Twelve candidates.
The young Duchesses had been guaranteed their chance from the beginning, but Milena could understand some of the other ladies’ deception. The Queen had privileged the nobility, by only picking Countesses. No Marquesses, no baronesses. She clearly wanted to strengthen her sons’ positions by giving them powerful wives. If there had been one or two more available countesses, she would have picked accordingly more candidates. That was it. A safe choice, without angering any Comty House, and in comparison, the Marquesses and the Baronesses couldn’t even be jealous, none had been picked.
“She picked every young Lady that was above fifteen years old and not engaged yet,” whispered Briseis.
Milena had studied the Noble Houses, but she had been away from the Capital, and st
