My father is to arrive today, every time he goes to fight wars in the east, and returns victorious, a banquet is held, a large banquet usually attended by all members of the royal family and those who accompanied him and of course his general and his son, Daryus.
Daryus and I had been friends since I was fourteen, he was three years older. We spent almost every day together, and many thought that we would marry, we did have those feelings growing up but when he turned eighteen he began accompanying his father on war campaigns with my father. He would take on the role of general when his father had died or retired, so we didn't see each other much.
I wore a blue off shoulder dress, with matching jewelry, my hair tied in a low bun. "You look beautiful your highness" Katheryne complimented enthusiastically.
"Thank you" I replied.
A knock came, and Ser Aldric followed "Your highness, his grace the king has just arrived"
"He flew in?"
"Yes your highness." He replied.
"Thank you Ser, I'll be out shortly" with a quick nod he exited the room. I looked at myself in the mirror for a few seconds before I did the same.
With my guard in tow, we made it to the banquet hall, the large hall had been heavily decorated, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, ornaments hanging from one corner of the hall to the other, the musicians were playing beautifully at the corner of the hall. The high table is for the king, queen, the general and his son I suppose, and the king's consul. I took my seat at one of the tables and waited for the events to begin.
The doors of the hall flew open, and the herald announced an arrival "Lord Alaryk of house Navalis, Lord of Thalassia, and Grand Admiral of the realm, and his lady-wife Princess Asterlayna and her family" at the herald's words everyone rose from their seats and began to clap so loud it was deafening. My aunt took a seat on my left, my cousins Roland and Meridia on my right, we engaged in conversation for a while, only interrupted when the herald announced the entrance of another, the next of my family to arrive, my uncle Prince Lucian and his wife the Lady Mirella Waryn and my cousins Isadora and Fabien.
I've missed my uncle so much, and same as Asterlayna, barely comes to court, he is always in Frostvale with his wife and children which is understandable, he and his family took a seat at the table, and we exchanged pleasantries.
The final call from the herald was announced as the doors swung open, and everyone in the hall rose to their feet "King Sebastian Highmount the First, King of Kyriaxis and defender of the realm, and his retinue, her grace the queen, the Princes and Princess, General Thaddeus Windryder, his son Daryus and all the men who valiantly fought and attained victory in the east"
Everyone applauded, this one being the loudest of them all. My father walked past me, winking at me as he made his way to the table and of course her grace the queen offered me nothing but a scowl which I ignored.
"My lords and ladies be welcomed, Today we celebrate our victory over the enemy that threatened the peace of our allies in the east, so eat to your satisfaction, drink to your hearts content and dance till your feet can hold you no longer and may the gods bless you" and with that, everyone cheered and began feasting and the music began to play once more.
"Have you noticed that Maeve has been staring daggers at you for the past hour?" Roland asks, he's refused to add her title when addressing her "One can feel her stare from a mile away" he chuckled.
"What did you do to her this time?" he asked.
"Your mother put her in her place, and since she can't take it out on her, she takes it out on me" his face slightly darkened.
"Has she done anything to physically harm you?" this elicits a small laugh from me.
"She can't, but I must admit I feel she is planning something, and I don't feel particularly good about it" he held my hand softly "Whatever it is, just know that your family stands with you" his words warmed my heart.
"Thank you cousin, your words move me deeply." He grinned at me before he continued eating his food.
I made my way to the dance floor, bowing to the king and the high table as I passed. There was a hand on my shoulder almost immediately, Prince Lucian Highmount.
"May I have this dance princess?" he requested.
" Of course, my prince" and with that we made it to the center of the dance floor and began to dance.
"You haven't been to court in an age uncle, there have been no letters from you, or is it that you don't care" his expression dropped.
"Do not say that you know I care for you, I-"
"Do you? really? The last time I saw you was when I was when I was fourteen, and since then no letters, no visits."
"I apologize Anessa, for not coming as much as I used to, but I am not avoiding you I swear this, Frostvale is… a lot of work, my work is still not complete there, I cannot promise to come more often, but I do promise to send more letters." That's satisfactory, I smiled and hugged him. After the dance I walked towards the balcony.
