Aulelia
July 1497 PD
Luca has come to visit the palace (32) again. Rora was always good at managing things and being strong, but I was always the one most capable of reading people and knowing how to react, at least outwardly, to things—which has made it easier to conceal the face that I'm hopelessly in love with Luca secret from the general populace of the palace. Well, secret from everyone but him!
Luca and I spend hours talking, and in various places. The royal library (as well as me showing him my own personal collection, which also contains Rora's books, which she encouraged me to add—needless to say, Luca was very impressed), on walks around the palace, under the stars when we occasionally sneak away to sit on a concealed bench. We even took a horse ride and had a picnic in the royal forest (38), just outside of the northern part of the city. And on that picnic…he kissed me! He finally kissed me!
I never had understood the fascination all the other noble girls had with kissing.
Now I do.
He's not that much older than me. I'm in my mid twenties, and he's only five years older. Both of us are of proper marrying ages, if not a little beyond, aren't we? Or am I just getting ahead of myself? A girl can dream…
Problem is, I doubt Father would let me marry him, particularly as he's keen on engaging me to a wealthier, more stuffy, and less creative nobleman from our country. So far I've managed to fend off all the suitors he choses. I think after Rora's vanishing, he's keen to make sure I take her place in bringing a lot more wealth into the royal coffers. Thankfully, with Wil's coronation, he holds less power. Wil has been instrumental in helping me. He thinks the opposite of father—Rora's engagement, one she very much detested, was why she ran. He refuses to let me go through the same trial. He hasn't outright said it, but I think he's scared of losing me, too.
Since this is my first entry in a very long time, I suppose I should write an update on Rora. She's had three more sons, bringing her up to six! There's Jonny, who's turned 11 recently and is very much a big brother to his younger siblings; Matthias, who is 9 and loves animals; Matthew, the adopted boy who at 7 loves tinkering around and building things; Inan, aged 5, who is a very odd sort of lad (Rora believes him to be a seer, as he always seems to know things he very much shouldn't!); Wade, who is a handful, always running around with energy far beyond that of the average 4 year old should have; and little baby Eric, who isn't actually so little, being the largest at birth of all his brothers—Rora is convinced he is going to tower over them all one day!
Wil, too, has started his family. He's got a lovely little lad, aged 3, named Roderick, after Father (though personally I think that he could have made a much better choice with the name), and Levana is pregnant with what the healer says is twins! We've had so many in the family line, honestly. I'm surprised Rora hasn't had any! But then again, she always was more like mother's family.
My sister has a wonderful family, Wil is happy, and I'm in love. Nothing could be better. For the moment, everything is almost perfect. I can only hope that it lasts.
Annotations:
32) Palace: Refers to Dragonsilde Palace, the castle where the royal family of Gedonelune resides. It is located at the heart of Dragonsilde City, the capital of Gedonelune.
38) Royal Forest: The forest to the direct north of the Dragonsilde Palace is only open to nobles and those with special permits, such as game wardens and fauna management. It is, particularly in the late spring through early fall, a popular place for groups to go picnicking and riding.