Valentina stood outside the duchess's chambers, her palms damp with nervousness. She had chosen a simple, dark green dress – elegant enough for an audience, but again deliberately not in the duke's colors.

"Remember," Vyxara whispered, "she's a pragmatic woman. No excuses, no apologies."

Lady Beatrice, the duchess's lady-in-waiting, opened the door. The honey-blonde woman eyed Valentina with cool professionalism and led her through an elegantly furnished anteroom. The walls were covered in cream-colored silk with delicate floral vines embroidered on them. The afternoon light fell through high windows in warm streaks onto the polished parquet floor.

The duchess sat at a small desk made of dark wood, bent over papers. She wore a dark gray dress whose simple elegance emphasized her mature beauty. Without looking up, she beckoned Valentina closer.

"Beatrice, dear," she said gently, "would you give us a moment alone?"

The lady-in-waiting curtseyed elegantly and withdrew. The look she exchanged with the Duchess spoke of years of familiarity.

Only when the door had closed did the duchess put her quill aside and look up. Her green eyes – the same as her son Lorenzo's, Valentina noticed – scrutinized her attentively.

"Sit down." She gestured to a dainty chair opposite her. When Valentina had taken a seat, the duchess folded her slender hands on the desk. "You had a private audience with my husband this morning."

It wasn't a question, but Valentina nodded anyway. "Yes, Your Grace."

"Well?" A fine smile played around the corners of the duchess' mouth. "Did he suggest an… arrangement?"

Valentina felt the blush rise to her face. "He was very… direct, Your Grace."

"He often is." The duchess rose and went to a small table on which stood a carafe of wine. "Would you like a glass? I think we should have this conversation in appropriate relaxation."

When Valentina nodded hesitantly, the duchess poured two glasses.

"You know," said the duchess, handing Valentina a glass, "when I married the duke over thirty years ago, I was younger than you are now. I had... certain romantic notions." She smiled self-deprecatingly. "The reality was different, of course. But over the years, I've learned that there are more important things than the exclusive affection of a man."

She sat down in an elegant armchair and motioned for Valentina to join her. "Power, for example. Influence. The ability to move things." She took a sip of wine. "My husband is a capable ruler and a wise man. He is generous to those who are close to him. But he has certain... needs."

"Oh, that's delicious," murmured Vyxara. "She's practically giving you her blessing – as long as you follow the rules."

"There were others before you," the duchess continued. "Lady Celestine, for example. A clever woman. She understood the rules." She fixed Valentina with her penetrating gaze. "Would you like to know the rules?"

Valentina took a sip of wine to buy some time. The taste was sweet and heavy. "Yes, Your Grace."

"Good." The duchess put down her glass. "Firstly, absolute discretion. No overt public displays of affection. Secondly, respect for the hierarchies of the court. I am the duchess. That will not change. Thirdly, no interference in political decisions – unless you are specifically asked to do so."

She leaned forward. "If you follow these rules, I will support you. I will protect you from the gossip of the court as much as I can. I will advise you if you need help. And I will see to it that you get the position you deserve."

"And... Lady Hazel?" The question was out before Valentina could hold it back.

A shadow flitted across the duchess's face. "My daughter is... emotional. She will have to come to terms with it." She sighed softly. "She's still young. She doesn't understand that sometimes... compromises are to everyone's benefit."

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"Compromises," Vyxara scoffed. "What an elegant word for what she means."

"Remember one thing," continued the duchess. "The duke is a powerful man. His favor can take you far. But his moods can change. Use the time you have as his favorite wisely. Lady Celestine has understood that – look where she stands today."

She stood up, a clear sign that the audience was coming to an end. "Think about my words. And when you decide... well, I'm sure you'll find the right way to tell my husband."

As Valentina turned to leave, the duchess held her back once more. "Oh, and Valentina?" She used her first name for the first time. "The dark green dress looks good on you. A wise choice for a visit to me. If you want to please my husband, you should wear lavender grey."

Lady Beatrice was waiting outside to see her out. The lady-in-waiting gave her an encouraging nod – a surprisingly warm expression after her previous coolness.

"Well," Vyxara said when they were alone again, "that was enlightening, wasn't it? The duchess has practically given you a tutorial on how best to fulfill your position as her husband's mistress."

