Mortance: Summer's Snow

Angus Ⅰ

"Prince Angus Kingson, heir to Sacreon," a guard announced as I entered the dining hall of the Caldera.

"My prince," Lord Jac Calder greeted me coldly. There was little love for me at this table. "Take a seat, food will be served soon."

The lord of the Caldera sat at the head of the long table. His wife was at his left hand, as were his two children. I took a seat across from the daughter, Katelyn. "I trust you know why I've come."

"Your father's letters said little and less," Lord Calder said. "But yes, I do know why you've come."

"Why is that, father?" Jacob Calder interrupted. "His sister is the whore who-"

"You'll not speak of such things now," Lady Annabeth Calder spoke quickly. "And you'll not insult the crown before our prince."

I glared at Lord Calder's son. As prince, I could have his tongue for that, but it would do me no good, and no man should wish harm upon those he wishes to be his allies.

"I must apologize for my son," Jac Calder began.

"No need," I told him. "Consider it forgotten."

"Very well then," he smiled and beckoned over a servant. "Let us have our food, and then we shall talk of the reason for your coming."

The table was set with platters of bacon and breakfast ham. My stomach growled at the smell of it all. A plate of eggs was laid out too. There was more food than the five of us would eat. It was not until we had all been served with our own full plates that I spoke of why I'd come.

"Your house is great, and your seat is powerful," I told the Caldera's lord. "I must apologize for my sister's doings. We should never be enemies."

"I would hear your apology," Jac Calder nodded.

"It is not a simple apology the king sends me here for," I stood. "He still wishes to join our houses. You have a daughter, the king has a son. Let us make a bond through marriage."

"You mean to make my daughter your wife then," Lord Calder glanced at the girl.

"I would be humbled to do so," I told him. The words were not entirely empty either. Katelyn Calder was a beautiful girl, with long golden brown hair and deep green eyes. She would bear me fine sons. "I do, also, humbly apologize for my sister's actions. She is mine own blood, and it pains me to know someone so close to me could sin so evilly. Your son did not deserve such a woman."

"A fine apology," Jac allowed a slight smile. "Would you not say so, my son?"

"I will accept it," Jacob Calder nodded, his mind seemingly elsewhere. "I only wish the princess had truly been punished for this."

Has she not felt punishment enough? I wanted to ask. Aurora had lost enough to give up on life, and that seemed far more punishment than most deserved. "You speak as if she has not suffered," I frowned at him.

"Let us talk not of the princess," Lord Jac Calder declared. "My daughter is to be married. This is a happy occasion, is it not?"

I met the eyes of my newly betrothed. She did not entirely seem to share her father's sentiment. Still, I smiled and toasted with the lord of the Caldera over our strengthened alliance. Katelyn Calder's opinion on the matter was of little consequence at the moment.

I told the girl I might see her later; plans for the rest of the day had already been laid. After breaking my fast with Lord Jac, I went to see his nephew. Ser Lionel Calder was a good knight and a good man, and it would be a pleasure to talk with him in better circumstances than we'd met in.