ℌ𝔢𝔯 𝔊𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔢, 𝔐𝔶 𝔔𝔲𝔢𝔢𝔫 Book 2

Chapter 3 Breaking Bread

Lady Jade was in the guest room that had been provided for her. She nervously sorted through all of her dresses in an attempt to find just the right one for dinner. She decided to keep on what she had already been wearing and add a different lace shawl and headpiece.

She had her maids fetch the gift that she had brought for his grace, and for the lovely princess. She had them delivered just before dinner.

The maid knocked on the door for Lady Isadora and was greeted by her maid. "I have a gift for the young Princess from my mistress, the Lady Jade." She handed a large velvet box over that contained a doll that Jade herself had played with as a young royal girl.

Isadora's maid bowed her head and thanked the visiting maid, "Thank your mistress for us, I will see to it that she receives this straight away."

The maid then made her way towards the royal chambers but was stopped by a tall knight in a suit of armor. "Please wait here, madam."

The knight sent word inside that she had come calling with a gift box from the Lady Jade. After a few tense moments of silence, a man appeared in the doorway and beckoned her in. She bowed and followed whom she assumed was a servant.

When she spotted the chain around his neck she dropped to her knees, "I am so sorry Your Grace!"

He chuckled, "It's quite alright. Please stand, I understand you come bearing a gift from the Lady Jade?"

She handed him a small velvet box, "I delivered a doll to your daughter as well from my mistress. It was hers when she was around your daughter's age. It's not a small child's doll but more of a collectible item."

The King opened the box and inside was a small painted photo of the Lady Jade, and a ring with a beautiful jade stone in it. The King smiled, gifts that would remind him of her. The King picked up a box and handed it to the maid. "It seems she and I had similar ideas. Please see that your mistress gets these."

With that, the maid bowed to the King and made her way back to Lady Jade. She was just as excited to see what the gift was as she knew her Lady would be. She hurried along the corridor and into her mistresse's guest chambers.

"M'Lady, the King has sent a gift for you." The maid set the small wooden ornate box down on the table in the room.

Lady Jade hurried over and opened the box lid. Inside was a beautiful necklace with a mother of pearl cross hanging from a silver braided chain.

"M'Lady... it is so beautiful. Here let me help you put it on." The maid helped Jade slip it over her head and then pin up her hair in a fashion to not hide it at all.

Jade made her way into the dining hall, where she was introduced to a few important members of the Court, and she was sat next to Princess Isadora, and near the King.

Isadora was delightful during dinner, telling her all about her studies. Thanking her for her new doll. When Jade told her that it was hers and all the adventures that had gone on when Jade was right around Isadora's age, her face lit up and she smiled greatly. Jade told her that she was an only child and spent a lot of time having to entertain herself while her parents were away on something important.

Isadora expressed how she felt lucky that her father had taken her along on so many trips, but hoped that if siblings resulted from his next match... then she would look forward to helping with her younger siblings.

Jade and Isadora chatted and bonded talking about what they liked to read. The King sat back and watched her interact with his daughter, a smile across his face.

The council members took note of how at ease Lady Jade was with Lady Isadora. She was at the top of their list now for recommendation to the king. The members had also heard that the two of them had already exchanged gifts with one another, and even included Isadora.

The Chancellor took out his list of names and put a star next to Lady Jade's name. This was to mark her as the current favorite for the council.