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…

Two days after my ball, I found I had slept in. The morning was nearly over and the time for Petitioner's Court was fast approaching. I had been absent the past two days, the first to arrange my ball and the second I had lost track of time while attending to the business of my lands. Gossipers might start some rumor about dissent between the cousins, and I did not want to add to Danric's many burdens. The last thing he need was to quell a false rumor that I did not support him as ruler. I wouldn't put it past the gossipmongers to say I wanted a crown. Life at court was vicious.

I stood through Petitioner's Court, listening to the petitioners and the rain as it pattered against the high windows. With the sun shining, the courtroom was magnificent, but when it rained, I found the room transformed into something more sinister. Perhaps that was because it had been raining the day Galdran had me brought before the court to tell me my parents were dead.

Business continued as usual, with Danric and his parents in front of the dais for the throne. Not many petitions came and they cases were simple, so we finished early, Tamara lingering after the others had left to catch my cousin and work her charms on him. And throw glances in my direction. Even during Galdran's reign, Tamara had rarely missed the opportunity to mingle with the most powerful men at Court.

After changing into afternoon clothes I meet up with Bran in the gardens, who as jovially telling Lord Geral and Lord Deric some story, laughing as he spoke.

"…so I ran off into the woods with Mel on my heels chasing me and yelling. Finally I stopped to look around and realized Mel had disappeared. Well, burn it, what if she had fallen and gotten hurt? I backtracked bit, calling her name. Halfway back to the castle, she jumps out of a tree and pinned me on the ground. Made me apologize for calling her a runt. Haven't called her that since…" Bran trailed off from laughing. Deric was laughing as well and Geral was smiling. What kind of women had Danric gotten himself into?

"Bran, if your sister knew you were telling men stories about her, I suspect she might hunt you down again."

"Savona! Didn't see you down there. You missed the ride this morning."

"I was enjoying my sleep far too much. Deric, Geral." I saluted my friends.

"Savona, where is Danric? He was supposed to meet us here ten minutes ago." Deric asked.

"He was finishing business after Petitioner's Court, he should reappear some time soon. He does have that habit of popping up out of nowhere."

"Like so, Russav?" came Danric's voice as he turned a bend in the path, bringing himself into view. "Pardon my tardiness gentlemen, business matters seem to have a life of their own."

"Military again?" Bran asked with distaste as we began to wander the paths.

"No, taxes actually."

Bran grimaced again, "Taxes are almost as bad as the military. Someone has to have a head for all that stuff, 'cause it's not me. Mel's done it for the last two years, and for some reason, she likes it."

"She seems to have gotten the brains and the beauty Bran." Deric cut in with a smile. "Where does that leave you?"
"With Nee. One thing I've learned, gentlemen, is to surround yourself with smart women. They make the decisions and let me think I do! Where are those two anyway? They sneak off without me." Turning the bend, a group of women turned at our voices. "Found you Mel, Nee." Both our parties curtsied and bowed in greeting. With Meliara and Nimiar were Tamara, Trish, Renna.

"What's toward?" I asked, glancing at Tamara, who had her gaze locked on Meliara.

Tamara began to open her mouth to speak when Mel hastily cut in "Look at my ring!" and thrusting her hand forward. I was taken aback for the barest second, and mild laughter met my ears. Trishe hastily diffused the situation by taking Meliara's hand to admire the ring. Then I remembered what Danric had told me: yesterday had been Mel's Name Day. Was it from Danric? The ring looked familiar. I almost couldn't contain my laughter if it was from him. He had been bold in giving her so lavish a gift.

"Where, who?" Trishe asked.

"Mel smiled and glanced at me "Yesterday." She had to think it was from me. I was known for being, well, lavish.

"Which finger?" Tamara asked with a coy smile. Mel's eyes grew big with panic before responding, "The one that fits best." That raised some laughs as well. Looking down at her hand, I realized the ring was on her middle finger, which symbolized Fidelity to One's True Love as well as marriage.

Trishe turned Mel's hand again to cause the stone to catch the light. "I've seen it before, I know I have. It's very old, they don't cut stones like this anymore." It was then that realization struck me.

The ring was from Danric. His mother had presented it to him on his Flower Day as a gift, a family heirloom. I remembered Trishe being interested in it then, as that she was an expert in jewels. I also remembered Aunt Elestra explaining to Danric later that night why she had given him the ring since it was unmistakable a ring for a woman.

