Chapter 9
Sitting in the throne room was the last thing I wanted to do. Especially after Kathlyn summoned a handful of guards to break down my door, and demanded I tell her why I barricaded myself in. I didn’t tell her the true reason why, only that I wanted sometime to myself. But alas, a princess isn’t allowed. That was her response, as she quickly got me prepared for the morning.
It was the day of the month when we opened up the gates and allowed villagers and locals to come into the castle to state their pleas and give thanks or offerings to the family. Usually today was set up a week or so before the Festival of Light, but Mother explained it had been brought forward early so that the room could be prepared for Norok’s wedding.
As I listened to every single person drone on and on, each member of our household sat looking pretty and elegant on our thrones, while those who came in were in need of new shoes or a good meal.
It made me feel awful. Towering over them and giving them the impression that I was better than them. No—I was just lucky to have been born into a family with privilege.
Talia sat next to me, and I swore I saw her nod off for a second. If it wasn’t for me tapping her quickly on the arm, she would have fallen head first off her seat. She gave me the side eye as she realised what I just did. She yawned covering her mouth, and gave her body a little shake.
Norok looked bored and despite these people being his future people, as they were bestowing gifts on him for his wedding, he could barely utter a thank you.
“Father,” I spoke suddenly, as the last person left, and another was being brought in. “Perhaps we could do something exciting for our people during this time of celebration.”
“They are already getting the festival and Norok’s wedding, Ornella. They don’t really need any more,” Mother interrupted before Father had a chance to answer.
“Yes, I understand that, but as Lady Gelda’s family are from a long line of knights, I was thinking perhaps we could do a jousting tournament and the entire court could be invited.”
The idea came to me after I was trying to think of reasons to get Lord Cole back here— one that didn’t seem like I was interested in seeking him out. Norok seemed to straighten up as I spoke about the idea, almost as if he was intrigued by my idea.
“I don’t know, Ornella. That would take a lot of organising, and we are only a week away from the festivities,” Father said as he waved the next person down.
“What if I organise it? Talia can help. It would give her a chance to learn how to organise something. Actually, it would give us both the chance as one day we will run our own households and be in charge of such events.”
“I would like to compete as well,” Norok exclaimed.
I was glad he showed interest as it would mean Mother would most likely agree. Anything Norok wanted, he would get if Mother deemed it important for him and of course, for our family”s image.
“Perhaps we could do something then, Sirius. Especially if our sweet son wants to be involved. It would be a great way to show off his skills.”
And there she was, already doing what I guessed she’d do. Throwing in her ‘idea’ as if it were her own and giving Father some food for thought. I would most likely be ordered to start arranging everything by the end of the day.
It would not only give me a chance to show off my skills, but I would also be distracted from thinking about my uncle and his crimes against me. And perhaps I would be able to see Lord Cole again.
“Alright, I will think about it. For now, you three are excused. I can see how boring this is for you.”
Father waved us off and Norok was already down the throne steps towards the side curtain to escape. It took me a minute or two to catch up with him. I wanted to ask him more about Lord Cole and to see if he had seen or heard from him recently.
Also so I could possibly ask him about his opinions on Dorian. I knew he had some dislike for him, but I never knew how deep that dislike was. Calling out to him, he stopped in the corridor and held his hand out to me, like he used to do when we were kids.
“What a wonderful idea you’ve had, dear sister. How on earth did you come up with it?” He asked as he linked my arm into his as we walked slowly down the corridor towards the courtyard.
I had no idea where Talia had run off to once we left the throne room. She always had a way of disappearing.
“I read about it in one of my books. Our family used to host jousting competitions a long time ago, and perhaps, we should bring them back. Lady Gelda will be able to give you her token, a show to everyone that she deems you favour.”
“Ah, and you shall give Lord Cole yours.”
A blush appeared on my cheeks as I thought about it. I had already decided what handkerchief I was going to present him, and I was going to make sure to spray on some of my rose petal perfume, to remind him of me.
“I don’t know what you mean, dear brother.”
Norok held back a laugh as we made our way through the garden doors and out into the beautiful spring fresh air. The garden staff were still trimming away at the hedges and making sure each and every pot of flowers were trimmed to perfection.
“To think, this time next week you will be a married man.”
“Oh, don’t remind me,” he groaned.
“Do I sense cold feet?” I teased.
