(A/n: thanks to all the reviewers! And if anyone's reading my other stories, I'm soon going to add another chapter to Powerless and an epilogue to Life Behind Enemy Lines (finally!!!) Just a clear-up: Roald and Shinko named her Keladry because Kel was the one who brought them together, and is NOT dead. Kally's girl will be named Daine because Daine was an important figure to them both, and she also isn't dead. Now…read and review!!)
The carriage trundled up Place Way, attracting curious glances and mutterings. No one knew who was inside this foreign carriage, or could be important enough to be pulled by four horses, as opposed to two.
Roger poked his head out the window and smiled at all the people staring at him. Corus dazzled the boy. He had never seen anything like it.
"Come now, Roger," Maur ordered in his deep voice. "Time to get out."
Large hands gripped Roger's waist and pulled him inside so the door could be opened. Two footmen helped Maur, Lianne, and Roger onto the ground. Lianne stood still for several moments staring at the palace. Suddenly a whisper broke through the crowd that had accumulated and several people hastily bowed, murmuring, "Your Highness."
Roger watched with bewilderment as his mother, pale-faced, bowed her head in acknowledgement. The boy faced the crowd, hands on hips.
"I'm the grandson of King Jonathan and Great-nephew of King Ain," he declared to the commoners. Maur bent down to whisper something in his ear. "And I'm the nephew of King Roald!"
Several laughs could be heard, but many bowed down respectfully, as they had to Lianne. Roger smiled in satisfaction.
"I like being royal, mama," he confided to his mother as they walked into the palace courtyard. She smiled sadly at him.
A herald opened the doors for them, where other servants were carrying their luggage. They were lead to the Dining Hall. Another herald threw open both doors, a sign that Royalty was being announced.. The room inside quieted.
"I'll leave you alone for this," Maur whispered into his wife's ear, and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek before leaving to their rooms.
The herald, still holding both doors open, waited for her to compose herself before announcing her.
"Princess Lianne of Conté and Doure!" he cried in a clear, loud voice. "And her son, Roger of Conté !" There were gasps from inside the room. Roger stepped in front of the herald and said, "I'm Roger of Doure, not Conté !"
Lianne chuckled and stepped into the room, taking her son's hand. Everyone inside held their breath. Lianne looked solemnly around at familiar and unfamiliar faces.
"The Princess," someone whispered.
"Haven't seen her in a while," added another.
"Her son, Roger? Cute little lad."
From amongst the nobles Jonathan stood, lost for words. Silence stretched throughout the hall.
Jonathan snapped his fingers at his side, and as one, Alanna, Gary, Raoul, Thayet, Kally, Roald, and Shinko stood. Lianne took several tentative steps towards them, but they strode straight to their prodigal princess.
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After the very emotional meeting, Jon brought everyone to the council room for talking. Maur even came to be introduced. Lianne settled herself next to Maur and across from her father and mother, She still felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Jon took a breath, but still couldn't seem to say anything. With over-bright eyes he surveyed his daughter. She looked around the table feebly. Everyone noticed that she clutched Maur's hand very tightly.
"Welcome back, Lianne," Alanna said finally.
"We've missed you," added Raoul.
"And we're sorry," Gary admitted.
"What are you sorry for?" Lianne asked. "It's not your fault. It's mine."
Jon restrained himself from walking over to her and clenched his hands. "No, Lianne, whatever happened was not your fault. It's mine. I should have given you more attention and…"
Roald cleared his throat. "Whatever happened is in the past. It doesn't matter."
"I'm going to go get the children," Shinko said quietly. "Kally, are you coming?" The two got up to leave, and soon returned with three children. Roger jumped up eagerly.
Jasson and Keladry bowed to their superiors. They looked very much like the Conté children usually do. Young Ibrith, who was barely four, bowed next. The three children then huddled together, sending Lianne, Maur, and Roger curious looks.
Roald stood and walked over to his children.
"Children, this is your aunt Lianne, Uncle Maur, and cousin Roger," he said quietly to them. All three sets of eyes brightened in interest.
"Want to play in our nursery?" Jasson supplied, holding out a small hand for Roger to shake. With a smile the nurse ushered out all four children.
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The nursery was very big and held many toys and things to play on. It even had a door leading to Jasson and Kel's private stable, where each of them had a pony.
"Welcome, Roger," Ibrith said courteously. Already these royal children showed attitudes of their lineage. "Let's play the name game."
"What's that?" Lianne's son asked.
Keladry smiled. "Sit down in a circle, and we'll show you!"
They all sat down. Jasson started by clearing his throat.
"My name is Jasson of Conté . I will be King of Tortall."
"My name is Keladry of Conté . I will make Tortall's most important marriage."
"My name is Ibrith Tahisk Modumb. I will be Emperor of Carthak."
They all stared expectantly at Roger.
"Um…I'm Roger of Doure. I will be Count of Doure."
The children gasped.
"This is a royal nursery. You're not royal," Ibrith accused.
"Yes I am!" Roger insisted, hands shaking. "My mother is a Princess, and my father is the King's nephew."
With a look of disgust Ibrith stood up and moved away from Roger. Jasson looked at his cousin frankly.
"I've heard Grandfather Jon talking about you," the Prince said slowly. "You're named after an evil man."
"He's evil," Keladry said simply.
"I am not!" Roger shouted, close to tears. His face was beginning to turn red. No one had ever made him angry before.
"Yes you are!" Ibrith yelled from across the nursery. He was picking out a fake sword to play with from a rack.
Jasson and Keladry nodded knowingly and went to join Ibrith in swordplay.
"So you're like a commoner," taunted Jasson. Keladry giggled.
"I bet he's never even seen a sword. He can't fight with one," laughed Ibrith.
Roger mouthed wordlessly, hands clenched in his lap.
"Do you want to try, evil commoner?" Keladry asked, and threw a light wooden sword at him. It landed several feet away from him.
Hesitantly Roger moved to pick it up. He had used swords before, his father gave him private lessons. But he was alp told not to use one unless there was an adult nearby. The other children were laughing and making passes with their swords. Grimly Roger picked his up.
With a yell the other kids were on top of him, taunting him. Roger stood quickly and put his back to the wall as the children tried to hit him with their blunt swords.
"Dirty commoner."
"Evil man."
"Want-to be!"
"Stupid!"
Grimly Roger blocked every one of their swords until they finally gave up. As they turned away, Roger rushed to the corner of the nursery where a large pile of blankets were. Fighting back tears, the boy buried himself in the cloth, curled up in a ball, red-faced, and ashamed.
