We soon reached the Marquess' estate with no further incidents - it was now early afternoon.

I pulled my carriage to a halt in manor's parkway and hopped down.

The view of a double row of servants greeted us. 

The head butler - thinking I was indeed just a driver - waited patiently until the passengers disembarked.

Striding toward's the Earl's carriage, I closed my eyes half way there and exercised my skill "Presence Detection".

The Earl's guards, their horses, the two coach horses, the Earl's driver, the Marquess' head butler and her servants, my two elite commanders - all were clearly felt, and their location precisely noted.

As I approached the carriage - my eyes still shut - I felt only two presences inside, but heard several voices.

One presence was that of the maid who was accompanying the Earl's daughter.

The other was a small blob of warmth that I had come to recognize as Katiana's slime companion, Nozomi.

So why did I not feel, but only hear, Katiana and the Earl's daughter?

I opened the Earl's carriage door and my eyes at the same time.

"We have arrived. May I help you descend?"

Inside the carriage sat three women.

On the Earl's daughter's lap the night-silk colored Nozomi was undulating in its "happy dance" - the three women were in turn spoiling it with dried fruits and candied nuts.

Nozomi swiveled its one eye to look at me, and a free tentacle gave me a small wave.

Unconsciously I somehow felt it rude not to wave back... was this starting to become some sort of ritual?

"Ah, for the Duke himself to attend to me, what an honor!" [Earl's eldest Daughter, Hildebrand]

"Yep, my hubby can be thought-full sometimes! Nozomi, come here please..." [Katiana]

Katiana held out her arm - the slime slid onto the offered sleeve - as it did so, Nozomi matched Katiana's dress color before camouflaging  with the dress fabric.

I helped the two Ladies down before turning to the last occupant of the carriage - the maid hesitated, but Katiana spoke up.

"Come, come, Melissa - just pretend he is what he is dressed as - cos-playing as the driver!" [Katiana]

At my wife's insistence, Melissa the maid allowed me to also assist her to exist the coach - although she was blushing heavily.

The head butler finally approached.

"My Ladyships, you must be weary from the journey - would you like to first be guided to your quarters?" [Head Butler]

Katiana exchanged a quick look with the Earl's daughter, who very slightly shook here head.

"No, thank you, we are fine - if you could lead us to the Marquess?" [Katiana]

The butler bowed and indicated they follow him.

Without a word I marched behind the two ladies - this garnered a few strange looks from the servants, but as neither my wife nor the Earl's daughter said anything, no-one dared interfere.

"Marquess, thank you for inviting me." [Katiana]

"Of course - you were so entertaining at the ball, and the Dowager Duchess has spoken highly of you. And welcome, Princess Hildebrand of Vusecto - thank you for coming at short notice." [Marquess of Caraesal]

"My father sends his greetings - and when we heard the Dowager Duchess would reveal something that will bring us new hope, we could not restrain our eagerness." [Earl's eldest Daughter, Hildebrand]

The Marquess looked at me who was dressed as coach driver with a frown - she let out a small gasp as her eyebrows shot up.

"My Duke! We were certainly not expecting your Lordship, too!" [Marquess of Caraesal]

"I must apologize for my current... wardrobe. I will explain the circumstances when we have a free moment."

"Of course - of course. Your mother will be pleased that you have joined us as well - for now, how about I give a bit of a tour of the estate, so you can find your way comfortably?" [Marquess of Caraesal]

We three meekly followed the Marquess as she paraded us through the grounds, first showing the various gardens, before ending up in the main manor.

We were now having a bit of tea in the conservatory.

After a while, Katiana put down her empty cup, and wiped a crumb away from her mouth.

"Do you have a room that is a bit better... secured than here?" [Katiana]

"Ah... yes, my husband's office - if you would follow me?" [Marquess of Caraesal]

The Marquess led us down the hall to a solid looking door. Passing through the doorway I saw a row of purple glowing runes running up and down the door frame - a privacy spell.

"We should be secure in here... please have a seat." [Marquess of Caraesal]

There were several short sofas and chairs arranged loosely around a central coffee table - I chose a chair, whereas the three ladies each choose a sofa.

