Chapter 6: A new member for the Order
Madeline always liked to come to the Order of the Rose dining room early so that she could eat quickly and still have plenty of time in the library before her afternoon classes. The first few weeks were wonderful as no one else bothered her and she could quickly escape before the rush of upperclassmen arrived and filled the dining room. A short time after the first exam results were posted, Guy de Montfort, Claude de Rouvroy and Olivier de Girard started to join her at her table every day. Soon, several young ladies also invited themselves to the table. Lady Leon, Lady Baux and finally the newest member of the Order of the Rose.
The table was loud and noisy, Madeline was trying to eat quickly and still maintain proper etiquette, poise, and grace when she nearly choked on her food. One of the upperclassmen on the Order of the Rose council brought Alicia de Foix over to the table, "Good afternoon, I'd like to introduce our newest member, Lady Alicia de Foix. I'm sure the others need no introduction, Lady Foix."
Alicia did a graceful curtsy and smiled, "Lord Montfort, Lady d'Aumont, Lord Girard, and... I don't believe we have been introduced, m'lord?"
Claude stood up and did a gentlemanly bow, "Claude de Rouvroy."
Alicia then greeted the other ladies before seating herself at the table next to Guy. She turned to Madeline and smiled, "Lady Aumont, it seems we now equal."
Madeline raised her cold eyes and looked at Alicia. She tilted her head and asked, "Then your father has been made a Duke?"
The others at the table looked at the pair with jaws dropped. Alicia smiled smugly and accepted a glass of water from a servant who busily added a place setting for her at the table, "Oh, I'm sure it will only be a matter of time once my dear sister has her wedding." Alicia then turned to Guy and smiled, "Lord Montfort, I hear that you placed first in the swordsmanship class." Alicia lightly placed her hand on Guy's arm.
Madeline's eyes were locked on to Guy's arm for some reason as he replied jovially, "Indeed Lady Foix, although Lord Rouvroy and Lady d'Aumont were also ranked highly, I feel that over the coming years, the three of us will all challenge for the top spot."
Madeline's eyes moved up to see Guy looking directly at her, for some reason, this caused her some discomfort so she quickly looked away. When she did, she noticed that Claude was glaring at Guy. Madeline assumed he must be angry over not getting the top spot in swordsmanship. Madeline decided to resume her attack on her lunch in order to escape to the library when Olivier de Girard smiled and said, "I had heard that the women of House Foix were as gentle as a flower and as bright as the sun, it seems the rumor has had it backward."
"What is Lord Girard's meaning?" Alicia smiled and asked in a pleasant tone.
Olivier who was sitting between Lady Leon and Lady Baux put his arms around each of the ladies who then leaned into him, "What I mean is, you are clearly not invited to this table, unwanted company for those at this table, and yet you seated yourself as if you were inviting us to join you." He smiled as he leaned back with the two ladies under his arms, "Of course, it really isn't so unusual for the women of House Foix to steal a seat which doesn't belong to them, is it?" He smiled and then looked at Guy giving him a wink.
Madeline suddenly stood and looked at Guy, "Lord Molester, everyone, if you'll excuse me, I would like to read before my afternoon classes begin, I'll be taking my leave." She gave them a graceful curtsy and withdrew through the library entrance in the Order's dining room.
Guy said simply, "It's Montfort."
Once she was gone, everyone turned almost as one and stared at Alicia.
Claude was the first to stand, "Everyone, if you'll excuse me, I have swordsmanship practice, so until next time." He gave a half bow and walked off.
Olivier then looked at each of the ladies he was still holding on to and asked, "Ladies, shall we go for a nice walk and enjoy the flowers?" He stood up with the two women in tow, and gave a bow to Guy and said, "Lord Molester, I wish you luck getting through to the flower." He grinned.
Guy smirked at him and said, "Not you too, damn it. You'll be trading blows with me during sword drills this afternoon, so you should be respectful." He sighed and then said, "Thank you, I appreciate what you are trying to do."
Olivier gave him a wave and then left with the two women by his sides.
Once the table was cleared, Alicia and Guy were left sitting next to each other. Alicia blurted out, "That Madeline d'Aumont is out to get me. Did you see how rude her friends were to me?"
Guy rubbed his brow and then asked, "Lady Foix, I wonder if you have ever considered what it might be like for her?" He took a breath and then looked into Alicia's blue eyes and continued, "First, your sister stole her engagement. For a noble lady from a great house, it was the equivalent of sentencing her to exile from high society. Next, you accused her of harassing you and incited people to attack her in the hallways, which wasn't true. After that, you had a group of young men confront her in the hallway when she was just trying to apologize to you and end the conflict. Now, you interrupt our daily lunch uninvited and try to provoke and insult her? I mean, are you even aware of what would need to happen for your father to become a Duke?"
Alicia smiled and then touched her cheek cutely, "His Majesty will simply appoint him as a Duke, obviously."
Guy shook his head and then said, "For a count to be raised up to a Duke, it means one of the existing houses will be removed. Let me tell you which two houses would be in danger, my House Montfort, and Madeline's House Aumont. Noble houses aren't simply demoted. That would make them a risk for rebellion. When a noble house is removed, the members, servants, and retainers of that family are killed."
Alicia looked at Guy in shock, "I didn't know that.."
Guy stood up while looking down on Alicia and then gave a half bow, "M'lady should consider her audience the next time she decides to impress her fellow nobles."
*****
Madeline found a book on the history of Pays Des Abrutis she hadn't read and curled up by one of the large windows in the library. For some reason, she thought about Alicia putting her hand on Guy's arm and it bothered her enough that she couldn't concentrate on the book. Madeline frowned and then put the book back on the shelf. Instead, she walked back over to the window and looked outside. She saw Alicia walk out of the Order's dining room in a hurry looking frustrated. A short time later, she saw Guy walk out and look over at the library. He stared at the library windows for a few moments before turning and walking toward the training grounds.
Madeline couldn't stop watching him as he walked away. Something about the way he moved completely captured her attention. She stared at the spot he had occupied for some time before she heard the bell sound for the top of the hour. In a panic she rushed out of the library and headed toward the class she was already late in attending. Madeline felt like her whole world was falling apart as her chest hurt and her heart raced. She got about halfway to her class and then she started to cry uncontrollably. She crouched down behind the bushes and cried until tears wouldn't come out anymore.
Madeline staggered to her feet and then tried to calm herself, she smoothed out her uniform and then walked calmly toward her dorm room. As she was walking back one of the girls from her dorm saw her with tears running down her face and red eyes.
The next day the rumor that the ice queen had finally melted down spread all over the campus. The upperclassmen from the Order of the Rose approached Madeline and asked her to return her pin. They explained that members of the Order of the Rose needed to compose themselves and act like nobility, not make a scene and skip their classes.
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