The King's Bride

Welcome To Court

The following morning, Everleigh arrives at the Castle, entering the small back Courtyard, still unsure of why she was summoned. The entire ride there, down the dirt roads that cut through the massive woods that seemed to cover the entire Kingdom, Everleigh kept trying to think of a reason to be asked to come to Court, but had failed to think of anything.

Everleigh climbs down from her horse and is greeted by the King's Advisor, Princess Mackenzie. It had come as a surprised when King Jensen had chosen his sister as his High Advisor, especially when he was keeping his father's Private Council intact, but it was everyone's opinion that, as far as Everleigh had heard, Princess Mackenzie was doing a great job in her new position.

-"Welcome to Court, Lady Everleigh." - Princess Mackenzie smiles at her.

-"Thank you, Your Highness." - Everleigh bows to the young Princess.

-"How was your trip here?"

-"It went as well as one can expect, Your Highness."

-"I can imagine that it mustn't be an easy one, though."

-"It never is."

-"Now, if you follow me, I will be taking you to your room. I'm sure you'll want to freshen up before your meeting with the King."

-"Yes, thank you."

Everleigh follows the Princess into the Castle and through the vast and cold corridors, despite the sun outside shining brighter than it has in the last few days, keeping in step with the young Princess. It doesn't go unnoticed by Everleigh the way the Princess will sometimes look at her, as discreet as she might try to be, and wonders what could possibly be in the young woman's mind.

-"Your Highness, if I may, do you know how long I will be staying?"

-"His Majesty will explain everything at your meeting."

The Princess smiles at her and Everleigh nods, smiling back, thinking that this is all too weird. She should be back at the Estate, not in the Castle, waiting on a meeting that she doesn't know what it is about.

As they walk through the corridors in silence, the Princess clearly giving Everleigh some space, she wonders why would the King summon her to Court, a thought she has been having ever since she left her home. They have never met before, so there was no reason for him to want to talk to her.

Although, up until a few months ago, she didn't even know her father knew the late King. And now she is being summoned to the Castle by his son. If that doesn't scream weird, then Everleigh doesn't know what does.

"Maybe this has something to do with the Estate.", Everleigh thinks, remembering the scribe and the papers he took with him before her father died. "Perhaps the King wants to take possession of the Estate.", the thought fills her heart with dread. Everleigh knows that if that's the case, there won't be much she can do about it, but prays that she is wrong.

The Princess slows her walk and stops in front of a door, looking back at Everleigh, before opening it and walking in, motioning for Everleigh to follow her.

Everleigh enters the room and is stunned by its beauty, wondering for a second if all the other guest room's look just as beautiful. Not only is it quite large, but it has been decorated in white, with a large bed and several windows that allow for the room to be brighter than it should be. It also has a set of double doors that lead to a small balcony, a place Everleigh knows she will be spending a lot of time. Her eyes then land on two handmaidens, leaving her rather confused.

-"Lady Everleigh, this is Gracie and Juliet. They will be your handmaidens during your stay with us. His Majesty will see you before lunch today and I will be coming to collect you when it is time. If you'll excuse me, I have a pressing matter I need to attend to."

-"Of course, Your Highness. And thank you."

Everleigh bows to the Princess, watching her leave the room. She looks back at the two women, seeing that one has already started to unpack her small bags, while the other is in the bathing room off to the side preparing a hot bath for her, leaving her alone with only her thoughts.

She takes a deep breath, walking up and looking out the double doors and onto the balcony, and thinks that all she needs to do is endure a couple of days in Court and then she can go home. Hopefully.