[40 minutes before "the incident" in the palace of Takèif]
Lady Radelaine with a wide eye of startling and confusing surprise bowed as the royals passed by them.
The princess smirked at the revelation she did. The lady never really knew she was talking to the princess back then.
Everybody found their seat next to their family. As Radelaine sat on her chair, whilst still couldn't believe she was a princess, she looked ahead and found that the person sitting at the table across from her found her eyes. It wasn't that he was staring or that she was staring but it came to be to anyone else in the hall if they have happen to see them, was staring. It was Lord Phraselm across the table. It was hard not to look but Radelaine looked away still. She can't believe she just chose this seat. Thinking of it made her self-aware.
"I am of gratitude that the people of Takèif responded to my invitation that brought you here today. " King Council Carteph there spoke standing in his royal seat welcoming everyone in his palace.
"As you might have already known, this banquet is a celebration of our success in pursuing law in all land of Shaoghal. I owe it to all of you as you have given me your assistance." The king added.
The law which the King named as Cartephian Code, was passed and approved enhancing the power of royal courts over ecclesiastical courts in judging various serious crimes including murder and robbery.
This will mean that Acairè, the vast and biggest kingdom that there is in Shaoghal where now still a ghost town filled with ruins and populated with no other than the few poor people of Acairè ruled by no one, will eventually be taken over by King Council Carteph through this move he pushed through. He may not be able to rule it himself but could access what great wealth it must be hiding. This is through surrendering lands as punishment for crimes that are committed.
"By this in return, when we finally take some bit of power over Acairè, I will grant you all property to own and the people situated in the property will be of your service. And so, I ask of you further assistance." The King lifted the spirit of the nobles as the hall was filled with claps and smiles from the king's speech.
The politicians in the families were overjoyed and so was Radelaine's father. What better way for her father to do to unite two families if not for wealth?
This means to Radelaine that she will set foot in her motherland again after the longest time of being here in Takèif. That, if ever a property promised by the king is fulfilled.
"Let us not prolong as we might all be hungry. SERVE THE LUNCH!" and that initiated the feast.
Right away the servants entered carrying cutleries and placed them on each person on the table starting with the royal family. As the cutlery was finally settled, the stew is served for the starter meal.
In the peaceful meal, music interrupted them. A lady in a thin blue garment positioned herself next to the piano man as they start a note in unison implying their presence.
The soft melodious and light lyrical mood of the song impressed Radelaine. Radelaine knew the song as she hums with it. Like the girl in a thin blue garment, Radelaine is also a musician herself. As Sir Herelph remembered her playing a harp, she particularly is rather fond of the violin.
[Song] "Though I have lived a thousand years,
Seems like greens are greys.
By the dawn of night, feels like a day of living is like the dead.
No more than the queen who comforts her king.
A victory finally prevails.
It's a love as a husband, a wife, and a child for a fight to win
Sing the nature for glory days.....
Though storms and pain may wash me away
The great fight of fire and rains
By the screams and cries of defeats and wins no more of us are dead.
A victory finally prevails.
It's a love as a husband, a wife, and a child for a fight to win
Sing the nature of glory days....." [Song]
"A beautiful song for history. A bittersweet ending for our kingdom, Radelaine." the voice of her father she heard after the song is done.
"I know very well our past father, you taught me well." She smiled as her proud father reminisce about the time when they would visit the temple in Kilruin with Geiyra and listen to him as he explains depictions of the paintings.
[5 minutes before "the incident" in the palace of Takèif]
Later after all the meal was served, is the time for everybody to take time to explore the palace garden and maybe have some tea time.
Radelaine roamed around for a bit as she wait for her family to get done with their wine before heading out to the garden. She went closer to the big window and leaned while enjoying the view of the garden. Seconds later, Lord Phraselm joined her.
"I would bring you wine but I don't think you drink them." He said carrying his wine in his hands while looking at the wine glass on the table away from them.
"Lord Phraselm," She said as she acknowledges the presence of the Lord.
"I apologize on behalf of my father for not recognizing which Sarsheden daughter it was that he saw. I myself won't recognize you. I only heard about you." He looks at his wine glass and swirls it. He lets out a smile thinking it was hilarious to have his father remember harp instead of violin.
"You've heard about me?" Radelaine was rather not expecting to be recognized by a man he never met. She can only assume.
"I know Master Bingen. He would tell me about you and your violin... Sometimes, I would ask." her light smile as Lord Phraselm talked to her dissipated as the thought of Master Bingen came to her mind. It's already been a year since she stopped taking lessons from him. Radelaine doesn't know if he misses his Magistri or not.
But what does he mean about 'I would ask.'? She thought to herself.
[The Incident]
Meanwhile, before everybody got out of the hall for some tea, Geiyra suddenly fell to her knees.
Geiyra was breathing hard with her head facing down towards the ground while both hands were covering her ears. Radelaine kneeled down to her with great worry and saw she was even closing her eyes so hard like she was trying to avoid seeing something.
"I can't take it anymore,"
Geiyra said with a voice so shaky it was so hard to understand.
"I can't." She gently leaned towards her and said, "It's alright, let's get you some fresh air, come on."
As she assured her, she held her arms once again but to everyone's surprise, Geiyra reached her hand to her sister's neck while growling at her face.
"I said, I can't," Geiyra screamed at her sister's face she couldn't recognize.
The crowd went out of control. Everyone was bewildered at what the delicate Lady Geiyra Sarsheden whom they met a while ago was this brute person. But no one was more surprised than Radelaine.
Her sister was choking her to death.
Radelaine is so weak on the ground that the hand of Geiyra choking her is the only support she does not lose balance. She taps her hand and grabs the shoulders of Geiyra as she was slowly losing her breath.
The eyes of Geiyra changed. She is so nowhere to the same girl Radelaine ever knew of.
"Help me." she pleaded to anyone who could hear.