The White Rose

They that offend his most Gracious Majesty: Valdore palace

     The Winter feast was celebrated but everyone was talking about the Purthians. The Purthians were trying at every turn to get into the kingdom to mount an assault. I gave the king a masterwork cloth embroidered with my motto and his inside the shield of Wyngaardd. He gave me a necklace of Sapphires.
    As soon as the winter feast was over he went back to Valdore palace and i again took up the business of being the ruler of this land. Shortly after I began my task the king returned in a rage. "It is that grasping Mari Deshonce." He said angrily. "She wrote to me of her brother's ill health and wished I would make of her heiress of the Baronetcy in case he did not survive." "I wrote to her with no uncertain terms that she cease and desist of her ways." "Then I found out that the Baronet died." I gasped, "Poison do you think?" I asked, "No doubt of it." Said the king stormily, "And now that Baronetcy is by all the Gods in her hands." "You are the king." I say, "She is not the Baroness yet." The king nods to me, "Show here that she has offended thee most gravely." I say, "Put her in a temple, one with no religious advantages." "Only noblewomen can be made chief High Priestess." "Oh Kath its worse than that." He said, "Two days after that the Purthians were let through her walls.."
    My face paled at this, "She is then playing a game." He nodded. "Then my lord King she has plotted against your majesty." "She has committed treason against us." His face is grave, "Indeed she has." "For that Baronetcy was keeping us from being overrun." He kissed my hand, "My thanks my love.. "there is ought elseI should tell you." I say with a smile, "You know that since the midwinter feast there has been some changes in the ways the priests receive their funds?" "Indeed they get their funds from their lands as well as from the gold given them-every month." Said the king.
"Well my love there are it seems desires to help the less fortunate and I wish to do something about it." "You shall have whatever you want my dear." Said the king, "Have we need for that small house near Kranstead, I know it was an old hunting place." "Kranstead has bad memories for me." Said the king, "It was at Kranstead I found out the previous queen was pregnant." "Then if you would my lord, I should see it made into a house of the needy." He nodded." "Anything else?" "Yes." I say beaming at last, "You know that at the midwinter feast I craved quail." "Indeed my dear." "Does that mean?" I smile, "another child praise the Gods." Says the King. "When will it come to pass?" "It will be born in the seventh month of the year." I say with a nod. "Do you think you can rule for that time while I am gone?" "Of course I can." I say, "I shall make you proud."
Three days later as I sat with my ladies, awaiting the king's departure with some sadness there came a chamberlain who bowed and announced, "lady Eddabelle Levorice." All that time and it took her so long to come to court. I thought a bit angrily. She'd been given permission almost a year and half ago. But looking at her she seemed wan and thin, almost sickly. Her clothing was of the height of fashion but very severely cut to show her modesty. Her gown was of the finest blue velvet but made to rise in a stiff collar to the neck, unlike some of the court ladies who wore their gowns daringly low. Her hood was of the newest fashion but plainly made. The only decoration was a bit of lace around the edges. Her golden hair was long and braided under her hood. Only married ladies need cover their hair. Her blue eyes were downcast as she came forward to curtsey to me then bend the knee to kneel before my chair.
This was so unlike the girl chit Mari that I scarce could think of one without thinking of-the other. That girl had made pretty and curtseyed, sweeping back her gowns dramatically, her smiles and laughter filling the chamber. This girl was the complete opposite and I liked that.
"Lady Eddabelle Levorice."I said as she kissed my ring, "Welcome to court." "I must say however that it has taken you much time." I make to sound offended but if she really could not help she could see how gentle, how kind I could be. She bows her head demurely and-says in a quiet voice, "Yes Majesty I am most sorry." "I took ill and then my father would not let me come to court once the war broke out." "Fief Cantry is not far from the Barony of DeSchonce." Now I knew she had always wanted to come to court." "Very well Lady Eddabelle." I say quietly, "I hear you are of the religious bent and that you enjoy learning?" "That I do Majesty." She says, "Well then we shall have good times you and I." She nods and i tap her shoulder that she should rise, "Lady Lisette will you take the Lady Levorice to the maidens wing and get her settled?" "It would be my pleasure." Said Lisette. She would of course have to leave me soon as she was with child herself. Alura was already home readying herself for the happy event. Melique had just given birth to a son and was soon to come back after the customary month of recovery.
"Well she has done it." Said the King on one of his rare visits home." "Done what?" I ask, "She's committed treason against the crown." "Mari?" I ask, "Yes." He grinds out. "She declares herself Zatine and says she'll be queen, she was questioned." "No." I say, "indeed." Says the king, "She must be executed." I nod, "What think you of the new lady in your service?" Of course the king would know everything, "She is polite, correct, humble, religious." "Some say she puts upon herself these things I disagree." I say with a nod as ladies pass us by. "She has the innocence of a child that one, and prompt with her service."
Soon we moved to another of the small palaces to prevent the plague as the king's household had gone to war with the king. I entertained my ladies as best I-could though many of them were worried for their husbands and fathers. A message came that Alura was nearing her time and seemed to be in good spirits.