Chapter 29: Dinner and A Show
As expected upon our arrival, dinner was a bit strained. Illia was sitting on one side of father, and I on the other. Nicklos, surprisingly enough, decided to sit on my side of the long table, and not on her's. Marquise, being stoic and passive, sat on the other side of Nicklos. There was little in words being exchanged around the room, and that was odd for me. Normally this lot was chatty and chaotic, but right now, they where quiet. Was the last dinner I attended so bad that they would sit so tight lipped?
I looked towards father for an explanation, but he just smiled warmly at me. Another unsettling cue that something was indeed wrong. I casually, and absently picked up my wine glass, twirling the red liquid in the cup. The uncomfortable atmosphere was indeed distracting me, and I further declined in wanting to eat my food. Even the smell was making me nauseous. Nicklos said nothing as he silently ate his food, casting an occasional glance in my direction as I continued to ignore him.
"This is such a blessed day, don't you think?" Father asked casually digging into his food. I eyed him skeptically and placed my cup down gently on the table. What was he doing? He was up to something, that much I could understand.
"Did something good happen to you? You are never like this?" I lifted the wine glass to my lips, trying to pace myself so I didn't look like a raging alcoholic in front of the others. Illia took that moment to look smug. I take it that she was finally going to get what she wanted, and that was basically everything that I had except for the throne. I really don't know why she hated me so much. I was always so nice to her, and because I decided not to act like a helpless Princess, she hated me.
"I suppose you could say something did. Both my beautiful daughters are soon going to be wed, and then I can finally retire." I raised an eyebrow and set down my cup. Was he going to announce Illia and Nicklos's engagement during dinner? He said both, so if Nicklos was going to marry Illia, then who would I be engaged too? Was he so desperate that he would pick someone for me. Give this man an inch, and he takes a thousand miles.
I gripped the glass in my hands, not wanting to show the displeasure on my face. I would have to keep passive as the crowned Princess. I won't be unfavorable because of the results. Nothing good will come of me complaining as I had already told him I would retire as the head Knight. Or so he thought anyway. Once I became the Queen, I had no desire to stop the work on the battlefield. It's where I felt most comfortable. If Illia had an idea how to run a Kingdom, I would have even suggested stepping down as the Crown Princess. But she was too spoiled to do any kind of paper work.
"So she has finally choosen. This is something worth celebrating. Congratulations Illia, I bless your marriage will be splendid till the very end." There was a mutter of blessing around the table. They where displeased that they where not chosen. Poor saps, better luck with the next Princess.
"Ah yes, a fine noble too. I think she will do exceedingly well with him in the future. I suspect fine grandchildren indeed." Again, I couldn't help but glance skeptically at him. He was dragging this on and it was starting to irritate me. Just tell me that she swiped my man already so I can leave. I would so rather soak in my bath, than have to sit here and watch Illia continue to look smuggly towards me. The longer she kept getting on my nerves, the more I couldn't wait until her wedding day. She would be moving to Nicklos's Kingdom, and I could be at ease.
"Whose the lucky nobleman that gets to take her home?" My lip twitched at my own amusement. Illia was going to expect me to through a fit, but to her surprise, I would casually agree. My objective involved a marriage, not a particular man.
"Very well, since you are so eager to learn my daughter, I shall tell you." He said grinning. I closed my eyes, patiently waiting for the blow I was about to recieve. I had been preparing myself in my room for this moment. My heart was going to hurt, and it would sting. So I told myself that no matter what, I would not cry. Father placed his cutlery down on the table and steepled his hands together
"I am happy to announce that my youngest daughter is going to be married to the Young Prince Jespah. My oldest Daughter has agreed to marry the crown prince Nicklos." My eyes snapped open surprised. This was not the outcome I had expected, nor wanted. I thought he said it would be my decision in the end, that I had to make the choice to talk to him about what happened that whole year. Not that I needed to because I knew about the affair already.
Was this just because I didn't have enough time to discuss these things with him? I was going to wait until after dinner to pull him aside. Now how was I going to explain to people that this whole things was just a misunderstanding. Illia's response to this, is what worried me the most. Instead of throwing a fit like she normally did, she was quiet. Sitting back in her chair, she watched, eyes narrowed and unpleasant. Behind her quiet reserve, I could feel her hatred and angery seething underneath. So she wasn't expecting this out come either.
Was she going to scheme further now that she wasn't actually picked to marry Nicklos? It wasn't like her to not kick up a fuss. So there had to be something else going on in that head of hers. But the celebration was short lived as the doors to the dining room swung open. A guard rushed in, sweat dripping down his face, and blood coating his chest. I could feel the dread building within me as Marquise and I stood from the table.
"Your Majesty! The prisoner has escaped and the General is wounded!" He said as he gripped the banister underneath his hands. His knuckles turned white, which meant that this wasn't apart of the act. In fact no one was suppose to know about the Prisoner escaping. What the hell went wrong? I shoved the chair away, and ran up the stairs. This was bad, very bad.
"Where is the General now?" The came tumbling out of my mouth, my concern for my Knight growing more and more. Marquise was hot on my heels as we both rushed out of the dining room. My heart was racing, the fear of possibly losing the General, and the fear of losing our lead coursed through my body. I should have led the escape, not the General. This was my plan after all. Or at least I should have over looked the process.
"He is in the infirmary. His wounds are not superficial but he is unconsious. The twins have already left the building in search of the escapee." The guard beside me frantically spoke. He looked young, maybe 16. His duty was just to stand guard around the castle and report fishy activity. He probably never really saw an injured person up close before. His face was pale despite having been running for awhile. The sweat beading under his helmet came dripping down his face.
"Watch over the General for me. Marquise and I are heading out." The guard stopped running, fear upon his face. Marquise and I paused, his reaction was turning into fear. Like he had seen something terrible. Glancing at each other, we watched his lip quiver, trying to find words.
"Your Majesty, I do not recommend going after such a monster. His blade strikes where quick and percise. The General was not the only one injured. A black cloaked figure also came and helped out the prisoner. This...was planned." Damnit! So they where already planning on helping him escape. I let the guards ease up, and they took advantage of it.
"Did you see them both escape?" If he was still in the castle, I couldn't very well leave the place unprotected. With the General down, and a few guards, this place was becoming vulnerable. Marquise, Nicklos, and I where the only few Knights left in the Castle. How unlucky I was starting to become.
"As far as we chased them, they both made it outside the castle wall. Are you really planning on going after them your Majesty?" I nodded my head once, determined to track these bastard down myself for inwardly attacking my people. They won't get away with this.
"Then I am going with you too!"
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