Watching the sun set is one of the most beautiful things in the world, I found it a way to be with my mother, we always watched the sunset together, and she'd tell me stories about her childhood and her time in the Greystone Peaks, I had begged her to take me, which she did once, a beautiful place indeed.
She loved it there, and so did I, when she died, I didn't have the heart to ask my father for leave to go back, I know he would consent, but I couldn't ask, tears burning my eyes when a familiar voice dragged me out of my thoughts "Forgive me princess" and there he was Daryus Windryder, clad in a red tunic, his platinum blonde hair, hazel eyes, his sharp jawline, he was perfect.
Perfectly absent, that's what he was, absent for the most of my life, when I felt lonely, he was absent and most importantly absent when I needed him the most. "Good evening ser, congratulations on your victories, you must be very proud" I said, and without another word I tried to walk out but he held my hand.
"Anessa, please don't leave"
"Now you don't want me to leave" I whisper yelled, as I yanked my hand from his "When that's all you've been doing to me all these years?" he now wore a defeated look on his face.
"I know, and I apologize I-"
"You really think an apology is going to compensate for the lost years? you left, I didn't push you away, you left, after I begged you not to, after I told you I loved you" that last bit brought back memories I didn't want to resurface.
"I left for you" I scoffed. "You left for me, really? Enlighten me good Ser, what exactly gave you that idea?"
it took him at least ten seconds before he answered, "I left so I could be a man worthy of you, I am a general's son, I thought if I became general after my father retired I could ask for your hand" Men and their endless pride.
"Did it ever occur to you that I never cared for all of that and only wanted you? Of course, you didn't but thought ever of your own self and not what I would want, but now it's too late" and with that I left him standing on the balcony, hoping I don't regret all I confessed.
My courtyard was the only silent place in the keep, the banquet hall was still abuzz with music, feasting and dancing, memories of my earlier conversation with Daryus flood in and now that I think about it, I didn't feel as bad as I thought I would, instead I felt rather relieved to have let all that go, sure I still loved him, but it didn't hurt as much anymore, the weight of carrying all that pain around for three years and for the first time in a long while I felt as though I could move on from this.
The sounds of approaching footsteps dragged me from my thoughts, I hoped it wasn't Daryus or I swear by the gods I'll blast him into oblivion, but it's not him, but a tall man, with a muscular build, he had a chiseled face, and a jawline that can cut through stone, his long dark brown hair was tied in a ponytail, and beautiful blue eyes.
Who was this man? "Good evening princess, I realize we've not been formally introduced" he spoke with a deep voice "No we haven't, that's quite unfortunate" he stifled a laugh "I am Alastair Wyldemere of Arcania" He's Lord Jasper's son, heir to Arcania.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lord" he grinned "The pleasure is all mine, I had meant to be your first dance, but the prince Lucian had the great pleasure and when he was done, I sought you out, but you were gone, but luckily a servant was able to point me to where I could find you."
"And now?" I asked, intrigued.
"I have come to ask you for a dance, if I may" I gave him my hand and he planted a soft kiss on it that sent shivers up my spine.
He's a good dancer, although not surprised but dancing with him is like dancing atop of a cloud, easy, light, there is a sense of security to him. "You're a good dancer my lord" he spun me around and brought me back to him "You're not too bad on your feet as well my lady" we continued to dance for what felt like hours until we both come to a stop.
"The hour grows late princess, I must return home, it was a pleasure to dance with you" he kissed the back of my hand, and again that tingle at the base of my spine, I don't want him gone, as strange as that sounds. I've just met him, but I can't help the pull I feel towards him, I acted on that pull.
"Will I see you again my lord?" I asked, wishing his answer would be yes.
"Probably not, my family does not visit the capital often, so I don't reckon we'll be seeing each other very much" a strange wave of sadness washed over me, I want to see him again, maybe share another dance, and spend time together
"I know it might be a big ask, but why don't you stay in the capital a while, as my guest, there will be accommodations suited to your liking and my birthday celebration holds in a few weeks, then after that you're free to leave if you wish it".
He closed the distance between us and took my hand in his "If it is the princess' wishes, then I shall comply" that statement alone brought inexplicable joy to my heart "Then we shall be seeing more of each other then, I look forward to it my lord" with that, I left.