Chapter 17: Wine and Water
Aedrik and Frey were standing outside the gates of the Lunebleau estate in the capital city of Meury. It was a grand mansion and was almost at the heart of Meury's fountain district. Grey rocks made a high stone fence, a single steel double doored was the entrance to the estate, the blazon of house Lunebleau was engraved on the doors. Aedrik notice a faint glow from the entrance, a glimpse of magic enchantments, it reassured him Frey was well guarded. The two guards at the entrance, opened the doors as they saw them. They had seen them left under Pan mirage spell.
"I really enjoyed our little time alone" Frey said as they walked side by side, Aedrik hand on hers "I want to this again, soon"
"I am thrilled for the next opportunity, it feels as if this is how we should have started, but I have no regrets as it would have taken much longer for me to hold your hand" Frey blushed. The guards made a general salute, they were donning a black and blue tabard with a crescent moon at the center, house Lunebleau colors.
It was already late when they arrive, they had intended to come before sunset, but they lost track of time. Frey loved walking back as the city lights lit the way, she knew her mother was worried, and ger father was probably walking inside the estate nonstop. They returned the guards salute before passing next to them.
"Were there many visitors?" Frey asked one of the guards.
"Lord Gerard and Lord Merclif were the first ones, lady Danielle's friends came in a carriage, Lord Bouman and Ladie Villen, visited the estate as well" the guard recalled "Lady Lunebleau manage to have them all leave and hour ago" the guard explained. Frey felt a bit bad; her mother was already expecting them, and she had managed to clear the visits, it was a family welcome for Aedrik.
Two days ago, she had returned feeling happy and nervous from the Ciel Rouge Library after meeting a young man, now walked inside the estate holding hands with her husband to be. The main house was just crossing a small yard, the guard house to the left. Frey noticed Danielle was spying at them from the window, as she saw them, she ran inside to tell everyone, probably.
They passed the small portico and were let inside by another pair of guards. The house had an ample reception, to the right was the study, Frey felt a tingle as she remembered that was were Aedrik had proposed. There was another door that let to the stables, and the entrance to a big lounge room, where the Lunebleaus generally entertained their guests.
To the left was the dining room and from there the kitchen. There was no one in sight, Frey knew everyone in the house already knew they had arrived courtesy of Danielle. The Lunebleau estate had a moderate size in comparison toother lord's houses at Meury, but it had a great location. Frey looked around and still there was no one in sight.
"Let me end the spell" Aedrik took a small gem from his bag of holding, and passed it in front of him, the gem glowed lightly, and his appearance returned "It is a cold sensation" he warned, and she nodded. He passed the gem in front of her, close to her face, the same faint glow happened, and she felt a chill, it felt more weird than anything, as the glow passed Aedrik eyes lit up, and his smile grew as he looked at her.
"Where is everyone?" Aedrik wondered with curiosity
"They are being inconspicuous" as she said that she took a finger to her lips, Aedrik nodded. She tip-toed heading for the main stairs, before she reach them, she jumped looking up. Danielle and Noelle were both looking down from the hand railed, they were startled, and started laughing as Frey grinned from below "Como down already, we are home, where's mother?"
Both ladies descended the stairs a with a small blush on their cheeks. Before they could say anything, the lounge doors opened, and lady Lunebleau, her sister lady Liliane and her daughters came from the room, they all looked at the newcomers with fake surprise of finding them on the reception. As Danielle and Noelle descended the stairs, both a bit red. The door from the lounge opened and Lady Lunebleau, her Sister Liliane and her daughters left the room, they all looked with fake surprise of finding them there.
"Aedrik, Frey good timing, we were just about to have dinner, why don't we all go to the dining room" She smiled and gave her daughter a complicated look "Noelle, please let the men know dinner will be served shortly" everyone around them moved in promptly, as if they were following a script, one Frey was certain her mother had written.
