Adalbert

Part 2

Prince Adalbert was invited to dine at the Becke residence, where he arrived a few hours in advance to take a look around. To begin with, he walked in on Lady Ethelinda and her maid sewing.

Mathildis, flustered and flattered, fell to her knees as soon as she laid eyes on the Prince. Linda herself was taken aback.

"Your Highness," she curtseyed. "What are you doing here?"

He crooked a smile at her unabashed question. "Lord Becke gave me permission to explore his castle before the banquet."

"Ah, the banquet..." Linda had almost forgotten.

"Am I disturbing Your Ladyship?"

"Not at all." To prove it, she reclaimed her seat and picked up her needlework.

The Prince admired the fine fabric and the intricate pattern coming alive upon it. Her Ladyship was skilled, but not yet perfect. He had noticed minor flaws on her gown the other night, though he still appreciated the long hours of hard work she must have put into making it.

"Is that to be your wedding gown?" he asked.

Ethelinda chuckled. "Oh, no! No, no, the Palace seamstress has been charged with that. I might...give her indications, however."

"I see. Well, I should not like to keep you from your work any longer. If you'll excuse me."

Bowing, he took his leave and wandered the stone halls until he found himself out in the open. The castle had a garden and beyond that, training grounds for its small garrison. At that particular moment, Lady Becke was practicing alongside the archers. To say that Adalbert was surprised would be an understatement.

One of her attendants noticed the Prince and drew her attention to him. Giving her bow to a servant, she made her way towards him.

"Your Highness," she greeted. "I see you are accommodating yourself with our home. Or perhaps...are you lost?"

They smiled together and Adalbert crossed his hands behind his back. "Not at all."

"Then what is it with that look on your face? You look as if you've seen a ghost!"

He briefly averted his gaze. "Allow me to be frank, Your Ladyship. I did not quite expect to see you shoot arrows alongside your soldiers."

Lady Becke laughed, genuinely amused. "Fighting alongside your warriors is the best way to gain their loyalty, is it not, Your Highness?"

"It is, indeed. I should know."

"Well, then. Why is it so unexpected that I should practice a little in the company of men employed to defend me and my family?"

Adalbert could not immediately respond.

Lady Becke continued. "I come from a family of strong women and I have raised my own daughter into one. Please be kind to her. She might have her...little quirks, but I assure you, she is a good girl."

Adalbert stared deep into the woman's blue eyes, touched by her sincerity.

"I have no doubt," he said, wondering what else other than the infinite crystal eyes had the daughter inherited from the mother.

Tall, dark woods surrounded the Becke estate. Despite his curiosity, the Prince heeded warnings not to wander too far off and kept to the edge of the forest so as not to frighten the wild beasts thriving within. Nevertheless, he expressed his wish to attempt a hunting trip once.

It was dinner time before long and Heidi was escorted to the Becke castle by the Southern Princes. Hulderic, the oldest, seemed to show a keen interest in her and that did not appeal to her brother. Adalbert would have rather a relationship developed between the Princess and Roderic, who was only three years her senior. Roderic, unfortunately, appeared sullen and unimpressed by the situation. As if he couldn't wait to be rid of the guests.