Chapter Two
"Getting Ready"
Danica carefully packed all her gowns into her trunks. Papa wouldn't be back for at least another three and a half weeks, which is just enough time for her to visit Uline. She didn't live so far away so traveling with a wagon would only take half a day.
"Take these out to the wagon and wait for me." Danica told Janis, her personal guard, and friend. "Netty, come with me. I have to tell the Evil Steps I'm leaving." Netty nodded and followed Danica to the gardens. "My ladies." Danica murmured, curtseying to the Gretchen and Celadine.
"Where are you going?" Gretchen inquired.
"I've received invitation to visit Lady Uline haMinch. I will be leaving now. I'll return before Papa gets home." Danica turned to leave.
"And who said you could go?" She demanded to know.
"I did not know I had to have you permission to visit an old friend." Danica said in a quiet, dangerous voice. "Nor did I know it was your business as to know what I was doing. Last I remember was Papa's permission to do as I pleased. Come, Netty. We will go. Uline is waiting for us."
(_)
"Welcome to Vilita!" Uline ran up to hug Danica. "It's so good to see you again, Danica!" Danica hugged Uline fiercely.
"I've missed you! I can't thank you enough for helping me with this. I know you're busy and all. I mean, having a baby! A son! You're so lucky, Uline! And to continue being a royal lady! I'm envious. I wish I could have all you have!"
"No you don't!" Uline laughed. "I've got a baby who demands all my attention, a husband that demands all the child's attention, and I have to practice my archery and riding all during this! It's not that fun!"
"What are you talking about? You're allowed to practice weapons; you have a husband that loves you and a child to care for! You have everything I want!"
"You're so silly!" Uline grabbed Danica's hand and pulled her inside. "Let's see what you have. I've found some of my old gowns from when I was being presented. I thought we could adjust them to fit your body and make them more fashionable."
"Oh, Uline. That's wonderful. Thank you! But you forget, I'm not at all conscious of fashion. I have no clue what's in fashion. And I definitely don't want to be dressed exactly like all the other maidens. How will I stand out if I look like them?"
"You haven't changed at all. You always want to stick out and do things your own way. Lets take a look at what you have. And we'll have to make sure the gowns match you perfectly. It shouldn't be too difficult to match colors to your gray eyes, right?"
"I hope not!" Danica laughed, leaning down to open her trunks. Time passed quickly while the women and a few maids worked. Soon, Danica had three trunks full of adjusted and fashionable clothing to wear at Court. Her fourth trunk was filled with her old clothing, which they did not change. They wanted to have some old, boring bits of clothing to keep Gretchen and Celadine thinking she would look bad.
"I'll go ahead and take those three trunks to Corus for you. When you get there, make sure to come by my home to get them. Or better yet, I'll ask your father if I could sponsor you this Season while he presents Celadine. That shouldn't be a problem. He'd let me present you. Remind me to ask him when we get to Corus. Kieran and I will come call when you arrive."
"Great. Thanks again, Uline." Danica hugged her friend. "I'll see you soon. In a few weeks. You know how long it'll take us. Or maybe you could wait for papa to get back and then we can all go to Corus together. What do you think?"
"I'll ask Kieran and write you. You had better go. See you soon, Danica."
(-_-)
"Welcome to Corus, my ladies." Lord Sheldon announced as they passed through gates.
"Oh, it's beautiful, Father!" Celadine gushed. Danica glanced over at Jakkin, Janis's son and her very best friend, and rolled her eyes. He made a face at her.
"How do you like it, my Danica?"
"I love it, Papa. It's very pretty. I only wished I knew where Uline was. She's here, you know. Her son is such a beautiful baby." She answered with a smile.
"I'm sure we'll find her." He gave her a hug, well, as good as a hug as possible on horseback. "If you'd like, I'll send Jakkin to find her."
"Oh would you, Papa?" Danica glanced at Jakkin and he nodded.
"My lord." Jakkin bowed to Lord Sheldon before nudging his horse out of line. The train arrived at the Kestral House, where they would be staying for the next year or so.
"It's so little!" Celadine whined when she saw that the mansion only had twelve bedrooms, instead of the twenty-eight back in Kestral.