"This ring is very old, it was a gift to our family nearly three centuries ago from the house of Calahanras, who were the royal family at the time, in appreciation for our support of Remalna. I give this to you, Vidanric, to give to the women you love. It has seen many generations of our family, and I hope it sees many more," Aunt Elestra had told him that night, which was now several years in the past. Danric had to be amused by Meliara choice in ring finger, but when I looked over at him, he was sedate as ever.

"Who is it from?" I asked, seeing if she had any other ideas as to who her admirer could be, other than myself.

"Of course she cannot tell," Tamara said, chiding me, layering her tone with innuendo. "But...perhaps a hint Countess." Tamara was also mocking Meliara. Was it not enough that Tamara had the Court speculating about her relationship with Danric? She was displaying jealousy at my attention to Meliara, when she had no right to be offended. Was it not she who had pushed me away?

Mel responded, searching our faces. "I can't, because it's a secret to me too. The best kind, because I get the ring and don't have to do anything about it!" I banished my anger and laughed with the others at her statement. Tamara could manipulate, but I could too.

"Now that, is a direct challenge," I proclaimed, taking Meliara arm and leading her down the pathway. "Geral? Danric? I take you as witnesses. But first, to rid myself of this mysterious rival." I launched into a barrage of questions. "Have you kissed anyone since yesterday? Winked? Sent a posy of promise? Looked coyly in someone's direction? Dropped your fan? Meet anyone on a terrace?" Meliara did not answer my questions, but laughed.

After I was done with Meliara's inquisition, Tamara voice drawled from behind me, making herself the center of conversation. "Russav, may I acquire your opinion on my new jewels. I do like them, but do you think they are lacking in something?" I had no way out. I peered at her wrist, which she had presented to me.

"No Lady Tamara, they are beautiful. They lack nothing. The only thing they could ever lack is not having the honor of gracing your wrist." Once sated with a compliment, Tamara began talk of recent entertainments, occasionally asking an opinion from Danric or myself. Sometime later, I realized Meliara had disappeared, though I did not comment on it. Evening soon approached, and we all parted ways to prepare for our evening meal.

Dinner that evening was a family affair, just Uncle Alaerec, Aunt Elestra, Danric, and myself. Conversation revolved around Danric and his trip to Tlanth and the government, of course. My aunt and uncle retired soon after dinner. They have long days just a Danric and I have, but are exhausted long before we are.

"Cunning," I said, smiling at him over the dinner table.

Feigning innocence, Danric asked, "What?"

"Meliara's ring. Did you think I would be able to figure it out immediately?"

"I thought I might be able to stump you for a short time. Do you think anyone else is on to me?"

"Not really. Trishe was closest to guessing, but I don't think anyone else remembers your mother giving you that ring. No one else knows what it means. From what I observed, Mel thinks it's from me."

"I must admit I prefer that over her knowing it is from me. Well, for now at least." He tossed a folded sheet of parchment to me across the table. "What do think of this?"

It was a note

The gifts are beautiful, and I thank you, but what do they mean?

Meliara Astiar

"Gifts? What else did you give her?"

"I had the ring sent in a porcelain gift egg, the one from Nente."
"I see. Well, I think she wants to know who is sending her gifts."

Vidanric raised an eyebrow at me and sarcastically said "Thank you for enlightening me Russav. What I really mean is what I should do in reply to her note." he sighed with resignation, "You have a much better understanding of women them I do."

"But Meliara is very different from the women that we see her at Court, you yourself said she was unpredictable. I think the question is what Meliara stated, what do they mean? What do you want by giving them?"

Danric stared above my head and out the window behind me. "I want her." My stoic, calm and in control cousin was pining. "Russav, I have no chance with her. Meliara and I ran into each other yesterday morning. Or rather, she barged in on me in the records room of the library. Mother had invited her to use in and she was exploring."

"So how did your interlude transpire?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"She asked if it was an archive, and I explained that it was, giving her a brief synopsis of what is in here. I was working on some of Galdran's paper and showed them to her. She then asked about I comment I made last night."

"And what did you say to her now, dear cousin?"
For the first time in ten years, Danric looked sheepish, "She was so nervous last night, I wanted to see if I could get her to smile. I told her to imagine that she was going into battle. That the Court was the minions of an evil sorcerer and she was pull out her sword and mow them all down."

"Was I, as the host, the evil sorcerer?" I too found his make believe amusing.

"Of course, and she did smile."

"I saw."

"She asked about what I had meant by that, if there had been some hidden meaning behind my words. Had I implied something about her battle skills or about her getting into quarrels. I told her it was neither and then she was about to defend herself and began saying how she doesn't get into quarrels, except with me, but then we were interrupted by a servant looking for me since I was late meeting everyone for our morning ride."

