three. But yes, I will ask the Marquess about inviting you, too!" [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

With that we exited the ball - if it hadn't been for Katiana's company, I would not have enjoyed myself - but this time, I admit to have had fun.

---

It was past midnight when we arrived back home at the estate - my steward and my wife's maids greeted us.

Before we parted ways at the doors to her quarters, Katiana turned around.

"Be here in half an hour, lap sitting time!" [Katiana]

The maids tried to suppress their giggles, but could't quite manage.

"Ah yes, I was promised a reward... then I will be back."

---