Noble Blood

Chapter I - Boredom

All thirteen of them sat around the table. Each doing their own thing, barely noticing the food being served, the Grand Hall echoed a myriad of unintelligible whispers.


Little Alyss sat whispering and giggling with Evie and Gwendolyn, Clare and Katheryn seemed extremely preoccupied gushing about Sir Christoff, who sat discussing more serious matters with Dietrich, and discussing calmly at the end of the table were William and the lords: Sirs Bernhart, Gotfrid, Albrecht and Heynrich.


Lilianna alone sat listening. She was bored of the incessant hushed discussions every single night. She took another bite of pheasant, looking intently around the table once more.

"And", she began too loudly, startling everyone into silence, "Sir Christoff, how are matters in Trier?"


"Very well, Your Highness, the city grows and there is more wealth than ever. The cathedral was just finished and my father is very pleased with the result."

"Ah yes, how is Barron Leupold?"

"Very well, thank you. How is your father, His Royal Highness?"

"Fine, I'm sure. He's practically won from the Danish already I hear." She inwardly scoffed as she said this.


"Marvelous."


"Indeed." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.


Not knowing what else to say, she turned back to her food. Christoff followed suite, and within a minute everyone was back to chattering in low voices. He was only here for a few weeks, invited by Dietrich for a stay once again.

Lilianna envied her brother for having such good company. Whilst he spoke of trade and stategy with Christoff or his other friends, she was always stuck with dumb gossip from her ladies in waiting. It wasn't her place to talk business though, so she just ate her food quietly as fast as she good.

"Excuse me, I'm feeling unwell." She rose abruptly from her seat. The entire assembly stumbled around to rise en suite as they watched Lilianna make a hasty exit from the Hall.

She struggled to keep herself from running as she walked across the entire Hall, leaving through the small door into the stairwell that led up to her apartments. She raced up the stairs two by two and slammed the door shut the moment she entered her room.

Of course, her ladies in waiting would be right behind her, to fulfill their duties, but Lilianna would send them away. It frustrated her to no end that she was a woman, and couldn't participate in political discussions. If it were up to her, she would have the throne.

Sure enough, a loud knock on the door pulled the Princess out of her daydreaming, as Clare and Katherine spoke out of breath.

"Your Highness, would you like me to fetch the nurse?"

"Your Majesty, do you care for some water?" 

"Leave. I wish not to be disturbed for the rest of tonight." She let herself fall onto her bed.

-----

"Alyss, wait up!" Evie picked up the folds of her skirt and bolted off her chair. 

Gwendolyn and Alyss were already exiting the Grand Hall as she rushed after them and into the kitchen. She almost bumped into Gwendolyn as she came to an abrupt stop at the entrance of the kitchen.

"Go ahead, Alyss!" Gwendolyn urged on. Alyss shyly stepped forward as Bertha the cook smiled at her.

"Bertha, is there any pie left?" She said in the sweetest voice possible. Bertha chuckled.

"Yes Your Highness, there are three slices left. Would you like some?"

"Yes please." Alyss couldn't contain the smile that stretched from ear to ear as she watched Bertha retrieve the pie from the cupboard.