Over the next two days, all the various scheduled talks resumed. While a lot of the discussions were about trade, there were other discussions as well. Though Maria wasn't privy to them, she was passingly aware that there were discussions among countries about subjects such as the trafficking of humans, undead, the rare dragon-kin, and talking cats. She had not been aware that anyone would enslave talking cats, but apparently it was something that happened. There were also discussions about the curbing of smuggling of goods that one country or another had high tariffs or regulations on, which she heard were usually tense affairs that would occasionally result in resolution but more often than not degraded into accusations of the other party assisting the smugglers.

Maria only learned about these discussions from comments the king, the princes, the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister's assistant, the queen, and General Solcrista made during the late-night meetings when they exchanged notes and read reports of the day's discussions as Maria kept watch for attempts at assassination and eavesdropping. The Third Prince had apparently taken charge of representing the Kingdom in the discussions about trafficking, and had nearly come to blows when he had all but accused the representative of La Sable of knowingly allowing such things to continue in their country.

The king had not been pleased, but the reprimand had been light considering it was on the record that the La Sable representative, Lord Leland, had been the one to threaten violence first.

"I'm surprised you went that far," Prince Jeffery commented. Despite the fact that he was all but lounging on his seat, his face could almost be called serious. "I don't remember you feeling so strongly about it at last Assembly."

"Yes, well, I know several children calling me uncle now who had to be rescued from such a fate," the Third Prince said. "That's not counting the women who can't stand to be in the presence of most men who'd been through the same. You remember, they were saved from a member of your faction."

Maria made her look extra diligent in her duties as the snapped out her third son's name in rebuke. She eyed the door nearest to the kind, resolving to grab his majesty and make a run for it if violence erupted…

"No mother, it's all right," Prince Jeffery, actually straightening in his seat as he turned to his younger brother with a serious expression on his face. "My dear brother is right to call me out on my forgetfulness. While I had no knowledge of the late Marquis Mason's activities, I should have."

"That wasn't my intention, but I'm glad you think so," the Third Prince said. "Still, I probably wouldn't be so… driven on the subject if I didn't know people who had been affected by such activities personally."

"Does that mean I can put you in charge of dealing with investigations on such matters after the Assembly concludes?" the King said in a pointedly mild tone.

The Third Prince turned his father, beginning to open his mouth, then paused. For some reason, he stared at Maria over his father's shoulder. A thoughtful look came over his face, and he titled his head. Finally, he said, "Yes… yes, father, I will accept the responsibility once the Assembly concludes."

The only sign of his Majesty's surprise was both eyebrows rising for a moment, and then King Artorias nodded. "Very well. Dan, see to it my son has what he needs to take over dealing with all trafficking investigations once the International Assembly is over."

"Yes, your Majesty. Nicol, please see to it that his highness is directed to the necessary people and has all reports rerouted to his desk."

Nicol nodded, writing it down on a notebook.

Maria also attended the king as he met with the other monarchs and representatives of monarchs. She made sure to stand still and remain completely expressionless as matters were discussed. Some discussions were less fraught than others. The king and First Queen of the Sword Xiulan drank tea together and spoke of the state of a particular location at the border of both countries where there was some fluidity in crossing, polite words reminding each other about the border but concluding they were generally content at the intermingling happening between both country's citizens as long as unrest and crime was kept low in the area.

The king and Queen Mylene's own meeting over tea was far more relaxed as the two cousins exchanged what was essentially family gossip. Maria actually felt like an intruder in the room as the quiet laughter and pleasant conversation continued on, but she diligently kept watch. Her opposite number, Sir Chelka, actually looked bored, and Maria found the man trying to make eye contact with her several times, wiggling his eyebrows strangely for some reason. After making sure he wasn't trying to warn her of an attack he'd perceived, she pointedly went back to her duty.

The Lord Presider of La Sable kept requesting his own private meeting with the king, and Maria was thankful his majesty kept refusing, citing a lack of substance to the proposed agenda. The way the man leered at her made her want to stab him, and while she'd probably be able to resist the urge to viscerally attack him if she had to join the king in whatever meeting the two had, she definitely wouldn't like it.

Her squire was also kept occupied, either being asked to act as a translator for the Assembly's undead representatives or, as she later learned, holding far more discreet and private interviews of foreign noblewomen who might be interested in being betrothed to Keith.

"I really wish she'd stop doing that," Keith sighed as they shared a table for dinner. Nearby, Katarina was eating with her usual single-minded enthusiasm, meaning they didn't even have to keep their voices down as they spoke. Katarina was basically dead to the world when so much food was in front of her. "I mean, it's not as if I have to be in any rush to get married. And I don't even know these women!"

"I believe that's what the interviews she conducts are for," Maria said blandly.

"You know what I mean!"

"Now, now Keith," Sophia said, wearing that smile she reserved for when she perceived that her rivals were falling behind. "I'm sure Katarina will be able find the perfect woman—or man—for you now that big brother is no longer be available. I know your love for him was pure, but since you kept silent for so long, he went and found a nice girl."

"I refuse to believe you actually support those two," Keith said, glaring at the smaller young woman.

Sophia smiled in a way that somehow managed to be smug, haughty and condescending all at the same time. "Well, you see Keith, I love my brother, and only want him to be happy. And if being with Hyetta makes him happy, then he has my full and enthusiastic support."

"Dung pies. You're up to something with this, I know it!"

Sophia smiled serenely and turned back to her dinner. Keith continued to glare at her, but when she refused to respond, turned back to Maria, who'd managed to go back to eating her dinner while Keith had been distracted. "Come on Maria, can't you say something to her."

"Firstly, I steadfastly refuse to be part of this nonsense, so even if I had anything to say, I wouldn't," Maria reminded him. "Secondly Keith, what makes you think there's any way to get her to stop? The only possible way she'd cease looking for potential suitors for you is if you tell her there's already someone you prefer, at which point I am sure she will graciously 'step aside so as not to interfere with your love'." She gave him a flat look. "Do you have such a person in your life?"

Keith looked like he wanted me point at her, then at the ground in front of him. "Campbell, sometimes you're as fun as a barefoot walk through a swamp."

"I'm fairly sure that there's someone out there who's twisted enough to be into walking through swamps and bare feet," Sophia said absently.

"Hush, you," Keith snapped.

Maria just shrugged at the insult. Given what she'd said, it was little in the way of insult. "Keith, while she's interviewing these women, there's no reason for you to actually choose any of them. At worse, she'll simply introduce them to other eligible, single noblemen of our generation."

"Or noblewomen," Sophia said cheerfully.

"Or noblewomen," Maria agreed. She smiled slightly. "Such as yourself."

Sophia paused in her eating, eyes slowly going wide in realization.

Humming to herself, Maria went back to her dinner.