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A delicately-featured woman sits primly, her hands folded lightly on the table in front of her. Her clothes are fine; her hair cascades down her shoulders, curling slightly at the ends. She is not young, but she is far from middle age. It is difficult to put an age to her. A small silvery tiara adorns her dark locks.
"You have the pleasure to address Shaile Affney, lady wife of Prince Bygast Affney of Uppercourt. I have some pressing matters to attend to soon, so could you please make it quick?"
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Of course, my Lady. My apologies for disturbing you. If I may ask, what are you doing in a place like this unescorted?
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"My husband the Prince is out at the moment, as he seems to always be. Bygast has always been more interested in currying the High Prince's favor than spending time with me. We don't even have children!"
She scoffs.
"I am quite capable of looking after myself, thank you. I am not one of those helpless ladies who seem to be the norm."
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I am sorry to hear of your marital troubles, my Lady. They must be vexing indeed if you are quick to express your woes to the nearest available ear.
What cause does your husband have to trail after the High Prince so assiduously that he leaves you behind alone and unattended? And should you not be at his side helping him accomplish his goals, rather than staying behind and complaining of your loneliness?
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Bygast and I have been married for four years, and he still hasn't given me a child. It truly is vexing, as you put it. He's always been a toady for the High Prince. Not long after we wed, he left me behind to stay at court in Kingsroof, giving me the excuse that his brother wouldn't be able to take care of Uppercourt on his own, that he needed my help to do it. Rightly, I should have gone to court with him. He is simply playing the game, attempting to make himself valuable to the High Prince so that when Tobian becomes King, he'll be closest to his ear. Of course, I know how to play the game too, and Bygast's strategies and my own don't always coincide.
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My husband's impression of Tenney is correct: the boy isn't bright. He's more interested in himself than caring for Uppercourt, myself, or his sister.
Now Tenney and Bygast's sister, Lisbyth, on the other hand, had been a great comfort. She is as a sister to me, and her thoughts coincide with my own in many situations. She agrees that Bygast is foolish for trailing after the High Prince like he does. And now that the High Prince is a royal bachelor once again, she sees the advantage the family would gain if we managed to attach her to him.
[This message has been edited by Gaudrhin (edited July 22, 2009).]
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If your sister-in-law did manage to catch the High Prince's heartstrings, she would end up in the royal court. Would you follow her there? And if so, how would that affect your relationship with your husband?
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Already, I've been trying to push Bygast to... make the High Prince aware of Lisbyth's charms. He has made it quite clear that he is against it. I suppose our relationship will remain the same-- if he had his way. I am determined to give him an heir. I am far beyond ready to have children.
What he doesn't seem to realize is that he has already put our family in a very good position of power. There have been royal murders... the High Prince's late wife was murdered, according to rumor. That is why he is "on the market" as I believe the commonfolk say. Tying ourselves to Tobian now would put us in a good place if something... unfortunate were to happen to him. I personally am pushing for Lisbyth to marry him and give him a son as soon as possible.
This has been, I suppose, a rather roundabout way to answer your question. In a few words, Bygast needs to learn that I will not sit waiting for him anymore. I'm a part of this too.
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A sad thing it seems to me, to wish so greatly to bring a child into such an cold marriage. Do you hope that perhaps, with a child to engage him, your husband might return to you with rekindled interest?
Or does so little affection remain between you that you in fact hope for the opposite, to be able to raise your child alone?
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I believe it will bring us together. He certainly shows enough interest in me when we... perform the baby-making act. Besides, he is a Prince. He needs an heir. His Realm needs an heir.
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Forgive me for naysaying your words, but his willingness to leave you behind displays a decided lack of interest. Do you think it possible he has a mistress in the High Prince's court?
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There have been rumors, but Bygast's relationship with the High Prince was well-known. He is actually teased for it, called The Follower behind his back. It's more likely that his "mistress" is the High Prince himself. Although some rumors have claimed that he was involved with the High Prince's late wife, High Lady Lilean, before her murder.
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