Descendants of the Kings (Book 2)

Ch 48.2: Bears and wolves

"Such is the way of nobility, duty above all. We all must do our part," Ella answered lightly. "Especially now, with all that has been happening. I believe it would do much good to present a more united front," she said, trying to steer the conversation back where she wanted it. "I should love to meet more like-minded people who share the goal of bettering our Kingdom."

"You shall have an easier time finding singing dogs than one single competent nobleman, then," Lady Rhiannon lobbed back, that intense look in her eyes fading, replaced by her usual look of annoyed boredom.

"Mama," Fiona insistently muttered under her breath in a way that told Ella this was not the first time they'd tried to get their mother to hold her tongue.

"I speak the truth," The Duchess waved a hand, undeterred. "Slack-jawed fools, the lot of them, using the entirety of their mental capacity to breathe. Were you to chop them all up and stitch together the best parts, you would still have not even half a competent person."

Ella touched fingertips to her mouth, biting back laughter, despite the young ladies' clear embarrassment. "Are you not too harsh on your fellow noblemen? I should think that there are some who have much to say. The younger ones, perhaps."

"If they are anything like their elders, the younger ones will be just the same," Lady Rhiannon dismissed, mouth pursed in distaste. "Lazy, indolent wastes of air."

"I don't know about that. I think that one can be surprised by how much some people have to say." She turned abruptly and pinned her gaze on Orla. "Lady Orla, what would you say is needed in our Kingdom?"

The woman paused with a cake halfway way to her mouth, eyes rounding. She composed herself quickly and set the pastry down. "Me?"

"Yes, you," Ella said. "I am interested in knowing what you would like. If you could have one thing, what would that be? One thing you believe would make a difference at least in your own life."

Orla paused and considered, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Then, her lips turned up in a shy smile. "Well, I would like to study," she said hesitantly. "I would like to further my education."

"You have the best education in the Kingdom," Lady Rhiannon protested. "You've had the best tutors from the realm come to our home."

"Yes, but I want more," Orla replied, mouth twitching in frustration. "I would love to study more, learn magical theory from the best professors in Caelum. I would love to set my eyes upon their libraries and mingle with the scholars. That is not something that can be done at home, no matter how many good tutors one has."

"Caelum is too far away," Lady Rhiannon tersed, a sigh escaping her lips as if this were a conversation they had had many times. "And the admission is difficult as is. They would never prioritise a young lady, no matter how prominent the family, when there are young men on the waiting list already."

The duchess spoke not with mockery, but rather, with resignation. Orla's lips thinned, her chin jutted.

"This is what I mean," Orla said, flapping a hand and turning to Ella. "We have no higher academies here. The young men may go to Caelum if they are fortunate enough to get in, but we young ladies have to make do with tutors. And I am grateful, truly," she said, pressing a hand to her chest and turning to her mother briefly. "But I just want... more," she uttered, hand clenching on the silky fabric of her dress. "Is that too lofty of a dream?"

"I don't think it is," Ella answered quietly. "I think this is exactly what we need to be hearing. Young women like Lady Orla, who have hopes and desires. Younger voices who wish to be heard."

She turned to Fiona," And you, Lady Fiona? What do you think?"

Fiona flushed and wrug her hands, her gaze darting between Ella and her mother. "I... I'm not sure..."