“Thinking about the time I was here when I was younger.” Restituta turned back to Ardalion, fanning herself, knowing that this was something she could give up safely.. “The memory of the terror was still here, many walked displaying their near-death experiences if they had any. And I knew someone who had missed the guillotine by mere days and her only fault was marrying a nobleman.”

“I see.” Ardalion grimaced slightly, pondering on the horrors. “So, people are still on edge about the Revolution, eh? Do significant numbers of people still resent the Revolution for being too…extreme?”

“Well, most of those who experienced the terror first-hand now lie in a coffin. But they and their children remember the poverty, the famine and the corruption,” she said,feeling glad she never went through any of that. “After all, the people welcomed the Emperor Libere, not the other way around. They celebrated when he became consul, and cheered even more when he became an Emperor.But that’s only just Ranciens. The places he conquered, have a much different opinion.” 

Ardalion raised his eyebrows, perplexed. “So what did the others think? And which places did the Emperor Libere conquer?”

Restituta felt her throat parched, before grabbing another of the cocktails. It was always a little too sweet for her liking. “My home, Itoro, was one of them. We hailed him a liberator, wishing that he’ll free us from our chains. In the end, he merely replaced them, and became the master instead. But unlike before, it seems that they understood the game. We either have to unite and band together, or keep becoming the colonies of empires.”

“So what will you do next?” Ardalion grimaced slightly in thought.

“That had been settled a decade ago.” She laughed. “Though I don’t blame you, few would care about a country and peoples so far removed from them. I wouldn’t even know precisely what is going on in Severya either. What made you leave Severya?”

“War.” Ardalion grimaced, thinking about what had pushed him out of his native country. “Oh, and the fact there was an arrest warrant for me. The Tsar took my politics very seriously, to say the least.” 

Restituta stopped, knowing instantly from his politics and what he championed that all would see him as a dangerous threat to their rule and power. “It’s ironic isn’t it, that the more you try to suppress it, the more reason you give the people to rise against you. Because in the very methods so many of them employ in maintaining their power–censorship, secret police, arrests, spies–often give their people genuine grievances against their monarchs.”

“Exactly, you nailed it. You’re very clever. How did you get interested in politics, may I ask?” Ardalion raised an eyebrow.  

Restituta opened her fan. “I came into it out of survival and a desire to thrive, because when I was growing up, nothing ever seemed certain; kings lost their kingdoms, republics were created, and even new kingdoms came right into existence. I didn’t want to spend all my time figuring out what the new change was, but rather how to read it–once you know what will happen, you see it years before it comes into fruition.”

“I see.” Ardalion edged closer to Restituta. “Survival? Did you ever lose anything as a result of the changes in society?” 

“My whole childhood, that and every single opportunity that people throw at you are for their benefit, not anyone else’s and nothing is guaranteed until you hold it in your hands.” She took up another cocktail to finish it. This topic made her desire it, for she knew better herself, despite her almost clenching the glass.“Especially not the promises of sovereigns.” 

“I see…” Ardalion raised an eyebrow out of sympathy, and took a sip from his glass. “I’m sorry to hear about that. It’s a tough world out there. You’ve certainly been through a lot. Yes, sovereigns can’t be trusted. Who do you think can be, though?”

“Only those who earn mine.” 

“So, who? Your husband? Your family?” His eyes widened slightly, hungry for her answer. 

“Now that would be telling, Monsieur, perhaps when you earn mine then you shall know.” She kept expression cool. “But alas, the night is late and my husband has returned.”

“Ah, he has?” His eyes shone, with what, she was unsure. “Who is your husband?”

“Turn around, and you’ll see him. He has green eyes.” She got up, getting ready to leave. Niccolo had lastly came into her parlour, to find her and how the night was going for her. He was in the back of the room, leaning at the end but starting to move towards them.

Ardalion turned around and spotted Niccolo. He was indeed behind him.

“I hope you had a good conversation with my wife, she’s an excellent hostess.” Niccolo gave a side smile, joining his wife. 

“I have a fascinating conversation with him, and I would enjoy to meet you again, sometime soon, Monsieur.” Restituta broke into a small smile at him. 

“You as well,” Ardalion smiled, giving Restituta a small but noticeable wink. “See you around.”

Restitua opened her fan, smiling before dropping it the moment he left the door, and closing her fan. ‘