Chapter 2: Franton: A Kingly Mien

Still years ago…

Jane drew the carriage's curtain aside to let the fresh air come in. She was excited and exhausted in equal measures. They had travelled for a fortnight and slept the nights in the local inns along the "Two Kings" road. The road was paved with fiery red paving stones that through the time the dust, dirt, carriages' wheels and horseshoes had turned them into a muted red. It directly linked one Kingdom to another and it was named for that reason.

As they were getting far away from Derbyland, the weather turned warmer and warmer accordingly, but the great change Jane felt when they passed the hills and woods upon them separated the two countries. As if the hills and the tall and big oaks, alders and pine trees there were preventing the chill of the north to come to the sought.

She was not accustomed to long travelling and for a moment she wondered how her sister could travel on land and even cross the seas.

"I can see the castle," Princess Georgiana says. A young girl of five and ten. 'So young to be wedded,' thought Jane, 'especially, with clapping her hands in the enthusiasm that a child would show.'

Throughout the journey, melancholy was a fateful companion of Princess and Jane felt so guilty for the barely restrained joy that ran into her veins and wanted to burst out, but she kept her own excitement hidden under layers of years of education and lady's mannerism. Now for the time being, the Princess had forgotten the dreadful fate that awaited her and tried to enjoy the view that welcomed them. Jane hoped the joy in her friend's eyes would last for she could not bear to see sadness on her young innocent face.

Jane also turned her head to the direction that Georgiana said and admired the magnificent castle that was waiting for them.

From where they were trailing unto the Wickham Castle she could see the six towers in varying heights and forms that were located about the biggest and tallest relatively square tower which its name was the Wicked Keep.

The days before their departure, she heard all kinds of tales about Franton Kingdom. Each tale, absurder than the others.

'They have a castle made with witchcraft,' the ladies in waiting of the Queen consort said. 'All ladies are wearing dresses as sheer as glass that would leave nothing to imagination.' One fascinating, but false tale was that they had floating gardens in the air.

Jane did not believe some of the tales, the court gossipers weaved lies and rights into a tale, but a few she found were not false. Such as the name of the castle or how many towers it had.

The gate of the castle was opened for the Princess troop and after a short ride in the castle, their carriage came to a stop and by the help of one of Princess' guards, they stepped down the carriage and headed to the people that were standing before the steps of Wicked Keep for greeting.

Jane walked behind Princess at a respectable distance. Her eyes scanned the group, trying to locate her sister. Elizabeth was not in sight. She sighed inaudibly. She should wait until the greeting to be finished. Princess's name announced, she curtsied.

"Your Highness, welcome to our Kingdom and Wickham Castle," A man said whose attires were of the finest quality and was the most styled man amongst the present men. His fringe came just above his eyes and hair at the back of his head was longer and curly and could be seen from the front, but not that long and somehow the hairstyle pronounced his chiselled jaw more.

His dark navy blue doublet that almost looked black was laced loosely on a white shirt and a portion of his white chest could be seen. Snug fitting trousers almost like a second skin were showing his muscled thighs and at last high knee boots that were hiding part of his muscled legs, matched with his clothes. His dark colour clothes alongside his dark brown hair and hazel eyes contrasted sharply with his white skin which were casting an ethereal beauty onto his features. A charming smile on his full lips completed his striking handsome face.

All of a sudden, Jane struck with an idea that a King should be like him, though by how young the man was, in any possible way, he could not be the old King of Franton that was betrothed to child-woman Princess.

Just as she was thinking on how a king should be looked like, she found his eyes were staring at her with a knowing twinkle in them. A heat spread in her body and face and she prayed to God that it didn't show on her face with a blush. Notwithstanding the weight of his gaze she averted her eyes.

He continued to speak on, all his attention now on Princess, as if he was not staring at her a moment ago, "you must be tired, my Princess. The King ordered the best apartments befitting of the future Queen consort of Franton and her entourage to be prepared. It is located in the Wicked Keep."

"His Majesty is too gracious," said the Princess.

And so the man led them unto the chambers that were arranged for them. Jane did not remember the man's name, but she was sure he had introduced himself. It should have been when she was shamelessly ogling the man. The familiar embarrassment resurfaced and made her flustered, but thankfully, soon they were in the Princess' chamber.

The maids that they brought with themselves helped them to discard the dusty travelling clothes and change into clean white nightgowns. Jane started brushing Georgiana's long dark brown curly tresses until they shined and were as soft as silk and twisted the strands into a simple braid so in sleep to not get tangled.

Princess did not like anyone to touch her hair except the hands of Jane which according to Georgiana, were gentle to her hair the same as her own mother's hands. Bless her soul, the late Queen mother was a kind mother that Jane could only find likeness in her own mother.

Jane was so pleased to know her friend put her in such high regards and estimations.

When Georgiana settled onto her bed, Jane could allow herself to leave her. Despite being exhausted, she chose to not sleep as Jane craved to see her sister. Therefore, she called a maid to enquire about her wareabout and to her disappointment found Lizzy with a small party of lords and ladies had left the castle two days ago, headed to the nearest woods for hunting as the weather got warmer and became calm after a couple of days of storm. The maid said the king and his brother wanted to go, but upon finding of the Princess' near arrival they decided against it.

She concluded the much needed sleep would not be so bad as there would be a feast just this evening and she did not want to miss it.

Jane slipped into the fresh linens and sighed. So much better than the beds in the local inns and she did not even notice when she went into a deep and peaceful sleep.

TBC…

Finally an update! Happy dancing!

Fancast for now:

Synnove Karlsen in Medici as Princess Georgiana

Scarlett Johansson in The Other Boleyn Girl as Lady Jane Bennet

Douglas Booth in Romeo and Juliet as George Wickham the brother of the King of Franton…

(you can google what Jane described.) I imagine Wickham, like Douglas Booth, is handsome and charming, but not intimidating. Lol

Sorry for any grammar mistakes… it's not beta read and my eyes are bleeding so haven't proofread it… maybe later I'll take a look at it.

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