Chapter Four
I awoke that evening. I barely had enough time to dress and bathe before the concert Larisa, one of my sister's intimates, had arranged. The maids stuffed me into a blue dress and styled my hair with blinding speed. I was still half-asleep and content to only shift a limb or two and hold my head still as they rushed around me.
The maids were almost finished with me when my brother slapped the tapestry and called, "Are you ready yet?"
"One second!" I replied, snatching a fan from the nearest maid and grabbing a cloak from another.
I dashed out of my room to be met with a party consisting of my sister and a few of her friends, including Larisa, my brother and few of his friends, one of whom was Flauvic. I curtsied and greeted everyone, then allowed myself to fade into the background. My sister smoothly reclaimed everyone's attention and we strolled down the hall to the front entrance where carriages would take us to the concert hall.
I barely noticed my brother making excuses so that me him and Flauvic could ride alone in a carriage together. The carriage started moving. My brother, Ogaric, looked out of the window. The corners of his mouth were slightly turned down and there was a faint line between his brows. He was worrying.
I knew better than to ask him what was wrong. He would tell me soon enough.
Finally, he turned his head to look at me and said, "I have something very serious I need to discuss with you and Flauvic."
"You have my attention." I said.
"Please continue." Flauvic nodded deeply, recognizing Ogaric's authority.
"I understand that Nee has been consulting you for her piece about the Hillfolk." My brother said.
I wondered where this conversation was going.
"I also know that you have sought privacy from the interruptions of various court ladies in an archive room.
"You must understand that I have no objections to such an arrangement. I know that Nee will conduct herself in a decorous manner and will not disgrace herself. However, other people at Court are gossiping about your meetings in the archive room. I understand your need for privacy, but there must be some semblance of propriety. I suggest that you next meet in the Elena Library. I believe it will suit both our purposes much more adequately than the Main Library."
Flauvic nodded his head again, but more deeply and with more feeling. He then said, "You are wise as well as diplomatic. I was not aware of the gossip concerning Princess Nimiar and I. I am glad that you salvaged her reputation before I inadvertently damaged it too much."
I smiled and kissed Ogaric on the cheek. "Not everyone is lucky enough to have an older brother as sweet as you."
He turned a faint pink. I suppose I embarrassed him by being so affectionate in public.
Flauvic smoothly changed the subject and the rest of the ride was filled with pleasant talk of nothing and everything.
The only chance I had to speak with Flauvic again was a scanty two hours two days before I left to return to school. I still felt my stomach twist in a way that was similar and yet completely different from the feeling I had before a major social event. I was eager to see Flauvic. I was not eager to attend social functions.
I dressed in nice clothing since I suspected that the entire court would find a good excuse to meander by the windows and leer at Flauvic and I.
The Elena Library was a room with a history. Elena was the mistress of a long-dead king. The king had built the library for Elena because she loved books. She also loved sunlight so he placed the library where it overlooked the garden and of course plenty of sunshine shone in. Unfortunately, the king died with no heir. His wife, the queen was now the ruler of Remalna. She had always been jealous of his mistress and while she could not assassinate her for fear of losing her throne, she did find revenge. The queen arranged to build on to the castle in front of Elena's library, eliminating the garden view. Elena's windows into the garden were now windows into the hall. The library now mostly held genealogies of noble families and was seldom used.
Flauvic and I met in the library ten minutes before the appointed time. His hair was not perfectly combed. There were a few strands that had fallen out of place. There was a wrinkle in his jacket. A faint almost- line appeared between his brows. Was I imagining things or was Flauvic Merindar disheveled and out of sorts?
He bowed, but it was not one of his smooth bows with a few elegant flourishes, it was a jerky bow and his hand movements looked ridiculous rather than graceful. I curtsied back at him and invited him to sit. He nodded and sat, not even bothering to pull my chair out for me like a proper gentleman.
I had just opened my mouth to ask my first question about the Hillfolk when he said, "Look, there is something serious I must speak of right now. I will not see you for some time and I need you to know."
My heart started to race a mile a minute and things that I both feared and wanted him to say rushed through my mind. My whole body was cold and hot and sweaty all at the same time. "Please continue." I managed to say in a calm, composed tone.
"It is about your brother. I am concerned about his fitness to rule Remalna."
I was so shocked by this statement that I just sat there, feeling both relieved and disappointed. "You are not serious." I replied without inflection. He had to be jesting.
He gave me a slightly mournful look. "I am as serious as any human could possibly be. I do not think he is fit to rule."
