~.✧ Ethira ✧.~ [COMPLETE]

~.✧ nine ✧.~

"So Dir province next?" I asked as Varien helped me into his carriage. "What are they like? Anything I should beware of?"

Varien slid in opposite of me and shut the door. "Yes. They've shown some opposition, but not as much as Marda. We might encounter a few comments and glares, but hopefully not as much aggression."

I processed this, nodding. "Alright. That doesn't sound too bad."

"Hopefully it won't be," he agreed. And then he smiled slightly, one he'd been giving me more and more often these past few days. "Dir is one of the oldest provinces in Ethira and there are some beautiful places that I want to show you."

I tilted my head slightly, unable to hold back my smile. "Really? What kind of places?"

He glanced out the window. "You'll see."

I stared at him for a moment, surprised. I hadn't seen this side of him before but I found I liked it.

The carriage started on its way and the movement caused my mind to conjure up all the questions I'd thought up last night after the interesting event of yesterday. "So I was thinking..."

He flicked his gaze over to me.

"Maybe you could explain some things. Maybe get me in the loop of what's going on, you know, politically so I can help."

"Help?" he questioned quietly.

I nodded. "Yeah. If I'm going to be the queen of Ethira, I want to do it right. It may not be what I wanted initially but I'm here so I want to do all I can. And I need to know what's going on to be able to do that."

Maybe it was my imagination but something passed over his face for a brief moment, something that looked a lot like pride. But it was gone before I could truly identify it as he sat up a little straighter and nodded. "Alright. What would you like to know?"

"How much of the Ethiran population does and doesn't support the crown?"

"It's been changing quite rapidly recently, but to my knowledge there are about four or five provinces that have spoken out against the Delaskez family and my claim to the throne. But there also have been that many or a couple more that declare their support."

"What about the other provinces? There are sixteen so that leaves about five."

He shrugged. "They're mostly neutral. They haven't really said anything against or for us."

"Hm..." I thought about this for a moment before saying, "Well if they're not against you then they're for you. And they actually might be the key to gaining more support."

"How do you mean?" he asked.

"Well, if they've not said anything publicly, one way or the other, they would be easier to persuade in your favor than the provinces that have already spoken out against you. If you prove yourself and direct your attention to the provinces that haven't joined a side, then you'll most likely gain more supporters."