We stopped at one of the many featured fountains in the garden and sat on the edge. This one depicted a beautiful swan with its cygnets as they sat on the water. Father had it designed and built for Mother as a wedding present. Most of the garden was decorated for her.
“Not cold feet, Ella. I am just wondering if I am doing the right thing.”
“You don’t love Gelda?”
He sighed and put his head in his hands, clearly something was troubling him. I wondered how much advice I would be able to give. I wasn’t experienced in the world of relationships or love.
“I am marrying her because I was a fool who did not protect us both. Now, we have a child on the way and must marry fast because if we do not, she will be shunned from society, and it will be my fault.”
My brother, although sometimes a pompous ass, always tried his best to protect people. He liked to think the best of them, and if he caused any harm or trouble to someone else, he carried that burden with him deeply. Gelda was no different.
“I enjoy her company, please don’t think I do not. She is a wonderful person to be around, and she makes me laugh. But love, no. I am fond of her, yes. And if she does not begin to show, I fear after this wedding we will both be stuck in a marriage neither of us wanted.”
“Perhaps, you can delay?”
He laughed a nervous laugh then and rubbed his temples. Clearly he”d already thought of postponing the wedding, and I wished for his sake that a delay could be done. By his reaction, it was easy to assume that wasn”t going to happen.
“My only hope is her monthly arrival or we lose this child.”
I was taken aback by his words a little. I never expected him to say such things. He always expressed to me how he could not wait for the day he became a father. Then again we were still quite young, and he still wanted to do more, see more.
“Well, one can only wait and see what happens. I believe you will both have a marriage in friendship, which may turn into love one day.”
Placing my hand on his, I smiled up at him and he returned a smile back. Not a happy smile, but a smile, nonetheless.
“Help me organise this competition, that will help take your mind off of things. Maybe you can help with the guest list, and yes, invite Lord Cole for me, I do enjoy speaking with him.”
Nodding with another huff of a laugh, we continued to sit outside in the garden enjoying the spring sunshine and watching as our staff went on with their day. I had missed spending time with my brother. It seemed this last year we had begun to lose our friendship as more responsibilities were thrown onto us.
“Norok, I must ask. Do you think Lord Cole came to my potential husband”s dinner with the hopes I’d be interested? I know you mentioned that if he married well, his life would be set.”
I needed to know if it was a good idea to show him interest. If he didn’t see me as a possible wife, I would need to put my eggs in someone else’s basket.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I have only known him since he came to the ball the other week.”
“Wait, how is that so? I got the impression you have been friends for a long time.”
He looked at me a little confused, as if he knew he wanted to say something, but the words weren’t coming out. Strange. I couldn’t recall where I believed them to be friends for a long time. I just had this strange feeling that we all knew each other.
“I’m not sure. I feel as if we’ve been friends for a long time. He’s very easy to get along with.”
This all seemed rather odd seeing as I had gotten the same impression from Lord Cole during our small meetings. I felt as if we had been friends or known each other for a very long time. Perhaps he frequented the same circles but only now had stepped into court.
“Hmm, perhaps. Well, we best head back in, I’m sure Hector is annoyed I am late for my lessons once again.”
“Why do you still entertain these lessons?” Norok asked as he stood up and held his hand out to me.
Linking my arm back through his, we took the long way back into the castle. We headed towards the library where Hector was no doubt, waiting in.
“Mother would say one can never learn too much. And as I am a future wife to someone, I must be able to converse in all topics.” I laughed a little as I mimicked Mother’s voice.
Norok rolled his eyes and laughed back. He may be outspoken to me and somewhat harsh in his words, we had a friendship that was more than just siblings. Growing up together, I knew I could always rely on him and him, me.
“That makes total sense. Although, I don’t think you will be just become someone’s wife,”
Turning me to face him as we reached the library door, he placed both his hands on my shoulders and looked at me with a very serious face. Which in turn made me laugh once again as he was never good at it.
“Seriously, Ornella, I think if you are to marry someone, you will be treated as their equal. I know Mother wants you to behave as a lady should. I will just tell you now, those types of ladies are boring, and no man truly wants them. It is just out of duty we must,” he paused again, the corner of his mouth lifting into a soft smile, “If it is Lord Cole you wish to seek out, despite the rumours and what I said the other day, he would make a fine husband to my dear sister.”
Winking at me, he then kissed me lightly on the cheek and turned on his way. Leaving me with his words and knowing full well, I was most certainly not going to concentrate in my lessons while I thought about Lord Cole.