"She's so... pragmatic," Valentina murmured. Her head was buzzing from the conversation and the heavy wine.

"Of course she is." Vyxara sounded almost admiring. "She's a survivor. And she's just shown you how to become one too."

~

That evening, the next feast was already taking place. Valentina stood at the edge of the great hall, a glass of wine in her hand, watching the moving groups of courtiers. Her gaze fell on the Earl of Meadowshire, who was chatting in a window recess with a young woman who was definitely not the countess. His hand rested confidentially on her arm as he leaned towards her and whispered something that made her blush.

"Is this some kind of arrangement as well?" Valentina wondered to herself. "Like what the duke suggested to me?"

"Yes, Lady Margaret is the earl's paramour. And indeed the lady-in-waiting to his wife," said a soft voice beside her – and it wasn't Vyxara. "Are you trying to understand how such arrangements work at court?"

Valentina winced. She hadn't heard Master Lucian coming. "Does the whole court already know about..." She broke off and bit her lip.

"About the conversation between you and the duke this morning?" Master Lucian shook his head. "No, of course not. But it's my job to be informed of everything that goes on in the palace." He bowed his head slightly. "Please do not see me as an enemy, My Lady. I am trying to help you."

"Look around," he said quietly. "The courtyard is like a complex Essence pattern. You just have to learn to recognize the connections."

"And what connections do you see?" Valentina asked cautiously.

"Well..." He discreetly pointed to various groups in the hall. "The Earl of Meadowshire over there, for example – his wife knows of her husbands escapades and employs his paramour as her own lady-in-waiting – it's more discreet this way. And you know, Countess Rosamere Foxglove may not be here tonight, but her two youngest children... well, they bear a remarkable resemblance to our duke."

Valentina stared at him in disbelief.

"Oh, your duke was obviously quite... busy," Vyxara giggled.

"And Lady Celestine?" Valentina asked as she watched the beautiful widow standing in a circle of admirers, her platinum blonde hair shimmering in the light of the Essence lamps. She laughed at a joke from Master Gregory Bloomfield, while at the same time giving Captain Quake a tantalizing look.

"Ah." Master Lucian cleared his throat. "Lady Celestine is... well, let's just say she enjoys the special favor of several influential figures. The duke and his inner circle are very... open-minded."

"Several? At the same time?" Valentina felt a blush rise to her face.

"Oho!" Vyxara sounded downright excited. "Looks like our honorable duke has a very interesting private circle. I'm intrigued."

"My lady?" A new voice interrupted her thoughts. Lorenzo stood before her, a slight blush on his cheeks. "Forgive the intrusion, but... would you perhaps grant me the honor of a dance?"

Valentina felt her heart beat faster – partly because of his proximity, partly out of embarrassment. "That's very kind of you, but... I must confess, I don't know the courtly dances."

"Oh." Lorenzo looked surprised for a moment, then smiled apologetically. "I'm... I'm sorry about that. How thoughtless of me. I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"No, you haven't done anything wrong," Valentina hastened to say. "It's just..."

"If you like," he said gently, "could I teach them to you? Whenever you have time. Only if it's convenient for you, of course."

Their eyes met, and for a moment Valentina forgot about the rest of the room. "That... that would be very nice."

"How sweet," Vyxara teased. "Father and son, each in their own way, are eager to get their hands on you."

"The duke will not ask you to dance tonight," Master Lucian said casually when Lorenzo had left again. "He respects that you need space to think. Instead, he will devote most of his time to his consort. But watch his gaze."

In fact, while the duke danced with the duchess, his eyes kept wandering to Valentina. Brief, almost imperceptible glances, but full of meaning.

"How does it all work?" she finally asked. "How can the duchess put up with it?"

"The duchess is generous in her interpretation of marital loyalty," replied Master Lucian. "She is sure of her position and the duke has never given her cause to doubt it. As long as the outward form is maintained..." He shrugged his shoulders elegantly.

When Valentina later retired to her chambers, her head was spinning. The world of the court was even more complex than she had thought – and the duke was obviously a man with many secrets.

"Well?" Vyxara's voice sounded amused. "Did the evening influence your decision?"

"I... I need to think. We need to think," Valentina mumbled.

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