A SEA BETWEEN

Chapter 8: Tell me the truth

"I assure you the situation is grave, Sire. We had hoped the marriage would bond the two countries, not drive them further apart", advisor Baris said with a stern voice. "But unfortunately, the public has not reacted favourably at all. The people feel fooled by this marriage and even though they appreciate the fact that the war is over, that does not mean that the resentment has disappeared. Nor does it help that her son and the princess have not yet appeared together anywhere under the guise of fulfilling their royal duties.".

Lucius looked at the clever young man, with jet-black hair and a friendly face who had made a fast career and had now become a junior advisor, how impressive the King thought.

"Aha I see, well that is a rather unfortunate development indeed. Anything else of importance I need to be aware of?" he asked his advisor.

Mr. Baris sighed and looked uncomfortable, he seemed to be arguing with himself internally.

"I don't know if I should discuss this with you but there is another matter... People are talking... There are rumours." and Lucius had frowned in confusion.

"What kind of rumours?", he inquired.

"I don't know much about it but what I've heard about your son and daughter-in-law do reside in the castle, but live separately, which is not uncommon but... it is mentioned that Prince Draco rather spends his time with two 'court ladies' instead of with Princess Mara.".

Ah. So Narcissa was right after all, he thought.

"That is all I know, Sire. I advise you to ask the staff, including Mr Gleeson but also the head of the household, Madame Pomfrey, for additional information. Furthermore, I would think it would be wise if the Prince & Princess soon started to fulfil their royal duties in the country".

"Both are excellent ideas... Thank you, Mr Baris for your time.", Lucius said. The young man smiled, bowed, and then left.

"Mr. Lewiston," Lucius called and not long after did his trusted servant enter the room.

"Yes, Her Majesty?". "Send a message to Ashwood requesting a meeting with Mr Gleeson and Madame Pomfrey and let them know that I want to see them as soon as possible".

"Right away, Sire".

Left alone again, Lucius took his time to ponder on the matter. He had heard some very, very inconvenient revelations about the state of his son's marriage and it worried him. The negotiations with Leidal for independence hadn't started yet, even though they had sent over drafts of the proposal but still to this day, the cease fire was at risk and the relations between the two countries weren't amicable. Certainly, now Astella could not afford to make a mistake... What was his son thinking or what were his reasons? He didn't understand, the only thing he did understood that it would be wise if he got to speak to Draco soon so worse could be avoided.

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In hindsight, October was a month Mara would have skipped in its entirety. Where to start? In the first place a severe case of homesickness had snuck up on her, affecting her quite horribly even though she had received letters from Hermione, who said that her mother was getting better slowly, thank God.

In the last letter Mara's mother had apologized for not visiting sooner, giving the excuse of "restoring Leidal" again and, like Narcissa & Lucius, leaving on a lengthy international state visit. Yet they were glad to inform her that they would be visiting soon, probably before the end of the year.

Oh great, Mara thought to herself. Just what she needed, more people prodding into her "marriage" to Draco. As if Draco's aunt wasn't bad enough. Yes, unfortunately they hadn't gone back yet, at least they were supposed to go back but they had decided to extend their stay.