"A servant saw you two together back there?"

"No, I didn't let him see her. If he had, I'd assume it'd be all over the palace by now. Then I said that 'It seems that seeking your opinion will not cease to embroil us in argument, whatever the cause. I apologize. I also realize trying to convince you of my good intentions is a fruitless effort, but my own conscience demanded that I make the attempt.' Russav, she hates me."

"No…no I don't think she hates you. Why give up? Because lashes out at you? Because she does not know why she resents you? She gave you no reason as to why she dislikes you when you asked her, so she does not really hate you. It'll take some time before she comes around. Be patient and have hope."

Danric sighed again. "How do you know I am not hopeless?" his question sent images of Meliara and Danric descending into the ball room the night before, of her looking for his reactions at the last two parties. I had caught her glancing at him again today during our walk in the gardens. She was interested, she just did not realize it, much like Danric had not realized he was in love with her half a year ago.

"I just know these things Danric."

"But…"

"I'm not going to tell you how I know, because then you will become far too obvious when you are around her. She won't like it, but the gossips will love it. And I have too much fun watching the two of you."

"Fine, keep your secrets, but you'll tell me when this is all over. Thank you for helping me with Meliara. It is already quite obvious that she has been well received by our peers. Tamara seems a bit jealous, which I think, in this, situation, is a good sign. If Meliara were a nobody, Tamara wouldn't give her the time of day, even for insults."

"It is of no consequence. I can see why you love her, she is very honest and upfront like Bran. I told you some military woman would ride up one day and you would fall helpless at her feet."

"But she is at court now and that makes her a court lady. So how should I respond to her note?"

I thought about his question again as I twirled the stem my wine glass in my fingers. "A white rose?"

Danric considered my suggestion and its meaning. The corners of his mouth lifted with appreciation "Purity of Intent. I think I like that."

I looked him in the eye and put on a naïve face. "Your intentions are pure, aren't they?"

"Russav!"

With a wicked grin I added, "Well, I thought I'd better check."

The next few weeks passed without incidence. I went riding, attended Petitioner's Court, and balls, and gatherings. Meliara was at most all social events, and I flirted with her in a grand style, being very careful not to talk about personal matters. I would have liked to get to know her better and be her friend, but I refused to risk her thinking that I honestly liked her in a romantic sense. I'd always have time to befriend her after she and Danric were on better terms and he no longer needed my help.

Tamara still played hot and cold, chasing after Danric and then subtlety displaying jealousy when I did not give her the attention she felt she deserved. As angry as she made me, I still found myself pulled to her. I spent countless nights wishing I could jump to the future where Danric would have Mel and I would be free to court Tamara. Danric was honorable about the situation, casually dropping hints to me. He knew how I felt about her and he understood. Our situation would have been humorous had we not actually had to experience it. At parties, I danced with Meliara, and Danric danced with Tamara, and all either if us could think about was wishing we had our cousins partner.

In the back of my mind, I kept the Merindar's plot. Danric was dealing with that threat as more information on how many soldiers and what their plans were came in through his spy networks. Much to our chagrin, we both were to attend a party hosted by the Marquise of Merindar. Neither of us particularly wanted to enter her house, which was under constant surveillance, but we had no choice. It would have been impolite and expertly suspicions if either of us failed to attend.

The evening of the Merindar party was rainy and cold. Shielded by rain canopies, Danric and I approached the doors of the fortress-like house together. In a show of force, we presented ourselves before the Marquise and her children at the same time. Our message was clear. After politely saying our greetings while being stared down by Fialma and Flauvic, we found our friends. I quickly established that I wanted to remain in the background, and I stood of the periphery of our group, making sure I stayed near Danric. While I did not regularly lurk during a party, people accepted it when I did and made no comment.

I had a view of the entrance hall and saw Meliara arrive with Deric. I watched as she was introduced to Fialma and Flauvic. Fialma said something, and then dismissively waved Meliara off with her fan. Flauvic spoke next. Their mother resumed speaking to Meliara, who was staring at Flauvic, as were most of the women in the room who could get a view of him. As far as I was concerned, Lord Flauvic could return to Nente and never reappear at Court. Meliara and Deric approached our group, relief evident. Scanning the room, most of us were uncomfortable to at the party. I did not pay much attention to the conversation about the recent horse races until Tamara appeared.