I felt betrayed and angry. He had been toying with me, manipulating me until he could use me to remove Ogaric from the throne. Well, I was not some pawn of his to be shuffled around wherever he pleased. I did not have to listen to his poison. I stood up to leave, the sooner, the better.
Flauvic looked hurt and confused. "What are you doing? Where are you going?"
"I am leaving. I am not going to listen to you garble trash about my brother. He will make an excellent king just as I will make an excellent advisor to the king. I do not want any more power than that. You are not going to make me into one of your pawns. In fact, I am going straight to my parents. I hope my mother hangs you for treason."
I whirled around and began to stalk out of the library. He grabbed me by the wrist. "Unhand me you scum!" I yelled and aimed a punch at his face with my other hand. He flinched out of the way and my fist glanced off his cheek. He caught my other hand and hauled me over to my chair. I stepped hard on his foot, but he did not seem to notice. I kicked him in the shins, but with the same result.
He forced me to sit down and said in a stern, tired voice, "I do not enjoy manhandling you like this, but you must listen to all I have to say. When I am finished, you can have me hung, drawn, and quartered all you like."
I settled a look of boredom on my face and listened. He discussed his reasoning to me in a rational manner, often comparing certain characteristics of my brother's personality to King Galdran. If anyone but Flauvic had been discussing anyone but my brother, I would have agreed wholeheartedly with his logic.
After our two hours were up, I immediately sought out my parents and told them everything Flauvic had told me. They reacted without surprise and replied that they had already had a similar discussion with Flauvic.
"Well, is it not absolutely preposterous!" I exclaimed.
"We do not know yet. We have always thought that Ogaric would be good for Remalna, but now I am not entirely sure." My mother replied.
I could not believe I heard her correctly. What was wrong with everyone?
My mind blanked out as I dimly heard her say that she feared she had been blinded by her love for Ogaric and had never seen his flaws. How his wit often hurt feelings, his lavish dressing and eating habits, his obsession with winning, his volatile temper when he had too much to drink.
Flauvic had manipulated the entire family against my brother. Well, I would stand by him if no one else would. I would not give up on him so easily.
I left Athanarel with a mixture of sadness and relief. It was nice to get away from the social pressure of the palace, but I would miss my parents and I worried about what Flauvic would be up to while I was gone. He claimed that his magic had left him when he was released from the tree, but I did not believe a word he said. I had arranged for several someones to watch him very closely and to send me information on his whereabouts at all hours of the day as well as detailed information about things that he bought. I also wanted to know who he was friends with, his enemies, and what was happening between him and his covey of ladies. They sent me long, detailed letters that I spent days analyzing for a hint or even a scrap of a hint that he was up to no good. To my disappointment, he was on his best behavior and even my spies and I could not find any clues that he was plotting something nasty.
I traveled to Renselaeus where I stayed for a week with Emeric and Arian. Their son, Remare had coincidentally returned home from traveling in the east not long before I had arrived. In fact, his sudden arrival in Renselaeus had precipitated their return. Remare was only two years older than I and we were childhood friends, though we had not seen each other in the past few years. He was seeing the world and I was at the university.
I did not know about Remare's appearance until I arrived at Renselaeus. I dismounted Red, feeling slightly tired, but nothing that a hot cup of coffee could not fix. Lily was in season and spooked so often at imaginary objects that she was almost unmanageable. After forcing her to more-or- less settle down, I picked up a spare mount from my escort and subjected her to pack horse duty. The spare mount had a hard mouth and an even harder trot. As soon as Red was rested I was on his back. I felt deep sympathy for whoever had to ride that horse. Nothing was worse than a long ride on a difficult or rough horse.
Arian and Emeric made their courtesies to me and barely allowed me to finish my curtsy before they hugged me, reintroduced me to Remare, and offered me every kind of food and drink I could ever want.
I did not have to worry about conversation initially due to all of the hustle and bustle and small crises that occur during arrivals.
I sneaked glances at Remare. He had changed significantly from the pale, scrawny, shy boy I remembered.
He was taller and his shoulders were wide and well muscled in a way that made my heart skip a little beat. His face was tanner and more serious. He carried himself confidently, but not arrogantly.
He bowed almost as smoothly as Flauvic with a little flourish. I curtsied.
Initially conversation was difficult, but we soon found the safe ground of our childhood adventures. From there it ranged to both our experiences.
