[img]https://i.imgur.com/gfxRzDm.png[/img]
[h3]Mirie Agustria of the Grand Bank,[/h3][i]Duchess of Caelin[/i]

[hr]
[b]Hathforth\\[/b]
[@Estylwen][@Izurich]

Duchess Agustria nodded in acknowledgement of the Wizard Queen’s words. [b]“Indeed. But for now, I shan’t take up all your time.”[/b] She raised her glass of wine in toast, before stepping back to mingle and allow the Queen to speak with the other guests, happy that she seemed amenable to allowing her to attach some minders to the expedition.

Although Mirie continued to mingle among her fellow dukes and duchesses, her attention was momentarily taken when the Court Mage’s apprentice approached nearby. She gave an interested glance in her direction. This was certainly an interesting development in court—and there was something about the young woman that had a certain pull to her. No doubt this Melisande would be someone to keep an on later. Blackthorne did not take random apprentices, after all. 

Her interaction with the Duke Willowsteel had about as much intrigue, but not in any pleasing way. He was an attractive man when he wasn’t too deep in his cups—but it was apparent that the man already had too much to drink. She grabbed the pole of her cane at the midway point, and then, with some force, but not violently, smacked it against his chest. [b]“Get a hold of your senses, Willowsteel! There is more to these parties than whatever you intimate.”[/b] She swirled the cup of his gifted wine in her other hand. [b]“Sitting down to arrange a very fruitful renewal of some deals, for example.”[/b]

She gave a nod at Nyx in her Rhinecliff disguise. That was more backbone than she had expected from the duke’s shapeshifter, but it was what she needed to say. Willowsteel still had value as a card on the table of the great game, no matter how sodden down the man was these days. 

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[b]Rhinecliff Estate\\[/b]
[@Estylwen][@ERode]

With some amusement, Mirie led the young boy down to the courtyard, who followed along as if he were going to the gallows rather than a pleasant garden tea service, which was what awaited. The hidden panic between the two twins, caught up in whatever scheme they were attempting, no doubt for the queen, was as plain as day. 

She smiled lightly at Viscountess Skybound. [b]“Indeed, Viscountess. Likewise,”[/b] she greeted pleasantly, as if there were nothing suspicious afoot at all. With the four of them now sitting at the table, she set the wine glass from the Queen’s gala down on the table, and plucked at a piece of fruit. 

Delicious. Rinecliff’s eye for quality was as sharp as usual. 

Meeting his eye, she smiled back. As delicate and unplanned as this was, this could still play in her favor, and how amusing it was at the same time! Given that this was his house, she would defer to him and allow him to take the lead, here.

[b]“Impressive indeed,” [/b]she followed on the Duke’s words, giving an appreciative nod at the boy even after hearing his whole spiel from earlier. 

[b]“Oh?”[/b] she inclined her head at Laurent’s tale. [b]“That is a frightening tale! The other lords and ladies shared many stories, and I did myself, but this is new to me,”[/b] she responded, making a small show of pondering. [b]“What a curious tale…”[/b]