"Don't know why you are being so modest, my boy," Conall coaxed Ethyn, receiving a stern elbow in response from his wife. "You have a lovely voice," he finished with a pained expression as he held his stomach.
Blowing out her cheeks, Lily changed the subject. "Tell us about yourself, Haven."
Ethyn was very relieved to have the attention taken from him and directed toward the princess. He stared down at the large piece of cake, wondering exactly what the woman would tell them.
Rose shot a glance at the young knight, but he was of course no longer looking at her. For some reason this bothered the princess more than his prickly response a moment before.
Would Ethyn tell them that she no longer goes by the name Haven? Or worse, would he force everyone to call her by her formal title. Rose hoped not!
Looking at all the faces around her, Rose longed for these people to continue to treat her like one of the family. Would they suddenly become cold and distant if they knew, like most everyone else did in her presence?
Not if she could help it.
"I don't know where to begin. I don't know what Sean told you about my disappearance."
There was a look of confusion between Aiden, Aristos and a few of the others about who the girl was meaning. Silver immediately understood. "Haven has always called me that. It is my actual name."
"Well blow me over with a feather!" Conall had heard the little girl call Silver by that name for years, but always assumed it was a nickname. He reasoned that the little girl had been unable to say 'Silver" and had settled for the closest "s" name she could muster. His conclusion was incorrect. "Haven has barely spoken, and already I feel wiser," Conall joked.
Aiden rolled his eyes to the ceiling. "That takes barely any effort, mayor, especially with so much drink already in your belly. But soak it in; you need all the wisdom you can get.."
Katherine glared at both men to silence them, then turned an affectionate gaze on the guest of honor. "Silver did not tell us anything about your leaving, my dear."
Rose nodded. "Well, back then my brother and I were separated in Vayle. After that I was adopted by a kind man who raised me by himself. I have been living in Burke all this time. The will of the Fates, which kept us apart, now has seen fit to bring us together."
"But you have had a good life," Katherine said with a warm smile.
"It has been a most excellent life. I have no regrets except missing all of those I loved in Rynnlee. It is good to be here again and remember." Rose sighed happily.
"We are glad to have you back." Lily said. "Are you here to stay for good?"
"I hope not," Ethyn mumbled, realizing too late that it was aloud. He quickly followed up, "I mean, I am sure...Haven's... father would miss her terribly if she stayed away too long." The young knight had barely been able to say her name. "Besides," he added more confidently, "I am sure your 'excellent life' in the capital must require you to return."
'Is he referring to our upcoming dinner or something more?' "I will not miss any of my engagements, Sir Ethyn. Do not worry. I will be here only a few days before I return to Burke." She added hoping it would satisfy him.
"We will be happy to have you for as long as you can spare," Katherine assured her.
"So tell us, what is life like in the capital? I suppose city life is far superior to our humble existence." Conall took a big bite of cake and grinned.
"The parts of Burke I have seen are lovely. But the beauty of Rynnlee is beyond compare." Rose said honestly.
"You must not travel much then," Aiden chuckled. "The scenery here is not spectacular, but I agree that the company is second to none."
"You have caught me there. I do not travel much…" Rose looked at her brother. 'Hopefully I will still be able to after my little adventure.' "I spend most of my time in the castle."
"Castle! Do you work there?" Lily asked excitedly.
"I live there," Rose answered.
"Then you must know the princess!" Kai popped up from the ground and stared hopefully at the girl.
"She doesn't know the princess," again Ethyn's thoughts escaped his mouth in the form of a scoff. 'Ugh, I really need to get control of that mouth of mine.'
Conall clapped his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Haven may not know the princess as well as you do, Sir Samberg. I am not sure very many can claim that!"
"Stop talking," Ethyn begged the mayor.
Rose, who had been about to reveal her identity, narrowed her eyes at the red-headed man. "Oh? How well does our knight know Her Highness?"
"They are practically engaged," Conall announced with gusto. His arms swung wide, and his favorite mead sloshed from the cup in his fist.
"Don't exaggerate!" Ethyn held his face in his hand. He had let the old mayor think a lot of things, but nothing close to that.
"Come on, Ethyn. Let me brag on your behalf. Haven, surely you have heard about the rumors inside the castle. The king sent a herald here to personally invite this young man to dinner. Why else would he do such a thing except to find out his intentions with the beautiful princess?" Conall asked despite another elbow from his loving spouse.
"That is quite some speculation," the blonde young lady answered demurely.
Ethyn's face was burning brighter than his hair. He was both embarrassed and outraged. Rose's cheeks were also tinged with pink. What must she think of him?! He did not want to wait around to find out.
Ethyn stood up from his seat, his chair nearly tipping over from the sudden jolt. "If you will excuse me, I have things to which I need to attend. I hope you enjoy your stay, Haven. I will send my apologies to your father first thing in the morning. You do not have to worry about any engagement involving me."
He gave a curt bow and marched to the door. A Jack pierced his soft-soled boot, but he fought through the pain as he limped outside.
"What was all that about?" Conall asked, his mind slowed by his excellent liquor.
"They know each other," Lily gasped. "Is that why you ran earlier?"
It wasn't the exact reason that Rose had fled, but it was close enough. She looked down at the now empty doorway, unsure exactly how to feel. The man had maligned her more than once now, but he never defended his actions.
'What a strange man...'
"I don't understand," the mayor persisted. "Why did Ethyn mention your father, Haven."
Rose's attention was pulled from the door, but Silver answered on her behalf. "Because King Rhodri is her adopted father, you dimwit." The Guardian rubbed his forehead. "A fact she was trying to tell you delicately before you began to run your mouth."
"You mean Haven is actually Her Highness?" Conall began to look a little green. "I threw the lad in hot water, didn't I?"
"Yes, dear, you did," Katherine sighed. "Next time, listen to my nudging! But Haven is a sweet girl. I do not think she will hold the poor knight accountable for your drunken ramblings."
"You will still call me Haven?" Rose asked with a small smile.
"Of course! It is your name. I have been calling you that since you were knee high to a grasshopper and I won't stop unless you tell me to." Katherine watched with satisfaction as Rose relaxed.
"Thank you Katherine. That means a lot." The Princess could not have asked for a better outcome...well sort of.
Her eyes wandered to the doorway once more. "Perhaps you should go after him," she whispered to Silver, "he seemed pretty upset."
The Guardian shook his head. "Let him think things over for a bit and get a clear head. I will track him down once we have finished here and set him straight."
"What do you mean by 'set him straight'?" The princess eyed her brother carefully. His body was very tense, she realized.
"I mean I am going to find out exactly what happened between the two of you back at the palace and deliver the appropriate punishment." Silver's eyes flashed, and Rose realized he wasn't kidding.
"Don't do anything drastic." The man's sister squeezed his hand under the table.
"No promises..." The Guadian growled.
Rose tried not to panic. What exactly would her brother do when he knew the truth?