The Second Day of the Month of Palefrost
The Riverlove Mansion.
Xyla Riverlove smiled at the maiden that offered to help remove her shawl,
"Thank you, Meredith. Is father still home or has he left to work?"
"Mr. Riverlove is still at home, Xyla," the young girl responded, taking the
shawl off Xyla's shoulders, "He asked about you and we have informed
him that you had to visit the house of Lady Lelliette for tea."
Xyla nodded, "Has father asked about my morning trip to the palace?"
Meredith shook her head no, her pretty red pigtails bouncing with the
motion, "No, Xyla. He did not inquire much about it."
Xyla shrugged, a hand brushing down the wrinkles on her beautiful dress.
"I suppose it is his trust in the Royal Family and their warm ways."
Meredith nodded, "Will you be changing out of your gown?"
"Yes, please, Meredith. Would you like me to help with your language
lessons once I'm done?"
Meredith turned to Xyla with a look of extreme gratitude, "Yes, Xyla. Mr.
Riverlove's lessons never cease to confuse me."
Xyla laughed as she ascended the stairs with her maid and friend, "That's
rather rude! Father taught me all those years ago! They were fine."
Meredith only shook her head in dismay making Xyla laugh harder.
There was a scurry of activity below them and the ladies turned around to
see the Headmaid make an appearance at the landing.
"M-Ms. Riverlove!"
"Vianne?"
She was flushed in the face, "It is the crown prince come to see you. He
says he wouldn't be long?"
"Wha- what?" Xyla's heart did a flip, "The crown prince? Do you mean the
second- Ellio?"
"No, Ms. Riverlove, it is the crown prince Augustus. He says he is here to
speak to you."
"Wha- but," Xyla blushed and her fingers clutched at the fabric of her
dress, "is it to see father? It can't be me, Vianne!"
Vianne's tone became stern, "You will not keep Prince Augustus waiting,
Ms. Riverlove. And you will do well to stop fidgeting with your dress in
that unsightly manner!"
Xyla flinched at the tone and swallowed.
Why was the prince here to see her? Had she ever spoken to him in person
before despite spending so much of her time at the palace with Elliot?
She hurried down the stairs as the maidens cooed over her to set her hair
aright before quickly pushing her into the expansive sitting room of the
mansion.
She stopped the moment she saw him standing beside the chair.
He had not seen her yet.
His hair was a disheveled mess, strands flung back from his forehead. His
back was straight, shoulders broad and head held high as he stared at the
walls of the sitting room.
Her heart began to pound at the proximity at which they stood, him clearly
tired but still stunning to see in person.
She stepped closer and he turned to look at her, his eyes lighting up and
smile grazing his lips quickly, "Ah, Xyla!"
Xyla thought she might faint.
She had harbored a dangerous crush on the eldest prince from the moment
her tiny self had seen him years before. Years before he had become
stunningly handsome, years before he had charmed the entire kingdom into
falling in love with him, years before he had become every lady's fantasy
husband.
His serene, happy smile had caught her off guard several times, the hard
work he put into his studies, how seriously he took his duties and the warm
and engaging way he treated the people around him had stolen her heart
and held it inescapable.
"Y-your highness," She made an elegant bow, thankful for the classes in
etiquette Vianne had grilled into her bones.
Augustus laughed before bowing as well, "Surely we don't need to go
through these traditions. We hardly keep them up at the palace within
family."
Xyla glowed when he said the last word, "Thank you."
The prince smiled, causing her to blush, "Vianne says you wished to speak
to me. Is it my father you wish to speak with?"
Augustus shook his head quickly, his expression sobering, "I'm sorry to
intrude so suddenly without an advance intimation, Xyla."
Xyla felt her heart soar every time he said her name, "It's no worry at all,
sire!"
"Oh, call me Augustus. I know you call Elliot by name," his happy smile
returned.
Xyla swallowed before nodding.
What dream was this?
The prince's smile faded as he began to speak, "I would like your assistance
in something, Xyla."
Xyla nodded calmly, excited on the inside, "Of course, anything I am able!"
He smiled quickly before continuing, "I must return to the palace quickly
so I will not be taking much time. Please express to your father how
incredibly sorry I am that I could not see him to speak but I only require
your help."
His voice dropped to a whisper as he continued, "I would like your help in
something that concerns Elliot."
Xyla's eyes widened, "Is this the marriage you've arranged for him?"
"He-," Augustus paused before looking at her in surprise. A single eyebrow
rose as he sobered, a hand moving up to massage his neck, "He's told you
already, has he?"
Xyla blushed when she felt his eyes watch her, "I- well, we spoke today
after a long time and-,"
Augustus nodded, "I understand. I am sure the recent events must have
been hard on you two. I'm happy he was able to share things with you."
Xyla felt her heart drop.
Augustus probably had the biggest blow dealt to him with the blossom not
giving him any powers.
She opened her mouth to speak but stopped. What would she say to him?
Augustus shook his head before smiling, "I have a favour to ask of you,
Xyla. I've arranged for Elliot to be engaged to a rather lovely girl from the
town of Edgecraft."
Xyla nodded.
"The maiden is a hardworking, beautiful lady and she would suit him. I
have promised to take care of her family in return for her hand in marriage
to Elliot."
Xyla nodded again, wondering what the girl was like. Nothing like Aldith
she hoped.