"Thank you, lady Lunebleau," Aedrik made small bow "I am sorry for coming this late, we had many things to talk about"
"I can imagine, but please, call me Margaux, we are going to become family promptly, we really need to get used to it"
"Certainly, lady Margaux"
Lady Lunebleau smiled was her response "Why don't we head for the dining room" the lady was already signaling everyone to move, the lady led her troops into the room the left.
The dining room was a grand space, the main table could hold a few families, and there was enough room to add another table if needed be. The table had already been set, and as if practiced, everyone went to specific places "Why don't you seat there, near the center of the table, I am sure everyone would like to talk with you" lady Lunebleau pointed at a pair of chairs neatly arranged at the center. Lady Liliane and her daughters moved at once to their previously assigned seats, Frey was sure.
Moments later, lord Damian, Luka and Percy came into the dining room, Noelle entered last. They exchanged a vague nod to Aedrik, as they went to their seats, lord Damian took the head of the table and to his right was lady Margaux place.
Luka sat in front of him and Frey, Percy next to her sister. Aedrik noticed René, Lea and Anne where missing, and perhaps Sir Lois and Sir Remy. Lady Margaux noticed him looking around.
"René is finishing her clafouti, which as much as our cook hates to admit, is wonderful" Lady Margaux explained as if reading his mind "Lea and Anne were helping her, but they were about to finish, and dinner is ready"
"Sir Lois and Remy will not be accompanying us, tonight?" Aedrik asked
"They had some things to attend, they ask me to apologize in their name, for them, as they hope to share dinner with you in the future" Lord Damian answered.
The kitchen doors opened, and like a magic an incredible smell flooded the dining room. Lea and Anne where the first ones to come from the kitchen, behind them the kitchen workers, who started serving the food on the table. They placed a platter with cheese and freshly baked bread. Lea went to seat close to Frey, and Anne near Ide.
"Good night, Frey, prince Aedrik" Lady René was the last to join the table.
"Good night, lady René" Aedrik replied instantly
"Good night, René, I think mother is right we should start calling us by name, we are going to become family" Frey felt a bit embarrassed, but it would make things easier, she hoped for Aedrik to be taken in as René had been.
The kitchen door opened again, and the kitchen assistants brought the rest of the diner, an entire roasted goose, a varied platter of salad and a large plated filled with mushrooms covered in a thick sauce. It was a grand meal, fancy but just enough to still feel homey. Everyone eyed with interest at the food, Aedrik was hungry.
"This looks incredible, lady Margaux" Aedrik said genuinely, much to the lady pleasure.
"Well, we raised geese in the state, and Meury market has wonderful fresh vegetables. I am pleased you like it; I don't know what they have been feeding you in Château du Loire, but our master cook, is superb" Lady Margaux said proudly
"Mother managed to steal Mr. Cellier, our cook from an inn not far from here" Noelle added, lady Margaux did not seem bothered about it.
"And wait until you tried René, clafouti it is incredible" Frey added
"Thank you, René, I'll look forward to the dessert. Do you enjoy cooking?"
"I enjoy baking, I hope you like the dessert" René replied happily
"Would you like some wine Aedrik? we have some fine reds on the estate" Lord Damian asked.
"Thank you, lord Damian, but to be honest, I am not much of a drinker" Aedrik said, and everyone turned towards the broad-shouldered man "I have almost no tolerance to alcohol, I wouldn't want to fall sleep at your table, I'm sorry" a nervous smiled followed, Frey and everyone at the table were confused, she remembered he had not drunk wine last night as well.
"Well, congrats sister, it seems you managed to find the only abstinent knight, which just so happens to be a prince as well" Noelle said,
"What would you have to drink?" Lord Damian was confused, his script only covered offering alcohol to his guest, and he was good at that role, he looked nervous towards lady Margaux and Aedrik, he was on unknown terrain.
"Water is fine, lord Damian" Frey laughed at the look her father made at Aedrik's answer, so did Noelle and Percy.
"Water it is" The lord managed to compose himself and called for water. One of the kitchen assistants brought a jar of cooled water, and a few wine bottles, filling everyone's coup, everyone but Aedrik, even little Ide was poured some, Loirians enjoyed their wine.
