“I’m surprised at how… high functioning everything in this kingdom is,” Silene screams across the table at me, and I nod in agreement. “The sub-committees and the Council—it’s all so civilized and organized. And the programs you described from today’s court session… Those would never exist in Velmara.”

“It’s nothing like the stories told about the Queen abroad,” I respond as loudly as I can. Fionn looks around, spotting a table that has just vacated tucked away in the back. He nods in that direction, and we follow.

“That’s better,” Silene’s already hoarse voice says.

“I hate to admit it,” I continue, “but I’m having… not fun… but I’m enjoying being an ambassador. I’m learning more than I ever would have under my father. Even if none of the topics are actually all that important.”

“Your father would certainly never run a kingdom this way. He would have to give up too much control,” Silene observes astutely.

We drop into a comfortable silence, watching the comings and goings of the pub. Despite the many fae from out of town, there still appears to be a large gathering of regulars in the middle of the room with several tables pushed together so they can play a card game I don’t recognize. They greet one another as they enter, calling out and raising hands to indicate where their group has gathered. The space feels just like a Velmaran pub, maybe even a little more lively. For a kingdom rumored to be in squalor, the city of Arberly is thriving.

“So, here’s what we know.” Silene’s catchphrase and sudden interruption of the silence makes me smile, while Fionn groans and rolls his eyes. “The Queen delegates almost all aspects of running her kingdom to an endless hierarchy of advisors and sub-committees. She rarely leaves Thayaria, but we don’t really know what she does here, since her advisors seem to handle the day-to-day decision making. The kingdom is prosperous, despite being isolated…” Silene says the words matter-of-factly, ticking each item off using her fingers before trailing off.

I chime in. “At least some of her people feel comfortable enough to petition her for help with even minor things like the cost of flour. That means people aren’t largely afraid of her. Despite my father’s nonsense about being the Golden King, no Velmaran would come to him for help like that.”

“But—we also know there’s a rebel group opposed to her rule who believe her to be a witch,” Silene adds. I nod.

“We know she’s fucking powerful,” Fionn adds, causing my lips to twitch in amusement.

“So we’ve heard,” Silene teases him. “Anything else?”

“The aether is stronger here than anywhere else. I’ve always heard it was because of all the leylines, but now we know that’s true,” I add.

“What do you mean?” Silene asks.