Noble Blood

Chapter XV - Condemnation

"He's here!" Alyss squealed, running into her room where Gwendolyn and Evie sat sewing intently. At their friend's sudden entrance, both girls jumped and looked up from their work wide-eyed.

"Your father?" Evie asked, noting that was the only plausible cause for the princess to squeal in such manner.

"I heard the trumpets, he mustn't be far now!" She exclaimed, jumping up and down frantically. Her smile reached her ears as she squealed once more, causing her ladies-in-waiting to burst out laughing.

"Alyss?" Lilianna's solemn voice interrupted the joyful party as she entered the room through the open door. All three maidens abruptly stopped their laughter and turned to look at her sternly.

"Are you ready? The welcoming ceremony will begin soon and you must be in the Main Courtyard." She declared quickly, shooing her younger sister out the door. Alyss quickly took her shawl and ran out of the room.

"As for you two," Lilianna added looking at Gwendolyn and Evie with a bored expression, "You aren't to leave this room until instructed to do so. You aren't needed at dinner and Bertha will bring you your meals here." She ended her statement with a smirk at the girls' displeased expression.

Gathering her skirts, the Princess turned on her heel without another glance at them. Quickly catching up with her little sister, she aligned between Lady Anne and the stern looking Dietrich.

It was obvious he would have preferred his father never to return. Given the present circumstances however, his solemn expression stemmed from anticipation to see the old King after such a long period of time.

The Prince may have been very power-thirsty, but his father was his idol and he held a lot of respect for the conquerer.

The trumpets sounded once more as all the villagers cheered louder. The royal carriage finally entered the Main Courtyard followed by the many German soldiers left from the battle. Indeed, the German army was known for its impressive numbers and strategy.

"His Royal Highness King Hendrick the second, sovereign the German Empire!" A crier announced as a footman opened the carriage door. Everyone gathered on the Courtyard was tense having not seen the King in so long.

A middle-aged man stepped out of the carriage with ease, looking up at the castle contently before turning to his children. "Hmph." He declared as he eyed each of them before walking towards the palace doors.

Everyone bowed as he passed, the guards saluting their ruler and the servants curtsying in their best aprons.

"It's soon nightfall." Hendrick stated plainly before turning to Lady Anne, "Where's the banquet?" He asked in a demanding tone.

"Right this way, Your Majesty." The elderly woman said cheerfully as she rushed behind him to lead him into the Grand Hall. She had spent the past two days sleeplessly organising every minute detail.

"Splendid welcoming ceremony." Lilianna muttered sarcastically with an eye roll, before lifting her skirts and following the suite inside. Like her sister, the Princess only stayed for the first part of the banquet. After that, the men remained to drink and party while the ladies retired from the assembly into their chambers.

Though Alyss had remained quiet the entire time, she was internally clapping and squealing when she saw her father exit the carriage. Though he seemed to have considerably aged, he remained very strong and showed no sign of declining health.

"Let the festivities begin!" The King announced gravely as he reached for his wine cup and greedily drank it all down. Dietrich followed suite, taking example on everything his father did.