Birthright: The Contested Seat

Genna

Amidst the grand halls of Magnolia's castle, Genna stood witness to the bustling activity that surrounded her. As Levi prepared for his ascension, the castle was alive with the sound of servants scurrying in all directions, and the sweet fragrance of an abundance of flowers filled the air.

In the kitchens, the cooks were hard at work, preparing a feast fit for a king. The aroma of roasting meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the castle, and the maids were busy weaving flowers into wreaths to decorate the halls. Even the stable hands were hard at work, readying themselves for the many guests who would be arriving in just a few days' time.

Genna watched the musicians as they practiced their tunes, the sound of their instruments echoing through the halls. The harpist's fingers plucked at the strings with practiced ease, while the flautist blew into her instrument, producing a sweet melody.

As Lord Dorn and his entourage were due to arrive, everything had to be perfect. The castle staff worked tirelessly to ensure that every last detail was attended to, no matter how small. Genna could see their dedication and commitment and thought it truly a testament to how much they loved Levi.

The castle was adorned with an abundance of fragrant blooms. They hung from the rafters, snaked their way up columns, and decorated doors. Genna wondered if Levi would keep the flowers in the castle as his father had. If what Samantha said was true, and the flowers had been brought in to mask the stench of the late Lord Maverly, she assumed the flowers would be done away with. She rather liked them though, and thought it made the castle much more welcoming.

It had been a place of such unhappiness for Levi, and now she hoped she could make it a safe haven. She hoped to make it his home again and fill it with so many good memories that the bad ones just seemed to fade away.

It wasn't long until she had arrived at Levi's chambers. Due to how busy the last few days had been, she hadn't seen much of him. He didn't even have the time to fetch her himself, electing to send a servant to their home instead. She didn't mind it too much. This was an important event for Levi and everything had to be perfect. Especially since Lord Dorn would be in attendance.

Genna entered the room and immediately felt the frenzied energy. Levi stood in the center of the room, surrounded by a flurry of activity as seamstresses flitted around him, measuring and pinning and adjusting his clothing for the upcoming event. His face was carefully neutral as he watched them work, his eyes scanning their every move. 

He wore a dark green doublet, the white magnolia of House Maverly embroidered in silver thread on his chest. His trousers were of a lighter olive green, hugging his legs allowing for ease of movement. His boots, made from sturdy leather, rose up to just below his knees, providing a firm foundation for him to stand tall and proud.

However, it was the cloak that caught Genna's attention most of all. It was made of the finest Rentosian silk, dyed a deep green. The magnolia of House Maverly once again embroidered at the center of the cloak in silver thread. It was fastened about the neck with a silver clasp. The garment shimmered brilliantly as the light poured through the windows, and Genna couldn't help but wonder how much coin such a thing would cost.

As she took in the sight of him in his finery, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration. He looked every inch the part of a noble lord, and she knew that he would lead House Maverly with honor and distinction. His father certainly hadn't. 

Upon seeing her, his expression changed. His eyes flicked up from the seamstresses to her, and a smile slowly spread across his face. It was a small smile, almost imperceptible, but it was there nonetheless, a glimmer of warmth that lit up his entire face.