Location: Armathane, Lower Courtyard Conservatory
Time: Day 353 After Alec's Arrival
The Invitation Accepted
The conservatory was warm with filtered sunlight. Rows of fruit trees flanked the walls — citrus, plum, and dwarf pomegranate. A servant stood near the outer entrance, watching discreetly.
Serina stood alone at a small glass table.
Then Elira entered — gliding more than walking, dressed not in court black but a softer green, embroidered at the hem with silver thread.
No title was announced. No handmaids. Just her.
Serina bowed her head slightly. "Countess."
"Lady Serina."
They did not smile.
They sat.
Measured Words
"I'm told you requested this," Elira said, crossing one leg over the other. "I was surprised."
"I wanted to speak before others forced comparisons."
"Atleast before any were made." she added.
Elira tilted her head. "Do you fear comparison?"
"No," Serina said. "I'm learning from it."
Elira regarded her for a long moment.
"You're young."
"I've been told that every year. And each year, I become less so."
"Still. You're not used to being measured by another woman's presence."
Serina didn't blink.
"I'm not measured by your presence, Countess. I'm measured by his reaction to it."
That earned the smallest twitch at the edge of Elira's mouth. Not a smile.
Not yet.
"You love him?"
Serina paused.
"No," she said clearly. "Not yet. But I'm moving toward something that might become it. And I think he feels that too."
"Interesting," Elira said softly. "Because when I speak with him, I don't sense the uncertainty men usually wear when they're entangled."
"He's not entangled," Serina said. "But he's aware."
Elira's Angle
Elira, truthfully, hadn't known what to expect.
She'd anticipated a girl trying to prove herself. A child defensive of her territory.
But what she saw was… a reflection. Five years back. Ambition wrapped in grace. Thoughtfulness masked with poise.
"You're dangerous," Elira said finally.
"That's flattering."
"It's not flattery," Elira said. "It's recognition. You'll become a queen of something. Whether it's through him or not."
Serina tilted her head. "You don't see me as competition?"
"No," Elira said. "Because I haven't chosen my place on the board yet. I'm not in his bed. I'm not in his chain of command. And I'm not in your way."
"And if that changes?"
Elira leaned forward slightly.
"Then I hope you're ready for what it means."
She leaned back and regarded the duchess-to-be
Her daughter's future as countess of Oslo would be better secured if someone like Lady Serina as duchess of midgard albeit a bit much experienced just like her mother. She was like the duchess in my ways she hadn't recognized yet and still so different yet.
In many ways.
The Thread Between Them
The silence that followed wasn't tense.
It was respectful.
Finally, Serina spoke, quieter this time.
"When I first met him… I thought he was a tool my mother intended to wield."
"And now?"
"Now I think he's a lever we can all use — if we don't try to own him."
"Not that he can be owned. Try as we may"
Elira sat back, eyes narrowing slightly — not in suspicion.
In approval.
"You're smarter than you look."
"You're more open than you pretend to be."
A pause
"You would make a fine duchess someday. Lady Serina Of Midgard" Elira said.
"And a woman" she finished.
"As you have made a fine countess and mother yourself. " replied Serina
That almost earned a smile.
They stood at the same time.
Neither bowed.
Serina extended her hand. "You have my respect, Countess. Not because I fear you… but because I know what you've carried."
Elira took the hand.
"Likewise, Lady Serina. And if either of us ends up by his side…"
She released the grip.
"…I hope it's not in the way of the other."
As soon as Elira left,Serina let go of the breath she was holding.
That had gone better than expected she thought.
She had expected the countess to reject her invite or worse, attend and make fun of her youth, her inexperience and lack of tart.
She still couldn't believe she did it.
Invited a potential rival for Alec's attention over.
Had a meaningful conversation with her, another ruler in her right.
Alec arrival in her life was one of the best thing to happen in her life She thought as she idly trace the table-top.
The first meeting between potential rivals and rulers,one youthful,the other womanly had gone off without hitches laying the foundation for future interactions.