Mereavus laughed lightly at the mention of calling him 'Tom'. Not on his nelly, he'd get<em>Thomas</em>if he was lucky. Shortening names wasn't something she generally did.<br/><br/>"I prefer Viscount," she answered, with no reason given. "Fortunately my husband is at the estate to manage it. I'm hoping he'll at least remember to do the very basics."<br/><br/>It wasn't a great secret. Duke Vorserkeine had always been a delicate sort of man, equipped with enough skills to be a Tanperian Diplomat to Lareich and little else. His excessively gentle demeanour tended to suit keeping good relations, and little else. His wife had always been the one to take on the rather more demanding duties, which made their marriage subject to great deal of gossip. A woman taking control was something of a taboo, but it didn't appear to bother the Advisor in the slightest. It suited her the way things were - she wasn't exactly the shrinking wallflower her husband was.<br/><br/>She looked up when the Crown Prince entered and naturally moved away from the wall to curtsey, which she did with the regal grace she tended to do everything with. "Your Highness," she greeted. No doubt he wasn't interested in discussion, but not greeting would be considered highly improper.