Some Dolls

"What do you think?" Adél looked at me with a serious expression, holding two porcelain dolls. "This one talks if you imbue the small gem with mana, but I'm not sure which one is better."

"I'm guessing you want me to imbue it with mana," I sighed. He gave me a look as if to say I should have already known that. I glanced around the bustling streets visible outside the shop's window. The crown prince's birthday was approaching, and I couldn't help but imagine how the nobles would soon vie for his favor, each trying to get closer to him.

They're like crabs in a barrel.

It was evident since the engagement party with the second prince, Bernard, that he was unpredictable. The Old Nobility preferred predictability, a learned and well-mannered man. Old Nobility in Bernard's faction would seize the opportunity to curry favor with the crown prince, totally shifting the balance of the faction wars.

Though, Prince Bernard would make a good puppet. He's extremely one-track-minded. However, him just attempting to publicly exile Rosina Durand, his former fiancee, was simply stupid.

"What's wrong with this doll?" I asked Adél. It wore a red dress, with matching flower ornaments on either side of its head.

"Absolutely nothing is wrong. Though it doesn't have a gem like the other, it... Reminds me of my sister. She has beautiful light brown hair... Eyes like a hawk's... So piercing and clear..."

I couldn't help but screw my face in disgust as he began to dote on his younger sister. I'd never met her, but she seemed like a refined lady. Unfortunately, all of her suitors had been warded off by her battle-maniac brother.

Nobody can defeat a master swordsman. Poor girl would become an old maiden. How old even is she?

"This reminds me," I turned to him as he scanned the other dolls in the seller's display. "I met a horrifyingly wild woman yesterday."

"Calling a woman wild is uncouth and unbecoming of a nobleman," he said, not sparing a glance at me. Technically, I'm not even a real noble. "But do tell."

"I was just playfully teasing her when I was looking for a specific text for my research."

He scoffed. "It's funny you're doing your job."

"Let me continue, Adélard!" I sighed. "I thought she was so small and looked like a rabbit. She must be some sheltered girl from the Old Nobility, and then she suddenly turned the tables on me, and I couldn't help but freeze up."

"Whoever she is, she has my thanks for putting you in your place," Adél finally chose his doll and packed it up with the seller. "So, did you get her name?"

I shook my head. "I never had the honor. Should I go ask her again?"

"Where did you meet her?"

"In the library," I said.