I went to bed late that night, thinking about Remare's wide shoulders and handsome face. Perhaps there could be a match between us. Our parents would both be thrilled. I could think of less pleasant and handsome men to marry. Well, I thought, turning over in the soft bed, I have a good few years before I have to worry about such things.
My week at Renselaeus passed swiftly, helped along by Remare's presence. Before I left, we extracted promises from each other that we would write and keep in touch. I could not help but glance at the tuft of chest hair peeking out of his shirt. I would not mind keeping this promise.
I returned to the university and had been there for three months when a catastrophic event in my personal life occurred. I was studying for a test when I got word of my mother's death. Before, my life seemed to move along smoothly and happily. In the back of my mind were plans for what I would do that week. My plans were now smashed to bits and my heart and sanity were ripped away.
Emeric was the person who told me. That very night, we were on a ship back to Renselaeus. My horses would be coming home a few days behind me. It was more difficult to book an emergency passage for horses than people.
It had taken Emeric a week and a half to get here. Mother had already had her funeral pyre. Arian and Remare were at Athanarel, trying to keep things in a semblance of order.
When the boat landed, there was already a carriage waiting for us. We stopped only long enough for our belongings to be loaded before we rushed off at a jarring canter. Normally, riding in carriages made me sick to my stomach, but I could not quite remember when I had last eaten and I was so sick and miserable with grief that I did not notice a little more sickness and misery.
We stopped only to eat and drink. I could not keep anything down, so Emeric did all of the eating. I occasionally drank water.
When I arrived in Athanarel, three weeks after Mother's death, I was shocked at the pandemonium among the nobles. My brother was in the thick of it. He would try to give orders, then break down and leave the person taking them with only half an idea of what he was supposed to do. The smart people would turn to Arian and Remare for clarification, but even they had only a vague idea of what should be done.
My maids quickly dressed me in my formal Court dress. Petitioner's Court was about to begin and I would be needed.
When I arrived in the throne room, I was shocked to find that it was absolutely empty. There was a lone servant sweeping the floor.
"Where is everyone?" I demanded.
"The King cancelled Petitioner's Court." She replied.
"He cancelled it?"
"We have not held open Court for the past three weeks." She said.
I felt rage at my brother's stupidity. One did not halt the business of the kingdom just because of a personal tragedy.
The servant stared at me with her mouth half-open and widened eyes. I had scared her. "I am sorry. Do not worry, I am not angry with you. Could you do me a favor though? How long do you think it would take to get this room prepared for Petitioner's Court?"
"An hour at least." She replied.
"Tell all the servants that we will have Petitioner's Court in an hour." I said.
She dashed to the door. "One more thing," I called, "Could you send a runner to this hall?"
She nodded, curtsied, then darted out of the door.
I hunted down a quill, ink and paper and quickly wrote a note saying that Petitioner's Court would begin in one hour.
A runner entered the room. I handed him the note. "Send this to the scribes and tell them to make sure that copies go out to every noble family in the Residence."
He nodded, repeated what I said, then left.
Now that I had preparations for Petitioner's Court finished, it was time to deal with a more difficult challenge, forcing Ogaric to come.
I stormed to the Royal Wing. I was already angry with him and I was spoiling for a good fight. When I arrived at his room, I shoved the heavy tapestry out of my way and breezed past a few stunned servants.
Ogaric was in his bed, sniffling pathetically into the pillows. I ripped off his blankets, grabbed him by the arm, and jerked him to his feet. "Get his formal court attire!" I yelled at his body servants.
"What are you doing? There is no Petitioner's Court today." He whimpered petulantly.
"There will be in one hour. And you are going to be there." I dragged him to the dressing room.
"I am in mourning," he complained, "I cannot rule properly. I feel too much grief."
"Kings do not have the luxury of grief or mourning. You have to hold things together while everyone else mourns." I was completely disgusted with him.
"I am the one who lost a mother." He retorted in a whiny, sullen tone.
The body servants crept around him, not sure of what they should do. I ripped off his nightshirt.
"What are you doing?" Outrage was a welcome change from his selfish whining.
"Well, since you are obviously unable to dress yourself," I said as I pulled his undershirt on over his head, "I am doing it for you. Do not expect me to do this every day."
"I can dress myself."
"Then do it. You are going to be in the Throne Room in one hour. Do not make me come and get you." I replied.
I threw his shirt at his head and left the room.
I headed for the west balcony so that I could address the Petitioners. I felt better now that I had released some of the angry, helpless tension that had been building up this past week and a half.
Just when my emotions were beginning to become steady and settled, I saw Flauvic once again and they scattered around like sand in strong wind.
