Court Circular #7

[SpunSugar]

Nothing gets mouths wagging faster than another's misfortune. Wars may rage, fortunes may fail, yet the peerage approaches all of these trials with a well-practiced sense of ennui. But scandal? The amount of beeswax wasted lighting the night so that others may gossip surely outweighs the midnight oil of their scholars.

But misfortune can take many forms. It can be the utter ruination of a family, or simply a disappointment that leaves scars either on the skin or on the soul. And what one sees as a heady misfortune can be a treasure for another.

With that in mind, we come across the cause celebre of the week. Morgana Ino-Femunn, soon to be feted by the peerage for her adoption by the patriotic Duchess Valarosta Ino-Femunn, has had a tumultuous month. First, she suffered the horrifying and most unexpected death of her patriarch, Duke Delmotte. While deep in mourning, a most unexpected announcement followed from the Diplomatic Minister, Grand Duchess Cadieux, of the sweet lady's engagement to the Grand Duke Roul Cadieux. This move coming so quickly on the heels of the Duke Delmotte's death led some to speculate that it was the Duke Delmotte keeping them apart. Star-crossed young nobles whose houses, so far apart in enmity, could never be together.

It soon came out, however, that this was not the case. In the summer months, as nights grew short, so too, did it seem, did the Grand Duke's patience. While the lady was steadfast - her beau could not say the same. It seems that the curate would not be satisfied with a lady, when a Diamond was on offer.

And what a rare jewel a diamond can be. As long as it keeps its shine. The Duchess van Hal seems to have lost hers, going on a rampage throughout the capital of destruction aimed at holy sites. While it is said that she protests her innocence, some question her stance as almost impossible. Was it acting out because her lord father faced ridicule after his disastrous interlude with the Allorn? Or perhaps enraged at the questioning of her own presence at the negotiation table? Or perhaps this spree was to highlight the ever growing menace of criminals vandalizing the entire city to challenge the Regalian Guard? So many questions, dearest reader, for us all to ponder.

Finally, the latest assembly brought many requests to the voting books. From the Grand Duchess' Cadieux's plea to codify champagne, to the Grand Duke Loughdonairt's rehashing of the disastrous war bond scheme of the Dread War. Yet the Imperial Regent's presence caused quite a stir on the assembly floor. His keen stewardship of the peerage began in earnest tonight, with his wish to have the peerage name the families who have done the most for the Empire, and those who have done the least.

It's clear that whatever the weeks ahead hold, the peerage is under a noonday sun. And the shadows in which some may hide in have been swept away. While our esteemed Lord Chancellor's family received the highest praise from the peerage, while Harhold received the least praise, after Telarel and Vyzal (neither of whom apparently care about the realm enough to send a representative.) The de Azcoissia and Harhold families will be teaming up to depart on a mission devised by the Imperial Regent. What the result is will depend entirely upon the Lord Chancellor's and the Count's leadership and choices.

The Count's criminal past was forgiven by the Imperial Regent and, in order to accommodate the request for shipbuiding in the Northern Viduggla lands, dissolved the Northern Restitution Fund, which had been managed by the Duchess Kaya Sorenvik. The Imperial Regent also backed the Cadieux's desire to monopolize champagne. Lucky for all those who desire a Vixhall vintage, isn't it?

I think our readership, along with this author, hopes the avoids the misfortunes that have befallen the peerage recently do not spread to the actions taken by the assembly. Then again, perhaps those who voted against so many of the forward thinking nobility wish to throw a wrench into the works? Who could benefit from the misfortune of the highest and the lowest, but those clawing their way out of the middle of the pack?
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