Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or the world in which they live. They belong to the wonderfully talented Sherwood Smith. I also used dialogue from Crown Duel. This is my take on Savona's thoughts and feeling as well as what you didn't see of him. I stole the title from Oscar Wilde. Blah, blah, blah…

The night before the trip to Tlanth, I found myself with Danric in his favored library alcove. It was out of the way and no one hardly ever came by during the day. It was third blue and the chance of anyone else joining us has highly improbable.

"What if she still hates me?" Danric asked for the hundredth time that week. For the last week I would have thought him a young man asking a girl to dance for the first time. I actually remembered him doing that, and he had been nowhere near as shaken. Oh, was he in love. And he still denied it.

"Well, I suggest that you make sure she has no heavy objects at hand to hurl at you head?" I suggested.

"Russav," he said in a flat tone, "Be serious for two seconds of your life." He gave a small smile. "Or is that even possible?"

"Serious, Vidanric, is your job in this family. Some real advice: Don't push her. If she still needs more time to cool off, give her time. Until she does cool down, watch what you say to her. From what you've told me, she is reading far too much into what you say. Don't give her the space to do that. That can't be too hard for you to do."

He sighed, again for the hundredth time that week.

"I fear I do not need utter a single word in order to anger her. I just wish I could go back and fix everything I messed up during the war. We were raised to be courtiers, raised to wear these masks day after day. Before the war, I did not like it, but I still did not mind too much. It was how things were. As much a boon as it was, I think now it is my greatest downfall. Masks and lies are no good if I want anyone to trust me. If I want Meliara to trust me. We should all be more honest like Bran and Mel. I'm tired of hiding who I am. Am I making sense?" he asked, finishing his tirade.

"Yes, yes you do. We all hate the ways Court manners dictate our lives. I fear it is now too much part of who we are. But Court is also politics, and politics does not become the truth. At least you look forward to some time without being pestered by a dozen people looking for favors. Get some good mountain air, relax a bit. Maybe get over the cold you've had since your return?" I thought of such a vacation and envied him. Usually such a trip to another noble's lands would be trying, but this was Bran. There would be no expectations placed upon him. Why had I refused the trip?

"What cold, I'm not sick," he insisted.

"You are in denial"

"I am not Russav."

"See!" I declared triumphantly.

The bells for White tolled quietly over the palace.

"Russav, as much as I would like to sit here and bicker with you like a school boy, I fear I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow. I'm going to sleep."

"A good idea, women will be able to resist my charms if have circles under my eyes as dark as yours."

He eyed me askance as he straightened up his papers to leave.

"Women will be able to resist your charms the second you open your mouth."

"Vidanric, I resent that statement."

With that we exited the alcove, trading good natured insults on our way back to our rooms. We came to an intersection in the halls where we would go our separate ways.

"Well Vidanric, I bid you a good night and a pleasant trip. I'm sorry I won't be there to see you off. You'll write?"

"Of course. Thank you Russav, I'm looking forward to getting some time away from the palace; it should be a refreshing change."

As we clasped each other's shoulders, I extolled him to be safe, and with that I bid him fare well

In Vidanric's absence, his parents were left with most of the job of running the kingdom. Equerries were run ragged in efforts for them to keep in touch with their son and keep him in turn up to date with the kingdom's affairs.

I found my afternoon taken up with Petitioner's Court. Aunt Elestra, appalled with my idleness, had set me to the task of sorting through the information that had been gathered for petitioner's cases and gave me academic questions of what should be done. While not my choice diversion, I did it out of duty. Two weeks after Vidanric's departure, debate erupted after Petitioner's Court.

We were a small group that was left in the antechamber of the throne room, and we all sat on stools around the high table.

"But what of these reports that are arriving, several villagers from my lands say that they were harassed by warriors! Are our boarders so threatened that we need these soldiers roaming through our lands. I want them gone. My lands do not have the resources needed to keep these people in food, not with the flooding last spring." was the complaint of a southern Baron to Aunt Elestra.

My aunt, having little real experience with military, looked down the table to my uncle for help. He rarely spoke during these debates, and when he did, it was out of necessity.

Uncle Alaerec thought for a few moments while the room fell back to silence.

"This matter of the military is one that weighs greatly on all our minds. There are no simple answers at this time and I can make you no promises. Like everyone else, I can only tell you that we shall look into your matter. There is much to be done before all affairs can be set in order. We are in a time of transition, and we must all be patient."

