OF IRON AND CROWNS | TWO

MYRINA, ASTERIA AND Danna were her guests for the night. They sat around the dinner table, laughing about the small matters that occurred around the Palace daily, sniggering about the latest gossip and thinking about the futures of all their friends. But never themselves. They never discussed themselves.

Myrina poured Asteria a cup of wine, and the future duchess smiled as she raised the newly filled goblet. "Been an exciting while."

Danna, sardonic and wry as always, said, "It's always exciting around here. The day it's not exciting is the day something is wrong. Gong ju, gang de 'am mm 'am ah?"

It was strangely out of place, the last words said in the dialect of Xiang Zhou. But Danna occasionally used it to accentuate her sarcastic lines, of which she had plenty. For the last few years she'd mostly reverted to using the main dialect, spoken in Hong Cheng and its surrounding cities, but recently she'd seemed to be practicising her Xiang Zhou dialect again. God knew why. Perhaps she was spending too much time around her sisters, Megara and Hebe.

Irina replied, "You know my Xiang Zhou dialect is rusty."

"Not rusty enough you can't understand that," Danna frowned, pushing her sleeve back as she took a long sip of her drink.

"Perhaps not," Irina mused, picking up a piece of fried chicken breast and placing it in her dish. She also took some of the wa wa cai. It was a bit spicy, just to her taste. Everything in her life seemed to revolve around food right now, for some strange reason. Food and marriage. Those two things were currently running her life, and she wasn't exactly sure how she particularly felt about that.

Myrina murmured, "Even I understood that, Irina, and I don't even speak the Xiang Zhou tongue."

Asteria said, "You should learn it. They speak it often in Gira as well."

"I see no point in the foreseeable future where I'd ever go to Gira," Myrina said politely. "I run errands, yes, but not in places like that. There I'm a fish out of winter. A very obvious fish out of water, actually. I'd be dead before an hour."

"Gira's not that bad," Irina frowned. "Depends heavily on the area of town you stay in."

"The ports are in the worst," Myrina pointed out.

"Gira has its own set of rules and laws that none of us can understand," Asteria tilted her head. "But they still have a rule of honour and a moral compass. Most of them, anyways."

"You cannot speak for all of them," Danna said gently. "Some of them are good, some of them are bad. Unfortunately, considering the general scene of the world at large, I'd say they're mainly the latter."

Irina mocked, "Daneira Pang's cynicism at its finest."

"Coming from Gu Longyu, that's rich." Danna's remarks were always scathing. They'd all gotten used to it long ago. If you took offence every time Danna made a jab at you, you'd always be angry, and that was very bad for your heart.

It had always fascinated her somewhat, the way most leaders had heart problems of one kind or another. It was the stress. She'd know.

Asteria shook her head. "Well, it's Myrina's choice in the end. It could be helpful in the near future, but perhaps not in her line of work." Irina rarely sent Myrina into the heart of danger. Her wiccai powers would allow her to survive, most likely, and her training as a priestess of Hongyun might even make her an asset, but Myrina didn't belong on the battlefield. She belonged behind the scene, behind a desk, watching over everything and making sure nothing was going wrong. She wasn't built of the same stuff Justine or even Danna was.

Asteria had been on the front line before, but she'd been horribly out of place. She, much like her father, was the spymaster. Every one of them had their own roles on the battlefield. It was best, most efficient and safest for all of them to play to their own strengths.

Everyone had their role to play. Irina's was, most recently it seemed, to be a bargaining chip in a defence alliance. Somewhat of a defence alliance anyways. Arecia and Sai, with this marriage, would be bound for at least a generation of two. If Melique attacks either one, the other was bound to send men and resources and armies to help them fight back.

Myrina tilted her head. "I can understand the most basic of it. It sounds similar enough to the common dialect I can usually figure out what people are saying."

Asteria nodded. "They are quite similar to each other. Have you all heard about Malcolm and Lady Yu?"

Irina cringed at that. "I've always wanted to talk to him about that. Ryan kept telling me to wait, that Malcolm would mature and grow out of it. So far he hasn't, and you can tell it's starting to take a serious toll on Naeva. When your fiance's out having high-profile affairs and you yourself don't have the status or background not to be picked on..."

"She wants to call it off," Danna confirmed. "Her father's not letting her. She's complained about it to me a couple times. I told her I couldn't really help. Malcolm refuses to call it off. He owes her brother."

