helpless ❧ morgana

iii.

As Yolanda sat in the carriage across from her father and brother, she drew in a shuddered breath as Woodworth left her view. She told herself to be strong and not cry because one day she would return to her home. Her handmaiden, Cordelia, was silently sobbing.

Leopold looked at Cordelia. He had no idea why she was crying so much because her life at Woodworth was awful from what he could tell. From what he could tell, she lost everything she loved there. He wasn't sure why she would've been sad leaving, if he was her he would be thankful. However, that's exactly what Cordelia was - thankful.

Mostly, the rest of the ride was silent and smooth. For the majority of the journey, Cordelia was knitting the Woodworth crest onto tapestry. Yolanda tried to read a book about Camelot, but her thoughts continued to return to Woodworth. Leopold tried to imagine himself becoming great friends with Arthur Pendragon and riding into battle with him, but he couldn't stop thinking about Loran. Reynaud decided that he was no longer going to mourn leaving his kingdom and instead tend to some letters ad commands given to him by neighboring kingdoms.

By the time they arrived at Camelot, the sun was almost finished setting. While Woodworth was some ways away, it wasn't too far. They rode into the courtyard of the castle before dismounting from the carriage. They were escorted into the throne room by two friendly knights.

Inside the throne room, Uther Pendragon sat on his throne with Morgana and Arthur flanking him on both sides. As they entered the room, Cordelia left Yolanda's side and stood beside the prince and ward's servants - a young man with dark brown / blackish hair and a young woman with curly dark brown hair. The court physician stood across the room from the servants, a girl with striking red hair by his side. The Hellens continued to walk, Yolanda and Cordelia locking eyes before they all bowed.

"Uther Pendragon, it's good to see you!" Reynaud exclaimed after bowing.

"I can say the same for you, old friend!" Uther smiled.

As the two men conversed, Yolanda noticed that Arthur was looking her up and down. Morgana was doing the same to Leopold. The ward and prince obviously knew about the arranged marriage, The two siblings turned to each other, Leopold gave her a reassuring smile and pat on the back.

"I feel uncomfortable," Yolanda whispered to her brother.

"You're not alone, trust me."

The siblings turned back to face the front of the room, Yolanda and Morgana making eye contact for a short while. The siblings listened to the conversation between the men, not really interested until Uther brought them both up.

"Ah, ad here are your two healthy children! You have quite a beautiful daughter and your son is strong an healthy!" Uther looked at Arthur who was slowly nodding his head, considering what his father said.

"Thank you, sir." Reynaud smiled.

"Why don't we go off somewhere else and let everyone become acquainted with one another!" Uther suggested.

"That sound good, don't you think?" Reynaud looked at his children. They both nodded.

After the two kings left the room, everyone was left standing in quietness. That was until the Court Physician talked to his servant in which she responded with a nod. The girl walked over to Cordelia and the other two servants and started a conversation with them.

Leopold stood fumbling his fingers, looking anywhere but in front of him. Yolanda did the same except she twisted her hair. There was more awkward silence between the royals before Morgana sighed.

"Might as well get this over with," She mumbled as she walked over to Leopold. Arthur watched Morgana begin to talk to the boy before sighing and walking over to Yolanda.

Yolanda curtseyed as the prince walked over to her.

He laughed, "You don't have to do that anymore."

"Thank god," Yolanda sighed.

Arthur smiled, "How was your travel?"

"It was surprisingly really well! I expected it to be a lot worse, if I'm being totally honest."

He laughed again. He was going to say something before he was interrupted by Morgana.

"Why don't you go talk to Prince Leopold, let me talk to the princess."

Arthur considered this before turning to Yolanda, "I hope to learn more about you, princess." Yolanda nodded as Arthur turned around and left her alone with Morgana.

"Hello, Princess Yolanda." Morgana smiled and Yolanda returned the act.

"You don't have to call me princess, by the way. Yolanda's perfectly fine."

"Morgana's good for me too. Anyways," Morgana took her by the elbow and led her away from Arthur and Leopold, who were currently debating the best fighting techniques. "How do like Camelot so far?"

"Well, we haven't been here that long so I don't really know what to think about it, but it isn't as cozy as home. It will do, though."

Morgana nodded a little. "What do you think about the whole arranged marriage situation? Personally, I think it's absolute rubbish!" Morgana looked around and tensed up a bit before she continued talking, "I hope this doesn't offend you or anything, but I do not want to marry Leopold!"

Yolanda laughed and Morgana relaxed again. "If I were you, I definitely wouldn't want to marry Leopold! I hate it as well. I know I'm supposed to be swooning over Arthur, but I'm so disinterested in him, it's crazy!"

Morgana softly chuckled, "He'll be happy to hear that!"

Yolanda furrowed her brows, "Why is that?"

Morgana raised an eyebrow and pointed at the red haired servant, "He's already got his eyes on someone else."

Yolanda sighed, "That's a relief!"

"What do you think about Uther?" Morgana suddenly asked, catching Yolanda off-guard with the strange question.

"He doesn't seem too bad. I don't really know what to think of him, since I haven't had a chance to talk to him."

Morgana rolled her eyes, "Trust me, he's the most dreadful man I know."

After she said that, Uther stepped into the room, Reynaud not far behind him. They announced that they were to have dinner soon.

Morgana turned to Yolanda after the two left again, "I hope we can become great friends!"

Yolanda nodded, "Me too." But there was something in her that wanted to be more than just friends.