"A toast" Lady Damian cleared his throat, before he raised his cup "I never considered Frey would promise herself in marriage before we set for Meury from home, but life is like that. I welcome you into our house, Aedrik, and wish happiness for you both" Lord Damian smiled lovingly at his daughter, and then to Aedrik. His words were simple but honest.
"To happiness" Lady Margaux raised her cup in answer, and everyone did the same. Frey smiled as she saw Aedrik smile; then everyone began eating.
Everyone around the table quickly entered a different dynamic, small conversations were made all around, people jumped from one to the other, but everyone from time to time joined on whatever Frey and Aedrik were saying. Luka and René were casually talking with the newly engaged about cooking and baking. Danielle was the only person who was quiet, she looked around wondering if she was the only sane person.
"I am sorry, but why are we discussing baking, we should be talking about the wedding, it is going to be THE event of the year, of many years to come possibly" Frey and Aedrik had been expecting that lady Margaux would be the one who would barrage them with questions about the wedding, but she had kept her calm, Frey saw her mother smile 'She knew Danielle would ask about it' she had much to learn from her mother still "Have you thought about were the wedding ceremony will be?" Danielle asked casually, regaining her poise as she cut a piece of goose. Every other conversation around the table stopped, and turned towards the new couple. Aedrik was trying to pass a large piece of bread he had bitten, and he somehow managed to close his mouth and smile as enchanting as he could, Frey almost choked by his reaction.
"Yes Danielle, we have" Frey replied, and continued with her salad, as she had been for the past minutes.
"And?" this time Noelle was the one who interrupted.
"We already told mother, it will be on the Lunebleau dukedom" Frey continued cutting a piece of pear on her plate, and Aedrik seemed to be almost able to swallow the chunk of bread he managed to squeeze inside his mouth.
"We already know that Frey, where on the dukedom were you thinking? I think the cascade du Gavarnier are incredibly romantic" Lea commented, and Anne nodded.
"We considered several places, but decided for Château Lunebleau in the end, that way many more people will be able to assist the wedding, but you are right Lea, the cascade would have been lovely"
"The cascade in located near the north of the dukedom, right?" Aedrik asked as he finally managed to chomp down his food.
"They are, and they are wonderful, a large clean fall into a lake with a cave behind it" Lea replied happy
"Lea's house is near the waterfall" Frey explained
"I would like to visit the place sometime"
"Perhaps after the conference have ended, you could come and visit the Lunebleau dukedom?" René told Aedrik
"I would love to"
"Then it is settled, you are invited to our home, once this alliance details have been covered up" Lord Damian said, he looked like he was fulfilling the script he was given, as he looked pleased, and towards his wife for confirmation.
"Will your sibling be coming to the wedding, Aedrik?" Cecile asked, she was very reserved, her question surprised some of the people around the table.
"My sisters have confirmed already" Aedrik paused as he had been eating a slice of cheese "My eldest brother Levi won't be coming, he cannot leave Zel for the moment, his wife Astra might though. I don't think Nika will be coming either, he was marching west, there is an issue between Ashran and Ran Crete, he will try to resolve the issue, but we set a very close date, they will assist the wedding at Fey Danan at least. Lastly Ilya, he has not confirmed his assistant, I have not been able to talk with him properly" Frey felt nervous, she will soon meet his family, his three sisters at least.
"Will the Emperor come as well" Percy asked, Luka and Lord Damian had been wondering about it as well.
"I don't think so. His presence in a foreign nation always puts everyone on edge, and we would not like to pressure the alliance. I think your King would feel more at ease if he does not come, I think he wants to apologize with you about it, but since we are having a second ceremony on Fey Danan, he is eager to meet you all there" Frey looked at Aedrik and noticed he was a serious, this was something they had not talked about.
"We are still receiving four imperial family members then?" Danielle asked happy, now she had something juicy to talk about.
"That's right, my elder sister Vania, my younger siblings, the twins, Ilya and Lucylle, and the youngest, Luna" Aedrik replied smiling
"Princess Luna is 14?" The shy Ide asked.
