Chapter Text
Chapter 33
Gregor looked up, “Ivan – is something wrong? I have an appointment right now but if you can wait I’ll spare you some time after that.”
“I’m your next appointment, Sire.”
“You’re very formal,” Gregor leaned back in his chair and surveyed Ivan; extra-crisp dress uniform with all his medals on display, perfectly groomed, standing stiffly to attention. “Is something wrong? If it’s about the cruise well, we can perhaps negotiate a little to include whatever you’d like?”
“I would like the cruise to be my honeymoon cruise, Sire. I’m requesting permission to marry.”
“Marry! Ivan – congratulations!” Gregor jumped up and came around the desk to shake Ivan’s hand, “I’m guessing it’s Lady Valentina?”
“Valya, yes. She’s accepted my proposal.”
“That’s wonderful! But you don’t have to ask my permission – no, wait, I suppose you do. Line of succession and all.”
“Yes. I assume I have your approval.”
“Of course. And making the cruise a honeymoon trip… that’s a very good idea.”
Ivan sighed, “Politically speaking, you mean.”
Gregor did look sorry. A bit. “Ivan – I apologise. We did hijack your luxury cruise.”
Ivan studied him, using years of Gregor-practice to decode the infinitesimal signs; yes, he was genuinely sorry – but not sorry enough to give Ivan his cruise back.
Gregor waved Ivan to the couches at the other end of his office, “Please give a list to Vorhovis of any place you’d like included. He’ll forward you the current list of suggested destinations; it’s early days yet, we’re still planning the diplomatic side. If there’s anything or anyone you’d like to visit let him know, and it’ll be included. And any other planets or stations. Also anyone you wish to invite – you can have as many cruising companions as you’d like, and it’s going to be a long trip so it’s a good idea to have plenty of company – otherwise you might go ship-happy after a while.”
Ivan subsided onto the couch gloomily, “Who’s on the list already?”
“Vorhovis is in charge of that, he’ll let you know. The plans are still being made, nothing much is set in stone yet. But Vorhovis will be going on the cruise, that has been decided; it’s a good idea to include an Auditor.”
“Not Miles?”
“This is diplomacy, not war. We’d like to keep it that way. Vorhovis has a better skillset. Now, back to the wedding – who have you told so far?”
“Nobody. You have the right to be told – asked – first.”
“And Lady Valentina didn’t accompany you?”
“She did – until we got to the Residence. If we’re going to do this epic-long cruise she wants to take all her research along, and get the rest of the Residence volumes done in her spare time. So when we got here she said she’d be back in a moment and disappeared. She’s probably falling through the building somewhere as we speak.”
“And your mother?”
“She’s next on our list.”
Gregor murmured into his wristcom. “Let’s do this properly.”
So half an hour later armsmen had escorted, or delivered, Valya, Laisa, Lady Alys and Simon – who happened to be in her office at the time – to Gregor’s office. Along with supplies of champagne, various other alcoholic beverages, teas, coffees, and a stunning array of tasty little treats.
Alys was ecstatic, hugging both of them in glee. Simon shook hands, far less demonstrative but obviously pleased. Laisa happily joined in the general congratulations. Champagne corks popped, toasts were made, and there was more hugging.
“Now, when are you planning to have the wedding?” Alys was trying hard not to be too pushy, just asking casually.
“I suppose it’ll depend on the cruise,” Ivan looked gloomy, “We’ll have to follow their timetable.”
“This is your wedding!” Alys sat ramrod-straight, “And it’ll be when you choose. The cruise will be organised for your convenience, not the other way round.” She was slipping into mama-bear mode. “When would you like the wedding?”
“Tomorrow.” Ivan nibbled another cake, knowing that this was going to be the wrong answer.
“We haven’t discussed a timeline yet.” Valya stepped in, “But we’re happy to fit in with other plans, if necessary. I really have no idea what to do – I never dreamed of a wedding, or a husband, and I’ll have to do a lot of fast research, I suppose. On both. I really need some help with it all – I don’t know what I don’t know, if you follow me. No idea of time or place or how long it’ll take to organise, or catering, or clothes, or… or any of the other things I’ll need to organise. And to pack up all my work to go on a long cruise right after… it’s terrifying.”
They all made supportive noises as they sipped the champagne.
And then Valya proved that she was as politically astute as any of her High Vor ancestors, good and bad. She looked plaintively at Lady Alys, “Ma’am, I know you have so much to do in your work here as Social Secretary, but I – we - were wondering – would you be able to spare us some time to help with the wedding plans and organisation?”
Everyone else was struck silent in admiration. Alys glowed, this was all her dreams come true. “Oh, my dear, I’d love to! Just tell me what you’d like, and we’ll sort out the date, the guest list, invitations, catering, The Dress of course, and…” She was lost in a listmaking haze.
“May We offer the Residence as the wedding venue?” Gregor jumped in as Alys drew a breath, “I’m sure Lady Valentina knows the rooms well enough after all her surveys and vids – she can choose whichever ballroom and salons she wishes.”
Simon nodded, “Good way to control the security issues.”
Ivan selected another cream cake, “I’ll have a word with Vorhovis. It’ll take a few months to get the diplomatic side lined up.” He nodded towards his mother, in a low-voiced conversation with Valya and Laisa. “With any luck I won’t have to do anything else.”