Valiant Valerie (the Ballad of Valerie of Mor Book 1)

Chapter Two

Valerie stood in front of the mirror, the smiling face of Jeanna at her right shoulder, and inspected herself. The gown fit perfectly, as she had expected it would given the royal seamstress' talents. The gown was a startling shade of green that matched her eyes and on it sparkled ruby and topaz, which set her dark auburn hair ablaze.

"Don't you think it clings a little much to my torso?" Valerie asked, twisting in an effort to see the back of her gown, but all she could see were more folds of cloth.

Jeanna's tinkling laugh tickled her neck. "It no more clings than mine, nor anyone else's and you look wonderful. It is a shame you spend your days in men's clothes and do not show your lovely figure more often."

Valerie rolled her eyes. She loved Jeanna like a sister, but she was such a...girl. She thought beauty and flattery were far more important than brains and ability. Valerie hated it, but, at times like this, she also envied Jeanna's innate ability to be what everyone else considered a proper lady. Valerie forced a smile.

"And take all the attention away from you, my queen. Never."

Jeanna laughed. "Valerie, you can be a lady and a knight, you know." She fiddled with a lock of Valerie's hair that had escaped what must be hundreds of pins.

"Jeanna, you are the queen of Mor. You can do whatever you want to do." Valerie fiddled with the gems at her throat. "I'm a knight, or I will be. I don't have time to be a lady. And, even if I did, I wouldn't know how to be a lady."

Jeanna hugged her fiercely. "You would be surprised how much of a lady you are."

Jeanna took Valerie's hand and, together, they walked to the doors of the Great Hall, followed by Jeanna's four lady's maids and two guards. Outside the door waiting for them, were Edmond, Valerie's father Henry, and a maid who was holding Edmond and Jeanna's son, Daniel. Edmond and her father both smiled warmly at Valerie and Jeanna. Henry nodded to Valerie and she knew he was proud of her. Valerie could hear music coming from the other side of the door.

"You both look beautiful," Edmond said, kissing Jeanna on the cheek.

"Where are the other council members?" Valerie asked.

"This entrance is family only." Her father smiled, putting an arm around her shoulders. She put her head on his chest, the headache of the hundred pins already beginning.

Edmond nodded to the guard at the door and Jeanna took baby Daniel from his nurse. The guard knocked on the door and a few moments later the music stopped and the doors were pulled open from inside.

Heat wafted out and Valerie regretted the long sleeves on her dress, but at least the neckline was not horribly high. Behind the herald and guards, Valerie saw the hall decked out in more decorations that she had ever seen, even for Edmond and Jeanna's wedding. The chandeliers burnt bright and garlands of flowers hung from them and the columns. Valerie could see the tops of people's heads. Tiaras and hairpieces winked in the candlelight.

"Are you ready?" Henry asked Edmond. He nodded, suddenly sombre.

Henry nodded in return and took his place at the doorway. Valerie stood beside him. Jeanna and Edmond stood behind them. Henry took his daughter's hand and squeezed it gently before placing it around his arm. Valerie felt very self-conscious and smoothed her skirts unnecessarily. Her father patted her hand and kissed her head.

The herald looked to them and, seeing they were ready, turned to the gathered crowd.

"Announcing Prince Henry Redford, Duke of Merrimont, and his daughter, the Princess Valerie."

Valerie cringed inwardly, but allowed her father guide her through the doors. There was a polite smattering of applause and Valerie desperately searched for Jonathan's friendly face. As she searched, she passed over the faces of her fellow trainee knights. Stupid Lord Dermot deWynstryngham was looking smug and talking to Lord Albert Danvers and Lord Peter Fewler. Valerie was not sure that his entire lack of interest in her entrance was a good thing and she found herself wishing he would look at her.