Chapter 467: Birthday Dinner

“As I understand it, your new airship design will be significantly faster than existing ships, with a larger cargo capacity? And you will be selling them publicly?” The Envoy from Axbridge asked.

“Indeed. I won’t pretend that we’re not expecting to have a waiting list, but if there is enough interest, we will expand facilities. Given the level of interest, I suspect that it will be one of our larger industries.

Fortunately for us, with this new trade deal coming into effect, we will be able to sell them across the border without penalties.” Dominic agreed.

The bureaucrats smiled. That would keep their bosses happy for some time.

If they could get one of these new fast airships, even if it belonged to the Merchant’s Guild, having it on a regular route to and from the capital cities would be a huge career win for the Envoys who worked out the trade deal.

“That is wonderful news.

Perhaps it will be done in time for the next wedding season. I heard that there will be Royal weddings in at least three nations next year.” The Envoy noted.

Alexis nodded. “Josephine should be married next year, and I hear that or lovely Prince Fahad is up for his turn to the Altar as well.”

Fahad laughed. “I’m afraid that my days as a single man may be numbered, indeed. Though, in Axbridge tradition, I will have to accept three brides at once, to placate the great houses as the Crown Prince.”

Dominic gave him a sympathetic smile. “I fear for your health, my friend.”

The envoys hid their laughter, while Alexis swatted him on the head.

“It’s a political arrangement. More often, the heir to the throne comes from a concubine.” Fahad explained.

“That doesn’t make it sound better, actually. I can get myself in enough trouble with just one wife, and she actually likes me.”

The main course was finished and dessert brought out. Birthday cake, naturally.

The Envoys chuckled at the extra scoop of ice cream with Envoy McMillan’s slice, and the “happy birthday” message.

“You really did talk to my wife, didn’t you?” He laughed.

“It’s the little details that make the day special. If you’ve got to be away from home, we just need to work extra hard to make sure that you don’t suffer.” Alexis agreed.

“But how did you know that it was vanilla ice cream that I preferred, and not the sweet cream Mitfield ice cream?”

“Cook Beth, from the Cygnia Royal Palace, followed us here to Wistfield. She likely has a whole notebook full of guest preferences. It’s one of the great advantages of an experienced cook.” Alexis explained.

“Ah, that explains everything.” The Envoy took a bite and smiled. “Yes, this is her cake. I would know this anywhere. But the ice cream, that’s not her version. Someone else made it.”

The maid nodded and signed to Alexis. [It was Larry.]

“It was made by one of the kitchen assistants. They’re better with the goats than Beth is, so they made the ice cream. Honestly, I’m surprised that they had vanilla available. Vanilla beans are in short supply here, as we request so many baked sweets from the kitchen.” Alexis joked.

The other Nobles just shrugged. Beth’s cooking was simply too good, everyone was putting on weight while they were here.

They were finishing their cake when news came from the staff that a new guest had arrived.

“Enjoy your cake, I will go greet our new arrival. It’s been a pleasure, everyone.” Dominic informed the room.

When he got outside, Dominic noticed that the Dave brigade looked on edge. Whoever was out there wasn’t giving them happy and friendly vibes. That wasn’t a good sign because Dave liked everyone.

The visiting group was a group of five plain carriages, coal burning steam carriages in the old style, designed after horse-drawn carriages, not steam tractors.

Guards got down from the fourth carriage, and opened the door to reveal a group of primped and powdered Noble ladies, completely overdressed for any possible occasion short of a coronation ceremony.

“Ladies, welcome to Wistover. Please do come inside, and we can discuss what might have brought you here today over a cup of tea.” Dominic greeted them.

There were far more of them than Dominic had expected, and the guards began to open all the remaining carriages, revealing a total of over thirty young Noblewomen, plus two dozen servants and ten guards.

It was like an invasion of powder and pomposity.

The ladies all looked so relieved to be out of the carriages that Dominic didn’t ask any questions of them, instead, he called one of the servants over.

“Who am I welcoming? I need to know to introduce them to the Princess and our guests.” He asked.

“How could you not recognize the esteemed ladies of the Amerton Court?” The servant asked indignantly.

“Is that the Amer Royal Palace? Or a brothel in the capital?”

The servant looked absolutely scandalized. “Are you telling me you really have no idea who the ladies are?”

Dominic shook his head. “I might be the Duke of Wistover, but I care very little about matters other than war and industry, and I care less than usual about women who are not my wife.”

The servant’s shock faded to a faint smile.

“Then, this should be entertaining. There is a curse on the Amer Noble Families. Every generation their legitimate children lean more heavily toward females.

At this point, there are ten to every man, and they have to go looking for men to marry into the families, so they don’t have to marry commoners.

They normally search to the southeast, but this generation, they wanted to include Cygnia and the Northeast into their search to spread their influence.”

Dominic sighed. “So, they’re here looking for husbands? Well, this could be interesting. Most of the Nobles who would live in this area are still deployed to Dagos.”

The servant shook her head. “They’re not here trying to get matched, we simply needed a break from the road, and they’re relying on Noble Oblige to house them for a few days or a week before they travel again.”

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