That had been a short engagement by anyone’s standard, Ida’s mother had seen to ensure that. But it mattered little, her mother had enough dirt on them when the engagement was announced to have it annulled when the proper moment arrived. It had granted house Holt what it needed when it needed it, contacts on the Northern Frontier. Already now House Holt had established contacts and had begun providing small loans, but they needed to expand further in the coming months. No doubt Ida’s mother had a plan for that as well. But that was not Ida’s concern, at least not for tonight, as she enjoyed the rooftop view out over the city. She knew who was standing next to her, in truth it was hard not to know, at least the woman. The Grand Khanum, she was at times hard to miss. Not that it mattered, and not that Ida would be rude, her influence, and friendship, could very be needed later down the line. She was an elector after all, and all electors had their uses. And it was with this that Ida turned her head, smiling towards them “Enjoying the view?”
“It is a rare treat for us my lady,” the man replied, answering while Azar got her bearings. “My dear cousin spends most of her time on the frontier, far from such spectacular sights.” Azar nodded, taking a stiff sip of her champagne while the man bowed, the golden cape on his left shoulder billowing dramatically. “I am Mahmud, and this is Grand Khanum Azar of Reza,” he said with a jerk of his head in her direction. “It is lovely to meet you.”
“Countess Ida of House Holt.” She said, extending her hand, “A pleasure.” She offered them both a polite smile. “I believe I saw you both at the coronation, I have certainly seen and heard of the great Khanum, though a shame she does not grace the capital with her presence more often.”
Mahmud took her hand, placing a gentle kiss upon it before standing back to his full height. “If only the business back on Old Alvania were not always so pressing, is that not right azizam?”
Azar frowned a little at the nickname, but the question did distract from her vertigo and she quickly offered a smile to Ida. “Indeed it does. I saw you as well, across the way.”
After a moment’s pause Mahmud spoke again. “You spend most of your time on Terra then? A shame that we never crossed paths during my time at the university.”
“No doubt a great misfortune.” Ida replied back to Mahmud, in truth a handshake would have done her plenty, rather than a kiss on her knuckles, a bit old fashion, but it could be worse. “But it is either here or on the Eastern Core. I do enjoy it more here, but I shall not deny that the Eastern Core has some charm, especially all the great goods which they offer.”
“I agree completely.” Mahmud laughed. “If you are not on Terra then the Eastern Core is the next best thing.”
“I suspect that it would be rather difficult to travel between the two without resources from the frontiers though,” Azar remarked, having had the argument with Mahmud more times than she had cared to. Hoping to change the subject she looked to Ida. “I pray for the Emperor’s success, but it is a difficult thing to ignore how young he looked at the coronation. If only Arctur II had not been on that shuttle.”
“Sadly he not only looks it, he is it.” Ida simply responded. “He is a boy, the Empire needs a man to rule, or a woman. But not a child.” Ida remarked, sipping her champagne. “It would have been welcomed if Arctur could have waited a few years.”
“The two of your pass judgement too quickly. Who is to say that young Arctur won’t surprise us all?” Mahmud posed the question as he leaned against the balcony looking out in the direction of the Imperial Palace. “What did they used to say, ‘these are the times that try men’s souls’? Perhaps this trial will forge the boy into something great.”
Azar pursed her lips in a slight frown. “Perhaps… But I am certain that I would not have wanted to be Empress at seventeen.”
“Liar,” Mahmud answered with a chuckle that made Azar blush slightly.
Ida laughed, “No doubt the both of you wished to rule over the lot of us as young as thirteen.” She paused. “But perhaps something great shall be formed out of the boy, it is just unlikely. More like that as so many times before, the lack of guidance becomes his undoing.”
“Ah, but he will have guidance aplenty...assuming that he receives capable council,” Mahmud said with an unconcealed twinkle in his eye.
“The guidance of a strong male figure is not the same as the guidance of scheming courtiers wishing to advance themselves. Perhaps his mother will prove a strong enough female figure to make up for both.” Ida responded, not really trusting the court. Ida was young, but had learned it over time, especially as she herself was a part of the court.
