[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][@Donut Look Now][@Irradiant]

It only took but a few moments for Duke Willowsteel to completely reverse Duchess Agustria’s opinion of the man and what he had to offer. There were precious few things one could do at a function like this for the famously amenable duchess to turn on someone like a fellow holder of a ducal seat, but he somehow managed to cross a line for her. 

In response to everybody’s attempt to calm him down, he had taken it upon himself to consume enough wine to knock out an ox, and then began a verbal campaign of the highest slander and conspiracy. The Court Jester, using human sacrifices to fuel her simple illusions? Mirie wanted to scoff. That was not how magic worked, especially the type that woman used. She was wary of the Court Jester, yes, but not for a reason as absurd as what Willowsteel suggested. 

[b]“Patently ridiculous,”[/b] she agreed, deigning to respond to Willowsteel’s accusations only with two words and a degree of separation. 

With how clownish the gala was becoming, perhaps it was in her best interest to accelerate her little intermission. 

But not before seeing the outcome of the challenge from Duchess Altina. She leaned over towards the fake Rhinecliff. [b]“This should be, if anything, entertaining.”[/b]

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

Mirie raised an eyebrow at the twins’ immediate surrender, to the point where they were prostrating on the ground, groveling for forgiveness from her host. The duchess had accidentally played a part in this and thwarted what was a fairly obvious scheme in hindsight, but she was glad that she did. A penniless Rhinecliff would not do for her own plans and the balance of power in Arrowfell, and that was not to mention the issues with the economy that would cause.

She had decided not to intervene here, but she doubted that she would be disappointed by Rhinecliff’s judgment, either. In the end, they were still kids, and he was famed for his magnanimity, even if he was in his full rights to strike them down as they stood for the insult against him and his seat. 

And indeed, he would not ruin the day or the table setting with anything nearly as ominous as punishment. 

Duchess Agustria moved on as if nothing had happened, switching her goblet of wine from the gala for the tea that the Duke poured. 

[b]“The Queen has made some effort to restore the city," she allowed. "It’s not yet to the former glory that it was previously, but I would say that the city is well on its way there. And what of Odenfield? It has been some time for me, too. The architecture of your city is always a delight to behold.”[/b]