Rose was just as shocked as Ethyn to see two extra dinner guests. 'Father did not mention them at all!' The princess looked past the knight on whose arm she hung toward her lady-in-waiting. "Cait? Why are they here?"
It seemed quite rude, but the trio was still far enough away from the others that their hushed whispers could not be overheard just yet.
"I guess this was your father's solution to our discussion last night..." Caitlyn had no other explanation.
"Discussion?" Ethyn was confused. Why was Rose's lady-in-waiting having a talk with a king? "Are these additional suitors?"
"Additional?" Caitlyn raised one eyebrow congenially.
"Hush!" Rose blushed. She spoke rapidly to explain to Ethyn. "I complained to my father that he was trying to marry me off too quickly, and so it seems he took action."
"Ah so these men are supposed to be my competition, understood." The young knight smiled as the princess jerked his elbow.
Rose responded icily, "If this is a competition, then you are already two points behind. For they were both on time and seem to know better than to run in the palace halls. In fact…"
"My darling Rose! I am so happy to see that you have come across our final guest. We were beginning to worry about you, Sir Ethyn!" King Rhodri stood from the table as did the two beside him. The three men abandoned their chairs and traveled around the table to greet the newcomers.
"Rather it was Sir Ethyn who came across me, Father. He saw my distress at being late, and decided to help me make the last part of the journey." Rose released the knight's arm and curtsied as she neared.
Thankfully her two shadows had fallen back with the other guards by the entry, or her words would have been betrayed by their amused faces.
As it was, Caitlyn used the fan which was hanging from her wrist to cover her grin.
Rhodri held out his arms to embrace his daughter. "I am most glad you have been safely ushered here, then, my Rose. I would indeed be lost without you. Sir Samberg, you have my gratitude."
"It was nothing, I assure you," Ethyn bowed deeply. He had jokingly asked the princess to rescue him from the embarrassment of being late, but she had taken it a step further and made him look like a hero. "Indeed, it was the princess who saved me."
"Such modesty! I love to see that in the men that serve me. Let others give you honor without grasping for it yourself." Rhodri was the kind of king who honored hard work over status at birth.
If he saw promise in someone, he would do his best to promote that person both personally and professionally. While it was an admirable trait, Borit had exploited this quality in the king to get his position. The king was too decent to see the Commander's deceit for what it was.
"My dear, Lady Caitlyn and Sir Samberg, you all know Sir Ashton. He came just this morning to receive an assignment for the Lakilian border, and I just couldn't resist getting to know him a little better."
From beside the king, Sir Ashton gave a bow to the ladies. "It is a pleasure to be here. I am not sure I have ever gotten so high an honor."
"Are you acquainted with Sir Ultrian?" Rhodri asked Ethyn.
The redhead furrowed his brow. "I don't believe I have had the pleasure."
If Sir Ashton was considered perfectly handsome, then the blonde, muscular Ultrian was otherworldly. Ethyn struggled to find fault in the man's chiseled face, and undoubtedly failed. 'Glad this is not a competition of looks,' Ethyn thought dejectedly, 'because I would lose!'
"The pleasure is mine," Ultrian said stiffly. His face barely changed as he spoke, like some human porcelain doll.
"Ultrian paid a visit to court today, and I know how fond you are of him, Rose. It seemed like a perfect opportunity for you two to catch up." Rhodri explained the whole thing like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"I am shocked you did not invite Lord Quarto or even Baron Horst or the Duke, Cyneric," Rose narrowed her gaze at her father.
Rhodri stroked his chin. "If I had known that you would like to see them, I would have happily obliged. Perhaps next week…"
"One dinner at a time, Father, thank you!" The princess side stepped the king's jovial threat.
"Yes, yes, well said," Rhodri took the reproach gracefully. "Shall we be seated? Sir Ethyn, as you came into town by my summons, you shall have the seat to my right. Sir Ultrian, as the more senior knight, will of course be at my left. As I said before, Sir Ashton, I mean you no disrespect."
"I am just honored to have been invited at all, Your Majesty." Ashton was the picture of humility.
"Splendid!" Behind the king, all the others followed to take their positions. Rose had planned to take the position next to Sir Ethyn, but then her father pulled out the seat between Ultrian and Ashton. "Allow me," he said, motioning to the princess.
The blonde thought to object, but what real objection had she? Hadn't Rose asked not to be paired with Sir Ethyn? This was her own fault.
She could almost swear the redheaded knight was grinning at her misfortune. Prickling at his apparent amusement, Rose accepted Sir Ashton's outstretched hand to lead her to her seat. She would make the best of the situation and not let Ethyn see her fail at playing a gracious hostess.
"I look forward to continuing our conversation from the ball," the princess smiled at Ashton sweetly. "I found your thoughts most enlightening."
Ashton handed Rose into her seat, kissing her hand respectfully before releasing it. "Then my thoughts you shall have, Your Highness. Though I doubt they will be as amusing without the dancing to distract us."
"Dancing is always a welcome distraction, I must admit. What about you, Sir Ultrian. How do you feel about dancing?" Rose tried to be polite.
"As I am an adequate dancer and a decent musician, I feel that I can say…dancing is an adequate and decent way to pass the time." Ultrian answered as he stood behind his own chair gallantly.
"Such an unbiased statement." Rose pressed her lips together, unsure what else to say. She looked to her father who nodded.
Taking his seat, Rhodri motioned for the rest of the company to join him. "I hope you all are as hungry as I am."
With a raise of the king's hand in a circular motion, servants appeared from a side room with more platters than Ethyn could easily count. It was so much exquisite food for so few people.
"We will have all your favorite dishes!" Rhodri said to his daughter. "I could not settle on just one now that you are feeling better."
"You are too kind." Rose watched the food pile high on her plate by each of the passing servants. Soon there was not a speck of the silver plates to be seen under the mountain of food. There was no way she could eat so much in front of the men. It was unlikely she could eat so much ever. Even the knights, who would not want to be rude and deny the king's hospitality, would struggle to finish what was before them.
After the king took his first bite, the others dug into the plates.
"How do you find the food, Sir Ashton?" Rose inquired when she saw how quickly the man was making the chicken on his plate become only a memory.
"If I am quite honest, Your Highness, it is one of the best things I have ever tasted." Ashton answered, his hand at the ready to take another bite.
"And you Sir Ultrian?" the princess turned to her other side.
"It is indeed quite adequate," Ultrian agreed.
"And I suppose it is also decent?" Rose looked at him innocently.
"That was the other word that came to mind, yes!" Ultiran looked slightly surprised. Although it was hard to tell for sure, because his perfect face barely changed from one expression to the other.
"And how do you find the fare..." Rose looked to Sir Ethyn, but he seemed quite engrossed with Lady Caitlyn next to him. Their feverish conversation was in too low of a tone for her to overhear.
The princess's face pinched. 'What could they possibly be discussing?' Rose returned her attention to Sir Ashton. Her cheeks reddened. If Ethyn was going to enjoy his dinner partner, so would she.