16th Century Style Court story - Untitled

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Over the next few weeks, I was required to play hostess to a few more of my northern lords. Their excuse was that they had been overdue in heading to their northern territories but it soon became clear they had come to join Barwick and Aderly in my protection. I was careful in what I said to them and only to the first two men did I reveal how I was feeling about it. As I had belonged here for many years and overlooked any trouble the lords and dukes needed me to, I had gained their trust and friendship. Unlike my brother who only did what was favourable in his eyes. As ever though, since most of these men had property in the north, I could send them off so easily yet, as Aderly had noticed, I enjoyed the company. Alas, I did not spend all my time in talking with them. Owen, as I called him that more often, and I spent more time walking around my grounds. Of course, it caused a little rumour spreading among my other guests. At least with these men, my trust did not waver, if this were at court, no doubt would there be many more than the ones here.

Owen made me laugh, that was clear and even more clearly was that he made me blush. I tried to hide it but that was not easy with so small a crowd ever present. Once a week, when we were walking, he would pick me another flower to replace the one from the week before. All I could do back was talk with him and give him my company. I did converse with him about it and his reply was that he did not mind.

'I do not do this for favours back and after all, if you think about it, these flowers are really yours as they are from your garden.' He chuckled lowly as we walked along the blanket of fresh snow that covered all of my lands.

As we walked, I turned my head and nodded to him. 'True and you are just picking the best as you see them, yes?'

'A lady like yourself only deserves the best.'

'Now you are just flattering me, Owen. Where did you learn your manners?' I asked though not actually looking for an answer. 'That does not matter, I quite like it. You are not like the other men I have known my entire life.'

'You say it does not matter but my manners come from a mix of my father and mother. My brother is more like the rest of the aristocracy.' He looked around and sighed as though he had given up on something. 'He detests me some days and other days he wants my help. As an older brother, I give all the help I can.'

'If only my own brother was like you. Still, it is probably better that he isn't.' I shook my head, remembering what my brother was like. 'Two more months and I will have to put up with his ways again.'

Owen turned to me and gave me his boyish smile. 'Since you ride, maybe you could show me further than your gardens.'

Laughing, I nudged his arm and went back to smelling his newest chose of flower for me. This one was an Iris; the delicate cream petals felt like silk in my fingers as I stroked along the single brown stripe that ran down their centre. The fragrance of the pollen was much stronger than the red star flower he picked the week before. 'Maybe, I will think about it.' Then I saw Lord Elkyn make his way over. 'Now what does he want?' I whispered.

'Your Highness,' said Elkyn, bowing in his elaborate way.

'Yes, Elkyn, what do you want now?' I asked him.

'Your brother, the King, has arrived,' he informed me.

My face must have been a picture to see. I felt my eyes widen with shock and my lips thinned in panic as to why my brother had come all this way. 'What? And who knew he was even coming? Uh, nevermind.' And I stormed off to find my brother, dropping Owen's flower onto the nearest bush. I did not like not knowing if either he or Lavina were coming to visit me, even in my brother's own palaces.