Noble Blood

Chapter IX - Infatuations

"Oh, good afternoon Gwen!" He exclaimed, having not seen her in the corner of the large study room.

"Hi William, how are you?" His sister replied, looking up from the dress she was working on. "I just wanted to bring up the hem on my dress for tonight." She explained quickly, turning back to the garment.

"I'm alright. I actually wanted to talk to you for a moment." He answered, shutting the door and grabbing a chair across the table where she sat and seating himself.

"Did you figure out what you'd do finally?" She inquired, assuming that was what he wanted to talk about.

"Yes, I did." William announced with a sigh of relief, "Fergus will be here on Saturday and the King is due to arrive on Monday. I'm going to get the King out of the castle as soon as Lilianna leaves to fetch the Danish army. We have much more numbers than they do, and we'll fight against them. We'll have saved the King's life and we'll return to our country in safety at least for a few weeks." He continued in a half whisper, not wanting anyone else to hear their conversation.

"Why do you want to fight for the King of Germany?"

"Lilianna taking over the throne would be disastrous for everyone. Her father may be just as ruthless, but at least he has common sense. And like I said, if I've saved his life and kingdom we'll gain his favour."

"Will we make it out alright? Will Evie?" Gwendolyn asked concerned, knowing the Dutch army was due to arrive after King Hendrick's return.

"We'll take Evie with us if we have to and return her to her brother once we're out of battle. Of course, it would help to have the Dutch army fighting by our sides, but our numbers should suffice against the Danish." The Irish prince explained, knowing neither he nor Gwendolyn wanted to leave the young lady in the middle of the chaos like that.

"Does Lilianna trust you? She may not leave you with your army and her father alone."

"She loves me, and she's counting on the fact that I would hate King Hendrick for keeping you and I here for so long, and that I would want to make her happy because she somehow thinks I love her back." He replied to his worried sister, "Don't worry. We're finally getting out of here." He smiled at her and she smiled back.

"Enjoy the ball tonight." He bid, rising from his seat.

"Beware of Lilianna." Gwendolyn answered with a chuckle, her brother bowing before exiting the room.

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"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Dietrich of Germany!" The master of ceremonies cried loudly as the trumpets died down.

Dietrich walked in proudly as the assembly cheered on. He took a seat behind the grand throne platform, eyeing the colourful crowd in their extravagant costumes and masks.

"The Royal Princesses Lilianna and Alyss of Germany!" The man exclaimed as the princesses intern in turn with their masks already on, surrounded by their ladies in waiting. This way it would be a bit trickier to distinguish who the real princesses were.

They all filed in and took their seats behind the platform, arranging their big skirts as they sat.

Dietrich walked up onto the platform, standing before the large crowd as they cheered on. He cleared his throat and the clamour immediately died down.

"Welcome to the Serbian and Frank Royal courts, here to witness the first meeting between the princesses of Germany and their Kings." He began, earning another round of cheers before continuing. "Welcome to our Norwegian and English royal guests who came from so far for this important event." Came more clamour as he spoke again, "And welcome to our royal Polish, Bulgarian and Hungarian neighbours, our trade partners." Again, the crowds cheered and applauded.