The weather was excellent and the garden incredibly lush and delightful. Andi never tired of the beauty of the domain she could call hers. In this season, it was simply a true treasure. Even the winters were mild autumns. The few times she thought about it, she reflected that here the weather was almost always mediterranean, like in summer, or the fall. Rare cold snaps could happen but it was so much more comfortable that the weather where she had come from originally. The human world. It was the late spring and enchanting smells surrounded them, all flowery.
"What did you think of this arranged marriage?" asked Julius.
"I am in favor of it," said Andi. "As long as the formalities - meaning the consumption - occur once Penelope is an adult and fully mature in body and mind."
"Yes, yes, I know you are worried about that. But I assure you we shall wait until her second decade - past it, even, if we can stretch things a little."
Andi nodded. It seemed fine said like that. And the other noble family looked very respectable. Their little boy was such a cutie! Alas, there was no way to know what he'd grow up as for sure. Would he still be as kind and sweet in a few years? At least his parents could keep an eye on things.
"Now, we should think about how alliances could be forged with our other children. With two boys and three girls to come, the options are plentiful," Julius smiled.
Andi nodded again. She loved her children, every one of them, but she fully realized that she had to be realistic - thus pragmatic. After all, this world held no social security or state funds or food stamps. Or just a very, very different kind. Money and education - or both - were the only security cushions. So if good marriages guaranteed at least one and the future of her babies, well, so be it.
"Here are some choices we could work with," started Julius as he produced a parchment roll full of potential names.