I awoke that evening. I barely had enough time to dress and bathe before the concert Larisa, one of my sister's intimates, had arranged. The maids stuffed me into a blue dress and styled my hair with blinding speed. I was still half-asleep and content to only shift a limb or two and hold my head still as they rushed around me.
The maids were almost finished with me when my brother slapped the tapestry and called, "Are you ready yet?"
"One second!" I replied, snatching a fan from the nearest maid and grabbing a cloak from another.
I dashed out of my room to be met with a party consisting of my sister and a few of her friends, including Larisa, my brother and few of his friends, one of whom was Flauvic. I curtsied and greeted everyone, then allowed myself to fade into the background. My sister smoothly reclaimed everyone's attention and we strolled down the hall to the front entrance where carriages would take us to the concert hall.
I barely noticed my brother making excuses so that me him and Flauvic could ride alone in a carriage together. The carriage started moving. My brother, Ogaric, looked out of the window. The corners of his mouth were slightly turned down and there was a faint line between his brows. He was worrying.
I knew better than to ask him what was wrong. He would tell me soon enough.
Finally, he turned his head to look at me and said, "I have something very serious I need to discuss with you and Flauvic."
"You have my attention." I said.
"Please continue." Flauvic nodded deeply, recognizing Ogaric's authority.
"I understand that Nee has been consulting you for her piece about the Hillfolk." My brother said.
I wondered where this conversation was going.
"I also know that you have sought privacy from the interruptions of various court ladies in an archive room.
"You must understand that I have no objections to such an arrangement. I know that Nee will conduct herself in a decorous manner and will not disgrace herself. However, other people at Court are gossiping about your meetings in the archive room. I understand your need for privacy, but there must be some semblance of propriety. I suggest that you next meet in the Elena Library. I believe it will suit both our purposes much more adequately than the Main Library."
Flauvic nodded his head again, but more deeply and with more feeling. He then said, "You are wise as well as diplomatic. I was not aware of the gossip concerning Princess Nimiar and I. I am glad that you salvaged her reputation before I inadvertently damaged it too much."
I smiled and kissed Ogaric on the cheek. "Not everyone is lucky enough to have an older brother as sweet as you."
He turned a faint pink. I suppose I embarrassed him by being so affectionate in public.
Flauvic smoothly changed the subject and the rest of the ride was filled with pleasant talk of nothing and everything.
The only chance I had to speak with Flauvic again was a scanty two hours two days before I left to return to school. I still felt my stomach twist in a way that was similar and yet completely different from the feeling I had before a major social event. I was eager to see Flauvic. I was not eager to attend social functions.
I dressed in nice clothing since I suspected that the entire court would find a good excuse to meander by the windows and leer at Flauvic and I.
The Elena Library was a room with a history. Elena was the mistress of a long-dead king. The king had built the library for Elena because she loved books. She also loved sunlight so he placed the library where it overlooked the garden and of course plenty of sunshine shone in. Unfortunately, the king died with no heir. His wife, the queen was now the ruler of Remalna. She had always been jealous of his mistress and while she could not assassinate her for fear of losing her throne, she did find revenge. The queen arranged to build on to the castle in front of Elena's library, eliminating the garden view. Elena's windows into the garden were now windows into the hall. The library now mostly held genealogies of noble families and was seldom used.
Flauvic and I met in the library ten minutes before the appointed time. His hair was not perfectly combed. There were a few strands that had fallen out of place. There was a wrinkle in his jacket. A faint almost- line appeared between his brows. Was I imagining things or was Flauvic Merindar disheveled and out of sorts?
He bowed, but it was not one of his smooth bows with a few elegant flourishes, it was a jerky bow and his hand movements looked ridiculous rather than graceful. I curtsied back at him and invited him to sit. He nodded and sat, not even bothering to pull my chair out for me like a proper gentleman.
I had just opened my mouth to ask my first question about the Hillfolk when he said, "Look, there is something serious I must speak of right now. I will not see you for some time and I need you to know."
My heart started to race a mile a minute and things that I both feared and wanted him to say rushed through my mind. My whole body was cold and hot and sweaty all at the same time. "Please continue." I managed to say in a calm, composed tone.
"It is about your brother. I am concerned about his fitness to rule Remalna."
I was so shocked by this statement that I just sat there, feeling both relieved and disappointed. "You are not serious." I replied without inflection. He had to be jesting.
He gave me a slightly mournful look. "I am as serious as any human could possibly be. I do not think he is fit to rule."
