Ariadne nodded as she listened
"That's the thing, isn't it?  If your king and queen are good, and kind, and generous,  then all is good.  However,  if your king or queen is selfish,  or cruel, or even insane, then everything kind of falls apart,  because there's no way to remove them without rebellion.    And that was the case with us.  the king at the time,  who might have been going insane as well, was greedy and cruel, treating us,  his loyal subjects,  like work animals to be exploited and used up.  We had to rebel."
She shrugged
"And that's part of the problem. When you think of your royalty as perfect and 'chosen by god', or whatever,  you can't try to fix them if they're wrong or dangerous.   You got lucky with King Random,  i guess, but other kings weren't so good for the country, right?"

"Oberon was powerful and terrifying but he was king for a very long time and to be honest I was very little when he was around and I only truly know of him through the people around me and history. I loved learning and history was something I enjoyed so it felt like I knew him. Eric was a good King, he even sacrificed himself fighting off the demons of chaos in protection of the realm. Corwin ruled for a very short amount of time then abdicated so I don't really know much of his reign but a reign of a few months in Amber wasn't much for me to really go on."

Ariadne nodded,  but shrugged
"No offense,  cousin,  but i suspect there was more to their reigns than the twenty second summary you just gave me.   I mean, it's very possible that all the kings and queens of Amber have been wonderful for the land,  but given all the talk of rivalries and contention between Oberon's kids, i suspect that there's more to the history.   Remember,  most rulers don't work hard to show they flaws in their reign."

"Well godlike though we may be Ariadne at the heart of it all we are people. Good and bad, full of hopes and dreams, desires and dreads. Were people write large in bold with parents that will be hard to live up to and legends that precede us. So I agree there is a lot more nuance in our relatives not just the rulers but all of them. Us too even if were just swimming from the coral for the first time."

Ariadne nodded
"Exactly.   Kings and Queens are just people,  and it's dangerous to think they have some kind of supernatural right to rule."

"Ha I see you and I ax and parasol fighting on the dream stairs of Tir some day but tonight is not that day. Today we party, listen to music, and meet new people !" Jade smiled wide and hugged Ariadne.

"I hope Jon found what he was looking for. I think a servant might be by to let us know when the carriage is ready."

Ariadne nodded,  though with a wry smile
"Of course,  i still kinda feel like i should take a weapon with me"

"Do you have a purse ? Are you any good with crossbows >"

Jon knocks on the door, steps back and waits patiently.  ~Thank GOD for Maya's Washcloth.  Town took more time than I expected.~ he thinks to himself.
He is clean, clean shaven and dressed is his current finest outfit with gift in hand:

Jade opens the door.

"Oh ! Hello Jon, come in."

Ariadne shook her head
"I normally don't bother with a purse.  But I've normally got good aim"

Jade picked out one of her purses that matched Ariadne's dress and slipped something into it. She brought them over and showed it to Ariadne. Explaining, "This holds darts, six of them. This here is the triggering mechanism. Sorry but too short notice for me to really add a toxin."

Jon beams a smile at Jade as she open the door.
And he pauses, stunned by Ariadne. "You look amazing!  You two are going to be the center of all of the attention" his whole body show how in awe he is of the two beautiful women.

It takes him a second to recover. "I got us a set of pens.  And some more information on our hostess" he hands the box to Ari.

"What did you find out ? and Thank You !" Jade says with a warm smile.

Ari smiled
"Thank you,  Jon.  What did you find out?"

*smiles* "And I am glad to see you going armed" he comes in and closes the door.
Clears his throat, "So our hostess, does not like alcohol and abstains from it apparently das a sign of respect for her late husband.  So it was good advice with a bit more context. She also like things to be feminine so you two should be a hit and Jade your make-up might be a big success as well.  The last bit of info is a bit suspect, but apparently there is a piece of art that she has up and doesn't like.  It is a lady on horse.  But I am not sure if the source was genuine or not."

"Alright, well I wonder why she doesn't take the art piece down. Thank you for gathering all that your really good I shall have to hire you as Agent Jon !" Jade smiles playfully.

Ariadne rolled her eyes and smiled
"So she's an old fashioned,  straight laced, kind of gal, eh?  I generally don't get along with those kinds of people well, but I'll give it a shot tonight.   And I'm wondering now what the backstory is on that painting,  if that rumor is correct.   Perhaps she's got it up out of another sense of obligation?"

(Want to move to the concert threat yet or not yet ?)

OOC:  I'm okay moving on

*Shrugs* "Not sure, I am hesitant on the source.  He was an musician who wanted a guaranteed concert with the Queen.  I didn't have time to vet his abilities, but promised to go back, when I had more time.  Perhaps Master Sandwyn can shed some light."

OOC: Up to you two, I fine either way.

Ariadne grinned
"Well, I'm no stranger to unreliable rumors.  The rumor mill can sometimes take on a life of its own.  I remember one rumor monger on my world started a rumor that i had left an acting job because i was pregnant.   I still have the article because i was so amused by it"

Jon shakes his head "They would lie about you like that?" he is astonished "That could ruin someone's reputation at court."
He heads to the door, "If you are ready, shall we head for the courtyard?"

"Alright let's go."

Ariadne nodded and followed the others