"It's perfect. Not little." Danica answered, walking up the stairs to the room she had stayed in as a child. "I'll be in my room, Papa."
"She has a room?" Celadine screeched. She followed Danica up to the small set of rooms on the third floor. There was a bedroom, a bathing room, and a small room for a maid. That was all on the third floor. "I want to stay here!"
"No! This is my room. It has been since I was a child. It has been since Mummy was alive. You're not taking my room."
"MOTHER! I WANT THIS ROOM!" Celadine screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Now, now, share, girls." Sheldon came up the stairs with Gretchen in tow. "Celadine, this room has belonged to Danica for years now. There are other rooms on the second level you can have."
"How is that fair, Sheldon?" Gretchen asked innocently. "Here's a way to fix this. I've got a number between one and 10. Guess."
"Seven!" Celadine shouted.
"I don't care if you have a cookie! She's not taking my rooms. Mummy gave these rooms to me on my third birthday. I won't give it to her like I did back in Kestral. You took my rooms then, you won't have this one."
"Well, since you didn't guess, Celadine is closest, so these are her rooms." Gretchen said sweetly.
"My ass it is." Danica snapped.
"Danica! You will not use that language!" Sheldon scolded.
"Papa, I'm not giving my rooms to her. Please Papa. This is the only real place I have to remember Mummy. Would you take that away from me?"
"It is hers, Gretchen. Celadine will have to take another room. That's final." Sheldon said, ushering his second wife and her child to the doors.
"May I present Sir Kieran haMinch, his lady Uline and son Kief." Jakkin announced as soon as Lord Sheldon reached the first level.
"Ah, Uline! How are you, child? Well, I hope. Danica will be excited to see you. She's going to be presented in Court this year, you know. You wouldn't know any good men looking for wives, now would you Kieran?"
"I would indeed, my lord." Kieran answered with a smile. "In fact, I was thinking since you intend to present both of your daughters in Court this year, would you be willing to allow Uline and myself to present Danica. To lessen the strain on yourself, of course."
"Well..."
"Oh please, Papa? Uline can show me everything and I can travel with her on the Progress when it leaves Corus again."
"And we'd be willing to support her completely in all ways except arranging her marriage if you'd like. The cost of supporting and presenting two daughters during the Grand Progress will be unbearably high, my lord. Besides, I would love the chance to help my best friend. I'll be a very careful chaperon." Uline added with a smile.
"Do you really want this, Danica?"
"Oh, yes, Papa. Please? I know you want to present me yourself because I'm your daughter and all, but you do have Celadine to think of. You couldn't possibly find her a wonderful husband if you're mind is on me."
"Father, just let her go." Celadine interrupted.
"Oh, very well. You may go with Uline and Kieran. Do behave and act like a lady, Danica. Take Netty, Janis, and Jakkin with you. Janis can keep an eye on you and Jakkin can run errands. Netty, make sure she behaves. Jakkin, you may as well have her trunks put back into the wagon."
"Thank you, Papa!" Danica squealed, hugging her father. "Let me take Kief, Uline. I'll carry him. You absolutely must show me everything in Corus."
"And boy, have my things moved to the third floor." Celadine called after Jakkin with a smug voice.
"You can have them moved up there, but you still aren't staying up there. I have the keys and the pass codes. Do you think my mum would give me a sanctuary without giving me a way to keep unwanted people out of it? The room is magically protected." Danica laughed. "Thank you Kieran for letting me stay with you."
"It's no problem. Uline has been asking to have you stay for ages now. We had better be going if we're to attend those First Night Parties at the castle. You know that the Queen has ordered all her Royal Ladies to be on hand over Midwinter." Kieran took Uline's hand. "My lord." He bowed to Sheldon. "My ladies." He bowed to Gretchen and Celadine.
"Goodbye, papa. I'll see you at the parties." Danica kissed her father's cheek and followed the others out.
(@.@)
"What are you going to wear?" Uline asked, as Danica opened her trunks. "Everyone will be there. Their Majesties, the Princes, the Princesses, the Yamani Royals, and loads and loads of important people. You have to make one huge impact. It'll be your very first appearance. Of course you won't be announced, but still."