"Her brother's dead," Asteria pointed out. "And this engagement is only causing both of them unnecessary pain. There is no point of keeping promises with a dead man when it isn't necessary to do so."

"Naeva agrees. Malcolm doesn't." Danna shook her head.

They'd been engaged for years. Naeva had been fourteen then, she was twenty now. More than old enough to be married. Yet... nothing. Neither side had ever mentioned it. Most people had taken it as a sign that Malcolm had no intention of carrying on with the marriage, and his never-ending list of lovers hadn't particularly helped with that.

But because the men were never blamed, Naeva became the scapegoat of all the humiliation and the ridicule. Somehow Naeva was the girl who'd trapped him in a marriage he didn't want, refusing to let go. And she had no one except them to stand up for her—Sir Li, her father, was a low-ranking baronet running rather short of funds. Her mother was dead. As was her brother.

Irina just sighed and said, "Unfortunately, it's between them. If either of them would ever be willing to sit down and have a proper conversation about it, that is."

"Highly unlikely without outside interference," Asteria said. "But we can let this carry on for a tiny bit more, I think? See if they decide to do anything about it. The rumour mills are spinning, I'd be watching out for Naeva in the next few days if I were any of you. The people in this court, they can be vicious if you're not one of us."

In this court of bones, power and status was currency. Naeva had neither. That made her prey. Painfully easy prey. Even with the knowledge that she had the friendship and ears of some of the most powerful ladies in court, because the others knew none of them could actually do anything about it. This is a world where the strong ate the weak, and there could be no interference or unbalancing of it. It was simply how the world worked.

"We'll see," Irina mused. "But if it does continue on... one of you talk to Malcolm for me. Tell him if he doesn't want it to go forward, just break it off. It's better than leaving Naeva like this. She's a good girl. She'll find someone else, or we can find someone for her."

"Don't do that. Help her find someone, I mean," Danna winced. "That'll make her feel even more shit."

"It'll be easier," Irina protested. "And with the protection of a husband—"

"Unless the husband is very powerful, in which case they wouldn't want to marry the daughter of a penniless baronet," Danna cut in, "it wouldn't be able to do jackshit."

There was silence, and then Myrina murmured, "I'll watch out for her. Don't worry."

"No offence," Irina said, "but you're leaving Sai with me for at least a little while. And you're not the most powerful or threatening person in court."

"For heaven's sake," Asteria's eyes rolled. "I'll watch out for the chit. And ask Lady Kuroki to get her other students to do so we as well. Us Kuroki girls have to stick together, you know."

Danna pointed out, "You've been avidly trying to avoid Lady Kuroki for the past while."

"Because every time I see her the topic gets to marriage, and bloody hell, I'm only twenty-three! I'm not ancient yet, or even technically on the shelf! And it's not as if I don't have a constant suitor either! It's both our choices to not tie the knot yet!"

"It's not the best time for weddings," Irina snorted, her sarcasm clear. Asteria shot her quick daggers while Myrina let out a small cough.

Myrina said, "I think what Irina means is that the war isn't completely over yet, so it may be a bit... risky for those of us who do traverse around the front lines to make any lasting promises."

"One might argue," Danna mused, "that the fact that either half of a couple may lose their life at any given moment is more than enough reasoning for one to tie the knot."

"Danna," Asteria said tightly, "shut your mouth before I do it for you."

Danna perched her chin on her palm, leaning against the table, and smirked, "You can try, Ast dearest. You know it won't work. I'll beat you in a fight every day of the week."

"One versus three, though?" Irina murmured.

Danna scowled and straightened. "You're all ganging up on me. I don't like it. It's unfair and gross."

"Unfair, I get," Myrina frowned. "Gross, I don't. What's gross about that? It's called teamwork, Danna. You've led operations."

"She's kidding," Irina deadpanned.

  Myrina replied, her tone equally flat, "I know."

And awkward silence dawned upon the four woman as they exchanged glances, unsure how to further continue the conversation. Myrina opted to just focus on the food, which was always a smart choice. Irina, begrudgingly, chose to do the same, stuffing her mouth with a bite of rice. She didn't care to look regal or elegant or all that stuff here, among friends. Asteria was known as the countess of ice in most circles and she was acting very relaxed this evening too. They never bothered hiding their true selves from each other. What was the point?

