Chapter 308: Surprise Arrival
"Really? GiGi ma?" a sneering voice came from behind her and Talia rolled her eyes and got up removing the Diadem from her head.
"Hello, Lambert... Pleasant meeting you here, in this unexpected time, when I was specifically summoned," Talia had a bright smile, but her tone was pretty accusing.
"Yeah, like I keep schedule of your appointments just to barge in unannounced. Do you think I’m that free?" he pushed Talia aside and stood in front of The Dowager, "Look Great Grandma, she’s saying I can’t meet you. What a cruel woman!" he complained.
"Did I say that? You are assuming yourself and blaming me? Look GiGi ma, Lambert is calling me cruel when I said nothing!" Talia pouted.
"Alright, alright you two...Don’t start..." The Dowager chuckled, covering her mouth with her hands. "Lambert, you can call me GiGi ma if you wish too..." her wrinkles became more pronounced as she chuckled some more. "Now tell me why you’re here."
"Aren’t you leaving yet?" Lambert looked at Talia with displeasure and she saw his shock when he saw the Diadem in her hand as she placed it back. Talia thought he’d say something about it, but after clearing his throat, he pulled out a chair and sat in front of The Dowager. He didn’t even insist Talia to leave and Talia silently sat in another chair as she was curious.
"Great Grandma, regarding the unfair laws that forbids the Princess Consorts from having their own business or job after they marry into the Royal family, is there any way it could be changed? I know our Kingdom is the forerunner for many equality laws. We were one of the first nations to give equal rights to women in inheritance, voting ,equal pay and countless other things. All these laws were passed by The Monarchs who were the head of the Royal family too. Since that is the case, why is there such a sexist law in our family? Even if a Princess is a working Royal, her husband is allowed to have his own business, but why can’t a woman marrying a Prince have her own job/business? "
Lambert spoke with conviction and Talia found his question is fair. The Dowager was silent for some time contemplating. She looked at Talia and Lambert as if she was expecting something, but then she had a slight smile as if she realized something. Talia was confused by this reaction, but then when the Dowager spoke, she started listening.
"It is an archaic law, I agree. This law is valid for aristocratic families and the Crown Prince Consort too. But it is there for a reason. In the past, jobs for the aristocratic families were just to take care of their fiefs. So it made sense to make law that said the one with the smaller fief to leave their job, to get married so not to get the smaller fief swallowed by the larger one. The Royal family is the biggest fief and anyone marrying to the family has to leave their fief/job since their children will inherit the titles from the Monarch. The children of Princesses with the exception of Crown Princess, will however, do not inherit the royal titles, but the titles of their father. So it makes sense why their consorts can do their jobs. But what you say makes sense. Just because she is a single daughter doesn’t mean she cannot inherit her father’s business if she wants to marry into the Royal family. However, she cannot inherit her father’s title, and she should pass it on to someone else."