I felt betrayed and angry. He had been toying with me, manipulating me until he could use me to remove Ogaric from the throne. Well, I was not some pawn of his to be shuffled around wherever he pleased. I did not have to listen to his poison. I stood up to leave, the sooner, the better.
Flauvic looked hurt and confused. "What are you doing? Where are you going?"
"I am leaving. I am not going to listen to you garble trash about my brother. He will make an excellent king just as I will make an excellent advisor to the king. I do not want any more power than that. You are not going to make me into one of your pawns. In fact, I am going straight to my parents. I hope my mother hangs you for treason."
I whirled around and began to stalk out of the library. He grabbed me by the wrist. "Unhand me you scum!" I yelled and aimed a punch at his face with my other hand. He flinched out of the way and my fist glanced off his cheek. He caught my other hand and hauled me over to my chair. I stepped hard on his foot, but he did not seem to notice. I kicked him in the shins, but with the same result.
He forced me to sit down and said in a stern, tired voice, "I do not enjoy manhandling you like this, but you must listen to all I have to say. When I am finished, you can have me hung, drawn, and quartered all you like."
I settled a look of boredom on my face and listened. He discussed his reasoning to me in a rational manner, often comparing certain characteristics of my brother's personality to King Galdran. If anyone but Flauvic had been discussing anyone but my brother, I would have agreed wholeheartedly with his logic.
After our two hours were up, I immediately sought out my parents and told them everything Flauvic had told me. They reacted without surprise and replied that they had already had a similar discussion with Flauvic.
"Well, is it not absolutely preposterous!" I exclaimed.
"We do not know yet. We have always thought that Ogaric would be good for Remalna, but now I am not entirely sure." My mother replied.
I could not believe I heard her correctly. What was wrong with everyone?
My mind blanked out as I dimly heard her say that she feared she had been blinded by her love for Ogaric and had never seen his flaws. How his wit often hurt feelings, his lavish dressing and eating habits, his obsession with winning, his volatile temper when he had too much to drink.
Flauvic had manipulated the entire family against my brother. Well, I would stand by him if no one else would. I would not give up on him so easily.
I left Athanarel with a mixture of sadness and relief. It was nice to get away from the social pressure of the palace, but I would miss my parents and I worried about what Flauvic would be up to while I was gone. He claimed that his magic had left him when he was released from the tree, but I did not believe a word he said. I had arranged for several someones to watch him very closely and to send me information on his whereabouts at all hours of the day as well as detailed information about things that he bought. I also wanted to know who he was friends with, his enemies, and what was happening between him and his covey of ladies. They sent me long, detailed letters that I spent days analyzing for a hint or even a scrap of a hint that he was up to no good. To my disappointment, he was on his best behavior and even my spies and I could not find any clues that he was plotting something nasty.
I traveled to Renselaeus where I stayed for a week with Emeric and Arian. Their son, Remare had coincidentally returned home from traveling in the east not long before I had arrived. In fact, his sudden arrival in Renselaeus had precipitated their return. Remare was only two years older than I and we were childhood friends, though we had not seen each other in the past few years. He was seeing the world and I was at the university.
I did not know about Remare's appearance until I arrived at Renselaeus. I dismounted Red, feeling slightly tired, but nothing that a hot cup of coffee could not fix. Lily was in season and spooked so often at imaginary objects that she was almost unmanageable. After forcing her to more-or- less settle down, I picked up a spare mount from my escort and subjected her to pack horse duty. The spare mount had a hard mouth and an even harder trot. As soon as Red was rested I was on his back. I felt deep sympathy for whoever had to ride that horse. Nothing was worse than a long ride on a difficult or rough horse.
Arian and Emeric made their courtesies to me and barely allowed me to finish my curtsy before they hugged me, reintroduced me to Remare, and offered me every kind of food and drink I could ever want.
I did not have to worry about conversation initially due to all of the hustle and bustle and small crises that occur during arrivals.
I sneaked glances at Remare. He had changed significantly from the pale, scrawny, shy boy I remembered.
He was taller and his shoulders were wide and well muscled in a way that made my heart skip a little beat. His face was tanner and more serious. He carried himself confidently, but not arrogantly.
He bowed almost as smoothly as Flauvic with a little flourish. I curtsied.
Initially conversation was difficult, but we soon found the safe ground of our childhood adventures. From there it ranged to both our experiences.
I went to bed late that night, thinking about Remare's wide shoulders and handsome face. Perhaps there could be a match between us. Our parents would both be thrilled. I could think of less pleasant and handsome men to marry. Well, I thought, turning over in the soft bed, I have a good few years before I have to worry about such things.