"I'm not entirely sure. I think I want to wear that white gown with the wrapped bodice." Danica pulled gown after gown from her trunks. "If I can find it, that is. Oh, there it is. I'm going to change and you can help me decide if it'll work or not."
Danica returned after a few minutes. The gown was very beautiful. It was a Grecian-style crepe gown that emphasized wrap artistry, banding the shirred-and-ruffle Empire bodice with white satin ribbon. The gown highlighted Danica's small waist and natural body shape, while making her look exactly like the young maiden she was.
"It's perfect." Uline sighed. "And I promise you won't look like any of the other ladies. Most of them will be wearing ball gowns. You've got this casual look. You should wear your hair in curls, but not in a net. Just loose curls with the pearl earbobs. And the silver necklace with the pearl on the end. Leave your arms bare. And the white satin cloak with the fur trimmed hood."
"I think that just might work." Danica answered, looking in the looking glass. "This dress is so pretty. Thank you for helping me make it, Uline."
"You are so very welcome. But you would be even more welcomed if you would help me find a gown to wear."
"The pink gown with the full skirt and the silver embroidering. And your hair in curls and in a net. Very proper for a woman who has an infant and very beautiful at the same time. And just a little bit of powder and lip color." Danica answered, reaching for her peach rouge. Uline changed quickly and helped Danica with her face paint while Netty and another maid curled Danica and Uline's hair.
"I think I'll dress Kief to match his papa. What do you think?"
"I think Kieran would like that. And the Queen would enjoy seeing him dressed so. Netty's coming with me."
"I am?" Netty asked with an incredulous look.
"Yes." Danica answered. "Do you think I'd leave you at home on something as grand as this? And if anyone asks, you're there to look after Kief-if that's alright with you, Uline."
"It's perfect. That way, we won't have to leave when Kief gets tired. We can just have Netty take him home. Could you do that, Netty?"
"Yes, my la-I mean, Uline." Netty curtseyed. "You look beautiful, Danica." She whispered when the women finally stood to leave. Netty had changed into a clean, brown dress and put her hair up into a bun. She looked very pretty in the plain outfit.
"Getting Ready"
Danica carefully packed all her gowns into her trunks. Papa wouldn't be back for at least another three and a half weeks, which is just enough time for her to visit Uline. She didn't live so far away so traveling with a wagon would only take half a day.
"Take these out to the wagon and wait for me." Danica told Janis, her personal guard, and friend. "Netty, come with me. I have to tell the Evil Steps I'm leaving." Netty nodded and followed Danica to the gardens. "My ladies." Danica murmured, curtseying to the Gretchen and Celadine.
"Where are you going?" Gretchen inquired.
"I've received invitation to visit Lady Uline haMinch. I will be leaving now. I'll return before Papa gets home." Danica turned to leave.
"And who said you could go?" She demanded to know.
"I did not know I had to have you permission to visit an old friend." Danica said in a quiet, dangerous voice. "Nor did I know it was your business as to know what I was doing. Last I remember was Papa's permission to do as I pleased. Come, Netty. We will go. Uline is waiting for us."
(_)
"Welcome to Vilita!" Uline ran up to hug Danica. "It's so good to see you again, Danica!" Danica hugged Uline fiercely.
"I've missed you! I can't thank you enough for helping me with this. I know you're busy and all. I mean, having a baby! A son! You're so lucky, Uline! And to continue being a royal lady! I'm envious. I wish I could have all you have!"
"No you don't!" Uline laughed. "I've got a baby who demands all my attention, a husband that demands all the child's attention, and I have to practice my archery and riding all during this! It's not that fun!"
"What are you talking about? You're allowed to practice weapons; you have a husband that loves you and a child to care for! You have everything I want!"
"You're so silly!" Uline grabbed Danica's hand and pulled her inside. "Let's see what you have. I've found some of my old gowns from when I was being presented. I thought we could adjust them to fit your body and make them more fashionable."
"Oh, Uline. That's wonderful. Thank you! But you forget, I'm not at all conscious of fashion. I have no clue what's in fashion. And I definitely don't want to be dressed exactly like all the other maidens. How will I stand out if I look like them?"
