Indigo stands as well, presses his hand over his heart, and bows deeply. "For House Bramble."

His father picks up the sword that leans against the side of his chair, and walks off into the estate, leaving Indigo behind.

Indigo turns and stands, looking out over the gardens. 

He snaps his fingers. "Ms. Carpenter!"

A red-haired maid appears at his side in seconds. 

"Yes, my lord?"

"Bring paper and a pen, and sealing-wax. I have a message you are to hand-deliver to Dame Leah Brachia."

She curtseys deeply. "Yes, my lord." 

Then she goes.

Some hours later, around the same time as Cocoa and Ishaza are meeting in the academy conservatory...

Dame Leah Brachia sits on her bed in her academy rooms, looking at the letter in her hands. 

Dear Dame Brachia, it reads. I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing because I have a small request that I believe to be to both our benefit. 

Despite my father's stubborn clinging to the old ways, he is beginning to see that the liberals have the Princess' ear. As a result, he is considering adopting some common or small-nobility talent into his faction. I believe this serves both our interests.

My father particularly has his eye on the recent admission to the academy, Ms. Corvina Quill. Her astonishing magical aptitude scores are a strong enough signal that he wants her on his side. 

However, I cannot approach her directly, as my father believes all my attentions should go to the princess. As such, I am forced to delegate to you. 

Please bring Corvina Quill under your wing, and strengthen our side for the conflict that will inevitably erupt in a year.

- Indigo Bramble

His seal is stamped onto the paper a few inches from his name. 

Leah looks up at the red-haired maid in her rooms, remembering a night of passion she shared with Indigo not many moons ago. 

She owes him at least this much.

"I'll do it," she says. 

Ms. Carpenter curtsies. "Milord would like to remind you to destroy his correspondence once you have finished with it. We wouldn't want the liberal faction to become aware of our plans, now, would we?

Leah smiles slightly, pries the wax seal off the paper, and consigns the rest of it to her room's fireplace, where it quickly burns away. 

"No," she says. "We wouldn't want that."

Sophia curtseys again, and lets herself out of Leah's chambers.

Much earlier that morning, on the grounds of the royal academy...

It has been such a day. 

Corvina stands apart from the rest of the students in the assembly hall, feeling for all the world like she's just stepped onto an alien planet. 

Yes, she wrote the imperial entrance exams, everyone who thinks they have even a shred of magic writes the exams. She hadn't expected to pass. 

And now people are going on about how her marks are the highest in history, she's been whisked away to the capital over the protestations of her family, and the princess gave her a certificate of admission personally and smiled at her.

The good news is, she gets to study magic! Professionally! And maybe do something really significant for the kingdom! She gets to experience the lap of luxury and learn from the very best in the realm!

Downside: She knows absolutely nobody here, she doesn't even know the order of noble titles, half the people here look at her like she's something stuck to the bottom of their shoe, and she can kiss that one girl back at home she was hoping to maybe go on a date with sometime goodbye for good. 

You win some, you lose some.

A woman with a camera comes up the side of the auditorium and smiles at Corvina. "Hey," she says. "How does it feel to be the mage with the highest score on an imperial entrance test in history? You even beat Black Cocoa!"

"I..." Corvina flushes and pulls her admissions certficate close to her body. "It still doesn't feel real, to be honest. I suppose I should be thankful for the opportunity to practice my passion, but it's all been such a whirlwind that I hardly know where to begin."

"There's a rumor that you were dating another woman back in your home town. If so, it's a great stride forwards for the cause of sexual rights in Villarosa. Are you lesbian? Bisexual?"

"I, uh, er -"

Crap, what does she even say to keep Patricia from being mobbed by the press, she never even dated the girl -

One of the nearby noblewomen cuts in. "Miss Baker! I believe the words Ms. Quill is groping for are 'My sexuality is a private matter and I prefer not to discuss it.'"

She smiles slightly and steps between the reporter and Corvina. "I assure you, I've investigated these reports that our prodigy is in love with another woman and have found them to be greatly unsubstantiated."

Corvina lets out a sigh of relief. "Yes, what she said."

The noblewoman smiles slightly. "It's unbecoming to try and catch the new admissions in political statements, wouldn't you agree? I know you are just looking for a story, but please, consider Ms. Quill's state at the moment. She has just made a long journey far from her parents and hometown and has not yet adapted to the realities of court. Give her some time and I'm sure she'll grant you an interview once she is more familiar with her situation."

"I... well... ah..." 

Ms. Baker ducks her head and rubs the back of her neck. "It's as you say, Ms. Quill is no doubt tired from her long journey." She fishes in her bag and produces an embossed business card, which she offers with both hands. "Please," she says to Corvina. "I would love an interview once you've had some time to prepare your statements more fully."

Corvina takes the card and puts it in her pocket. "I - I'll consider it." 

Ms. Baker nods. "That's all I can ask for." 

She hefts her camera and walks on, doing her best to blend into the milling crowd. 

"Well," says the noblewoman. "That was a near miss."

She offers her hand to Corvina. "I'm Aria Roscente."

Corvina takes her hand and shakes it. "Corvina Quill. Though you clearly already knew that."