Lady Felicea of Emeryia

by LadyFelicea

It was the grandest moment in a lady's life. To glide down the great staircase in the Queen's ballroom, all eyes upon you, and be presented to the kingdom of Tortall's court. It was the moment all young girls and women alike dreamt of, all women save one.

2. A True Lady

Flick's four companions all moved surreptitiously toward the doors, quickly checking themselves a final time before slowly, one by one, entering the grand ballroom. Startled from her reverie, Flick hurriedly stepped into line and had time to draw a sharp breath before she was ushered forward. The silence was heavy in the crowded hall as all heads turned upwards to inspect the newcomer. She dimly heard the chief herald announce "Lady Felicea of Emeryia."

Clutching the banister tightly in a clammy hand she descended the stairs, resolutely refusing to glance either left or right, her eyes fixed steadfastly upon the royals, the two people she had so desperately wanted to serve.

"...Lady Felicea of Emeryia, may you always grace these halls." Glancing up at the king and queen from her low curtsy, Flick couldn't help but sigh in submission. The moment of truth was over. Until now she had always held a small glimmer, a flame of hope that somehow, anyhow, she would be able to leave the convent and train as a knight. She had no care as to how old she would be in the process, she would've been happy to be training at the age of 30. But now in the face of her presentation, that small flame had been extinguished. Now, she was truly a lady.