?l? opens the door to her father's office and steps inside, leaving Dyder in the hall struggling with all of her already packed luggage. “Father, I wish to go to the Crown with Dyder and Mina.”

  Alavel looks up from the papers on his desk. “Yes, you can go. It’s not like I have many choices now, do I?” He would rather have waited until after the wedding, but he does not think anything will go awry, so there is no issue in letting her go. He looks to Dyder, a trunk in each hand and smaller bags under each arm. “I would imagine you’ll be moving to the Crown after the 20th, so it would be best for you to take some time beforehand to get yourself established.”

  “That is just what I was thinking. Dyder and Mina already said they’ll show me around.”

  “Will Gekaryna have a room for you two upon your arrival?” Avavel asks Dyder, hoping the answer will be yes, as he knows that ?l? will try to get him to pay for a house on the castle grounds if not.

  “Of course, there are plenty of free rooms in the castle, as well as a few separate houses on the grounds.” Dyder has yet to inform ?l? that he spends most nights in his favorite chair outside of ?nnywella’s bedroom.

  Alavel sighs.

  ?l? whips around at the mention of a more private lodging. “Are any available?”

  “You’re going to have to take that up with her. I would imagine so; most are only used for longer stays of noble families. The only ones occupied at the moment belong to the Ulmes and Viola and her husband, who just moved into Floren’s old house.” Dyder sets the luggage down and continues. “If she doesn’t have any plans to have families stay long term, I’m sure one will be available.”

  “Who’s Viola?” ?l? asks.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “The eldest daughter of the Blumavars; do you remember Franheska? tall, with the veiled pointed hat?” Dyder gestures above his head, trying to give an accurate representation of Floryana’s silhouette.

  “The one who just stared at me on my last visit when I gave her a compliment on her shoes?”

  “Probably; that sounds like her.”

  “Is her sister the same?”

  “No; only Franheska is like that; her siblings are fine.”

  Alavel clears his throat, getting the attention of Dyder and ?l?. “Back on the topic at hand, please; you can discuss Floren’s daughter in the carriage. Dyder do you know if ?nnywella charges rent on these houses?” He looks to ?l?. “You might not remember this, but when you were about three, we went and stayed with the Hersts for a few months, as originally we were planning to marry you to Avlan—but this is beside the point—while we were there, Athalric charged us rent, heavily discounted, but rent nonetheless.” He looks back at Dyder. “Do you know if Gekaryna would charge you for the house?”

  “I don’t think so.” Dyder scratches at the blonde stubble on his chin. “I don’t think Viola pays anything because she is attending to Anwelyse V; I would imagine that the same would apply to ?l—Ilsenila and I.”

  Alavel cocks his head at Dyder’s slip-up but chooses not to address it. “I know there is no stopping ?l? from asking about one of the houses, so just let me know if Gekaryna intends to charge you for it.”

  Dyder nods. “Of course, thank you.”

  Ede quickly approaches her father's office, her footsteps echoing down the hall. She sticks her head in the open doorway. “I would like to leave soon; I have packed a meal for later, as well as snacks—if we don’t leave soon, my dinner will go cold and I will eat my snacks waiting for you.”

  “Then I shall let you go; have a pleasant trip.” Alavel says, waving to the three.

  “Thank you, Daddy.” Says ?l? as she leaves Alavel’s office, forgetting to close the door behind her.

  The two sisters hurry down the hall, leaving Dyder to deal with the luggage.

  Dyder reaches for the office door, going to close it for Alavel.

  “Dyder,” Alavel says. “I caught that...”

  “Sorry. It won’t happen again, sir.” Dyder flushes.

  “No need to apologize; I’m not mad—just don’t count your chickens before they hatch. And thank you for getting the door; ?l? never remembers. Write me when you arrive back at the Crown, and be sure to include what is going on with the housing.”

  “Certainly.” Dyder closes the door behind him. Taking the luggage, he heads off down the hall.