"Will you show us the way with swords as well, dear Countess?" Tamara asked. It appeared that Meliara had not been paying much attention to the conversation either. She smiled to sip her wine as Tamara continued. "It transpires that our sharpest wits are often experts at the duel. Almost am I willing to rise at dawn to observe you at the cut and thrust." Tamara's fan hinted at her sarcasm. Tamara did not enjoy women whose wits exceeded her own. Meliara was about to reply when she realized Tamara's game, so she continued smiling and drinking her wine. Very few would have been able to escape the verbal trap Tamara had laid.

"Tamara, my love, that is not dueling, but mere swordplay," came Fialma's voice quiet voice. It gave me a headache listening to her speak.

Tamara was confused for a moment. "True, true, I had forgotten." She smiled then in realization of Fialma's words. Tamara had tried to get Meliara to admit she was unintelligent, and Fialma was now poking fun at Meliara's lack of sophistication. Vidanric also realized what was transpiring, as was most everyone else besides Meliara. Tamara switched her fan to query mode. "An academic question: Is it a real duel when one if favored by the opponent?" She was now picking at Meliara and Bran for losing to Danric during the war, even though he had not given them his best fight.

"Is it a real contest, say in a race, when the better rider does not ride? Your Grace?" Fialma turned to Danric for his reply. This was a bad situation, but Danric could dig himself out of this one.

He bowed and opened his hands to an oblique angle, looking Fialma in the eye. "If a stake if won, it is a race. If the point draws blood, it is a duel." Mild laughter followed his comment; no one cared for Fialma anyway.

"You honor us with your liberality," Fialma said, her fan gesturing Intimate Confidence. With that she curtsied and moved away. Only Fialma and Tamara would dare have had that conversation in front of Danric. They had insulted Meliara and Bran, and while Meliara may not be on the best terms with Danric, they technically were allies and everyone knew Bran and Danric were friends.

Bran who, like his sister, had completely missed the meaning of the comments, boomed out "Duel or dabble, I'd hie me to those practices, except I just can stomach rough work at dawn. Now, make then noon, and I'm your man!" We all laughed, glad Bran had managed to diffuse the tension." Bran turned to Flauvic, who hovering outside our circle to listen to his sister duel with the future king. "How about you? Join me in agitating for a decent time?"

"Not at any time Tlanth. Will you forgive me if I admit I am much too lazy?" Flauvic replied with his fan held as Neutral Observer.

Behind him his mother approached. "You are all lazy, children. Come do you wish to insult my tastes?" she said, gesturing toward the food. Advancing on Meliara she said, "Come my dear, let's see what we can find to appeal to you."

Meliara looked more confused as ever as the Marquise lead her toward a set of double doors, looking at Bran, Nee, Deric, and Danric, whose face I could not see. She also glanced at Flauvic and looked puzzled. As I looked in his direction, I saw him spreading his fan.

As Meliara disappeared behind closed doors, quiet conversation resumed. No one really knew what to think. I was alarmed though by not knowing what the Marquise wanted from Meliara. While my aunt had taken Meliara aside once as well, I had at least known that she had done it in good will. The Marquise was already plotting, and had extended her friendship through the letter written to Meliara during the winter.

Until that point, I had not realized that I could possibly loathe the Merindars more then I had before.

A/N: Am oh so tired now and my eyes are blurring. Awww…Vidanric's so cute. I came up with the ring's origin and why he had it a few days ago, and thought is was romantic. Boys have Flower Days too, I discovered. Big thanks to Sherwood Smith for helping me with that. My head hurts form writing the Fialma/Tamara word duel. I think I had to read Sherwood Smith's explanation of that scene ten more times, it's such a complex conversation. I always feel the urge to slap Tamara and call her bad names. I my mind, Savona does too, but the this fic wouldn't be PG.

Shadowed Memory: I think I made Vidanric even more adorable with his ring. Tamara does like play with the guys hearts. Savona loves her though. Isn't love a funny thing?

Geniusgirl: It is Tamara who is doing the glaring. If you read that conversation again, they are discussing Tamara that whole time. While Tamara is chasing Vidanric, she is still jealous of the attention Mel is getting from Savona. Beside that, if it was Savona who had been glaring, Mel would have definitely noticed as well as most of the court and it would have looked like Savona was using her as a pawn against Tamara.

FelSong: LOL! You are so going to be the death of me! I make them as long as I can. I'm so proud how quickly I updated. I wanted to write about Mel's ring! I'll take that "it almost seems like you ARE Russav" as a compliment. I laughed when I read that and then tried to picture myself as tall, dark, handsome, suave, and MALE! I'm laughing again. Savona and I have a deep rooted psychic connection for some reason ;)