10-04: An Important Discussion with Priscilla

Priscilla's office was a bit more clean and tidy compared to last time Veronica was there. Priscilla herself was focusing on the paperwork infront of her as she waited for Veronica to arrive, unaware the she had already done so.

"Independence huh... they could make great allies, and even better trading partners. It's worth going that route, especially if I don't need to send anyone to their deaths." Priscilla muttered to herself.

"Well that was a but more grim than I was expecting." Veronica finally spoke out, breaking Priscilla out of her focus.

"Ah, Veronica. Please, take a seat, dear. We've plenty to discuss." Priscilla welcomed, motioning to the chair on the other side of her desk.

Veronica nodded and sat down. "What did you want to discuss?"

"It's about the marriage. You see, all consort candidates have to undergo specific training, typically for many years, starting at around five years of age. You have, at most, a month. You'll need to learn manners befitting a royal stature, how to dance, how to speak as a royal, and how to handle your royal duties."

"And I only have a month...?"

"At most. The next issue is that I'll have to make it public. This is, again, typically done at a very young age. I've been able to play the role of an overprotective mother to ensure my girl's happiness, but I can't keep it up any longer. So, within a week, you'll be officially known as the Queen Consort, and you'll marry Celia a short while after that."

"Oh... I see, that is certainly going to be... off putting."

"Indeed. Not to mention the amount of backlash for having my daughter marry a woman. So, you'll need to prove you are as we claim, meaning you'll need to have a child with Celia as soon as possible."

"That part's not too bad of an issue. I mean, from the bed to birth, it should only be about... three months, maybe considering I've gotten a reward from the system making terms shorter."

"I... you what?"

"Yeah. In fact, I've already had multiple children."

Priscilla was just utterly speechless. "With who?"

"Liafi, a Goblin blacksmith. Tisha. Kazue had a litter. I gave birth to a daughter not too long ago. And... Elly. I think that's about it so far."

"And. By Elly, you don't mean—"

"I mean your youngest daughter, yes."

Priscilla's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe her what she was hearing.

"You better close that mouth before I put something in it." Veronica joked. Priscilla did in fact close her mouth, with enough blush and looking away, indicating she thought about it.

"A-Ahem. A-Anyway, I don't think t-there will be any problems except for the training then."

"So, when do I start them?"

"Tomorrow, preferably. I'll have a trusted associate come to your room at dawn. Oh, and I want you to at least start sharing the bed with Celia before the marriage is official."

"That is highly possible. Anything else?"

"Let it breathe until a few months after you and Celia have a child, then you can take in any mistresses you wish. Including Eleanora, of course."

"And what about yourself~?"

"I-I'm an old woman. Far past my prime."

"You're not that old. You're still only in your thirties! That's plenty young enough."

Priscilla said nothing but blush and smile.

"Well, i-if you're offering..."

"I'm more than offering." Veronica whispered into her ear, leaning over her desk.

"You're going to need a room-sized bed you know..."

"I've already come to terms with that."

The two chuckled as they finished their conversation. And it seemed like Veronica was going to have to work hard to ensure she can live up to Priscilla's wants.