Gavin sighed, nodding. "She would make someone a fine wife. It's all she's been trained to do since birth. She can easily take command of this palace, knows all of the duties of the house mistress, and can fit into politics as the perfect little helpmate. I've seen to that much of her education. I always figured she'd marry some duke, but my father is insistant. He's not much longer for this world, sad to say."<br/><br/>Turning to Martinez, he continued, "I can't announce this arrangement too soon. It might make the Loidites suspicious as to why she's suddenly betrothed. You understand that this must be kept secret?"<br/><br/>He felt a little bad for selling his sister, but it had to be done. It was either a marriage to his allies, or to the man who had just a few days ago been his enemy. He couldn't give Loidi the tactical advantage of having a legal gain to his throne. That idea made him ill.<br/><br/>***********<br/><br/>Figuring that dinner was over, Diane crept out of her room by way of the back servant's entrance. Keeping to the shadows, she cut through the gardens on her way to the men's chambers. she didn't know how much went on after she left, but she was deturmined to at least appologize to the Loidites and warn them about what the pentalites of magic in Anstaria. It was only fair, after all.