Noble Blood

Chapter XIV - Saudade

The rain poured against the stained glass panes and the wind howled between the wall cracks. Another bolt of lightning flashed followed by harsh thunder rumbles. It was very chilly for mid-spring, and the Grand Hall felt particularly drafty.

The tension was palpable as everyone gathered round the table for supper wordlessly. Dietrich gestured to the servants to begin bringing the courses. The assembly seemed unusually small, as five regular attendees were missing.

Gwen was about to take a bite off her fork when she suddenly looked up at the group. "Where's Christoff?" She asked with a furrowed brow, noticing the German Prince was not waiting for anyone else to arrive.

"Gone." Lilianna said simply, "I guess he was bored without anyone interesting but me." She added in a half-whisper with a smirk as she took another bite of venison.

Gwen loudly dropped her fork onto her plate in shock, turning to her brother for more information as she frantically searched his eyes.

"I heard nothing of it." He mouthed, sensing her distress though entirely clueless on the matter. William had not been informed by anyone that Christoff was in any kind of danger. Thus, he must truly have left if he wasn't to be found.

"At least he isn't dead." Dietrich offered cheerfully, finding amusement in the obvious uneasiness he had caused. He now had no obstacle between his beloved and himself, and felt quite pleased with his victory.

The blood drained from Gwen's cheeks as she heard this, a million scenarios of Dietrich killing Christoff popping into her head. Indeed she felt very queasy as she turned to Alyss.

"May I be excused?" She asked in a timid voice, wishing to leave the moment she could. Alyss could barely open her mouth before she was interrupted.

"Don't be so rushed, we haven't even gotten to the soup yet." The German Prince said matter-of-factly, still very joyful of the situation.

Inwardly, Gwen truly wondered how the man could be so cold-hearted, and with every passing moment she grew more and more certain that her beloved had been killed at his hands.

"And I have an announcement!" Lilianna cut in loudly, drawing all the attention to herself as she put down her fork to speak clearly. "I hear Lady Katheryn's mother is dreadfully sick."

At the mention of her name, the lady-in-waiting looked up and made brief eye contact with the princess, uneasy about where this was going.

"I think you should go visit her," The princess continued. "Some people don't get a chance to give proper goodbyes." She said, well-rehearsed compassion pouring into her voice as she looked into her lady's eyes with seeming sincerity.

"That- That's very kind of you your Majesty." Katheryn was utterly speechless by the uncommon behaviour of her mistress. Nonetheless, she couldn't say she hated this change of attitude and felt a certain relief.

"Yes, very kind indeed." Dietrich affirmed, looking at his sister puzzled as he sipped his wine. "Why though?"

Lilianna swiftly turned her head to her brother, staring him down. "Surely brother, you must remember how tragic our own mother's death was." She spoke so sharply and suddenly that her brother, unsure of how to react, hastily diverted his attention to his plate.

Everyone was silent for a moment. No one ever spoke of the late Queen's death, unable to ever brooch the subject without going too far.

"And Clare will accompany you there." Lilianna added with a smile. "No lady must travel alone." she added to backup her statement.

Clare seemed quite displeased by this by her sour look, but luckily didn't open her mouth to argue seeing her mistress's hot temper.

"Sister, that's hardly fair!" Dietrich protested, dropping his fork in turn to demonstrate his frustration.