"You haven't changed at all. You always want to stick out and do things your own way. Lets take a look at what you have. And we'll have to make sure the gowns match you perfectly. It shouldn't be too difficult to match colors to your gray eyes, right?"
"I hope not!" Danica laughed, leaning down to open her trunks. Time passed quickly while the women and a few maids worked. Soon, Danica had three trunks full of adjusted and fashionable clothing to wear at Court. Her fourth trunk was filled with her old clothing, which they did not change. They wanted to have some old, boring bits of clothing to keep Gretchen and Celadine thinking she would look bad.
"I'll go ahead and take those three trunks to Corus for you. When you get there, make sure to come by my home to get them. Or better yet, I'll ask your father if I could sponsor you this Season while he presents Celadine. That shouldn't be a problem. He'd let me present you. Remind me to ask him when we get to Corus. Kieran and I will come call when you arrive."
"Great. Thanks again, Uline." Danica hugged her friend. "I'll see you soon. In a few weeks. You know how long it'll take us. Or maybe you could wait for papa to get back and then we can all go to Corus together. What do you think?"
"I'll ask Kieran and write you. You had better go. See you soon, Danica."
(-_-)
"Welcome to Corus, my ladies." Lord Sheldon announced as they passed through gates.
"Oh, it's beautiful, Father!" Celadine gushed. Danica glanced over at Jakkin, Janis's son and her very best friend, and rolled her eyes. He made a face at her.
"How do you like it, my Danica?"
"I love it, Papa. It's very pretty. I only wished I knew where Uline was. She's here, you know. Her son is such a beautiful baby." She answered with a smile.
"I'm sure we'll find her." He gave her a hug, well, as good as a hug as possible on horseback. "If you'd like, I'll send Jakkin to find her."
"Oh would you, Papa?" Danica glanced at Jakkin and he nodded.
"My lord." Jakkin bowed to Lord Sheldon before nudging his horse out of line. The train arrived at the Kestral House, where they would be staying for the next year or so.
"It's so little!" Celadine whined when she saw that the mansion only had twelve bedrooms, instead of the twenty-eight back in Kestral.
"It's perfect. Not little." Danica answered, walking up the stairs to the room she had stayed in as a child. "I'll be in my room, Papa."
"She has a room?" Celadine screeched. She followed Danica up to the small set of rooms on the third floor. There was a bedroom, a bathing room, and a small room for a maid. That was all on the third floor. "I want to stay here!"
"No! This is my room. It has been since I was a child. It has been since Mummy was alive. You're not taking my room."
"MOTHER! I WANT THIS ROOM!" Celadine screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Now, now, share, girls." Sheldon came up the stairs with Gretchen in tow. "Celadine, this room has belonged to Danica for years now. There are other rooms on the second level you can have."
"How is that fair, Sheldon?" Gretchen asked innocently. "Here's a way to fix this. I've got a number between one and 10. Guess."
"Seven!" Celadine shouted.
"I don't care if you have a cookie! She's not taking my rooms. Mummy gave these rooms to me on my third birthday. I won't give it to her like I did back in Kestral. You took my rooms then, you won't have this one."
"Well, since you didn't guess, Celadine is closest, so these are her rooms." Gretchen said sweetly.
"My ass it is." Danica snapped.
"Danica! You will not use that language!" Sheldon scolded.
"Papa, I'm not giving my rooms to her. Please Papa. This is the only real place I have to remember Mummy. Would you take that away from me?"
"It is hers, Gretchen. Celadine will have to take another room. That's final." Sheldon said, ushering his second wife and her child to the doors.
"May I present Sir Kieran haMinch, his lady Uline and son Kief." Jakkin announced as soon as Lord Sheldon reached the first level.
"Ah, Uline! How are you, child? Well, I hope. Danica will be excited to see you. She's going to be presented in Court this year, you know. You wouldn't know any good men looking for wives, now would you Kieran?"
"I would indeed, my lord." Kieran answered with a smile. "In fact, I was thinking since you intend to present both of your daughters in Court this year, would you be willing to allow Uline and myself to present Danica. To lessen the strain on yourself, of course."
"Well..."
"Oh please, Papa? Uline can show me everything and I can travel with her on the Progress when it leaves Corus again."