"So... Marquess, I think there is a faction that is trying to hinder whatever you and big-sis - I mean the Dowager Duchess - are planning. Both Hildebrand and I were attacked on the way here by almost a hundred bandits." [Katiana]

"Oh my! Is that why the Duke is with you?" [Marquess of Caraesal]

"Actually that is just a..."

At least I tried to talk, but Katiana leaned in towards the Marquess and interrupted.

"No, that was more a stroke of luck - my hubby just couldn't bare to stay away from me, so he snuck along without telling me, while pretending to be the coachman!" [Katiana]

Both the daughter of the Earl and the Marquess put their hands in front of their mouths and giggled.

"Oh my - I forgot, you are still newly weds! Of course! Hfu hfu hfu!" [Marquess of Caraesal]

"I'm almost a bit jealous, dear Katiana, hehe." [Earl's eldest Daughter, Hildebrand]

Katiana blushed a bit and said some empty words before getting back to business she turned towards me.

"One thing - dear Nitram, didn't you notice anything strange about the bandits?" [Katiana]

"Not particularly..."

"I bet we'll find out that none of them were local - the way they were lined up in ranks and sections when they approached us - that's military training, right there, that is." [Katiana]

"Oh, I had noticed that, too - and there was always a few that hung back - I bet those were the higher ranks!" [Earl's eldest Daughter, Hildebrand]

"If those were soldiers, I feel sorry for the country that sent them - to me, they just looked like a group of peasants."

Katiana stroked her chin.

"Hmm... yes, if you compare them to your highly disciplined and trained army - and I don't even mean the 100 elites - then these thugs were not even kindergartners..." [Katiana]

"But from what country would they be?" [Marquess of Caraesal]

"They must be related to the second Empress' faction - we just need to find out which country wins the most if the current crown prince becomes Emperor." [Earl's eldest Daughter, Hildebrand]

"But there is just the current crown prince as a heir - ah... or is someone afraid the Duke might decide to throw his hat into the ring? My Lord, you do have that right as the founding family..." [Marquess of Caraesal]

"I already informed my wife - what sane person would want to be Emperor? I will not be using that privilege."

As I spoke my mother entered the room.

"Ah here is where everyone is!" [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

"My dear Dowager Duchess! Will you be divulging the important news now? Both my father and my family are very curious about the hint you left us, that this is a turning point in our troubles." [Earl's eldest Daughter, Hildebrand]

"Fufufu! Not today! There are still a few guests arriving tomorrow, so I will explain it all then! Anyway I am hungry, and the head butler informs me diner can be server now, so..." [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

"Oh how time flies! Of course! Shall we? I am sure the kitchens have provided an excellent spread." [Marquess of Caraesal]

Dinner completed with no issues or surprises - which I admit is difficult to believe when my wife was involved.

"My head maid, Dareene, will show you to your rooms - I hope they will be to your liking." [Marquess of Caraesal]

"I am sure they will, thank you again for your hospitality."

"The pudding was divine! If it is not rude, I would like to ask the chef for the recipe? I'll trade for pizza pie!" [Katiana]

"I'm... sure something can be arranged. I've heard of that new dish, and would like to try it." [Marquess of Caraesal]

Katiana grinned and linked her arm in mine.

"Win, win! Dareene dear, lead the way!" [Katiana]

We followed the head maid to the guest sleeping quarters - mother followed us with what I suspected to be a small smirk on her face - my instinct acted up and I could not help thinking "Oh oh...".

The head maid stopped in front of a set of open lavish double doors - a maid stood to either side.

"Well my dears, these are your quarters - mine are at the end of the hallway. Sleep tight!" [Mother Duchess, Wudemia]

"My Lord, my Lady, your chambers. Should you require anything, there is a magic service bell on the night table that will summon one of us." [Head Maid Dareene]

Not wanting to cause a fuss, Katiana pulled me into the rooms.

"Good night big-sis! And thank you head maid - we will retire now." [Katiana]

The doors closed behind us - Katiana looked up at me with a small frown.

Well, this is a fine pickle... we had never shared a bedroom before.

Fainswift

Side note in case anyone was curious: "Princess" when applied to the Earl's Daughter, Hildebrand of Vusecto, is used here for unmarried daughters of the higher nobility - it is not a "royal" princess in this case.