Though it was a realm in which they both clearly flourished, the viper’s pit of Nevermerean court rarely allowed for any amount of leisure, even in the privacy of one’s own office. Even as she maintained the air of a proper noblewoman, which by now had ingrained itself too deeply into her bones to be so easily shaken off, Alinore relaxed into the other woman’s familiar company. Certainly, two women of their standing and ability played an unspoken game of their own every time they met – what information to share and how to discuss it among the more pressing matters – but their mutual understanding of each other lowered the stakes.

It was to this little game that Alinore inclined her head and accepted Meiying’s compliments with a gracious smile. The niceties had to be observed, after all. “Had I the family you did, I assure you, our estate would suffer much the same treatment,” She commiserated after a careful sip of her tea. “Fortunately for us, Alden keeps his training equipment more contained.” Or rather, their servants did. As far as Alinore could tell, Alden rarely did anything that he didn’t want to, and cleaning up after his own messes sat high on that list. “One would think that they lack an entire wing of the castle dedicated to their endeavors.”

Meiying allowed Alinore to steer the conversation toward one Lieutenant Aldrich Abbott, and the younger woman listened politely as her friend explained the circumstances behind the curious courtship that had apparently developed. “I rather expected he would hold out for a Delaney boy as well. He certainly seemed to have his heart set on one,” She agreed as they touched on a longstanding conversation point between the two of them. As women of high noble birth, they both shouldered the expectation of marrying a suitably respectable husband and bearing heirs, and both of their fathers had not been subtle with which prospective families they considered suitable. Of course, the Delaneys were among the best.

Perhaps it was his daughter’s increasing age that had prompted Longwei Meng to lower his standards to an Abbott. Alinore could only hope that her own father wouldn’t do the same. The man was far more easily impressed than she, and so far none of Nevermere’s offerings had particularly impressed her.

“I met him once, very briefly, prior to his promotion” Alinore explained, a satisfied smirk ghosting across her lips as she held Meiying’s gaze over the rim of her teacup. “Suffice to say that if he is representative of the soldiers under his command, perhaps we ought to have expected your particular headache sooner.” A response that teased at an answer to the other woman’s question. “But I would hardly want to color your experiences with Lieutenant Abbott by sharing too many of my own opinions. After all, he is courting you. Now that you have spent more time in his company, what is it you think of him?”

As if their personal opinions of prospective husbands had any influence on the marriage decrees of their fathers.

“Alden is doing very well,” Alinore confirmed, playing the part of the suitably proud older sister with practiced ease. Born and raised with the expectation of marrying a prince who instead chose a Lorendaler, she had represented the Thornhill family’s interests in court before Alden came of age. She had distinguished herself as the epitome of a Nevermerean noblewoman - so much so that the crown had sent her to Arynn Frey to represent Nevermere’s interests as well. In her absence, Alden had become the physical presence of the Thornhill family: the elusive, sickly heir of a noble family. Frequent letters from across the continent were the only way that Alinore could encourage him to behave himself in her absence.

“He has always shown admirable dedication to his work in the military, and he received a promotion to Royal Guard this past season.” A smile and another sip of tea. Alden was only twenty three. Such a promotion was a feat comparable to that of the Delaney sons - and truly, what was the difference between using the Delaney name and an older sister’s influence as a foot in the door? “Of course, we are all incredibly proud of him and pleased that others have recognized his talents, but such a change does mean he has been rather occupied as of late.”

What a shame, truly, that she couldn’t see with any more frequency the favorite child who had stolen her inheritance and gained twice as much as her with half the effort.

“But what of your own family, Meiying?” Instead of lingering on her hidden feelings toward undeserving younger brothers, Alinore returned the question and asked after those of her friend. “How are your parents and brothers? I admit, I haven’t spoken with any of them in some time either.” Evidently, Longwei Meng had happened upon a change of heart regarding his only daughter’s prospective suitors, though such a lowering of standards spoke of little else other than desperation to marry off Meiying.

Alinore made a thoughtful noise of recognition at the mention the captain commander’s daughter. She had spoken to the noblewoman on the night of open court and found their conversation rather lacking. News of Valeria Delaney’s pregnancy and removal from active service had spread through the courtiers, especially after the events of the ball, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs idly wondered how she found attending to Princess Ophelia. In some ways, the two women complemented each other quite nicely.

But the affairs of those two women were hardly a matter of note. “It is, of course, gratifying to hear that he treated you respectably,” Alinore replied diplomatically. After her own experiences with the man, she had her doubts. Etiquette and propriety kept those of finer pedigrees elevated above the plebeians who chose to ignore such niceties, and the slope to barbarity was a slippery one indeed. Anyone of worthwhile standing would not reduce themselves by forgoing the social graces expected of the upper echelon of Nevermerean society. Though it went unacknowledged, the hesitation in Meiying’s expression did not go unnoticed as Alinore added, “Then I shall be curious to hear your thoughts as time progresses and you become more familiar with each other.”

As she had suspected they would, the questions turned to her. Despite the emphasis of proper behavior placed on the women, most Nevermerean men were uniquely uninspiring. If Alinore sought any hand in prospective marriage, it was less out of a personal desire for companionship and more due to the expectations of society. Of course, tradition meant that any suitor did not have to impress her as much as impress her father - a far easier task, in Alinore’s opinion. “No one of particular note, I’m afraid. Perhaps the lapse in etiquette that plagues Lieutenant Abbott is a symptom of an underlying ailment.” A delicate pause. “A great many noblemen seem to suffer from such afflictions.” And those who did not had already found wives.