Most were daughters of eastern noble houses. A few faces were familiar; they were the young ladies my vassal nobles had been ardently courting. The girls had shot off toward the imperial crown prince like arrows, but they might still end up as my men's matches.
Princess Elisabeth spoke with a pouting look.
"It seems you're more interested in my handmaids than in me, Baron."
"Some of these handmaids have marriage talks underway with nobles who follow me. I was merely taking a brief look."
"Is that so? If you grant me a favor, I'd be willing to play matchmaker."
"Ahem. I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
From anyone else, maybe, but owing a favor to you is a little frightening. The sulking princess drank her tea irritably. Enough to make a mockery of all those noble tributes to the refined, graceful princess of supreme beauty.
"Now then, out with it. What information did you obtain?"
"Count Palatine Heinlein approached me."
