Chapter twenty three: where is she?
The maids and the menservants of the Namura castle have been working nonstop for days. The floor had to be spotless and the windows, cobweb free. The hall way had to be decorated and the kitchen had to be well stocked.
At the end of the passageway, two menservants tried to fold the royal curtains but it just kept slipping. It was too heavy and would require additional help but there was no help in sight.
Tomorrow was the last day of the tournament of knights and four lucky strong young males would do their noble house proud and join the realm of knights and become the king's knights.
Only noble families were allowed to compete and only the toughest make it through. From age five, boys of the noble houses learn how to wield a sword in the hopes that they can prove their worth and join the knights. At age fifteen, they compete in the tournament of knights.
People talked about the tournament of knights any chance they got. The young fighters were expected to cover their faces during the fight. They were all housed in separate quarters with no ties to the outside world or family. They were only allowed menservants and cooks.
People talked mostly about the red knight. He hasn't lost a single fight since the tournament begun. He fought swiftly and gallantly. He caught the attention of everyone who was in attendance. Even though people showed up each day of the tournament week, Today would have the highest number.
Ten bravest Knights would fight for the four spots on the realm of knights. Only the bravest of the brave would make it through and be unveiled before everyone and everyone wanted to see the face of the red knight.
It was a week when the kingdom feasted and celebrated with surplus food and drinks except the maids and menservants, children of the poor who had to break their back to make sure everything was in order.
A black haired girl of about Twenty years of age walked with a troubled face. She was a governess and wasn't required to do any menial works yet she wished it was her job description right that second.
A younger girl with huge bosom walked hurriedly behind the black haired girl and she had the same touch of panic as the girl.
"Annabelle, where are we going to find her?" The huge bosom girl asked the black haired girl called Annabelle.
"I don't know, Edith. But we shall find milady before the king summons her"
Annabelle wanted to sound hopeful but her voice wavered a little bit. She was panicking already. The bell bearer rang the first bell and Annabelle stopped midway with a frozen expression.
"Was that t-the king's ring?" Edith asked with a panicked voice.
"Yes Edith, yes...you know it was" Annabelle was close to losing her temper. She was trying to figure out where her lady was and she had no time for stupid questions from a panicked maid.
"But if that's the king's ring then the king is ready to humble his people with his majestic presence and where is my lady?" Edit asked again.
Annabelle simply ignored her and carried on walking. She had about two more bell rings to find her charge and return her to her rightfully position which was on a low chair beside the king's throne.
"I heard that the king had my lady's last two governesses executed for failing to produce my lady when the king summoned her. Will that happen to us, Annabelle? I should put on suitable clothing if I am going to be beheaded, right?" Edith blabbered on
"Edith, Shut your mouth please. I am trying to think and who told you those lies?" Annabelle asked her.
The last two governesses were not executed; they were simply demoted to water maids. And hurling water to rooms in the castle was so difficult, Annabelle would chose beheading.
"It's nobody's fault that the girl is a handful. It is not a bit wonder that her mother left" Edith said spitefully.
"Edith! Have you lost your thinkers! You shall call her, my lady or her majesty! And the king will surely have your head if he gets whiff of your blasphemy, girl!"
Annabelle scurried on the slippery hall in search of her charge.
"My lady...my lady" she called out in a renewed panic as the second bell ring was sent out through the kingdom.
She looked out the window of the castle and her beautiful brown eyes fell on the open space filled with people, waiting patiently for their king to come. She could not believe the turnout of people who came far and near to behold with their eyes, the tournament of knights.
At the third ring, Annabelle exhaled intensely. It was finally over. Life as a water maid was not so far from her future.
"It's the third ring, Annabelle. The king is here! The king is here! What shall we do?" Edith jumped up and down like squirrel. It almost made Annabelle smile.
"What shall we do Edith, you ask? We shall sit by the window and feast our eyes of fine young men. I for one shall enjoy my last hour as an upper class maid" Annabelle smiled brightly at Edith with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I shall too, Annabelle"
Annabelle hurried down to the open space and found herself an empty spot to sit. Her eyes widened as the chant for the great king of Namura begin.
"All hail the king! All hail the king! All hail the king!"
King Jared of Namura kingdom made his way to the tournament arena. He was one of those kings his subjects actually loved. It was rare but King Jared was a fair king and he punished both the noble houses and the lower classes of his kingdom the same. He was tall, almost a giant with golden hair and strong facial qualities. The king was a handsome man in his youth and even in his current age, he was more handsome than most men.
He wore his knightly regalia, his armor and his sword. He was one of the greatest warrior king ever known, only second to his late father king James. But unlike him, his late father, King James was a tyrant.
King Jared stood by the entrance of the royal hall and waited to be officially announced before he took a step into the arena. All royalty had to be announced by title and name before they are allowed to enter the arena. It was just one of the numerous rules of the Namura kingdom.
"King Jared of Namura"
As soon as the royal announcer called his name, he made his way to his seat, among the cheers of his subjects.
"Prince Elliott of Namura"
A young version of King Jared emerged. He had manly peppered stubble with eyes that held a glint of curiosity. He had a devil-may-care attitude and a stellar smile. He had a lighter shade of gold hair than the king and defined cheekbones. He moved with a leopard-like grace and an earthly scent swirl around him. He was conventionally handsome and he knew it.
The crown prince made his way to his seat among cheers which was considerably lower than the king's. The ladies rolled their eyes and barely rubbed their hands together. He was a skirt chaser.
Elliott looked around with a smirk on his face before taking his seat beside his father.
"Princess Arabella of Namura"
A sunrise-gold haired girl dressed in a beautiful white gown made of the finest furs and silks emerged. Her dress had golden threads at the rim with the finest jewelry and a tiara on her head walked into the Arena. She had a shapely body with a wasp-waisted and upright posture.
Her face was like an angel with honey sweet lips. Most noble men fantasize that her lips were lilac soft. She wore her smile with elegance.
Her nose was dainty and her eyes sea blue with velvet eyebrows that enchanted all of Namura and far beyond the kingdom. Princess Arabella of Namura was the most beautiful princess in all of the seven kingdoms of the Eastern hemisphere if not around the world.
She took her seat at the left hand side of her father. Since the Queen was banished from Namura, Arabella had taken the left side of her father. At sixteen years of age, she has grown popular all over the kingdom and beyond for her beautiful looks and head for politics. Everyone including Arabella knew that one day she would be married off to one of the royal families preferably a king to solidify an alliance and bring her father greater wealth, lands, influence and power.
"Princess Jamie of Namura"
The crowd cheered as they waited patiently for the last princess of Namura to take her seat beside her father.
The announcer looked at the entrance but no one entered. He looked uncomfortable and decided to announce her again.