Heart Duel

Chapter 3: Meeting The Royal Family

Disclaimer: Forgot all about this in Chapter 2! But just to be safe, I do not own any of the characters but Tylana, Nimaric, Brimiar, Derric and Liara.

Startled, I took a step back, cursing myself for my carelessness. How could I have assumed that there would be no one here?

Summoning up my courage and all the court training I had ever received from my mother, I lifted the tapestry yet again, only to come face to face with a handsome young man. He had light blonde hair and was of medium-build, though taller than I. His piercing gaze never left my face, and I blushing under his scrutiny, curtsied.

"Please come in, I apologise if I startled you." He said, gently directing me to the seat across from where he had sat.

"It is I, who should apologise for intruding upon your privacy." I replied, daring to lift my head and look him in the eye.

His worried frown transformed into a brilliant smile, as his eyes twinkled with what seemed to me like amusement.

"I don't believe we have met, Lady." he let the statement drag into a question, expecting me to supply him with my name.

"Yes, I don't believe we have. This is the second time I've been to Athanarel, and I just arrived today." I replied, denying him my name.

I knew flirting when I saw it, and he was flirting with me. Well, flirtations and dalliances are common at court, and although I've had my fair share of flirtations back home at Tlanth, with the village boys and such, they never evolved into anything serious.

"Mother never mentioned any visitors today," he said out loud, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Mother?

Clearing his throat, he resumed his interrogation. "And you are.?"

Sighing, I replied " Lady Tylana Astiar of Tlanth."

At this, he jumped, visibly startled. "Tylana!" he yelled, now towering over me as I knelt on the satin cushion.

Shocked at his sudden outburst, I asked as coolly as I could, "is my name that horrendous, that it deserves such a rude reaction from you?"

He sat, gaping at me. His eyes almost seemed to bulge out of his head.

Unable to tolerate his weird behaviour any longer, I lost all common sense and stared at him hard, while bursting out, "What is wrong with you?"

He regained his composure at my sudden outburst, but started laughing instead. "Tylana?" he asked yet again, after getting his laughter under control. "Well, you've grown.more.beautiful."

"I thought you said we'd never met?" I asked, now more confused than ever.

"You don't recognize me?" he asked with a little indignation.

"No, I do not. Why should I anyway?" I half-shouted.

"Burn it! I was flirting with my own cousin!" at this he started laughing again. And I have to admit he had a nice laugh.

Cousin? Why did he call me cousin? I shook my head in order to clear it, before assembling my thoughts and coming to a startling conclusion.

"Derrick? Cousin Derrick?" I asked.

"You finally figured it out, eh?" he questioned, the laughter still evident in his eyes.

Walking over to me, he helped me to my feet before enveloping me in a hug.

"How could I have overlooked the family resemblance?" he asked no one in particular, holding me at a distance and looking at me from every possible angle, craning his neck this way and that.

"You are definitely Lana!" he finally proclaimed with the flair of a judge announcing the verdict. "Astiar hair and eyes, Mother's temper and Aunt Nee's beauty and grace." He said with another laugh. "But you can't blame me for my slowness in recognizing you, can you? I mean, the last time I saw you, you were still a babe in nappies, bawling away like nobody's business." At this, I laughed - glad to be reacquainted with dear cousin Derrick, although I only remembered him vaguely as a feisty three-year-old who would make funny faces at me in my cot.

"Come," he said, leading me out of the alcove. "There is someone I know who is dying to meet you."

Laughing, I replied jokingly, "I sure hope that you aren't attempting to match-make me with one of your friends, after your failed attempt at a dalliance with me."

Never slowing his pace, he led me to a pair of finely carved oak doors. Motioning me to be silent, he knocked.

"Come in." responded a person with a feminine voice.

Derrick stuck his head in the half-open door and said in a singsong voice, "I've got a surprise for you."

The person immediately shoved her way past Derrick, trying to peer behind his back. After several moments she noticed the he had nothing behind his back, and only me standing at his side a bemused smile upon my face.

"Oh," she said with a lack of enthusiasm, looking me up and down, before frowning in confusion. "You needn't bring me the women you have affairs with, you know." She stated, directing her attention to Derrick.

Derrick laughed yet again, but now his voice echoed in the empty hallway, amplifying the sound. "If only I stood a chance with her, Liara." He replied while giving me a slight bow.

He continued, "May I have the honour of introducing you to the long-awaited Lady Tylana Astiar of Tlanth."

Like her brother before her, she stood gaping at me open-mouthed, blushing furiously red for her un-courtier-like behaviour before curtsying. I curtsied in return bending a little to hug her, as she was about a head shorter than I, looking about thirteen years of age. To my surprise, she hugged me fiercely. My ribs were starting to feel sore from all the hugging that day.

"What took you so long?" she asked, stepping away from me. "I prayed for years for your arrival, begged Mother to ask you to come.everything!" she cried throwing her hands up in indignation.

She was the exact replica of Aunt Mel, the same hair although lighter in colour, the same green eyes and the same exuberance and expressiveness. I smiled at her warm welcome, and knew at once that she would be like a younger sister to me.

"I told you so," said Derrick with a wink, combing his fingers through his hair. Before I could respond, a liveried servant appeared before us, performed an elaborate bow and asked us to join the King and Queen for dinner.

It turned out that Aunt Mel had thought that it was best for me to settle in first before introducing me to the entire court. I liked that plan and thanked her for her thoughtfulness.

A ball, which would be held in my honour, was thus scheduled for tomorrow night, so as to introduce me to the court.

The Royal family went out of their way to make me feel at home, allowing me to join them for a private dinner in a cosy sunny coloured dining room. I was dressed in a light green dress, my hair cascading down my back and reaching my waist. Thanks to Louise, the emeralds she braided into my hair caught the light and reflected it, enhancing the overall look.

Dinner was a pleasant affair. There was much laughter, as Derrick and I related our encounter in the alcove. King Vidanric, or should I say Uncle Danric, was very much like Derric, although more subdued. He was what I assumed a perfect courtier. Except for cracking a few jokes and making some comment, he remained mostly in the background, allowing his wife and children to fill me in about life at Athanarel.

I slowly drifted into dreamland as I lay in bed, looking forward to what tomorrow may bring, a smile gracing my face.

A/N: I hope you guys are satisfied with who green eyes turned out tom be. If you were hoping for romance, I apologise. But I promise that romance will be coming soon! Okay.time to thank my reviewers again**

ShadowGoddess - I'm sure that answers your question on whether Mel and Vidanric have children Lana's age.

Blazing-moon - thanks for the compliment, and I'm really looking forward to chapter 5 of The Brilliant Dance!!! So please update(

Myrddin Emrys - thanks also for the compliment, but although Lana isn't royalty she is nobility, so I certainly hope you won't think this is jaded after a couple more chapters! Also, please update Dancing With The Enemy!(

Bookworm - Can't wait for you to have MSN! Looking forward to talking to you!

**A/N: please R/R! Would love for more comments and ideas if any, coz the reviews are what make me write more enthusiastically! Thanks once again and I love you all!!! (