Chapter 266 - Ugh, politics
Deacon Solnate excused herself from Scarlett’s side with a slight nod, her red robes rustling as she strode towards the table at the center of the Forum. Several eyes around the vast chamber followed the woman as she took her seat among the assembled individuals there. Scarlett’s gaze, meanwhile, drifted to the raised galleries lining the edges of the room. Her eyes locked onto Lady Withersworth’s familiar figure, and she began making her way towards her.
As she walked, Scarlett studied the central table and its occupants more closely. It hosted an array of powerful nobles, dignitaries, and high-ranking officials, beyond just Lord Withersworth and Deacon Solnate. From her understanding, they would be responsible for much of the night’s discussion and debate.
A fact she certainly didn’t mind if it meant less for her to do. From what she’d heard, the conclave could drag on for many hours, a prospect that was far from appealing. Every fiber of her being right now yearned for the warmth and comfort of the mansion and the sweet embrace of sleep that awaited there.
At least she could take solace in only being an observer for the proceedings. It was unlikely she would be called upon to speak at length, and there weren’t any matters she particularly wanted to bring up at an event like this.
Upon reaching the galleries, Scarlett ascended the steps to the level where Lady Withersworth sat. She threaded her way past other guests, giving the faintest of nods to those who caught her eye, until she reached the older woman. Lady Withersworth had reserved a seat to her right, while Lady Valentino occupied the chair on the woman’s left.
“Welcome back, my dear,” Lady Withersworth greeted Scarlett with a warm, maternal smile that softened the slight wrinkles around her eyes. She patted the open seat beside her. Once Scarlett settled in, smoothing her dress beneath her, the woman leaned in conspiratorially. “So,” she began in a hushed, playful tone that didn’t quite match her age, “did that deacon have anything intriguing to tell you?”
Scarlett paused for a moment, considering her response. “She expressed curiosity about some of my recent collaborations with her fellow clergy,” she eventually replied in a measured voice. “I have assisted the Followers in reclaiming several valuable relics of late, and that had apparently piqued the interest of certain members of the Quorum.”
That was actually pretty close to the truth.
A light chuckle escaped Lady Withersworth as she sat back. “Others will no doubt have noticed your arrival alongside a deacon. I wonder what kinds of rumors that will fuel in the coming days.”
Scarlett stifled a tired sigh. While she did expect as much, she hoped Deacon Solnate was telling the truth when the woman claimed most of the Quorum was too preoccupied to dwell on her existence much. Although, even if that wasn’t the case, there was no use fretting over it at this particular moment. Scarlett redirected her attention to scrutinise the figures seated around the central table.
“Were you aware that your husband would already be present?” she asked, her gaze falling on Lord Withersworth’s disgruntled expression as he occupied one of the high-backed velvet chairs. Even from this distance, the lines of exhaustion were clear on his face.
“No, but it’s not entirely unexpected,” Lady Withersworth replied, raising a bejeweled finger to indicate some of the individuals near her husband. “Those to his right are High Treasurer Fitzroy, with his ruby-topped cane, and Chancellor of Trade Hayhurst, forever fiddling with that pocket watch of his. And the man to his left is the former Imperial Steward, Sebastiano Langdon, accompanied by Count Stansfield. No doubt they and many others have been working tirelessly behind the scenes with my husband these past two weeks.”