The Flower Crown Princess

Part 15

I try to hide the fact that I know he's lying. Have my expressions betrayed me already? Was there some flicker of recognition in my eyes? 

There's something remarkably familiar about him- his eyes, perhaps, or maybe his stocky build. But I've never seen 'Nolan' before, even if he is a knight, as he professes to be. But his clothes betray him- they are out of fashion by fifteen years, and yet seem to be hardly worn. They are a size too small for him. If he is indeed a nobleman, not only would his clothes be in style, they would fit properly, and they wouldn't have creases from being in a bureau drawer for what seems to be many years.

"Are you enjoying the ball, my lady?" he asks.

As the dance commands, I step a few paces away on the steady, moderately paced beat, then I return to my partner, placing my right hand on his and putting my left hand behind my back. He does the same, and we step in a circle. "Indeed, Sir Nolan; and yourself?"

He puts his right hand on my waist and I lower my right hand to my skirt, lifting the hem an inch or two as he answers politely. "There are plenty of young ladies to dance with, so yes, I'm enjoying it very much, although each one cranes their neck to look for the duke."

The dance ends there, before either Nolan or I can make another comment. I curtsy and he bows, placing a kiss on my hand, letting his lips linger too long to be comfortable. I hurriedly pull away, shuddering a little, only to be swept up by none other than the guest of honor himself.

He's a rather handsome man, the Duke, and his company is much more pleasurable than my previous partner's. About twenty- five or so, he stands tall, with an aura that befits his title perfectly. He has square features under a short, auburn beard, and warm brown eyes. It is a small wonder that nearly every young woman in the torchlit room is vying for his heart!

A slower dance begins as he takes my hand. "Your Highness, I saw your discomfort during the last dance. Your partner, what did he say his name was?"

"Sir Nolan, although I know of no Nolans in the city. Do you know him?"

The Duke's jaw tightens as I await my answer. I'll give him time to give it; I know how hard putting words together can be. 

"He was not Nolan when I met him, my lady."

'Nolan' was lying! I try to remain collected, but I do let confusion slip onto my face. "What name do you know him by? I suspected that he did not give his honest name."

"He was Cadvan when he came into Welser ten years ago. I was thirteen, and I remember it well. He showed up out of nowhere, claiming to be of royal blood, but my father never believed him. He did end up with a position in my castle as a servant- my mother took pity on him. He'd brought a trunk full of courtly fashions in clothes with him, some of the most expensive clothes I've ever seen, but they were outdated even then, so he was allowed to wear them when serving guests. He's wearing his old favorite tonight, I see." When I am silent, a look of concern creeps across his handsome features. "My lady, is everything alright? Did I say something to offend you?"

Quickly, I shake my head and force a smile. "No, you have done nothing wrong. I am simply wondering who he really is. Did you think that Cadvan was his name?"

"No, and neither did my father, Your Highness. What I assumed is his name was embroidered on one handkerchief that my sister found in the trunk when he was away."

"And what might the name be?"

"That's what's perplexing, Princess. It read 'Prince Cadwal, Duke of Amrach," but I wouldn't have been surprised if he'd embroidered it on himself."

"Cadwal? Was there ever a prince called Cadwal, here?"

"Yes, your father's brother, but he was disgraced and stripped of his title sixteen years ago. He went off to the sea and was captured by the Sea- People. The former prince hasn't been heard of since, although a skeleton did wash up some time ago that we believe was his."

"How interesting- perhaps the handkerchief was bought by Nolan- I mean, Cadvan- from the Sea- People. They do sell their spoils, sometimes."

"I hadn't thought of that, but you may well be correct, my lady."

The music stops with one final flourish, and a quick kiss is placed on my hand after I curtsy. "By the way, Princess, the Duchess Faelan is quite charming."

So she did get a dance, then. Didn't we all tell her that she would?

For the rest of the hour I watch the Duke move easily from one girl to another, leaving then swooning in his wake. With the other eye, I watch the mystery man.

"Who is he?" comes my brother's voice from my side. I hadn't noticed him come up beside me. He sounds almost angry. "I saw you dance with him, but you've been watching him so oddly ever since, Nivh."

"I'm not sure who he is. He introduced himself as Sir Nolan, but he looks too old to be a regular knight, and his clothes are of the style of at least fifteen years back. What's more," I continue, turning to face my brother, "The Duke of Welser knows him by a different name, and yet another name is sewed on one of his handkerchiefs. The name of our uncle."

Finen's brow furrows. "Jans? Why would he have his name?"

"No, not Jans. Cadwal."

Finen's dark eyes look almost angry. "We have no uncle called Cadwal. He was disowned before you were even born." His voice is tight and thin. "The Duke told you this?"

"Yes, he did. His sister found the handkerchief in the man's trunk when he worked for the late duke."

"And you trust this story, without any proof?"

"I do."

"Why?" 

"He clearly knew the man, Finen. You should have seen the look in his eyes! Tell me, what happened to this disinherited uncle Cadwal?"

"He went off to the sea and was captured, likely killed, by the Sea- People, and he hasn't been heard of since."

"Those are nearly the same words that the duke spoke to me not an hour ago. I am convinced that the Duke is an honorable man and that he is most definitely not lying."

Finen turns, conviction still etched into his face. "I'll speak to him myself after this dance, to see if what he says is true."

*****

I don't see Nolan- Cadvan- Cadwal for the next two weeks. Of course, I'm kept busy, with my visit to the lakes. Each day I look forward to it more and more. I am to see my kingdom, the people that I will rule! While I am hardly allowed to go outside here, for fear that I may not want to leave the hills, I will be completely free in the lakes. I can become as attached to the land and people as I want, for I will be spending my whole life there. I'll go, come back to pack my things, and leave again- for good. Am I ready for that? To be a woman, fully fledged, and in line to be a queen?

That sobers me- my whole life. The rest of my days will be spent among those I was not born among, but it will protect them. Although Maridi can protest arranged marriages all she wishes, I will gladly give up myself to secure my kingdom. Of course, these rolling green hills, the endless grassy sea, compel me to stay, but I know that I'll be back in a month or two for one more look.

The day before my departure, all of the nobility are called to a council. This is not formal, so I have no need for the heavy green robes, and my ladies attend as well. The Duke of Welser has chosen his bride- well, five women that he wishes to see again.

At the top of the list, to nobody's surprise (but many a girl's dismay), is Duchess Faelan of Noimead.

"I can't go to the lakes, then, Princess," she whispers happily to me.

I turn and smile softly at her. "Of course not. I give my blessing, Faelan, and I do hope that he chooses to marry you."

I'll have to choose another lady- in- waiting, but seeing how happy she is makes it worth it. If they marry.

*****

The next morning, Lisbet, Jennis, Taii, and Rhodri follow me onto a royal boat. The rocking of the sea is unsettling, and as soon as the ship lurches away from the harbor, my feet slide out from beneath me. I go tumbling to the deck- or I would have, anyways, had a pair of arms not caught me.

"Careful," says the too- familiar voice of my coachman.

The gown and model at the top is how I imagine Faelan to look- obviously it's not a full picture and the headscarf is missing, but you guys get the idea.