Francis stared at the window in his study, he was lost in thought, alot had happened since the last battle, there was an issue of the land, that was later resolved to his favor, and also something about a daughter?, the king later abolished the thought and she was no where to be found after the funeral, which he didn't attend, he had been ill with a strange sickness, he was sad for no reason, and had a great pain in his chest, according to the physician it was his heart?, he didn't understand, he was fine physically but he was very hurt, he felt hunger pangs, even when he just finished eating, his head was light almost all the time, and he felt like crying, in the first month it happened, he was scared, he didn't understand what was happening to him, so after the physician checked him, and found nothing, he couldn't help but remember the stupid witch at lithurm castle her words and everything, he was so sure it had some thing to do with her, he was not himself since that incident, and he had some unusual pains, with no injuries, he sighed, he had to hide his illness after a month, even from Theo, so his reputation as a feared tyrant won't be at risk, he claimed to be alright, he was scared people would think he had been cursed and perceive weakness that will prompt an attack, he just couldn't help but feel hopeless, so now, he wanted to meet the herb queen, and he didn't know why his uncle was hiding her from him, for two months now he had tried to see her, with no success he thought quietly, he may have to catch them at court, as it was open season soon, and his daughters were not married, he will attend with his wife to find suitors for his daughters according to his informants, since he refused to bulge, and was always evasive whenever he was asked to come pay him a visit, he was going to catch him unawares and what better way than to attend the open season, it was coming up soon, maybe early moments of December, he had to do something about meeting her, since she could cure almost everything maybe she would be able to discover what happened to him,
~At lithurm castle ~
Mary stepped out of the coach, and took a deep breath, she was wearing a black gown, it was a beautiful gown, that held her waist into a tiny fist, making her hips stand out, and had a tight corset, and bodice, that made her figure a well rounded eight, although she knew she was well endowed in the bust area, her hair was bound back, with some little tendrils allowed to run loose, her lips were painted with a little pink, and her face powdered, and a little color was added, she knew she looked fine, and she didn't really care, but James mother insisted she looked like some one coming from a decent home, as she departed their house, James promised to come see her as soon as she settled down, after she assured him that she would be fine on her own and that she wasn't scared, even if it was a lie, she never wanted to come back here, and alone?, never!, but James had told her that she shouldn't give up on her father's properties, and if the king asked her to provide her husband before giving her what was hers, he would stand in for her, he would marry her, and if she got her properties they will divorce and he will give her her father's lands as a gift, the thought was not pleasing to her, especially being married to him, but she agreed, because he told her that it was the only way she was going to have a fighting chance, she promised him to give him a feedback as soon as she gave it proper thought, and she saw his face change with emotion she didn't understand, but she was caught up in her grief she didn't care to find out more, she left with her things, and now seeing the home she grew up in, well it was strange without her father, she walked closer, and gasped in surprise, there was noise and singing coming from inside she fought to remain calm, taking a long calming breath, she walked to the door, but saw no one that was familiar, as she tried to walk in, a hand was held out, and she halted her steps, and glared at the owner, it was a chubby, red faced man,
"What do you want lass, he asked her, his breath smelling of alcohol, Mary seethed deep within her, but the training she had instilled in her won the battle, she looked at him calmly
"I live here, she said in a calm voice,
"Really, he snorted, I have never seen you, and we have orders not to allow just anyone in!, he retorted
"That shouldn't be for me, because I am not just anyone, I own this house , she said again
"Come on, I am trying to be respectful her, he said laughing, "Owen!, throw this wench out, she is crazy, he said walking back inside the house, as Mary went after him he shut the door on her face, she paused, and scoffed in disbelief,
"Ma'am, please step away from the door, Mary turned to see a young man, looking at her calmly, at least he seemed polite, she thought quietly..
"You must he Owen, please I have to go inside, it is my house and I have no where to go, she pleaded with him..
"Look, I can't help you, I respect women alot to drag you away, so leave on your own, he said with a hard voice, and Mary clenched her fists, "I am now a calm, classy lady, I don't throw tantrums, she repeated in her head, then she looked at him after controlling herself,
"Can I at least meet your master, the green eyed blonde monst.., master, she quickly corrected herself..
"Well you best go to Edinburgh castle, that is where his grace lives, Owen said again, as he stared at the beautiful woman in front of him, she was well endowed, and pretty, it was a pity she was in this situation, and he had a weakness for pretty ladies..
"Thank you Owen, I will remember your kindness she said as she walked back to her coach, and directed the coach man to take her to Edinburgh castle, she had to meet the devil!
~At Winslow castle~
Simon sat with lady Dorcas in the hall, she was deep in thought and so was her husband...
"I can't think of anyone we haven't asked to come for our daughter, we have invited all the young men around, and all was declined!, lady Dorcas whined to her husband
"Same here, and it's all your fault, you give them too much food, so they are so fat!, if not for the herbs Naya gives them, they would be the size of a mare, Simon said closing his eyes, he wished he had a beauty like Naya...
"Don't blame it on me, they are your children too, I can't believe our eldest has seen twenty summers and still has no husband, lady Dorcas said almost in tears
"Aye, I worry alot, but this open season, I will make sure I announce her inheritance as well, if they hear of the money I set aside for them, they will be the hottest, Simon assured his wife, and she nodded
"Thank you my love!, she said happily, now we have to get the best silks, and jewelries, so they can stand out!, they have to be the best dressed, she gushed happily
"Yes, now money is not a problem, he said smiling..,
"What about Naya, is she going with us?, lady Dorcas asked,
"Yes, we can't risk leaving her here, and besides her rake of a brother won't attend, so it's safe for her to come, but of course she won't be coming out with our daughters, he said
"Of course that is not even an option, she will take all the suitors if she did that, her beauty is unmatched!, Lady Dorcas said enviously..,
"It's no matter, what our daughters lack in beauty, I will make up for in wealth, he said and his wife smiled with him.
"With that being said, let us get those fitting started, she said, as she went to get her daughters...