A Chosen Love - Book 1 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Twelve

 Two days later, Dorai arrived back in Samdene. This time, he sought out Samuel and requested to speak with him and Jane, alone. 

"I've been commanded not to speak about the matter of the 'practical joke' with you two, but I will, however, say one thing. It's unforgivable that you supported Louis in his madness. Due to all this ridiculous folly, I've been given a royal reprimand and deemed no longer the legal guardian of my own sister. The ironical truth is that none of you knows the truth. Not even that Chang man!"

Dorai paced across the floor of the office, struggling to control his frustration and hurt. "I've requested to be matched with Louis at the next joust. It's in four weeks, in Frencberg. As far as I'm concerned, the betrothal is off! I'll never have that man as a brother-in-law; never!"

A triumphant gleam replaced Dorai's anger as he announced, "Prince Leopold is interested in Elissa, and he speaks of betrothal and marriage. If I win the tournament, I'll force Louis to surrender his betrothal papers to the prince. That is, of course, if my opponent survives!"

"But Prince Leopold is already betrothed." Jane's sympathy was for her niece, caught in this web of intrigue.

"The prince told me it's no secret that Lady Estelle loves someone else. You must know this... the unspoken secret? In the past, it's been a sore point with the prince. He told me Estelle and he have been like brother and sister since her parents died and she came to live at Court. But the friendship ends there and Lady Estelle is in love with one of the prince's knights. We all know his name. The law reads that if both parties agree to annul the betrothal, this can be done. With Estelle, it would be a simple matter; Elissa's annulment is dependent upon Louis agreeing. With a little persuasion, he'll agree."

"Who then, has been appointed Elissa's legal guardian?" Jane felt fearful of the answer, but breathed a sigh of relief when her nephew answered.

"You, Aunt Jane. It's the law that the next of kin..." Dorai paused, and a shadow passed over his face, "I've been declared unfit! The prince said you know the details of my so-called misdeeds..."

He bowed his head, knowing they placed all blame on him. He thought of his sister and said, "It will be punishment enough not to have Elissa back in Leroy. It's our home..."

"If Prince Leopold marries Elissa, then she'll be the next queen of Frencolia!" Samuel voiced their thoughts.

Dorai's countenance changed to that of happy pride as he agreed, saying, "Yes. That's what I'll keep my mind upon. It's a great honor, and I can bear my own shame for that reason. My sister will be kept too busy to grieve and she'll have too many people around her to be depressed."

"Then in one way, Louis has done you a great favor," Jane said fervently, "you'll be the brother of the queen. Leopold will have his way; Louis will survive and will continue being the great shining knight of the kingdom. The only one who is unable to have what she wants, is Elissa. Being related to royalty is not all there is to life, Dorai, why don't you spare some thoughts for your sister and her needs?"

Jane noticed her nephew's face cloud over again and the aunt pleaded, "She wants to go home. Elissa thinks of you only as having treated her with great kindness and she wants only to be with you."

"Elissa can't return to Leroy! The prince is sending Rao Chang to accompany her to Frencberg. You'll have to tell her, Jane. The prince requested that you and Samuel travel with Elissa and see her settled at Court. You're to stay as long as she needs you." Dorai struggled to hide his emotions. "I... I... did not want to see Elissa this time. I'll leave for Leroy now. Tell Elissa I'll be coming to Frencberg for a joust and I'll see her then."