My week at Renselaeus passed swiftly, helped along by Remare's presence. Before I left, we extracted promises from each other that we would write and keep in touch. I could not help but glance at the tuft of chest hair peeking out of his shirt. I would not mind keeping this promise.
I returned to the university and had been there for three months when a catastrophic event in my personal life occurred. I was studying for a test when I got word of my mother's death. Before, my life seemed to move along smoothly and happily. In the back of my mind were plans for what I would do that week. My plans were now smashed to bits and my heart and sanity were ripped away.
Emeric was the person who told me. That very night, we were on a ship back to Renselaeus. My horses would be coming home a few days behind me. It was more difficult to book an emergency passage for horses than people.
It had taken Emeric a week and a half to get here. Mother had already had her funeral pyre. Arian and Remare were at Athanarel, trying to keep things in a semblance of order.
When the boat landed, there was already a carriage waiting for us. We stopped only long enough for our belongings to be loaded before we rushed off at a jarring canter. Normally, riding in carriages made me sick to my stomach, but I could not quite remember when I had last eaten and I was so sick and miserable with grief that I did not notice a little more sickness and misery.
We stopped only to eat and drink. I could not keep anything down, so Emeric did all of the eating. I occasionally drank water.
When I arrived in Athanarel, three weeks after Mother's death, I was shocked at the pandemonium among the nobles. My brother was in the thick of it. He would try to give orders, then break down and leave the person taking them with only half an idea of what he was supposed to do. The smart people would turn to Arian and Remare for clarification, but even they had only a vague idea of what should be done.
My maids quickly dressed me in my formal Court dress. Petitioner's Court was about to begin and I would be needed.
When I arrived in the throne room, I was shocked to find that it was absolutely empty. There was a lone servant sweeping the floor.
"Where is everyone?" I demanded.
"The King cancelled Petitioner's Court." She replied.
"He cancelled it?"
"We have not held open Court for the past three weeks." She said.
I felt rage at my brother's stupidity. One did not halt the business of the kingdom just because of a personal tragedy.
The servant stared at me with her mouth half-open and widened eyes. I had scared her. "I am sorry. Do not worry, I am not angry with you. Could you do me a favor though? How long do you think it would take to get this room prepared for Petitioner's Court?"
"An hour at least." She replied.
"Tell all the servants that we will have Petitioner's Court in an hour." I said.
She dashed to the door. "One more thing," I called, "Could you send a runner to this hall?"
She nodded, curtsied, then darted out of the door.
I hunted down a quill, ink and paper and quickly wrote a note saying that Petitioner's Court would begin in one hour.
A runner entered the room. I handed him the note. "Send this to the scribes and tell them to make sure that copies go out to every noble family in the Residence."
He nodded, repeated what I said, then left.
Now that I had preparations for Petitioner's Court finished, it was time to deal with a more difficult challenge, forcing Ogaric to come.
I stormed to the Royal Wing. I was already angry with him and I was spoiling for a good fight. When I arrived at his room, I shoved the heavy tapestry out of my way and breezed past a few stunned servants.
Ogaric was in his bed, sniffling pathetically into the pillows. I ripped off his blankets, grabbed him by the arm, and jerked him to his feet. "Get his formal court attire!" I yelled at his body servants.
"What are you doing? There is no Petitioner's Court today." He whimpered petulantly.
"There will be in one hour. And you are going to be there." I dragged him to the dressing room.
"I am in mourning," he complained, "I cannot rule properly. I feel too much grief."
"Kings do not have the luxury of grief or mourning. You have to hold things together while everyone else mourns." I was completely disgusted with him.
"I am the one who lost a mother." He retorted in a whiny, sullen tone.
The body servants crept around him, not sure of what they should do. I ripped off his nightshirt.
"What are you doing?" Outrage was a welcome change from his selfish whining.
"Well, since you are obviously unable to dress yourself," I said as I pulled his undershirt on over his head, "I am doing it for you. Do not expect me to do this every day."
"I can dress myself."
"Then do it. You are going to be in the Throne Room in one hour. Do not make me come and get you." I replied.
I threw his shirt at his head and left the room.
I headed for the west balcony so that I could address the Petitioners. I felt better now that I had released some of the angry, helpless tension that had been building up this past week and a half.
Just when my emotions were beginning to become steady and settled, I saw Flauvic once again and they scattered around like sand in strong wind.