Chapter 14
During dinner, the King spoke very little. When the ladies and servants all retired, though, he brought up a subject with his guest that he expected his guest to excel in. The King spoke of Lady Navi de Bourgh, and the clergyman's apparent respect for her. The King could not have chosen a better topic for Ralph Collins to speak on. Ralph spoke at length about her graciousness and benevolence to her town. She had even suggested to him that he should marry, provided that both he and the woman were happy with the match.
"She sounds like a fine woman," the King observed. "And do you live close to her?"
"Yes, my residence neighbors Rosings Park, where she lives."
"And does she have any family?"
"Yes, she is widowed but has a daughter, Lady Ciela de Bourgh, who is no less beautiful than her mother."
"Oh? I do not recall anyone by that name."
Ralph nodded and said, "That is to be expected. She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution, and often has bouts of amnesia, so she cannot make the journey to Castle Town, as is traditional for young women of her age."
"You judge well," the King said. "And you flatter the mayor and her daughter exceptionally. And may I ask if your conclusion is drawn from intentional observation or incidental attention?"
"Certainly, I observe these ladies through my daily life, not through any forced study, though I do confess that I occasionally set up a situation that would complement her elegance."
The King just nodded civilly. He had reached a conclusion about this distant cousin of his: he was as absurd as the King had thought.
The King presently invited his cousin to the drawing room, where the ladies of the house were passing the time. They arrived, and King Daltus offered Ralph a book, but Ralph refused, saying, "I am unaccustomed to reading novels." Ralph instead browsed the bookshelf and chose a religious book in praise of the Golden Goddesses. He began to read it in a most monotone voice.
After a few moments of listening, Ilia and Agitha grew restless. Finally, Agitha said in a loud, whiny voice, "Mama, Uncle Gregal has invited me to his house tomorrow, and Aunt Siroc has told me that she would tell me the latest news about the Hyrulean soldiers."
Ralph frowned as he heard her speak. "I am surprised, sometimes, how little respect the young ladies of today have of the Golden Goddesses. They were the ones who created the land; should you not appreciate that?"
The Queen and the older princesses quickly apologized for Agitha's outburst, but Ralph said, "I bear her no ill will, but I wish to pass my time differently. My King, would you care for a game of backgammon?"
Character Notes: Lady Navi de Bourgh and Lady Ciela de Bourgh will be properly introduced quite a bit later, when they appear in the story in person. For now, I should just note that they replace Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lady Anne de Bourgh.
Published July 27, 2013