Lost but Loved

Chapter Ten: Farewell Banquet

Days following the banquet, Lucy was screaming at her uncle in the Great Hall, attracting attention like flies to a fresh kill. Jayce, Cayden, Damon and Jane rushed in to see what was going on. Lucy had kept a low profile and tried to avoid her uncle but today, her uncle was furious. They stood up near the high table, Lucy's cheeks flushed with anger and Knight Marcus's eyes were a dark brown with anger.

Today, Lucy was dressed as Luke, her hair tucked up into her father's hat. Other times during the day, she wore simple dresses, giving the illusion that both Luke and Lucy were at the castle. This was decided by her to keep her secret from the servants.

Knight Marcus wore his full body armor that gleamed in the torch light. His hair was tied back in a hasty braid, and tied into his hair were golden beads and glossy feathers from majestic birds. They stood toe to toe and from behind, it looked as if a young man was yelling at the knight.

"You are coming with me back home! That is final and nothing you say or do will make me change my mind. Pack up your things. We leave tomorrow," Knight Marcus ordered her.

"Marx, that's not fair!" Lucy shot back and stomped her foot for emphasis. "Thanos is my guardian! I want to stay with him!" Knight Marcus's eyes narrowed as Lucy fought back.

"You do not call me Marx. You call me uncle, or Knight Marcus. Look at now, Thanos hasn't raised you up right. Treat your elders with respect, girl!" Lucy swung at her uncle but he was quick and caught her fist in his hand. "Do not fight with your elders. I could have you killed for defying a knight."

Lucy wriggled her hand out of his and stepped away, anger in her eyes. She knew she was defeated, but didn't want to admit it. She opened her mouth to protest more but he just backhanded her. She bent over, clutching her bleeding nose and fat lip. When she straightened, the anger was now dominant in her eyes and in her body language. She knew she couldn't fight a knight, especially a strict one, even if she was a lady.

"Pack your things. For travelling, I'll let you wear men's clothes but do not expect that when we arrive at my home. You will be raised as a proper lady, wearing dresses, attending royal balls, eating sosphicatedly, having a proper education. You will act as a proper young lady and not as a wild farm boy. Understood?" Lucy rubbed her cheek where he had slapped her and nodded, averting her gaze to the floor as to avoid his stern glare.

He strode away and her friends came up to her to comfort her. "It'll be alright." Jane hugged her best friend tightly. Jane didn't want Lucy to go anymore than Lucy. Who would Jane talk to late at night about her problems? Lucy always listened and Jane looked forward to the times when Lucy could spend the week at her house. But maybe, if Lucy went, she would come back a sosphicated young lady.

Damon wrapped his arm around her shoulders comfortingly. "Hey, you'll be fine. When he's not home, you can run around as if you were back at home with Thanos." He smiled at her, hoping to get a smile back out of her, but she remained frozen, her hand to her bleeding nose. "Here, let's get that bandaged." He started to lead her away when she stopped and stared at Cayden, desparation shining in her eyes.

"Maybe you could make him change his mind? You are good at politics, maybe you could get him to change his mind." Lucy hoped against hope. He wouldn't do it, she knew, but it was worth a shot to ask, wasn't it? He shook his head sadly.

"He's a knight, Lucy. One of the king's favorites. I can't talk to him." Damon side glanced at Jayce who shifted uncomfortably on his feet. Damon felt weird not being the only prince there. Just then Sophie walked in, saw her boyfriend's arm around Lucy and her nostrils flared. Damon didn't move his arm which made Sophie stomp up to them, her eyes filled with anger.