The baron was feeling bold.

"If there is so much to be done, why has His Grace, the Marquis left for a pleasure trip? I want to see a government be run by its leaders. Work cannot continue if His Grace is absent. If he cannot bear the responsibilities of the throne, it should belong to someone else!"

Silence again filled the room; there was not even the sound of breathing. What he had said was not just rude, but he had said it to "His Grace's" parents.

"If you do not see that His Grace is fit to rule," Aunt Elestra began, unperturbed, "I bid you to come forward with your own suggestion as to who should fill the throne. I would also ask that you present your case to court as to why your candidate is more qualified than His Grace the Marquis. Until then, the matter of the crown is closed."

I was feeling defense of Vidanric and added "It should also be noted that His Grace has not took his leave for personal reasons alone. The county Tlanth has been overlooked for so many years; the crown requires that it be viewed by those who wish to rule. All of the kingdom must be overseen, and better a ruler sees it with his own eyes, than see it through the eyes of stewards. Would you not agree, my lord?"

The Baron's eyes finally widened with the embarrassment of what he had said.

"Yes Your Highnesses, Your Grace."

With that, the outburst was over and we continued with the matters at hand. As we finished, the other nobles left, leaving my aunt and I to finish up to remaining tasks for the day. Uncle Alaerec had departed with everyone else. There was little he could do to help us and retired for his afternoon nap. Scribes and servants were quickly given their final orders and Aunt Elestra and I tool a stroll through the winter gardens. It was a nice day, but few people were out as that winter had not quite yet blossomed into spring.

"Russav," she began taking hold of the arm I offered her, "look at you, you do not eat enough. You will lose your health."

I laughed at the absurdity of the thought. My aunt herself was one of the smallest people I had ever known and if she though me thin, I wondered what she thought of Vidanric.

"Do not worry for me; I am the picture of health. Besides I am not the one who is incessantly ill. Vidanric seems to be filling that role."

"I worry of him sometimes." she said with a small sigh. "I do hope his sojourn to Tlanth will speed along his recovery. In his writings he has told me of the county's beauty and that perhaps someday I should view it for myself." She glanced around to assure that we were still alone, smiled, and softly said, "He has also informed me that the Countess of Tlanth will be returning with her brother. But this is to be kept secret for some time. We do not wish for certain people to hear of this news too soon. Until then I am looking forward to meeting the Countess. We have all heard so much about her, and no one really was able to see her when she was here last."

I suppressed most of my smile at her comments. Vidanric had observed earlier that his mother knew of his personal problems with Lady Meliara, but of yet, she had not commented to him about it.

Glancing up at my lapse in control she playfully asked, "Russav, do you mock me in my old age?"

I put on a shocked face. "What? Who? Me? Never! I am the Savona and I never mock, especially mock so great a lady!"

Her laughter was like wind chimes. "Russav, you do have the flair for theatrics. Your father was the same. Stop before your feet leave the earth. I suppose all those women who crowd you have given you too big a head."

"I am humble as ever Auntie." I changed the subject to one I was more curious about. "If I may ask, what do you scheme for your son?"

"I must admit I do not know what you inquire."

"Lady Meliara and your son?"

"I have heard much of her and I wish to meet her for myself, that is all. She and lord Branaric sacrificed much on behalf of the kingdom and I wish to express my gratitude. Effort must be but forth to undo wrongs, on our part and Galdran's."

"That was not quite what I meant. You know how Danric feels about the Countess, I know how he feels about her as well, and it seems he does not yet realize what is there."

My aunt again laughed and cut in, "Russav, you are far too observant. You would have made a most excellent spy. As for Vidanric, I shall try to leave well enough alone. He is to be king and does not need his mother dabbling in his affairs of the heart. And I do very much wish to meet Lady Meliara."

Several days later I found a letter from Vidanric waiting on my table. It was a short note:

Russav,

As my mother may have already informed you, Lady Meliara has agreed to come to Court. While this news is somewhat of a relief, it distresses me as well. She is not as thick skinned as Bran and I fear her experiences at Athanarel may be negative if no one intervenes. Russav, I ask you a favor: place your influence on Lady Meliara. The risks are too high to take any chances. You remain, as always, my favorite cousin.

Vidanric

I laughed. I was his only cousin. Well, his only first cousin. It was my duty to help him and I would. I knew very well his ulterior motives for making Mel popular: he did not want her to run back to her home like she had done before at the end of the war. Politically, he wanted the kingdom to see that the Astiars were partisans to him taking the throne, that was most important. Personal matters were tied to his politics with Lady Meliara as well.