Irina said, breaking the silence, "We keep having these massive events where everyone gathers in the city. Rhys should be back from her mission... tomorrow?"

"If all goes according to schedule," Asteria gave it a bit of thought, "yes. Tomorrow. Or the day after, depending on the weather."

Irina nodded. Rhys was an Iron Wolf, one of the wiccai operatives they had. And Rhys was not only the only female Wolf, but also one of the best. This mission wasn't one of too much importance, but Rhys had recently expressed her wish of travelling around the country. Hence why Zhang daren, the Captain of the Wolves, had appointed her and her partner—both in their career and their life—Dominic Lang with her.

Rhys and Dom's romance still never failed to take her by surprise. She'd always thought, in some part of her, that they'd remain forever friends. She'd never seen any sign of blossoming romance or any feelings past what seemed... familial. But things were never as they seemed, so she wasn't all that surprised. They kept it on the lowkey, never flaunted it, and it hadn't affected their work so far.

That was all Irina really cared about. If they were going ahead with it it meant they were both happy. There was some things even she wouldn't interfere with. As long as they didn't affect her interests. Some of her friends told her she was wu qing. Without feelings. It wasn't true. She just always made sure her rationality and logic outweighed her heart. All good politicians were supposed to do that. The Emperor had taught them that lesson when she and Ryan were young. She'd learnt it better than him, in her own opinion, but he had just enough to get by well enough.

"Astonishing," Danna remarked, "that in this time and place we still have to take into account the weather."

"It's summer," Myrina said, "the weather grows volatile and more unpredictable. There's risks of extremely strong winds on coastal towns."

"I grew up in Xiang Zhou," Danna deadpanned, "I know all about strong winds during the summertime. But still. She's travelling through land, unless she ran into trouble she'll be coming back tomorrow. Enough time for another person to be added to the team of those Irina abuses while in preparation for her wedding."

"I'm not a tyrant," she argued. "Stop making me seem like one. It's funny once in a while, but then it just starts getting annoying."

Danna's hand flew to her chest. "Oh, I'm sorry for offending, Your Highness. However may I make it up to you?"

"By shutting up. Please." Irina pinched her nose. "Asteria, get her to shut up."

"You do it yourself," Asteria frowned. "I follow your biddings enough, I'm sure you can manage this one thing on your own."

"Myrina..."

"Are you certain," Myrina questioned, "that sending me to shut the mouth of Danna is the best idea?" No. It wasn't. Danna had the sharpest tongue among all of them, and it was a well-known fact. She'd had years to sharpen it against people of all kinds and backgrounds, and she wasn't even afraid to use it against Irina, who owed the half-Meliquean girl. Therefore why Irina tolerated such attitudes. She wouldn't if Danna was anyone else, because sometimes she really did cross the line.

But considering everything Irina had made Danna go through, it had seemed like a relatively fair trade. You don't get agents with Danna's skills and heritage every day. She was a rare kind, half enemy half ally, yet fully trustable.

Irina used the talents around her wisely. It was one of her own particular skills. The people at the top, they never did things themselves. They always found people, capable and trustworthy people, to do it for them. Irina was no exception. She wasn't sure who'd taught her in. Technically no one did. Perhaps she was just born with the skills, with the knowledge. She wasn't precisely a manipulative bitch, but she often felt like she came dangerously close to it.

Whatever. It was what let her become who she was today.

Danna smirked and raised her cup in a toast to both Asteria and Myrina. "To the ladies with clear minds. And the princess who does not."

Irina raised her cup too, mockingly, "Oh, how nice of you, Daneira Pang. I'm positively honoured."

Asteria sighed. "Are you two done? We came here to enjoy dinner, not listen to you all bicker on and on about this useless shit that serves no point or purpose in the long term."

Irina frowned. "Rude, Asteria. You seem to be in a horrid mood today, any particular reason why?"

Danna said, "Just a bunch of agents being idiots, that's all. You should have seen her scolding them. Positively terrifying, I'm telling you. Thank heavens I'm a good agent."

Asteria said with her face straight, "You have your strengths and weaknesses."

"Thankfully," Danna said, flashing a confident smile, "I can happily say that the former outweigh the latter. Or I'd have no good excuse for Irina and you both agreeing that sending me to Melique is the best option."

Irina said, "It's been four years."

