#fenixtj

"May I ask, Your Grace, is Lady Chara a subject of yours?"

"Not that I know of it, but this is my Duchy. I can grant haven or emancipation to anyone I damned well please"

"You would know better than I but.... wouldn't that complicate things? To offend and offer her a perceived injury?"

"I'm a Liam, I offend her by existing" The Duke says "But I took an Oath as part of my true House."

"I wouldn't know, of course, but.... is there a way to really free Michelle without brute force of command?"

"I mean... if that is the only route then I might as well do it." She shrugs "My association with members of Laim is no secret."

"Well, you've freed her from the working, you, and I'm told, Dame Ash? Who I am impressed by"

"This sounds just like making it official to me. "

"Is the Lady entitled to some compensation? Or will she believe that she is?"

"She'll believe she is. I would disagree" A snort "There's one more thing I'm going to do to tick her off, but I can be discrete if need be. I can make sure the Baron doesn't marry her. I don't want someone who does that sort of thing helping rule a barony under me"

"That is your prerogative, Your Grace." She agrees "I guess I was just wondering if there isn't a ... diplomatic solution to this. Calming ruffled feathers."

he ponders "it's possible my ire is blinding me. What do you suggest?"

"I am having a bit of the same issue." She confesses "And Michelle does not admit to knowing how Lady Chara might be satisfied."

"Satisfied" mmmph

"My apologies. Ishould 'play nice' but I'm not certain how to..." A thought "Interesting... I wonder if I could offer her a positon only to have it be less stellar than she realized?"

"You could." Jess opines, and the rubs the base of her horns with one hand.

"I might not be putting this well but... she didn't do anything wrong. Well, nothing that violates the Escheat. Should she be punished? By you?"

"What of the right of ignorance? Michell e has been almost constantly enchanted. Right to dream certainly is in danger"

Jessica thinks of it. "Yes. I wonder where it happened...."

"Madri Gras you said?"

"Well, Michelle said." she agrees "I admit I don't know much about the place. Perhaps Lady Chara's liege there agreed with such things."

A frown

"Well I'm not going to let her have Michelle back"

"Understand me, Your Grace, I don't want that either. I also don't want the fall out to negatively effect you."

"Well, sometimes, it's up to a Noble to take the heat, or what good are we?"

Jess nods, ennobled despite her best efforts. "True."

"No, I'll shield her, and take what comes."

Jess nods acceptance. "You'll have her go with you?"

"I want her to go where she wills, but I hope she accepts my shelter more directly"

"How can I be of assistance?"

"Let me take the lead on this and the blame. I need you...untouched for purposes of the peace talks"

Jessica sighs; it doesn't sit right to go along with this but... she nods acceptance.

"Thank you"

"No thanks necessary, Your Grace; you are welcome, in any case."

"None the less, you did well. Liberating her"

"Thank you, Your Grace. It was not a situation I enjoyed seeing either."

"of course not. I could only imagine your father would be beaming if he knew of this"

Her lips curve, just at the corner on one side, and she nods. "As I am proud of him."

A nod "Now, I do think she'd be a bad match for tidemarch, iin mroe than one way. And i may suggest another. I take it you'd just as soon be left out of his match making?"

"-All- matchmaking, thank you."

The Duke looks a bit amused

But nods "Of course"

"What are your plans now?"

"Make my offer to Michelle, take her to safety. You seem to have all all in good hands"

"Thank you again."

"No need to thank me either" A smile

Jess nods.

"Any requests of me before I go?"

"That you travel safely and return soon, Your Grace."

"You are my most dedicated vasssal" then with a smile "Every duke should have a King working for him I think"