I quickly penned a short reply, agreeing with his scheme and sent it off. As I considered the matter further, I came to a realization. Vidanric was letting me get back at him in a very obtuse way. Tamara had focused most of her attentions on him instead of me. It had hurt me to see Tamara going after other men in the past, but it was even worse when it was my cousin. "Placing my influence" in Meliara was going to mean flirting on my part, and he would have to watch me do that when I was sure he would much rather be the one in my position.

I was also going to make Tamara mad.

Until that point, I had been keeping distance from Tamara, but with her loss of Vidanric to flit after, she returned to my attentions for the next several weeks. Knowing I would have an opportunity to have my own brand of vengeance on her, I did not mind her mercurial affections as much.

Spring came suddenly to Athanarel and the warmer weather lead to more outdoor pursuits. One fine afternoon I meet up with Lord Deric and Lord Geral in the gardens and somehow Tamara, beribboned and jeweled, quickly found us. She had been on her way to the fish pond and would we care to keep her company?

At the pond, we quickly came up with a betting game as to who could get the fish to jump for bread the most. Geral took his turn first and did quite well. Tamara went next. She did not fare as well as Geral.

I leaned on the bench to watch and enjoy the sun.

A fish splashed and Tamara looked up through her lashes at me and laughed, "Two to me."

I smiled down in return and caught figures approaching us out of the corner of my eye. Turning, I saw Nimiar accompanied by another young woman. Bran and his guests had home. As the pair approached, I was able to get a better look at Nee's companion's face. Lady Meliara. Her resemblance to Bran was unmistakable and I had never really been able to shake the image from my mind of her staring down Galdran. Clean and dressed in clothes befitting her station, she was lovely. I straightened my posture and waited for them to approach.

Tamara spoke first, "Nimiar? Welcome back dear cousin." Tamara usually did not admit she was related to Nee, yet alone greet her in public and call her "dear".

Nimiar, ever polite, smiled back, "We are returned indeed Tamara." In accordance to the rules of etiquette, Nimiar turned toward me.

"Your grace, may I present to you Lady Meliara Astiar?" And to Meliara she said "the Duke of Savona."

I watched Meliara cautiously curtsy, looking her straight in the eyes.

"Well," I thought, "may as well commence Danric's plan now."

Bowing much more elaborately then I should have, I kissed her hand. That would make some news. Meliara blushed at my display, making her look very pretty. No wonder Danric was attracted to her. Nimiar finished introductions and Tamara once again took control of the conversation.

"My dear Countess, why were we not told we would have the felicity of meeting you?" Her question was innocent enough, but thorns were hidden amongst it.

Meliara did not answer, but shook her head.

"Though, in truth, perhaps it is better this way," Tamara continued, "I should have been afraid to meet so formidable a personage. You must realize we have been hearing a great deal about your valiant efforts against our former king."

She was already mocking Meliara, but she either did not notice or was just ignoring her barbs with her reply of, "Well, if the stories were complimentarily, they weren't true." We all laughed at her self-degradation except Tamara.

"Surely you are overmodest dear Countess," Tamara continued with a smile that I knew hinted at her poison.

I could not resist opportunity and curiosity. "What is your version of the story Lady Meliara?"

"If I start on that we'll be here all night, and I do not wish to miss my dinner." Again we laughed at her joking comment.

Nimiar took Meliara's arm and gracefully asked Mel, "Shall we continue on to find your brother? He is probably looking for us," as a way to exit our company.

"Let's" Mel replied. Both ladies curtsied their farewells and began their way toward the residence. Geral made an attempt to follow, but Tamara called him back to her side. I watched Nimiar and Meliara disappear around a bend before returning my attention to Tamara. I caught her glaring for the barest moment at the retreating shadows of Meliara and Nimiar.

A/N: Whew, I got it done! I'm feeling a little tired right now. To my wonderful and marvelous reviews (esp. Alqualyne and FelSong), I thank you all for the reviews, compliments and criticisms. I still hate chapter seven and will work on it more at some other date. I hop this chapter is an improvement.

Castella: There is a YahooGroup called CastleTlanth for the CCD books. Sherwood Smith is on the list and is very nice about answering the 50 million questions we ask her. It is a fun group of crazy weird CCD lovers.