An Opportunity Missed
A/N: I'm planning on going through and revising this story chapter by chapter. So please excuse the dust and the gaping plot holes.
Almost as soon as Maleah stepped out of the wagon, a young, handsome man in silver armor ran up to her and embraced her. Kain didn't recognize the man, although the crest on his armor suggested that he, too, was in service to King Ottmar. As the man came closer, Kain got a better look at him. He was angelically beautiful, with full lips, gentle green eyes and wavy, shoulder-length blonde hair. How he contrasted with the dark-haired, violet-eyed Maleah! Kain felt a pang of jealously as he watched them part from the embrace. The man said something to Maleah, kissed her cheek, and headed back toward the inn.
"Who was he?" Kain asked when Maleah walked back toward him. She looked away, and flushed red.
"He's...he's...Sir Chael. Of Willendorf."
"All right," Kain said slowly, "I'd gathered that he was a Knight of Willendorf...but what exactly is he to you?"
"It's something I'd meant to tell you in a letter," Maleah said quietly, "But I could never bring myself to write it. I decided it would be best to tell you in person...Sir Chael...is my fiance."
"Your...what?"
Maleah smiled weakly. "I meant to write and tell you, honestly, I did, but...I didn't know how you'd take it."
"How...how did this happen? How long have you been betrothed?"
"Not long," Maleah assured Kain, "He came here last year. Said he was on business from Willendorf. My father was more than happy to let one of the King's Knights stay at our inn. He met me while I was outside picking flowers with your little sister...and, well, became smitten with me. Since last year, Sir Chael has been showering me with gifts..fine new clothes, things we need around the inn...I tried to avoid his attentions, but...anyway, Father decided that I needed someone to keep me safe in these trouble times, and arranged for me to marry him. Chael wants get to know me better, though...so...we won't be married for a while."
"Did you tell your father you don't want to marry him?" Kain asked, shocked.
"No, Kain," Maleah explained, "I am a woman. No. It's worse than that. I am a woman in the lower noble class. I don't get to choose who I marry. That is a luxry enjoyed only by men and poor women."
Kain hadn't thought about it that way. He mutely followed Maleah into town. She said something about getting back to the Inn, and he could go back to his house.
"I'll see you later."
Kain's blue eyes narrowed. Maleah should have written him, should have told him, should not have been so friendly with him earlier. He was furious with her. Little strumpet, he thought. He was unused to being unable to get what he wanted, and, at that moment in time, he wanted Maleah. He'd have a talk with her. And her father. And that damned knight. And his own father. Oh, yes. He'd set them all straight, and marry Maleah himself.
But first, he needed to see his parents. Funny how when he was home he longed to be away from them, but now that he'd been away, he was longing to see them...
He walked up the footpath that led to his father's mansion. On the way, the townsfolk stared, surprised to see him.
"He looks like his father..."
"No, he looks more like his mother."
"He doesn't look like either of them."
Kain ignored them.
When he finally arrived back at his home, he found Benedetto standing outside, flirting with a host of young ladies. When he saw Kain, he smiled. "Ah...it's my baby brother!" The ladies all turned around.
"Ooo, you didn't say he was handsome, Benedetto," said one of the ladies, a redhead wearing a green dress.
"Of course I didn't," Benedetto laughed, "If I told you that, I wouldn't be able to flirt with you because you'd all be asking about him." The ladies twittered, all at the same time.
"You're so clever, Benedetto!"
Benedetto grinned and waved them away, telling them that he needed time to be alone with his brother, as he hadn't seen him in three years. The ladies grudglingly walked away.
"Weren't you engaged?" Kain asked when the ladies were out of earshot.
"Oh, yes, but that fell through last week. Her father discovered that she'd been seeing another man, and promptly sent her to a convent."
"I see. What a shame."
"Not really. She was dull."
Kain didn't say anything. Obviously, his brother's idea of dull was quite different from his. Kain liked women to be intelligent. Benedetto...liked women who could dance, women who enjoyed parties, women who led shallow, empty lives. There was an awkward silence, then Benedetto spoke up.
"I suppose you'll want to see Mother."
"Yes," Kain said.
"She's not well."
"From what I've heard, she hasn't been well in a long time."
"No," Benedetto sighed, "She hasn't."
"Is it..."
"It's consumption," Benedetto said.
Kain bit his lip trying to think of something to say.
"She'll be glad to see you, Kain."
"I'll be glad to see her."