"She is, lady Ide, and I think she will be happy to find there is someone almost her age. She always felt left out because she is the youngest of all us siblings, when she comes, would you accompany her?" Aedrik asked with a warm smile, the young lady Ide nodded "Thank you lady Ide, you are very kind" and Aedrik gave her small bow, Ide blushed but bowed back. Lady Liliane and Frey just smiled.
"Would anyone of your sisters, be representing you for the ceremony" Lady Liliane asked. Frey had explained to Aedrik that in Loire each family chose a close family member, usually a woman, to discuss details that may cause trouble between the couple, the representatives would discuss in their stead, and had to reach a conclusion. This was very important as some weddings were made from different ranks of nobility, and the higher rank, usually had demands.
"Frey told me about this just recently, but I don't think my sisters will do for the job, but I think I have a person in mind, I just need to to see if they would do it" Aedrik replied grinning. Frey had explained him, it was important and that her mother would ask about it, because whomever he chose would be working closely with her mother.
"Have you thought about what kind of wedding you want to have?" René asked
"That is an interesting question" Danielle eyes lit up and turned expectantly at the new couple.
"We were thinking on doing the ceremony just outside the east castle wall, we both would have liked a simple ceremony, but the wedding is significant for the alliance. So, we opted for open garden wedding" Frey and Aedrik had talk about this on their way back, the wedding was a symbol for the alliance, every noble from the kingdom would want to assist, and Aedrik said that it should be open for the common people, Frey liked that idea.
"I love the idea; the east wall gardens will look radiant" Lady Margaux admitted
"It will still be a bit cold, as it will be at the start of spring, this will surely start a trend" Danielle added delighted.
Everyone soon joined in and chatted about the wedding. Danielle seemed to be the most enthusiastic about the largesse of the event. René and lady Margaux were discussing ideas for flower arrangements and decorations. Even lord Damian, joined the discussion wondering about wine and beer selections, he was the most supportive with the idea of opening up for the people of Lune de Niege, the heart of the dukedom.
The dinner had already finished, and everyone offering suggestion for the wedding. The famed clafouti was passed, it was made with blueberries, René cut and served a piece for everyone, Aedrik noticed, the largest piece was served for Luka.
"Thank you for the wonderful dinner, and the magnificent dessert, lady Margaux, and you René. I enjoyed this meal more than those we had been having at the castle" Aedrik said smiling as he finished his slice.
"Thank you, Aedrik, Frey told me you preferred beef, but you had to have the goose, it has become a tradition, ever since the late lord Lunebleau began raising them here" Lady Margaux smiled at him "Would you like to go to the lounge we could keep talking about the wedding there?"
"I would love to, lady Margaux but I was hoping to have a chance to discuss some matters of tomorrow's conference with lord Damian, Luka and Percy" Frey had agreed he should talk about his plans before the strategy meeting tomorrow.
"Sure, Aedrik, why don't we go to the study then" Luka answered as lord Damian was confused this was not considered on his wife script for how the evening would go.
Lord Damian, Luka, and Percy dismissed themselves from the ladies, then they took Aedrik with them to the study. Aedrik had wanted Frey to go with them, but she said he should talk with them first. She liked how he honestly cared for her thoughts. She had already made her mother wait, she also wanted to talk with her and the rest of the ladies, about the things she and Aedrik had decided. She saw the men, go into the study, Aedrik, stopped before entering and smiled at her, before he crossed the door.
While the man went to the study, every one of the women gathered around Frey, they wanted to know more, what had they talk about, they all had ideas and wanted to know more. They moved to the lounge to keep talking.
"Well, it seems you have already settled on the main issues about the wedding, but there is much to be done still" lady Margaux began "A month will pass by quickly, so everything must be taken care as soon as possible"
"The dress Frey, you need to take care of the dress, we should visit Bridgette's, madame Bridgette, is by far the best tailor in all of Meury, every lady will be trying to get her" Lady Liliane said excited.
"I want the dress to be made by madame Amelié" Frey answered quickly. She was the best dressmaker in Lune de Niege, an impeccable seamstress.
