To Love a Prince
Disclaimer: I only own the characters you don't recognise, the rest are Tamora Pierce's wonderful creations….even Neal sob
Author's Note: Yay! Roald is finally making an appearance (although only at the end!) Sorry if some of the dates and events don't add up with the book but I'm lending my copy of Squire to a friend and can't check up on stuff, so I'm trying to remember but bear with me if it isn't quite consistent with the book and feel free to tell me if it isn't but I'm trying to stay clear of mentioning real dates, etc. Anyway, on with the chapter!
Chapter Three
Thayet raced with her small group of Queens Rider's towards Corus, aching to get back and talk to her husband, she had only just received news of Princess Chisakami's tragic death. Thayet had been on patrol with her Rider's when Jon's messenger had found them. Two weeks ago a huge Earthquake had struck the region the Princess had been living in and Chisakami had been killed.
As dusk fell the group came into sight of the city and Thayet contemplated what was to happen now, for the first time in months Thayet had found time to get away and go out with the Rider's now this terrible event had brought her running back home. The negotiation for Roald and Chisakami's marriage had been tedious, tiresome and had taken years, to find another suitable Yamani princess, hold more debates with the Yamani diplomats, write out a document that both parties could live with was a horrible prospect to Thayet. She was tempted to call the whole Yamani marriage off, she hadn't even wanted a betrothed marriage for any of her children, anyway! On the other hand, though, stronger ties with the Yamani Isles were needed and Roald was responsible and mature, he had known from an early age he would probably have to make a marriage, not for love but as a royal duty.
Thayet and her group reached the castle gates and hostlers surrounded them, taking the horses with quick, capable hands.
Thayet looked up and despite the recent upheaval her face broke into a grin. Her husband, King Jonathon IV had just appeared through the doorway. They embraced then their features turned serious. "How has Roald taken the news?" Thayet asked. Roald and his knightmaster, Imrah of Legann had gone to the palace after hearing about what
happened. "Well enough, I mean, he never met the woman, he is more sad that we'll have to find someone else and go through the whole process again, to tell the truth." Jon answered. "Come on, we must present ourselves at dinner, Roald is already there, waiting for us". Thayet followed, looking forward to talking to her son.
Kate was bored, the dinner was just as bad as she imagined. On her right zJayne and Marge were giggling at some stuffy nobleman's joke, on her left two snobby court girls were loudly ignoring her. Aunt Emma wasn't even there; she was sitting with the older nobles, occasionally Kate would meet her eyes and Emma would smile apologetically but apart from that Kate felt alone.
Kate fidgeted with the black armband she, and many others had donned for respect towards the Yamani people. She glanced at the prince who looked glum, one hand supporting his chin, the other moving his food around his plate.
Her eyes drifted towards the richest and most prestigious people in the room.
Sitting high above everyone else the most important nobles ate. From the King's most trusted advisors to his bravest knights they made a grand picture, Kate noted the Lioness, her heroine, the friendly face of Gareth of Naxen the Younger and Numair Salamin and his lover Daine the Wild Mage, another heroine of Kate's. Her eyes lit up upon recognising these famous people, she was delighted to see them, the ones who battled evil and kept her country safe.
"Wonderful, aren't they all?" Jayne suddenly lent over, her expression much like Kate's own. Kate felt a burst of love and warmth towards her sister, she had completely forgotten Jayne was in the same position she was, new and intimidated by court but Jayne wasn't like Kate, even if she felt scared, she never showed it, Jayne always said, 'if you're not feeling confident, just pretend! Few people can tell the difference!' and, now, in the midst of all these strangers Jayne popped up, smiling and laughing, as if mentally encouraging Kate to do the same, to be brave and strong.
Jayne looked more beautiful than any of the fancy court ladies in Kate's opinion.
Jayne continued heedless of Kate's wonderful discovery of sisterhood. "And doesn't the queen look fantastic! The Price is very handsome too…" Her voice faded away, Kate hadn't noticed the King and Queen enter the Hall quietly from a side door, now she looked at them, they glowed… there was a regal air that surrounded them, like a pair of gods deigning to walk among mere mortals, their presence carried all the way to her table. If, one day, I have one quarter of the elegance and grace the Queen possess, I'll die happy, Kate thought.
A few hours later Jonathon and Thayet rose, signalling it was alright for everyone else to leave too.
Kate rose hurriedly, one more minute of listening to that stupid man talking about how much money he makes a year and I would have hurt someone Kate reflected, mutinously.
Leaving Jayne and Marge chatting with some other girls and Embeth still talking to her friends Kate went off in the direction she thought her rooms were in.
Soon she was hopelessly lost in the huge maze of a palace.
"Are you lost?"
A deep, masculine, cultured voice came from behind Kate. She whirled around, surprised. "Oh…err...umm…yes, I just came today, left my aunt at dinner..." Kate looked into the eyes of the heir to the throne, even more impressive close up, his dark hair about two inches long almost framed his face full of perfect features. Looking into his eyes Kate felt she was going to drown in them. Unmistakably the Prince because of his clothes it was also the way he held himself that was royal, Kate was sure if he had been dressed as a peasant she would have recognised him anyway. "Your Highness" Kate curtsied, thanking every god she knew that for once she had not tripped while attempting to curtsy.
Roald smiled for the first time in days and for an unknown reason and bowed.
"I didn't catch your name, Lady…?" The Prince cocked his head in such a sweet, puppy-dog manner.
"Katherine….of Tare….Lady Katherine of Tare…but you can call me Kate." The poor girl looked like she was about to faint.
"Let me escort you to your rooms…Kate" He said my nickname!
"Thank you, Your Highness, I am staying with my aunt, Lady Embeth." Lady Embeth, she was very kind.
"I know where her rooms are, but, please, if I am to call you Kate, you must call me Roald." He is so gentlemanly.
(A/N get it? everytime one of them says something the other thinks about it!)
"Sure" Kate said shyly.
They went off, talking of many things, easily and effortlessly, but the journey seemed to fly by.
They parted and as Kate closed the door she lent against it, flutters in her stomach, not knowing that Roald was walking away with the same feelings.
Kate grinned. She had a lot to tell Jayne and Marge.
YAY! Our (well, mine at least) favourite Prince showed up! I'll update as soon as possible.
Thanks to wild-wizard-women and rubic-cube. (sorry, I don't have time to thank you both separately.)