Welcome to Court #3
We all stood and followed him out the door and down the hall, joining with the male firstborns who’d been waiting in a different room.
As I looked around, I counted ten of us to meet with their majesties.
I didn’t really know how many people were usually here for a firstborn ceremony, but I felt this was a small group.
I distracted myself by looking at all the beautiful paintings of past royalty and heroes that hung on the walls.
Two guards stationed at the end of the hall pulled open a set of large double doors, revealing a magnificent room adorned with detailed murals depicting angels, flying horses, and what looked to be baby dragons along the walls and ceilings.
The room was full of courtiers who watched excitedly as we were led down the center of the room, chatting to each other as we passed, the women hiding behind their fans and gossiping about God knows what.
The king and queen sat on a pedestal in two high-backed chairs made of dark, polished wood.
King Edward was regaled in dark blue from head to toe, setting off his fine features.
Queen Mary was clothed in golds and creams, contrasting the cascade of red curls around her face.
The young man who sat a step down from the queen’s left had to be the younger of their two children, Prince Phillip.
“Your Majesties, I present this season’s court petitioners,” the steward said loudly as he bowed, signaling the rest of us to bow as well.
“Welcome to you all,” Queen Mary said, smiling. “We would like to speak to each of you individually so that we might know our new arrivals.”
The steward took a few minutes to move us around according to some unknown order before the king’s herald called the first name.
It was a young man, the son of a duke a few provinces over from ours.
They talked with him for a while, asking questions, smiling, and then laughing at something he said.
Then they sent him back to stand with us, and the next person was called up.
The poor thing looked like she was going to throw up.
After her was another young woman who seemed very confident and answered all questions simply and assuredly.
There was no doubt she was going to make it in—she was the picture-perfect court lady.
“Presenting Lady Cassarah, firstborn of Baron Charles and Baroness Adeline,” the herald announced.
I walked toward them and curtsied low, hovering a moment before standing straight again. I made sure I had proper posture with a slight smile, just as I’d been taught.
“Ah, the firstborn of Baroness Adeline. She is such a dear friend to my younger sister. How is your mother doing, dear?” Queen Mary asked, giving me a genuine smile.
“My mother is doing very well. She is very excited to see you and your sister tonight at dinner,” I answered, knowing that was exactly what Mother would want me to say.
The queen chuckled a little at that. “I have no doubt she is very excited to show off her daughter at court, seeing as she’s kept you hidden all these years. Tell me, what would she boast about to her friends?”
“My mother would most assuredly tell everyone that I am a graceful dancer as if I float on air,” I answered, hearing my mother saying it in my head. “She would also tell you I’m very skilled in needlework, weaving, painting, and poetry.”
“Good heavens, child, your mother has been busy with you,” King Edward said, laughing. “Tell me what your father has had you learn. I know what an intellect he is.”
“My father is a smart man indeed. He has taught me how to speak three different languages and read and write them as well. He says for anyone to get anywhere in this kingdom, they must first be able to understand it. He also taught me arithmetic up to the basics of geometry.”
Both the king and queen looked shocked to hear that.
Most women in our kingdom could only read and write their name and add basic household accounts.
I was proud of what my father taught me.
Those were the things I would need to know for the rest of my life, not how to sew a pretty flower on a pillow.
“Well, it seems your family has taken great pains in your education. It also shows how smart you are to learn all these various tasks as detailed as you have said. I think you would be a great asset to the courts,” Queen Mary said, holding out her hand to me.
Apparently, the others didn’t have Birthrights to be unlocked, which is why they hadn’t done this part.
I grasped her hand and held it lightly as I bowed over it, kissing the large black gem set on her ring. “I am honored that Your Majesties would think that of me.”
“Welcome to the court, Lady Cassarah,” King Edward said, smiling as he touched my shoulders with his scepter.
I waited for something to happen after my Birthright had been unlocked, but I felt no different other than getting a cold chill and goose bumps. I’d passed the test and would be accepted into court.
We all had to wait until the rest had the chance to talk to the king and queen before we could leave. There had been two in the group who hadn’t been accepted into court, but the rest of us had, along with our Birthrights unlocked.
The king and queen had just finished accepting the last petitioner when a man burst into the room. The crowd around the throne room dropped into silence as the man skidded to a stop before Their Majesties.
“The dragon’s clutch is hatching!”