"Even Bridgette's has been buying fabrics from our clothiers and weavers" Noelle said proudly to her aunt.
"But we should get back and have you measured Frey, your mother is right a month is too shorth, and you should start looking for what kind of fabric you want for the dress" Lady Liliane added.
"I can get her measured, and send the measurements to madame Amelié" Noelle intervened "There is not much you can choose for the fabric, as your dress have to be white, but she could suggest some ideas, and knowing her she'll start working on some base dresses, that way we return we'll still have time" Noelle liked sewing and tailoring, she had a talent for it, she often spent time with the seamstress and tailors from Lune de Niege "Your dress will be the talk of everyone, I am sure madame Amelié will deliver" Frey felt a bit nervous of being the center of attention, but Noelle was right. If they had to make a big wedding, then they had to make the best from it, her dress would place the work of the seamstress and tailors from Lune de Niege, at the eye of the kingdom. She sighed, she wondered how the talk at the study was going.
"Aedrik, I have to admit, I am starting to like you more than René" Percy was thrilled "You can count house Beaumont in this, my father has been considering pushing inside the warring hills as well, but we will need to keep track of the orc movement for this to work"
"The empire has already sent several scouting parties; we've already starting to receive information about them" The Loirians were impressed. He had already explained how the empire was going to move inside the warring hills, they wanted to establish a better more cohesive border, and they should seize the Auvernier mountains. The orcs were clearly using the mines, as every raid had seen an increase of weapons and armor on them.
"This is the moment to strike, the warring hills tribes are still scattered, we can push inside their lands, as I also told you it is important to reach an agreement with one or several tribes" Aedrik noted the worried faces on the Loirians as he told them that last part. They should try to ally with a tribe, not only reach and agreement, that would truly ease their borders, but that would have to wait for later.
"House Lunebleau will back the empire" Lord Damian said in a firm tone. House Lunebleau border was more stable, they were closest to the Auvernier, if they managed to take them, they would benefit from them, and Aedrik saw they eyed him nervously, his marriage with Frey forced house Lunebleau to assist the empire, otherwise they would forfeit their union, and that could also place the alliance between Loire and the empire in jeopardy, Aedrik's proposition left house Lunebleau little choice.
"We should gain the support of more lords and knights" Luka said while pulling his hair "The east block should back us up, but they need to be enticed"
"Why would they not do it?" Aedrik wondered surprised "They are your neighbors and any new territory or growth on your lands, would mean they had a better neighbor to grow with"
"We are the dukes of the east, Aedrik, our land and that of the house Beaumont are large and prosperous. Orc raids is something our neighbors do not care for; they seldom help with the defense" Lord Damian explained
"They are all looking for their interest. There has not been a big raiding party because we have not allowed for the orcs to gather, our 'friends' are glad about us bleeding as long as we are not in grave danger" Percy said annoyed
"I am sure, we are more than enough for what I am proposing, but you know your people, we could offer better trades for those who share a border with the empire, if they join the campaign" Aedrik offered, both Luka and Lord Damian, nodded, he was offering a lot.
"That would have to do, and if they still decide not to join, we will back you up still Aedrik" Lord Damian replied, and Luka nodded.
"I'll send word to my father immediately, he will prepare supplies, and ready our man Aedrik" Percy was beaming with enthusiasm, this was great news for the Beaumont dukedom.
"Thank you, lord Damian, Luka and Percy" Aedrik gave them a bow "this matter will be addressed tomorrow in the conference, I know, I am asking you to risk a lot, but the orcs are growing quickly, this is the moment to strike, otherwise the easter border will become real trouble"
The man all looked at the map, they had placed on the desk. Aedrik was proposing the imperial army march from the fortress city Svet Cilar, into the warring hills by pushing form the border of the Beaumont dukedom. They would cut through the eastern hills This would isolate the orcs near the mines, house Lunebleau and Beaumont would close on the, as the empire pushed.
Aedrik intended to place the orcs in disarray and force them to move away, the important thing was to find common ground with a tribe, with their help they could secure their border.
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