Bowing out the priest says, “We will begin at once sire.”

Much to Khivar’s dismay Tess is up early and wants an audience with him. I haven’t even had my coffee yet. I can’t deal with that harpy right now. His chamberlain brings requests from Zannor and Thalia for an audience.

“Send Thalia to me.”

Thalia, a beautiful young woman with gray eyes and long blue-black hair walks in. She hugs her father before sitting down.

“Father I’ll come right to the point. I don’t want you to announce my betrothal to Zannor. Hear me out. You know I personally can’t stand that weak mama’s boy but I do understand the necessity of marrying him. But as the Granolith hasn’t accepted him as Heir we need to find out who it is. I think we should wait and keep our options open. The goal is to mix our bloodline with Max’s to gain control of the Granolith. I have to marry the true Heir to accomplish it.”

“Clever girl! You have thought this out. Let’s keep this between ourselves. If your step-mother gets even one whiff of this all hell will break loose. In fact my dear wife should be here any moment why don’t you slip out the back way. I don’t want her to see you.” Khivar kisses his daughter on the cheek and sends her out of the room.

Khivar informs his chamberlain to send Tess in. “Isn’t it a beautiful morning my Queen?”

Annoyed Tess says, “Let’s skip the pleasantries. What are we going to do to resolve the situation?”