Song of Feathers and Claws

Part 2

"Thank you, thank you all for joining us on this special occasion." the King began.

Aune stood fairly close to Gustav, even if she still had flags of worry popping up in her mind about him. Though he hadn't pushed his luck with her, or at least not yet. Aune was very accustomed to the Knightly kind of man, and they surely never acted their title.

"As we know, we are here to celebrate winning the War against the Cerdonians." Everyone cheered, toasted and roared with excitement. "I, of course, as your King, also celebrate my daughter's blessing as a hero." another round of applause goes off. "This last bit of news is both glorious, and fills our nation with honour, while also leaving us with a bit of sadness."

Aune tilted her head, as she was intrigued and confused as the rest of the members of the court that stood around listening to this speech.

"I, King Ensio, am getting old, very very old, and tired. I do not see myself living much longer, and so must think of the future of the throne, about the people, about the future of Gosea!" he stomped his foot, it and his voice reverberated around the room, and back to him.

King Ensio looked around the room, nodding his head. "You are good people, fine subjects." he nodded to himself again. "Which is why I am pleased to announce that I have pathed the road for us to have a stronger nation. A strong leadership and my bloodline will stay strong and pure." he clenched his fist and shook it, although he was weak in doing so.

"My daughter, the only surviving blood of mine, and heir to the Gosae throne, I have betrothed her to Duke Fenwick of Bierth, the allies that aided us so willingly in the war against Cerdonia. It is my belief not only after seeing him perform on the battlefield but the reputation that follows him, that he will make a good and strong King."

The courts cheered. Aune gripped her drink, until her knuckles turned white. She always knew her father would be the one who would inevitably choose her husband, but she figured she would know before the mass of people that was in the noble wing.

Aune glared at Duke Fenwick with a side eye, so that was why he had been buzzing around her like a fly to honey.

Gustav turned to her with a pleased grin, "Well, now Princess Aune, you see why I was so eager to meet you. Wanted to speak to my soon to be bride before we were engaged."

Aune blew a breath through her teeth. Before plastering a faux smile and turning towards her betrothed. "I see. I guess this is cause for a small celebration, amongst the rest of the already drunken lords."

Gustav snickered, "Yes, it does. Cheers to my lovely prize for battling in that awful war."

Aune hummed with a sneered grin, "And cheers to our future union, hopefully it will strengthen the nations."

Aune and Gustav clinked their chalices together. Then they drank, while multiple people came up and started to congratulate them. Aune kept quiet letting her future husband take over, greeting people, and smiling. After all these court members knew her already and he was the stranger.

"Maam, would you like us to escort you out of here, or would you like to stay longer?" one of her ladies in waiting asked as she moved up next to her.

Aune bit her lip, staring at Duke Fenwick. "I would like to stay and get a better reading on this Duke, I am to marry, but when I am finished with her, I will need a long hot bath. To wash all the shit I will be dealing with off of me."

The lady in waiting bowed, "As you wish, I will send someone to set a bath up for you." they moved away.

Aune looked around tapping her fingers on her glass. Searching the floor until she spotted the crown amongst the lesser nobility. Aune broke away and marched up to her father.

"Ah, my lovely daughter." Ensio said with a beam of pride as she approached.

Aune nodded her head, "Father, may I steal you away from your company to speak with you for a moment?" she fought herself to keep from hissing in anger.

"Of course, anything for you my darling." he hobbled away from the group, to walk with Aune over to the window next to the throne platform.

Aune's and Ensio's personal guards and servants stood in a semi circle around them, blocking anyone from approaching as they spoke.

"Yes, what was it you wanted to speak about?" Ensio asked.

Aune blew out a deep breath, "Father, when did my betrothal to Duke Fenwick become a topic of discussion?" she said, crossing her arms in front of her.

"Crossing your arms is not lady-like," The KIng reminded, as he tapped Aune's arm to drop them. When she did he continued, "The topic of you marrying Fenwick, came up fairly early on in the alliance talks with Beirth. We were in a tight situation and they offered all the soldiers and supplies, only in exchange for your hand, for Gustav Fenwick. It was a great deal my child, I am sure you can see, so of course I accepted, and he has such good breeding, and prestige behind him, plus he did almost as well as you did on that battlefield."

Aune nodded along to her fathers story. "Why was I not informed sooner?" she tilted her head again.

"Because you didn't need to know."

Aune jerked her head back in surprise, "What do you mean, I did not need to know? I am the one being married off here, I should have the right to know who or if I am to wed."

"Be silent child, you are being upset over nothing."

Aune straightened up and walked away from the King. "I am going to bed," she muttered as she past her lady in waiting.

"Yes maam." she said and followed after her.

Aune did not say goodbye or goodnight to anyone at all, which was unusual for her, but she specifically refused to tell Gustav anything, as she didn't want him to touch her until she absolutely had to let him.

"Oh, think of it this way, he could be worse." Merina, one of her maids, said as she bustled about Aune, while she soaked in the tub.

Aune huffed, "How? How could it be worse?"

Merina smiled, "Well he could smell and look funny."

Aune shook her head at that. Leaning back Aune relaxed the best she could. Focusing on the way the hot water melted the pain in her body, or the silent sounds of the night birds outside her window.

When Aune opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was a streak of something bright in colour as it zoomed through the sky landing far out into the trees that started the area called the royal forests.

Aune sat up rubbing her eyes, "What was that?"

"What was what?"

Aune looked at the spot where it hit, she questioned rather or not to tell Merina what happened, but she stand silent. "Oh nothing, I think a bug landed in my bathing water, drain it and refill it please."

"Right away"