There was a lot of protest from the student body, and a petition was raised to have Lady Claes included in the play.
"Why do we have to comply with these petitions?" Lady Cavendish said, looking at the petition with distaste. "The power of the student council is absolute."
"Practical preparatory realpolitik," Maria told her, already drafting the response.
"Um, what does that mean, Lady President?" Lady Tucker asked tentatively.
"It means better to be reminded that a whole school of nobles with various flavors of magic grossly outnumber us and know where were our dormitory rooms are now, than in a few years when they might have a legitimate grievance and a willingness to kill us in our sleep," Maria said. "Do you concur, your highnesses?"
"No comment, Lady President," the Third Prince said, not looking up from his paperwork.
"Just because you're king doesn't mean you can do whatever you want," Alan said, also not looking up. "Kings who forget that tend to stop being king. Also stop breathing and have their Soul be set loose."
"You mean to give in to their demands?" Lord Silverberg, son of Duchess Silverberg said, frowning as if trying to understand.
"We have already done so in our compliance of the original petition," Maria said. "However, they have escalated. We are left with four choices. We refuse, and incite general dissatisfaction. While it has little consequence now, 'little' is not 'none', and big things are made of little things. We can comply entirely, in which case we set a precedent that you will be stuck with, which is untenable; the Student Council leads, it does not simply obey. We can reach a compromise, which is time consuming and leaves no one happy, even if it appears both get what they want. We can lead them to a conclusion of our choice, and make them think it was their idea or what they wanted all along. Or we take the fifth option."
"You said we had four," Lady Landor said, confused.
"Yes. Because the fifth officially does not exist," Maria said. "We assassinate the cause of this problem and make them go away, lessening the problem's impetus and for all intents and purposes allowing us to ignore it with little consequence. It is ALSO a bad precedent to set."
"Are you sure you used to be a commoner?" Lady Hunt said flatly.
"Yes," Maria said. "As president, I have opted for the fourth option and am including Lady Claes in a role in the play."
"Isn't that the second option?" Lady Cavendish said.
"They will think so, which is the point of the fourth option," Maria said. "However, like the first petition, it was worded poorly. They wish to have Lady Claes in a leading role on stage, in which they can admire her, regardless of her desires or talent– or, by her own repeated admission, lack thereof. Having this thwarted by the fact that Lady Claes is not a member of the council, they return with a poorly worded petition that she be included in the play. I will do so, and teach them to better mind what they say."
"That… sound ominous," Keith said.
"It's meant to be," Maria said. "I had better not receive any more poorly disguised petitions from the five of you about having Lady Claes on stage. Or else. Please remember that she has her own venture for the School Festival and time spent in rehearsal will leave her less time to prepare to do the thing she actually wants to do."
The first year students watch as most of the second year students wince at the rebuke.
"Also, find someone else to write your petitions for you, I recognize when you're writing with your left hand your highness," Maria said. "You've written on forms with your left hand, after all."
"Ah… It appears I have underestimated you again, Lady President," the Third Prince said, apparently deciding to be gracious in defeat. "May I ask what you intend to do?"
"You may. I refuse to answer," Maria said. "Know only that Lady Claes will be on the stage as you wish and you will be able to admire her. Be satisfied."
The Third Prince acquiesced, then turned a dazzling smile at the first years. "Let this be another lesson in realpolitik, my juniors," he said. "Never underestimate your opponent. And know when to cut your losses. It's all fun and games until someone is a bloodstain on the ground…"
Katarina Claes stared at Maria Campbell, looking slightly hurt. "You want me to be the villainess?" she repeated.
Maria nodded. "Yes," she said, and began to explain.
As she did, the hurt faded, and excitement began to fill the duke's daughter's eyes…
"Where's Katarina?" the Third Prince asked casually as the Student council came together for their first rehearsals.
"Not here. I believe she's experimenting with the best ways to fry her produce," Maria said. "Please prepare for your role, Stabbington Brother."
"You betray us, Patches?" the elder Stabbington Brother said, drawing the sword at his hip.
"We are not friends, Pate Stabbington," Patches said, donning the crown they had stolen as if for size before drawing their own sword. "Why expect loyalty?"
"Cursed undeath take you, you damn hyena!" the younger Stabbington brother, drawing his curved sword. "You shall rue the day you betrayed Pate and Creighton Stabbington!"
(exciting fight scene ensues)
"I thought Katarina was going to be here?" Lady Hunt said.
"Prepare for your role, Lady Hunt," Maria said, wiping off sweat with a towel, before going back to rereading her lines.
"You wish to go outside?" Mother Nashandra said mockingly, closing the window through which she had entered. "Why Rampion, my child, you are as fragile as a green blossom flower." She took the cringing Rampion's hands. "Still a little sapling, just a sprout. You know why stay within Brume Tower…!"
(song ensues)
"So, what role will Katarina be playing?" Sophia asked eagerly as they set up for the bar scene.
"What I have selected for her," Maria said.
"Go," the hook-handed hollow said as he opened the trap door for Rampion and Patches. "Live your dream."
"I will," Patches said, thankful.
"Your dream stinks. I was talking to her."
"Thank you for everything," Rampion said, kissing the hollow, even as Patches crawled through the trap door to avoid the guards.
"Isn't Katarina's role coming? When is she coming to practice?" Lord Keith said, the mockup of a horse on his head, a cutout revealing his face.
"Please stop fishing, Lord Claes," Maria said, waving about the prop sword and trying to get used to the weight.
Sword and frying pan met in a shower of sparks. Patches glared at the horse before him. The horse glared back, determined to do his duty and bring the criminal in!
(exciting fight scene ensues)
Katarina gingerly tried the floor-covered fried pumpkin."Hmm…" she said thoughtfully. "Do you think this needs salt Anne?"
Anne glanced mournfully at her waistline, before sighing and trying out yet another oily, fried vegetable. "Let me try, my lady."
The hero stepped through the doorway blocked by shimmering fog. "Release Rampion, you monster," they declared, drawing their sword.
"Eugene!" Rampion cried, tied up and unable to help.
Nashandra turned. Gone was the dark, beautiful woman. She was clad in black armor with a faceless helm made as if from the bones of the dead. In her hands was a great black sword that glowed with cracks like molten metal. Her black skirt of bones trailed the ground. "Yet again, you come. Die then. I shall not lose my youth again!"
Eugene, no longer Patches, raised his sword. They prepared to clash…
("Wait, slow down, I don't know how to sword fight!" Lady Hunt cried.)
"Hi everyone!" Katarina said, skipping into the stage where the Student Council was practicing. "I brought snacks for everyone! Tell me which you like best!" In her hands was a tray containing some paper cones filled with assorted fried vegetables.
"I-I know I'll like them all, Lady Katarina!" Lady Hunt cried, even before having tasted any of them.
Prince Alan gave Maria a level look. He seemed amused though. "Did you arrange for her to be the caterer?" he said,
"Enjoy your snacks, Prince Alan," Maria said, taking her time in getting a cone.
A day at a time, the School Festival arrived…
