Fai didn't wake during the trip through the castle. He didn't even wake when Ashura put him to bed.
With the assistance of some maidservants, Ashura removed Fai's shoes and stripped off the elaborate court garb. The formal clothing, while beautiful, would hardly be comfortable sleepwear. The velvets and furs were soft enough, but not the stiff brocades, nor the jeweled needlework. The maids slipped onto Fai a nightshift of soft, finely woven linen, decorated with pale blue silk embroideries in an elaborate design of interlaced knots and fanciful animals.
One of the maids fetched a bowl of warm water and a soft cloth. Ashura picked up the cloth and gently dabbed at Fai's face, cleaning away the tear tracks.
Poor Fai. What a dreadful coincidence, Ashura thought, that Queen Rana's archaic headdress resembled those worn commonly in Valeria. He hoped Kyllikki did not share her mother's taste in jewels. The Lintukotoan princess seemed to prefer more modern clothes and ornaments, at least for the current visit. In any case, as the future Queen of Seresu, she would be expected to adopt Seresian fashions. With luck, Fai would not be confronted with another crispinette for a good, long time.
Of course, now that the initial shock had passed, Fai might discover the headdress no longer brought forth bad memories. He himself had said that Rana's crispinette didn't really look that much like the old, Valerian head ornament—merely that there had been enough of a resemblance to be a sad reminder of times past.
Ashura sat down on the edge of the bed and tucked Fai in, drawing up the fine sheets and thick, warm blankets. He arranged a few furs over Fai for good measure.
Fai made a soft noise, but his eyelids stayed shut. Ashura murmured some soothing nonsense, and Fai quieted.
He stroked his son's cheek. He would have liked to stay by Fai's bedside, but that was not possible. Not during a visit by the Lintukotoan royal family. Ashura's family and advisors could cover his absence for a little while, but Ashura could not be away too long without insulting Ukko. Ashura needed to be present in court to be King of Seresu for both the Lintukotoans and the Seresians.
It was only for a few more hours, he told himself. Then Ukko would take his family, his courtiers, his wizards and the rest of his retinue, and go home. It would be over, and Ashura could return to Fai. It wasn't much time at all.
He hoped Fai stayed asleep until then. Fai had exhausted himself, but it was still too early for Fai to be in bed. Ashura could only warn the servants to keep watch over Fai, and to call him should Fai awaken and exhibit any signs of distress.
A glance at Fai's elaborate clock told Ashura it was past time to return to court. He had been absent from his guests for almost an hour. He left Fai's bedroom and called for one of his body servants to help him change. It wouldn't do to entertain Ukko's party in clothes that were covered in tear and snot stains, and wrinkled beyond all hope.
He left instructions that Fai need not rejoin the court should he awaken before his festival curfew, which was a little later than normal. Ashura did not forbid Fai's return, though. He knew Fai enjoyed comedies and had been looking forward to the Lumi play. Fai would be disappointed to miss it. Ashura left the decision to Fai, but he rather hoped Fai would stay away.
When Ashura rejoined the party, he found that the entertainment had been delayed until his return. All was in readiness for the actors to begin the show, so he seated himself on the dais. Ukko, on his right, immediately commented, "Is your young one well? Your wizard, Lord Suhail, told us you were quite worried and had gone to find him."
"Yes, Fai is fine now," Ashura returned. "I have put him to bed."
"You have changed clothes, Your Majesty," Queen Rana observed, sitting at her husband's right.
Ashura looked down at himself. His garb was just as grand, but noticeably different from what he had been wearing earlier. "Alas, Fai was quite upset. My clothes did not survive the storm."
"What disturbed him so?" the queen asked.
This was a perfect opportunity to explain about Fai's reaction to Rana's crispinette. Ashura saw that both royal families were listening, including Kyllikki and Tancred. Perhaps Kyllikki would understand and choose not to bring such heirlooms with her to Seresu.
"I fear, Your Majesty, that your crispinette was the cause," Ashura said.
Queen Rana's hands flew to her gem-bedecked headdress. "My crispinette?" she asked, surprised. "Why should my crispinette cause your child any distress?"
"It reminded him of a type of headdress worn in his home country," Ashura explained. "He said they weren't the same, but there were enough similarities to bring back unhappy memories. His late mother owned one." He omitted mention of Rana's pale blonde hair. Fai's explanation had focused primarily the head ornament. Besides, Fai had encountered people with similar hair colors before with no adverse reaction.
"Oh, how terrible for him," said the queen. "Poor child."
She did not offer to remove her headdress. Ashura wondered if he gave her sense of tact too much credit, but then again, she was married to Ukko. She had no doubt lost a degree of sensitivity over the years. Anyone who maintained close contact with Ukko would need to cultivate a thick skin. However, Fai wasn't present. Perhaps if he woke and returned to the court, she would consider taking the crispinette off or disguising it with a veil.
Kyllikki said with arrogant righteousness, "Mother, I told you that you should have worn something more modern. That headdress is positively ancient."
"It is an important family heirloom," Rana sniffed. "It belonged to your father's great-grandmother, your great-great-grandmother. I wear it to honor our gracious host."
That statement exceeded Ashura's own estimates about the ornament's age and the Lintukotoan propensity for wearing ridiculously outmoded jewels. While Ashura appreciated the queen's intent, he did not feel particularly honored to be in the presence of an ancient museum piece, no matter how venerated by its present owner. Especially now that he knew it had traumatized Fai. Like Fai, he wished that Queen Rana had not worn it, and considered it a pity that the queen had not heeded her daughter's wise advice. Despite these thoughts, Ashura kept his mouth shut. He was not about to get embroiled in a mother-daughter dispute over jewelry. He noted that Ukko also remained quiet, which hinted at the Lintukotoan king's familiarity with similar family squabbles.
Kyllikki said dismissively, "It's old and musty. It doesn't go with new fashions at all."
"That's enough, daughter. Do not argue like this in front of King Ashura. He will think you a shrew." Rana added archly, "And so will your betrothed."
Tancred was too besotted to notice such trivial flaws. "I think she's perfect," he declared.
On Ashura's left, Kendappa laughed. "Of course you do," she said, smiling. She addressed Rana, "Your crispinette is very beautiful, Your Majesty. I appreciate how much you esteem its history. Your jewels are magnificent."
Mollified, Rana sat back and graciously inclined her head.
Kendappa said to Kyllikki, "My dear, you are quite lovely just as you are. After you wed Tancred, you will have high status, and so will help to set fashion here. You will have many new styles to choose from. Though I do hope you won't indulge in anything too outlandish."
"Never," Kyllikki proclaimed. "I will be a model princess, an example of fashion and propriety, and I will never wear a musty, old crispinette. Even if I liked them, which I don't, I wouldn't want to distress poor Fai. I would never embarrass or upset my new family."
"You only embarrass your current one," Ukko rumbled.
"Please, my friends," Ashura said, hoping to distract them from their bickering. "The play is ready to begin. Why don't we set aside this conversation and enjoy the comedy?"
"Of course," Ukko immediately assented. "We are being poor guests, to air our differences in public here."
Queen Rana and her daughter subsided. Kendappa's eyes twinkled, and she beamed to Ashura her approval of his diversionary tactic.