War for the Crown Gameplay Part 1

"Agreed. And if I were to inherit the throne... well, that would make this only the beginning," Princess Eutropia replies. "Not only for women either. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Tonight comes first."

"Perhaps not first," Sarina notes. "After all, tonight wouldn't even be possible without the groundwork laid by previous reformers, yourself among them. A generation or two ago, I would likely have seen no other option but to be a dutiful daughter, and marry the man my family choose for me."

"And what a boring fate that would be. A couple generations ago the royal family would be in a succession crisis right now. I suppose technically we are now, but let's hope that gets resolved. But, Dame Sarina, do tell. Given that you won't inherit, what are your plans for the future?" Princess Eutropia asks curiously, her discerning brown eyes watching Sarina.

"I plan to build connections, and use them to leverage myself into a position where I can create change. I think I'd certainly be better at it than some of those already in those positions, at the very least," Sarina says honestly, with a disdainful glance towards Earl Vernisant.

"My hound would be better at it than some in those positions," Princess Eutropia quips back, earning a sudden and unexpected snort of laughter from Marquess Deschamps. "But that is good to know. I may have a need for competent and ambitious allies in the future, after all."

"I would certainly appreciate if I was among the names you thought of, if you have that need in the future," Sarina says with a smile. "But I won't be idly waiting for a letter from you either," she adds.

"If you were, you wouldn't receive one," Princess Eutropia replies. "That would demonstrate a lack of ambition, and I'm of the belief that people only lack ambition if they lack vision."

Sarina laughs. "Believe me, if I lacked ambition or vision, I wouldn't be here," she says, gesturing about to the room at large.

"There are quite a few here that do, but few that got in without using their family. I wonder what you traded for that badge?" Eutropia muses, but doesn't comment further. "I suspect it was worth it, whatever it was."

"Most definitely, with how things have gone thus far," Sarina agrees. "The task I traded in exchange for the badge was certainly well worth my while to do on its own, at any rate."

"As these things tend to be. In any case, Dame Sarina, it was lovely to meet you. Marquess Deschamps, a pleasure as always," the princess nods to the pair of them, as obvious a dismissal as any.

"Lovely to meet you too," Sarina says, curtseying in farewell to the Princess. Once she and Marquess Deschamps have left the vicinity, she says "And thank you very much for that introduction."

"Of course. If, at some point in the future, you find yourself in need of information, do call on me. I am certain we could find some mutually beneficial exchange to make on the matter," Marquess Deschamps replies with a small smile.

"I will keep that in mind," Sarina says with a smile. "Let me know if you could ever use my talents for something as well."

"I plan on it," the Marquess chuckles. "Enjoy your evening." With that, she gives Sarina a deeper, more respectful nod than she had on introduction and walks over to speak with Lady Morilla.

"Do you mind my asking what you thought of Princess Eutropia's speech?" Momo asks.

"It was interesting. More confrontational than I would have written, I feel that she pushed away some potential votes with it," Countess Pace muses. "But perhaps that was her intention, to draw a line in the sand."

Momo smiles. "I can't say that I'm particularly displeased with it's tone, myself. It's a wake-up call that I feel should resonate well with many of the senators here."

"Perhaps, but the time was not yet nigh. She could have taken the time to convince others still instead of effectively forcing an immediate choice. But, perhaps I should not be surprised. This is the same princess who made a name for herself by stabbing those she disagreed with," Countess Pace retorts with a disdainful giggle and a smirk.

Momo mirrors the action, giving a coy smile. "I suppose the matter of your vote is settled, then?"

"As settled as anything, I don't believe there will be any further developments that would influence my position tonight," Countess Pace confirms with a nod.

"And which way might it be?" Momo probes slightly further.

Countess Pace pauses and gives Momo an assessing stare. "Well, to abolish primogeniture, of course. My dislike of someone's methodology isn't enough to change how I vote."

Momo blinks once at that, maintaining her composure in spite of her surprise. In a praising tone, Momo responds, "That's very rational of you, Countess Pace."

"Of course it is," Countess Pace replies with a satisfied smile. "If I might ask, Dame Myoui, what makes you so curious about my vote in particular? It is just one of many, after all, and I do not wield any particular measure of influence over the votes of others."