“They do say that if Her Imperial Majesty is anything, she’s strong,” Azar commented as she sipped more of her drink. “I’ve have little doubt she’ll keep the worst of the schemers away. Whether that is for better or worse remains to be seen.” Azar flicked her eyes at Mahmud for the last part, to which he responded with a warm smile.
Ida sipped a bit more champagne, holding her arms closer in the midnight breeze to keep out the colder winds. “I have no idea if that is good or bad.” Ida commented lightly. “It could backfire if she was too involved.”
“Undoubtedly,” Mahmud said as he pushed himself away from the railing, bowing to both of them. “If you will excuse me ladies, I believe my glass is empty. Can I get you anything?”
Azar simply shook her head. “No, thank you.”
Ida looked at him for a moment, giving him a small nod along with a small smile, “Surprise me.”
“Of course,” He said before gracefully making his way back into the party and towards the bar.
Once he had left Azar said nothing for a moment, simply taking in the view. “Do you suppose you will try to wed him?” Azar asked flatly. ‘So this was here the true conversation began’ Ida thought to herself, now standing alone together with her equal.
“The Emperor?” Ida asked, rather surprised by the directness of the question as she looked at the other elector, part of it actual shock, part of it display.
“I certainly didn’t mean my cousin,” she replied with a small smirk. “I imagine most the houses will try their hand at sending a daughter or niece or what have you to him. I also imagine that an actual elector would have a better chance than they would.”
“I did not imagine marrying either.” Ida commented, the Emperor made for an unlikely enough match, the cousin even less so. “My mother may wish for it, but I have no wish for the Emperor. He is too young, not to mention being Empress means too many eyes on one, duties and responsibilities. it also only provide limited benefits.”
“I think that you must dream bigger if you see only limited benefits to being at his side day-in and day-out, without end. Besides, you are what, twenty-one? That is not so much older.” Azar kept her gaze pointed out over the city and her voice remained soft, her far eastern accent slipping through only slightly.
“You want him.” Ida said, a slight grin on her face, well, the title coming with him, not really him. “And no, not bigger, just differently. I don't fancy myself as the Empress, it is not what I want to be. So by all means, take him. No doubt you will enjoy being at his side. And it’s twenty.” It wasn't entirely true that Ida had no ambition on the title, just not by the current Emperor’s side, he was too young, he looked to feeble and overall seemed rather unimpressive. Regardless, being support of Azar, at least for the time being, cost Ida nothing.
“Do you think so?” Azar asked, an eyebrow raised, her voice betraying nothing. “What is it, Countess, that you do what to be, in that case?”
“I think you will enjoy it, if the rest of the Empire will, I can't answer.” Ida replied, “And I honestly don't know, I want to do many things, but I guess to be free to do as I wish.”
“A noble goal,” Azar laughed, and before she could continue Mahmud returned carrying two glasses, one a flight of champagne and one a bright blue liquid in a rocks glass filled with ice.
“For you, my lady,” he said as he offered Ida the blue drink. “I have no doubt that you will enjoy it.”
Ida tilted her head slightly, “It looks dangerous.” She said before she took a decent sip from the glass. “Not bad.” Sweet on the tongue.
“I first had it on Birat,” He said with a pleased smile. “It certainly provides a proper jolt when dealing with affairs such as these,” he said, motioning to the party around them.
“It leaves a good warmth.” Ida said as she took another sip. “So how come you are sticking to champagne?” she asked him as she raised a curious eyebrow.
“It’s too girly for him to drink in public, I suspect,” Azar quipped, to which Mahmud offered a slight nod and a shrug.
Ida just laughed, slightly louder than before. “Seems you are afraid.” she commented, “A shame, it's very good.”
“We must keep up our appearances,” Mahmud stated plainly, sipping his own drink. “It is no doubt the same reason that few of the women here are wearing pajamas when they would almost certainly be more comfortable than the dresses you wear. Still, I am glad that you enjoy it.” Azar stifled a laugh and her own outfit, dripping in gold, clinked to prove his point.
“I think that is your wish more than it is the truth.” She countered him..
