Supper was grand. Johnna and I arrived, arm in arm, and were announced as we entered. The ball would be the next night, as we had arrived a day early. "Just do as I do," Johnna patted my arm. Servants pulled out chairs for us and we sat, our hands demurely in our laps as they poured us mulled cider. My gaze looked down the impossibly long table, at the napkins, the silver, the candelabra, the flowers; just everything looked perfect.

Johnna laughed at me. As we had walked through the garden's earlier I had confided in her about not fitting in with the Duke Roland and Amber. She waved her hand and said, "Nonsense. If his grace wanted to be rid of you, he would have already done it."

"But what about after Amber is married? That is why I have been trying to learn from Ce- our sorcerer. So perhaps I could find employment if I needed, whether Duke Roland promises to find me a husband or not."

Johnna had nodded. "It is good to have a back-up plan." We walked a few paces before she asked, "Do you really want the duke to find you a husband?"

"No." The word came out quiet but also in a desperate tone.

"Even if it means you will be provided with a home?"

I took a deep breath. "I haven't thought of it that way. I just…I'm too young." Johnna laughed.

"What is your excuse?" I teased and then thought better of it, but she did not seem to take it badly.

"I just haven't found a man worthy enough of holding my interest."

"So your father gave you a choice?"

She tilted her head. "Yes. But, the few that dared to ask, were not very bright, shall we say. I don't want to be tied to someone for the rest of my life that cannot hold their end in an intelligent conversation. I could care less about looks. I want to know the size of the man's library, and if he's read everything in it."

At that point I could not help but laugh out loud and Johnna did as well. A noble couple strolled past us then, the woman giving us a look that said we were misbehaving, and I covered my face but could not stop the smile. The rest of our walk was pleasant, and we took our time readying for supper.

I made sure my jaw was not on the floor as more of the nobility entered in their finery. Johnna was on my left, while a man, whom introduced himself as Carl, sat on my left. He quickly began a conversation with those near him, so Johnna and I were able to still talk. Then, the king and queen were announced. We were all helped from our chairs to stand and bow or curtsy, then everyone took their seats as soon as King Stephan sat.

The king was so far from where I sat, that I could not get a very good look at him. His hair seemed darker than Amber's, and quite like her mother's portrait that I had once seen. Queen Isobel was closer to my seat as she sat at the opposite end of the king. She was older, I knew she was a grandmother already, but she was very poised as she regarded her end of the table. Two of the princes were announced and they joined the table as well.

Once the food was set before the king, and tasted by the royal taster, and the royal taster did not immediately die, the king declared supper would begin. "The king really has a food taster?" I whispered to Johnna.

She nodded. "You would too if you were in his shoes."

My eyes still wide, I watched as servants served the food to us. I heard laughter and looked to Carl. "You've never been here before, eh, Lady Sofia?"

"No, sir." A few others near us chuckled and gave me looks of sympathy.

"You are Roland's daughter, are you not?" asked a beautiful woman across from us. She reminded me of Mother, but was probably a few years older.

"Yes."

"Lovely. I'm Evelyn. It is about time Roland came back to court. Even if only to bring his children to see their family." Several looks shot back and forth between people sitting near us.

"Oh, I'm…" I felt Johnna's hand squeeze my arm and she said something about tasting the cider. Understanding the cue I finished. "I am happy to be here visiting." Johnna had told me to act like Roland's daughter and people would forget that I was not related.

"I heard about your brother, dear," another woman chimed in. "You have my condolences."

"Thank you."

"And right in the prime of his life," another man agreed.

My brow creased as everyone around us commiserated. Did people not know how ill he was his whole life?

"So, Evelyn," giggled a woman a few seats further down, "you are widow. Roland is a widower, again. Will you speak with him?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Not on that subject." Several people laughed. I looked at Evelyn again. Her lips were turned up in a small smile, but she did not glance my way again. Listening in on another conversation she began to speak with others.

"Welcome to the palace," Johnna raised her glass toward me. I clinked mine against hers and we drank the cider. The meal was divine. Each guest was given their own deliciously baked, tiny hen, and there was soup, stew, greens, pastries, and fruit at the end. "How do they cook this many hens at once?" I asked Johnna. "They must have gigantic ovens."

She smiled. "Magic."

"Magic?"

"Of course. No one has ovens this big, not even King Stephan." She took a bite of her bird. "You should ask your sorcerer to cook your supper one night." My skin must have gone bright red because suddenly her eyebrow was raised, and her smile deepened. She did not say a word though. But the thought of Cedric making supper for me, and for him, was interesting.

"With a beautiful face like that you'll find your husband here in no time," said an older woman, who then looked at Johnna, and looked away with pity.

"I'm not…" Johnna put her hand on my arm again and exclaimed how I must try a pastry, and then she apologized to the woman for interrupting.

"Thank you." It was all I could say to the woman and to Johnna for saving me from talking too much. She had said that most of these people only cared about scandal. And I was of age to marry, so why not go with everyone's perception of me?

After supper, the women and men separated into different areas of the castle for about an hour. After that, those who had not retired, which was most of the guests, were ushered into a room with large piano, a string quartet and a group of singers. The music was pretty, but strange to me. I was much more used to hearing the lively music played by servants and peasants on much less auspicious instruments. Even the music at the last few balls had been different. Johnna, however, seemed to like the music. When I glanced at her, her head was slightly tilted to one side, her eyes were closed, but her index finger was moving as if she was conducting a concert.

It was after this that Roland found me. "Sofia," he put his hand on my shoulder. "And Johnna?"

She curtsied, "Your Grace."

"It has been hours since I've seen you, my dear. Amber has not hidden herself so well."

"I've been with Johnna all day, your Grace. We've walked in the garden, had supper…"

"That is wonderful. I'm glad you've made a friend. Let me walk you ladies to your rooms."

On the way, I explained that Amber and Jane, had decided to share so that left me and Johnna together. "I apologize for my daughter's selfishness," Roland said to Johnna.

"No apology need, your Grace. Sofia and I are getting on wonderfully. It's rather a relief to not be constantly at my sister's side."

"Good, good."

"Here we are." I pointed at the door.

"Excellent. I am just down this hall as well. I will collect you for breakfast in the morning, Sofia. You are welcome to come as well, Lady Johnna."

"Thank you, your Grace. Good night." She went into our room and left me with the duke.

"Have you been having a good time, Sofia?" Roland looked concerned.

"Yes, it's been wonderful. I have learned so much."

"Be careful, dear. You cannot trust most of the people in this castle." He saw my frown. "Johnna is probably fine, but others, those who are at court more often will take an innocent girl like you and do their best to ruin you."

"But how do I know who?"

He cupped my cheek with his hand. "Just stay away from most people. And their talk. You may hear salacious rumors, but my dear, they are unfounded."

"Rumours about what?"

A group of people returning to their rooms passed us.

Roland took his hand from my face and put it on my shoulder. "If you have any trouble, just find me, or Cedric. He's here as well. Good night, Sofia."

"Good night, your Grace." He leaned in, kissed me on the forehead, then turned and went to his room.