Danna shook her head. "One, actually. Just one since I've come back. You took a massive chunk of my youth, Irina, I hope you know that. From nineteen to twenty-two I lived in enemy territory. Because of you."

Irina said, "I'm sorry."

"No you're not. If you regretted it you wouldn't have sent me there in the first place." Danna shook her head. "Isn't that right, Myrina?"

The countess looked sick as she started, "Danna... let's not start with this tonight."

Danna pressed, "When are you going to ask, hmm? About what really happened back then?"

They all knew in this room. Or at least had some fraction of an idea. Of course Irina remembered, clear as day.

Myrina wasn't supposed to be Countess of Li Han. She had a younger brother. And her father had been decidedly traditional.

Irina cleared her thoughts. No use going down that spiral. Right now she needed to hit Danna on the head with the metaphorical cudgel before the girl said something she'd regret in an hour or two, before Danna gets just a bit too carried away.

Asteria wouldn't stop her, because she felt guilty over having sent Danna to Melique. Even though they'd both agreed on the decision, because half-Meliquean agents really didn't drop out of the sky every day. They'd needed someone who could be on the inside without too much suspicion, because a mass majority of Saian immigrants and expatriates in Melique had moved away soon after the war started. Any Saian agent—which was mostly what they had—would not be given as much access and would be considered with suspicion. Danna would be, too. But she still looked Meliquean enough some people would accept her as their own.

And it had worked, hadn't it? Danna's three-year stint in Melique had been impressively useful. She'd even taken down the Black Camellia, the assassin who'd been terrorising people of any importance and status for years. And relationships with Caershire and Arecia had been kept steady all these years, and cooperations with the Novokulugans even began, thanks to Danna's relationship with Novokulugan agent Aleksandr Volkov, who Irina didn't really like but felt fit Danna perfectly. The same sense of humour, in her opinion. And the same damned infuriating, infernal attitude.

"Danna," she started, her eyes hard, "that's enough now. I've always tolerated you, but I've warned you before and I'll warn you again, do not push me to my limit. It won't work out well for you."

Danna raised a brow. "Are you threatening me?"

"No, I'm warning you. You all love to go on and on about my attitude problems but you never talk about hers." Irina nudged her chin at Danna. "Yes. I sent you to Melique. Yes. It was a choice you didn't want. But you agreed in the end, and I kept up my end of the deal. Your sister's barony is thriving. Hebe Pang has been kept away from this life. Do not push all the blame on me."

Asteria raised her hand. "I think it's best if we leave here, don't you agree?"

Danna stood. "I think so." She bobbed a quick curtsy, bordering on disrespectful. "Chen nv gao tui." After she spoke the courtesy words, she turned and left. Irina's expression darkened.

Asteria shot her an apologetic look. "She's also not in the best mood tonight, I'm afraid."

Irina shut her eyes. "She never is. I'm used to it. If your agents are being incapable, I can send others—"

Asteria shook her head. "They made a mistake, a rather idiotic mistake today, that's all. Nothing as serious as Danna might make it out to be. They're an inexperienced bunch, give them a year or two more under their belt and they'd all become fine operatives."

Irina shot a glance at Myrina, who was staring down her plate blankly. Asteria followed her gaze aand understood immediately. "I shall take my leave too then, Irina. I'll wait a bit and try to talk to Danna. Chen nv gao tui."

She left too. And then it was just Myrina and Irina in the dining room, and the uncomfortable silence between them.

Myrina said, slowly, "I'm not going to ask."

Irina let out a quiet breath. "That might be the wisest choice, yes."

Myrina continued, "But the truth always comes out. And I will know everything that happened eventually, or at least my suspicions will be confirmed."

Irina shut her eyes. "I'm aware. What will you do then?"

Myrina said, her voice earnest, "I don't know. What will I do then? I've already been robbed of the future I wanted. I suppose I have to make do with what I have left. I'm Countess of Li Han, after all. No thanks to you."

"I did it because—"

"I know why you did it," Myrina nodded. "It doesn't mean I agree."

"I'm sorry."

"You're not. And that's the worst part about it."

hi i wrote this like months ago and i realised here that asteria wasn't meant to go with irina to arecia??? but i'm like 3/4 through writing of copper and blades now and in it asteria DID go to arecia with sai so ignore anything about that please and thank you :D