[IRP] And a Toast to Our Victors

[Lavi]

Cecily howled with laughter, drawing in the eyes of those around them. Her guffaw persisted for a while before she could regain her bearings, covering her mouth to suppress the last of her chortling. Marquess Urai was a lot smarter than he made himself out to be, she realized. She half-expected him to buckle into her question, so his response was a welcoming surprise.

He found the flux of her game fairly quickly, so she knew that she won't get away with her hobbies this time around. Although disappointed in that regard, finding someone that could keep up with her banter is equally intriguing.

"I got what I wanted already," she managed to say as her giggling subsided. For her, meeting an interesting marquess was well worth going to a boring banquette.

"I misled you when I said we are not concerned with wealth. We may not be concerned, but no one complains when more gold is placed in the coffers," she admitted. "House Laus would be pleased with a trade agreement, establishment of embassies, etcetera etcetera."

"Establishing new ties is just as essential to empowering our voice in the court as it does yours. Also, the economic pressure from Aquleia and Laus are also very tempting."

"This is all I am allowed to offer by the Marquess Laus. Are these acceptable arrangements?" she asked. "The formalities can be done at a more convenient time, of course."

Cecily could hear the receptionist announce another arrival: the Marquess Caisra. She peeked over towards the entrance to get a glimpse of the marquess, momentarily distracted from hearing what Marquess Urai had to say. She had to see if the Caisran marquess is as interesting as Marquess Aquleia, but after finishing business.