"And we'd be willing to support her completely in all ways except arranging her marriage if you'd like. The cost of supporting and presenting two daughters during the Grand Progress will be unbearably high, my lord. Besides, I would love the chance to help my best friend. I'll be a very careful chaperon." Uline added with a smile.
"Do you really want this, Danica?"
"Oh, yes, Papa. Please? I know you want to present me yourself because I'm your daughter and all, but you do have Celadine to think of. You couldn't possibly find her a wonderful husband if you're mind is on me."
"Father, just let her go." Celadine interrupted.
"Oh, very well. You may go with Uline and Kieran. Do behave and act like a lady, Danica. Take Netty, Janis, and Jakkin with you. Janis can keep an eye on you and Jakkin can run errands. Netty, make sure she behaves. Jakkin, you may as well have her trunks put back into the wagon."
"Thank you, Papa!" Danica squealed, hugging her father. "Let me take Kief, Uline. I'll carry him. You absolutely must show me everything in Corus."
"And boy, have my things moved to the third floor." Celadine called after Jakkin with a smug voice.
"You can have them moved up there, but you still aren't staying up there. I have the keys and the pass codes. Do you think my mum would give me a sanctuary without giving me a way to keep unwanted people out of it? The room is magically protected." Danica laughed. "Thank you Kieran for letting me stay with you."
"It's no problem. Uline has been asking to have you stay for ages now. We had better be going if we're to attend those First Night Parties at the castle. You know that the Queen has ordered all her Royal Ladies to be on hand over Midwinter." Kieran took Uline's hand. "My lord." He bowed to Sheldon. "My ladies." He bowed to Gretchen and Celadine.
"Goodbye, papa. I'll see you at the parties." Danica kissed her father's cheek and followed the others out.
(@.@)
"What are you going to wear?" Uline asked, as Danica opened her trunks. "Everyone will be there. Their Majesties, the Princes, the Princesses, the Yamani Royals, and loads and loads of important people. You have to make one huge impact. It'll be your very first appearance. Of course you won't be announced, but still."
"I'm not entirely sure. I think I want to wear that white gown with the wrapped bodice." Danica pulled gown after gown from her trunks. "If I can find it, that is. Oh, there it is. I'm going to change and you can help me decide if it'll work or not."
Danica returned after a few minutes. The gown was very beautiful. It was a Grecian-style crepe gown that emphasized wrap artistry, banding the shirred-and-ruffle Empire bodice with white satin ribbon. The gown highlighted Danica's small waist and natural body shape, while making her look exactly like the young maiden she was.
"It's perfect." Uline sighed. "And I promise you won't look like any of the other ladies. Most of them will be wearing ball gowns. You've got this casual look. You should wear your hair in curls, but not in a net. Just loose curls with the pearl earbobs. And the silver necklace with the pearl on the end. Leave your arms bare. And the white satin cloak with the fur trimmed hood."
"I think that just might work." Danica answered, looking in the looking glass. "This dress is so pretty. Thank you for helping me make it, Uline."
"You are so very welcome. But you would be even more welcomed if you would help me find a gown to wear."
"The pink gown with the full skirt and the silver embroidering. And your hair in curls and in a net. Very proper for a woman who has an infant and very beautiful at the same time. And just a little bit of powder and lip color." Danica answered, reaching for her peach rouge. Uline changed quickly and helped Danica with her face paint while Netty and another maid curled Danica and Uline's hair.
"I think I'll dress Kief to match his papa. What do you think?"
"I think Kieran would like that. And the Queen would enjoy seeing him dressed so. Netty's coming with me."
"I am?" Netty asked with an incredulous look.
"Yes." Danica answered. "Do you think I'd leave you at home on something as grand as this? And if anyone asks, you're there to look after Kief-if that's alright with you, Uline."
"It's perfect. That way, we won't have to leave when Kief gets tired. We can just have Netty take him home. Could you do that, Netty?"
"Yes, my la-I mean, Uline." Netty curtseyed. "You look beautiful, Danica." She whispered when the women finally stood to leave. Netty had changed into a clean, brown dress and put her hair up into a bun. She looked very pretty in the plain outfit.
