1. The Royal Engagement #2
"Of course, you didn't. You don't care about anything as long as it does not interfere with your stupid training with soldiers! I wish, for once, you could find yourself in my position. Then maybe you would think twice before rolling your eyes every time I try to talk to you!"
Rori hissed, turned on her heel, and left the room.
Skylar walked through the vast hall towards the banquet hall.
Her long, elegant dress in the shade of the darkest blue pulled behind in a long train.
She thought it was ridiculous and impractical - it was restraining her movements, not to mention the corset, which made breathing almost impossible.
But that's what Rori chose for her, and she learned a long time ago that fighting her sister over a fashion was a futile effort.
The guards standing at the entrance straightened when she approached.
She smirked. "Close your mouth, Dun. And stop staring."
The man grunted and closed his mouth, but he couldn't stop grinning. "Forgive me, Captain. I almost didn't recognise you. You look like a proper lady now."
"Are you saying I usually don't look like a lady?" She cocked her head with a jingle of jewellery.
"I wouldn't dare, Captain!"
"Good. How is it going? Are the visitors making any problems?"
"Not until now, Captain. Although, the Royal Guards are pretty bossy."
"That's only to be expected. Keep up the good work. I have to go and do ladylike things," Skylar added with a smirk.
The banquet hall was decorated lavishly for the occasion. The walls were adorned with not only their family banners, dark blue with a silver bear, but also with royal crimson gryphons. All the tables were decorated with matching linens and fresh flowers.
All of it must have cost a small fortune. Sky hated the nobles' lavishness. Shawcross was not as wealthy as their counterparts from the kingdom's capital city of Eaglepost. Wasting funds that could strengthen their defences on the eastern border was not a wise thing to do.
The visitors hadn't been here yet – Rori told her already that being late was a fashionable thing. Sky only shook her head with disgust taking her seat at the main table next to her sister. She was glad the delegation came here only for one night.
"Oh my, you look half decent tonight," Rori said, looking her up and down and sipping water.
"I was surprised myself. But what is more shocking is you not drinking wine for once," Sky sniped back.
Rori straightened and raised her chin high. "I don't always drink wine, and some occasions demand one's full attention, so you'd better not try to sneak out early."
Skylar scoffed, but before she could retort, the royal herald entered the hall and tapped his cane to the floor three times, instantly demanding the attention of all attendants.
"His Royal Highness King Alarat Gryphonheart, Her Royal Highness Queen Elinora Gryphonheart, and Lord General Gawyn Gryphonheart," the man announced in a loud voice.
When the royals entered the hall, everyone stood up and bowed their heads, waiting for the guests to take their designated seats at the top of the main table.
The King helped his wife to her chair and joined her. Then he smiled cheerfully and waved his hand. "Please, dear friends, sit down. Let's start this amazing feast!"
Skylar sneaked a peek at the King - he looked as majestic as she imagined.
There was an unmistakable resemblance between him and his younger brother.
Still, while Gawyn was as cold and unapproachable as a marble statue, Alarat was the most cheerful man she's ever seen.
His handsome face was warm and smiley, his blue eyes bright with joy.
His pale skin was marked with wrinkles indicating he smiled a lot.
The Queen was beautiful, her face a porcelain mask with a kind smile, but her dark eyes were cold and calculating.
Sky moved her eyes to the General. He was sitting straight and stiff, clearly not pleased to be there, not even trying to keep up pretences.
His grey eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for the faintest threat, despite multiple guards.
Skylar sighed. She didn't envy Rori. Living with this man would be hell.
The feast started, and there were many polite discussions while the musicians were entertaining the gathered nobles with gentle tunes.
Colart Shawcross, the Head of the Shawcross House, was mostly talking with the King, their conversations very animated and full of laughter.
Rori tried to pull Gawyn into the conversation several times, but he responded in short, curt answers bordering on rude.
Rori was flawlessly poised, the picture of a perfect noble lady, but Skylar could see her sister losing her patience when her graceful movements became more rapid.
After all the food was served and consumed, the royal family and the hosts moved to the more private receiving room, where Colart Shawcross was conducting all necessary negotiations. The King and Queen sat on the sofa, but Gawyn stood in the room's corner, admiring the bookshelves.
Colart Shawcross put a hand on Rori's back and asked. "Aurora, dear, are you ready for the examination?"
"Of course, Father." She turned to an older woman in the grey robes of a healer. "Follow me, please. I'll show you the room."
"As you wish, my lady." The woman bowed and followed Rori out through the side door.
"So, Lady Skylar," the King addressed her, and she perked up. "I've heard the most intriguing gossip about you."
"Gossip, Your Majesty?" Sky asked cautiously. It was the first time the man addressed her this evening. She didn't like when the attention was focused on her.
The Queen put her elegant hand on his arm. "My dear, it is not polite to discuss such silly things with a young lady," she said with a charming smile.
"Oh, but it got me curious!" he protested, patting her hand. "Is it true you are a Captain of your own company of soldiers?"
"That is true," she replied without batting an eye, squaring her shoulders.
"Remarkable!" the King exclaimed with excitement. "I've never heard of a woman commanding soldiers! Have you Gawyn?"
The General turned around and looked at Sky, narrowing his eyes. "I have not. Such brutal task is unbecoming for a lady."
Skylar clenched her jaw and raised her chin, looking straight at the General defiantly.
She didn't care he was the highest military commander in the kingdom.
He had no authority over noble houses' armies and could not dictate how they ran their affairs.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop suddenly.
"Oh, come now, brother," the King said quickly. "I know it's not a traditional role for the young lady, but I would love to see Lady Skylar in action!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Sky bowed her head to the King with a small smile. The Queen's face was unreadable. She didn't let it show if she shared her brother-in-law's contempt.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures, I'm afraid," Colart said. "Unfortunately, my wife died young, and I only have two daughters. Fortunately for me, Skylar has shown interest in swords and fighting since she was a child. It would be a waste not to use it."
"Indeed, my dear friend." The King nodded. "That's why I'm so glad we are strengthening the bonds between our families. Your lands are far from the capital, and we rarely have an opportunity to hear your insights. And you are the frontier against the Blighted Lands. We have much to learn from you."
"I live to serve, Your Majesty," Colart said with a deep bow.
The door to the room opened, and the healer came in, followed by Rori. Skylar jumped to her feet instinctively. Her sister was pale as death, her cheeks smeared with traces of tears, her body trembling. Skylar had never seen her so distressed.
"Your Majesty, we have a problem," the healer said, her voice harsh. "Lady Aurora is pregnant."