Chapter 2- Promises Unspoken
Elwyn woke up feeling very groggy. Her mind had tortured her with thoughts of Adrian all night. Even after admitting to herself that it was most certainly love, the thoughts had only become more pressing. At least she could try to do something about it today.
She arose and dressed quickly, hoping to meet her father when she broke her fast. He was sitting at the table, eating with one hand an using the other to steady a parchment scroll that he was reading. "Good morning, El," he said without looking up.
"Morning, Father," she replied, forcing a smile.
"How did things go with Alaric last night?" he asked, abandoning his plate and scroll.
"You could say that they went well," she answered distantly.
Lord Einar knew that something was amiss. Normally, his daughter would have gone into exuberant detail about the evening. "What troubles you, my daughter?" he wondered.
"I fell in love with Alaric's younger brother, Adrian. He is two years older than I. Is there any way that I could court Adrian?" she questioned without hesitation.
Einar smiled. His daughter had fallen in love, all right, but not with the man he expected her to. "I will see what I can do," he promise.
"I am WHAT?" shouted Adrian.
Both of his parents flinched. Adrian was usually very calm and in control of his feelings. Shouting was a trait that they affiliated with Alaric and their younger children, who argued often. "You have been promised in courtship to Lady Awendela," Lord Arsenio repeated.
"She is very beautiful," Lady Amaya added.
"Mother, she is sixteen. It is only five years, but she is less emotionally mature than someone that much older than her, even if men are slower to mature emotionally. No matter how lovely she is, I cannot help but think that she is not ready for commitment to a man. Besides, I am in love with—someone else," he finished, deciding not to create more chaos by revealing that Elwyn had stolen his heart.
"Well, perhaps we can arrange something. Who is she?" Arsenio asked his son.
"Even if I spoke her name, nothing could be arranged. She is already promised to someone," Adrian revealed.
"You do not have to ask for her hand right away, Adrian. It is not unacceptable to give her some time to grow," Amaya told her son.
"That's not enough. I cannot see this girl while a woman holds my heart in the palm of her hand," Adrian exclaimed fervently.
"Just think about it. We will not introduce you to her yet. You may discuss this with us later," Lord Arsenio commanded.
Adrian left the room gratefully. He needed a bit of time to himself to sort his thoughts out. As he left the chamber, he saw a page approaching it. Adrian slowed his steps so that he could hear what the boy had to say.
"Lord Einar is here to speak with you."
That was more than enough for Adrian. Einar was Elwyn's father. Elwyn and Alaric seemed to have had a lovely evening together. This could only mean one thing: betrothal.
Funny how close it sounds to 'betrayal', Adrian noted as he entered his chambers.
The one thing that he had wanted to postpone as long as possible was happening.
His brother would wed his beloved.
Lord Einar entered the chamber containing Lord Arsenio and Lady Amaya without hesitation. "I have come to discuss my daughter's courtship with Alaric," he declared.
"What about it?" Lord Arsenio questioned.
"She has feelings that are more…ah, pronounced, for your younger son, Adrian, and wishes to court him instead," Lord Einar answered.
"Fine timing," muttered Arsenio.
"The irony of this situation is excruciating. Only last night, we arranged a courtship for Adrian with Lady Awendela, my lord," Lady Amaya explained.
"Indeed it is. Perhaps things will turn out best if we just let it be for now," Einar suggested.
"Yes. Maybe their feelings will change," Arsenio said, more in reassurance to himself than anything else.