What a week it has been, gentle readers! So much pomp and circumstance to cover up the mud-flinging. The Mistress of Conduces as released lists upon lists for the court to abide by. Everything from Accolades to Ribbons, Sleeves to Beaus. For those of the peerage who perhaps find themselves overwhelmed and puzzled by the dizzying array of regulations thrust upon them, fear not! The Mistress of Conduces will surely smile upon you as prettily as the next person while she takes the reports of those ne’er-do-wells that refuse to play nicely with the Imperial Court. One such rake is the Duke Petrou, who skirmished with the Ivy Duchess at her very own soiree. While the decks were sparse with glittering personalities, the fireworks went off between the two. Petrou, having been touting the need to return more power to the Unionist church, akin to the hostile takeover of the state apparatus years back, sent a shot across Cadieux’s bow - claiming that adherence to noble etiquette always took second place to Unionist actions. The Peacock Duchess seemed to take grave offense, and it was not long before they parted on less than amicable terms. Who knows what will patch up this immense rift between the two? Whereas two part, two must come together. Thus was the marriage of Ardige Viduggla, rakish father to the current Archduchess, and the unknown Lady Ingrid Cadieux. A curious mix of Unionist and Northern traditions - but what else was to be expected when North meets South? It’s only our dearest hope that the Archduchess Viduggla finds a ready companion and stepmother who surely understands the pleasures sought by the young. The Lord Chancellor continues her triumphant governance by making herself available not only to the peerage, but all those who represent interests in the Empire. An admirable example that many of the peerage have begun to emulate. One only needs look at the dazzling Duke Fabien Cadieux, the Duchess Amelina Peirgarten and her cousin, Duke Florian, or even the Grand Duchess Sivrid Sorenvik. The latter a friend to all those in need on the Imperial Isle through her works of charity. The Grand Duchess is known for reaching out to those of all faiths, and providing a gathering place that teaches so many skills that those of even the poorest stews can find work with her. And speaking of things needing to be found - there are a few members of the peerage who seem to have disappeared entirely from the social season. Duke Delmotte has retreated into his magnificent estate - only sending out his charming cousin the Lady Marie-Paul to represent the family in his mysterious absence from all social obligations. Who knows, perhaps soon we’ll be seeing the entire peerage deciding to engage in a way that makes them seem ambitious and living up to the titles they currently rest their heads upon. But then, this author has always been tarred as an optimist. Yours in Grace, Lady Whistledown
