A Daughter's Love - Book 2 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Nineteen

The king and his knights dined in the great hall with the baron, his knights, and the Chatelain family.

To the monarch's surprise, the children began to talk while they ate. They spoke of Jobyna, upstairs in bed, eating her meal, watched over by Mavis.

Elissa, remembering her husband's decree, realized the children were used to this time of conversation and decided she must support them. Turning to her husband, she asked. "How long will it take the doctor to arrive, my lord?"

The baron's eyes sparkled. Swallowing his mouthful, he answered, "Hopefully, he'll travel over tomorrow. It depends if he has any urgent cases to attend to."

Remembering Jobyna's faints, the baron said, "I can't fathom what ails the child ... she has no cough, and most of the time appears strong and healthy, if a bit small for her age... what do you think, Sire?"

The king, having swilled down a mouthful from his goblet, choked, and asked hoarsely, "What is this? Orange juice?"

"It's a mixture, Sire, apple and orange, with a dash of green ginger." Louis tried not to smile at his cousin's apparent bewilderment. He asked, "What say you about my daughter?"

"I say nothing, not until I have a drink fit for a man!" The king's face flushed. He clicked his fingers at the servants.

The baron leaned closer to his cousin's ear, "Sire, there is no wine. My 'preference' tipped it out, two weeks ago. The moat was a stronger flavor then, but now, I'm afraid it'd be a bit watery."

"You're mad!" the king exclaimed.

"I was," the host nodded before shaking his head, "But not any more. That fermented, mind-warping drug you call 'wine' was unfit for human consumption. No wonder I could never think straight to work on the intricate parts of the gizmo! No, Leopold, Sire, you won't find any drink in this house to befuddle your mind!

"We have very little crime in the village now; no deaths due to child or wife-beating because there's no longer any drunkenness in my district"

The king's face had grown redder and his ire rose more as Louis spoke.

The baron offered, "We have some very excellent new wine, Sire, if you wish to sample some?" It was Louis's turn to click his fingers to the nearest waiter who had heard the conversation.  

As King Leopold sampled the rich, sweet grape juice, he calmed himself, and said, "You really meant it, didn't you, Louis? Less crime, aye?" Throwing back his head, he laughed loudly, "You tipped it in the moat? I suppose you had a tasty eel pie that evening!"

Slapping his cousin's back, he continued, "Drunk eels, aye?"

The king did not know it, but both Louis and Elissa breathed silent prayers of thanks, in relief that this absolute monarch, who had total authority in Frencolia, had not taken away any of the baron's powers over his district. His displeasure could demote anyone, have them placed in bondage or sent to the dungeons.

Luke crept away from the great hall after the desserts had been served. He stole up the central stairs and ducked his head as he came in view by the top balustrade. Making his way along the corridor to his sisters' bedroom, he was pleased to hear Jobyna's voice, chatting to Mavis.

The little sister was as excited to see him as he was to see her. The servant-woman, glad of Luke's presence with the 'patient', moved off to partake of her own meal.

"I's not even sick now!" Jobyna declared, "I should a' been 'lowed up for dinner."

Luke saw the rosy hue of her cheeks and the brightness in her eyes. He agreed, "You don't look a bit sick, but you must be obedient and stay quiet. Father has sent for a doctor."