Chapter 3
Natonito arrived home soon after Bathsheba returned from the inn a second time. He was glad to see that everything had been sorted out and taken care of in his absence. It was nice for him to know that he did not have to watch over his wife and sister-in-law for them to fulfill the tasks he set out for them, and he had no doubts that Bathsheba enjoyed cleaning the house of potential competition for his affections. He was just as glad to be rid of the temptation. Natonito gave his wife a hug and a kiss, both of them affectionate so that Bathsheba knew he appreciated her hard work.
Cherie came out when she heard Natonito's voice, and she picked up the paper on the table and handed it to him. He looked at it and smiled, obviously glad that Cherie knew how to research so well. The three of them sat down and the servants began to bring in dinner. First was a course of garden salad, with basalmic vinaigrette dressing, with hand picked lettuce, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, alfalfa sprouts, several kinds of cheeses shredded, and croutons. After that came some pumpernickel bread which the family covered with melting butter. Then came a course of chicken deep fried in olive oil. Natonito loved fried chicken especially above all other foods. After that came servings of home fries, another food Natonito loved, and which reminded him (like the other food) of his humble upbringing in the meadows and plains of Bravia as a provincial noble. Finally, there came the desert, a lovely pumpkin pie, with the family promptly scarfed down. While other noble families liked more exotic fare, such as strange animals and complicated recipes, Natonito preferred a much simpler and heartier fare, to keep in him that vim and vigor of the country folk rather than the effete urban sophistication. While eating, the three of them conversed.
"I see you two had a rather busy day, like I did," Natonito said.
"Yes, honey, I even got the whole house cleared out for you. How did the meeting with the Emperor go?" Bathsheba replied.
"It went well, he liked the idea for turning part of the palace into a school," Natonito responded. "I see Cherie was busy working in the library when she was doing something other than daydreaming about my nephew."
"Yes, I even got it from your book," Cherie said, blushing.
"Yes, I saw. I was very impressed with how you cited it using the proper imperial form as well," Natonito said. "I wanted you to be able to research and find material in that library, as you will be doing it often during your four years at the school that will begin in just a couple of months, in late August."
"Well, I am glad to see you are preparing her now. Many of the students will probably come from elite tutors, so it would be best if she could compete at their level, especially since the children will know you are a favored one as a member of the Directrix's circle," Bathsheba said in a rather wifey tone.
"Well, it just so happens that among the ranking of students that I have with me, Cherie ranks favorably with the rest of the young ladies, as well as with a few of the guys. With some help and some tutoring by the two of us, she just might be up to competition with the number one student on my list, my nephew," Natonito said.
"Henry is the number one student on your list?" Cherie said, happily.
"Yes, he is. While his father's knowledge is somewhat specialized, in the study of how butterflies shape the destinies of a few fortunate or unfortunate souls, Henry was taught by some of the best tutors in the land. I was able to hire them here, since Henry was assured admission, and they wanted to continue teaching their prized pupil as well as gain even more money than before. It is amazing how much people respond to a little filthy luker now and then," Natonito said with a smile. "You need not worry, Cherie, for I am sure that Henry will help you out if you need it. He likes you anyway, and guys are suckers for helping out lovely young ladies anyway."
"It is a pity there are not more women in academics then," Bathsheba said.
"Yes, it is a pity. I wanted equal numbers of males and females, but it was much harder to find qualified girls for the school than it was to find qualified guys. It is as if fathers expect their daughters, even nobility, to be mere ornamentation, or worse, barefoot and pregnant, rather than to be intelligent and clever people with their own thoughts," Natonito said. "It is almost as if the fathers of these daughters are still medieval in their mindset. Tragic really."
"I am glad that you are helping me out. I want to marry Henry someday, but I do not want to be just a painting on the wall or a sculpture on the mantelpiece. I want to be loved and thought of as a person in my own right, not just an attachment of him," Cherie said.
"Well, good for you, sister," Bathsheba said. "It is important no matter who you marry that he consider you a person and respect you as such. You must be sure to respect him as well, and make sure that he shows you the proper love and affection."
"I will," Cherie replied.
"Well, do you guys want to call it a night? I sure am tired after a day of security checks and keeping the press in line. What about you two?" Natonito said.
"Well, I would like to snuggle with you for a few hours before going to sleep," Bathsheba said with a smile.
"I want to dream of Henry again," Cherie said. They all laughed.
The three went off to their two bedrooms, and soon thereafter both lights went off, so each of them could enjoy their night, Cherie in dream, and Natonito and Bathsheba in a night of marital bliss.
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