Who: King Varvenis Westerveldt of Pentacles, Princess Maricosa Westerveldt of Pentacles, Queen Elizabeth of Swords and Prince Liam of Swords
When: Thursday morning
Where: Swords Castle
What: A marriage is arranged

The conversation had been a short and tense one. Liam had seen something like this coming for years. Elizabeth had informed Liam that his Uncle Varvenis was coming with Maricosa and they were to discuss a possible marriage arrangement. Elizabeth told Liam that she would give him as much time to come to terms with it, but it was basically finalized. "Why do you do this to me mother?" Liam asked holding his head in his hands. "All I want to do is read my books and travel."

"Sometimes my dear son we must make sacrifices to ensure a brighter future. And we must all do things we don't want to do to ensure the suffering of our enemies," Elizabeth said simply.

( “What enemies?” )

Who: King Varvenis Westerveldt and Princess Maricosa Westerveldt
When: Saturday morning
Where: Throne Hall, Pentacleon Castle
What: Mari bends her father's ear

King Varvenis had been having this argument with his daughter Maricosa for three years now, and she was most definitely wearing down his patience.

“Daddy!” She stamped her foot impatiently. “You must let me debut this year!”

“Mari,” he said evenly. “You are only fifteen.”

“I am fifteen,” she continued, her voice pitching to a whine. “I will be an old spinster soon!”

The King sighed, and patted the arm of his chair. Mari threw herself onto it and continued begging. “Please Daddy. I should like to have a suitor before it is too late! Finny will never marry, and Ebi’s for Temperance now. Don’t you want any ancestors?”

( “Descendants”, he corrected her absent-mindedly... )