“A man can dream,” he mused. “Perhaps then, it is a bit of both. After all, I’ve known many a woman to be thankful to get out of an over decorated dress in favor of something more comfortable.”
“Have you now?” Ida merely commented, turning to Azar, “Do you look forward for this to be over? Personally I quite enjoy a good party.” taking another sip, “And good drink.” Slowly starting to run out of drink.
“Parties are not my...speciality,” Azar said simply. “Mahmud and his sister Fatimeh have always been better at them than I have. Though of course there are far worse things in life.”
Mahmud took a look at Ida’s glass and chuckled. “As good as it is, you will want to take it slow. As I said, they pack rather a surprising punch.”
“Far worse.” Ida confirmed, “Such as sitting through another coronation.” She laughed, turning to Mahmud, “Then why did they make it so sweet?”
“I’ve known few women, or men for that matter I suppose, who simply like the taste of unflavored alcohol,” Mahmud answered with a slight shrug.
Azar smiled at Ida’s comment. “Carrying the sword was rather exciting though, didn’t you think?”
Ida returned the smile, turning around and looking over the city again as she leaned against the railing. “Holding the sword up high, aiming to the heavens as an entire church yelled out. That was the most magnificent part. I can't deny that it made me feel quite giddy”
“It was a rather impressive display,” Mahmud said absent-mindedly as he pulled out his pocket watch and observed the time. “That said my lady, I fear that the Grand Khanum and I must be departing. There is, unfortunately, business that must get done on nights such as these.” He took ida’s hand gently and bowed to kiss it once again. “Thank you for providing us the pleasure of your company.”
Azar nodded and stepped away from the railing, “I am sure that we will see more of each other in the coming days of parties. Until then your highness.”
Ida nodded, looking as Azar walked, “A shame all the same. But good fortune in your business dealings.”
It had been an interesting enough meeting, her friend, if one could call it that, the other elector, Azar, was harder to exactly pinpoint than Ida would have liked. She seemed nice enough, but then again, everyone seemed nice enough until you got to know them. What did peak Ida’s interest was the fact that the elector was more reluctant to speak, leaving it mainly to her male companion, her cousin, but perhaps it meant little. Regardless, in the end Ida stood alone once more, gazing over the capital.
---------------------
She would meet with Mahmud a few days later, it was a rather eventful day, and he proved more interesting that she had thought, especially their negotiations. He was running for an office in the new government and she was willing to support him, in return for certain favours afterwards. One such favour was the favourable return rates on interest, as well as new paths open to her family bank. Mahmud was young and untested, he was an unlikely candidate. But on the plus side, it meant that she could demand all the more for her support, which she naturally had.
To her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Dowager (Private -
@Rolman99)
Your Imperial Majesty, I wish to express my sincere condolences for the loss, as well as the praise of the rise of your son, the new Emperor. I pray that he may live up to the memory of his father and usher in previously unknown peace and prosperity across the realm, so that his memory may forever be associated with the thoughts of joy, happiness and excitement. Such as the likes only seen in recent memory upon his ascension to the Throne.
Should your Imperial Majesty so wish, I would happily continue the praise, though I fear even that may become tedious at extreme lengths, and as such I shall hope to spare you, and keep your interest as I so move on.
The reason for my message to your Imperial Majesty, relates to the appoint of the council which shall advise yourself, and his Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, on how to rule and govern the vast Empire. As such I feel it is only proper that I myself throw my support behind a candidate, the young Mahmud Raza, cousin to Grand Khanum of Reza. He is young, I am aware, but I feel he would make a fine addition to the cabinet, not to mention a fresh mind with new ideas for a new reign, with new ways to solve problems and a view towards the changes that are always taking place in society. Whereas the wisdom of old should never be shunned, neither should the vigor of youth, for the two may combine to form all the greatest achievements known to man.
I hope that you do not find my advise to be unwelcome, and should your Imperial Majesty ever wish for it again, or to simply see me, then I shall always, and most happily, attend court.
Grand Countess Ida Holt
She didn't really expect Mahmud to gain the position he really wanted, but even if nothing came of this, a small favour could go a long way in the future.
