The castle had officially returned to normalcy after the ball. Things were busy but quiet, like a colony of ants that all knew their jobs and how to do them well. Jane's flustered fury was a stark contrast to the servants' otherwise pleasant day. All of them weaved out of her way, sensing the heat radiating off the squire. She asked the first person she could get to look her in the eyes, "where can I find the lady-in-waiting?" She felt like she asked the question nicely but she must have sounded as angry as she felt, because the man coward under her gaze, feebly pointing in the direction of the stairs. From there, it didn't take long for her to find her mother on the castle's balcony with the Queen. The two women seemed to be enjoying some afternoon tea and talking deeply in hushed tones. The role of a lady-in-waiting was an odd one. Although her mother helped the Queen and Princess with mundane tasks like dressing in the morning, the role was not considered one of servitude. With many ladies-in-waiting seemly just required to play the role of "best friend" for women of the royal family. Jane's mind was briefly distracted by the realization the Princess still considered Jane to be her best friend, despite Jane's lady-in-waiting days being long over. Jane took a deep breath, knowing she needed to calm down before presenting herself in front of her Majesty. After mentally preparing herself, Jane calmy walked toward the pair, bowing deeply to the Queen, "Your majesty, I deeply apologize to intrude, but I was hoping to speak to my mother for a moment." Adeline's face was of pure horror due to her daughter's rude interruption. Luckily, the ever kind Queen, simply smiled, "of course, Jane. I know you and your mother have much to discuss." Jane grew suspicious by this comment on what the Queen and her mother were talking about right before her arrival. It didn't occur to her before that her mother and the Queen probably talked about everything, including Jane's engagement. Jane willed herself not to get irritated by this and smiled back, "Thank you your Majesty. It will only be for a moment." The Queen rose from her chair and Adeline followed her lead, "No need to rush, Jane. I will call upon one of the other Ladies to attend to me." The Queen waved them off as Adeline bowed deeply before quickly ushering Jane and herself away to their family's personal quarters. Once out of view from the royal family and other servants, her mother released a sigh and turned to face Jane, her lips in a tight line, "I am cross for you interrupting the Queen and I, but I at least know you have good reason." Jane crossed her arms, unhappy with the attitude she was already receiving from her mother, "Father warned you, I suppose?" "Indeed he did," Adeline seethed out in another sigh. She crossed the room and took a seat by a small table positioned near a window over looking the castle grounds. She rose her arm and firmly gestured for Jane to sit as well, which she reluctantly did so. The conversation hadn't even begun and Jane could tell it was going to be a tense one.
Her mother clasped her hands in front of her and simply stared at Jane, waiting for her to ask her question in her own words. Jane released a sigh of her own, "I'm here regarding my engagement. I need to know what is going on involving my future. I deserve to know!" Jane swallowed her breath, not having intended to raise her voice toward the end of her sentence. Luckily, her mother remained calm, obviously expecting her daughter's outburst. "I understand your concern, dear, but you also must understand my hesitation. You are, unfortunately, as stubborn as I, which makes me no fool to your behavior." Jane momentarily thought back to the heart-to-heart she previously had with her mother. Where Adeline revealed to Jane her own worries when she was engaged to Milton all those years ago. Nevertheless, Jane refused to continue to be distracted, "I do understand but it changes nothing. Am I engaged or not?" "You are," her mother responded dryly. Jane hopped she would continue, because Jane technically already knew this information due to her earlier conversation with her father. However, when no other response came, Jane pried, "and to whom is my betrothed?" Her mother looked out the window to ponder her words. Jane waited impatiently, because she knew if she continued to pester her mother may shut her out. Finally, Adeline met her eyes again, this time placing her hand, palm out, toward Jane. Who in turn, hesitantly accepted her mother's offer to hold hands. The moment felt intimate and Jane's previous anger was beginning to subside when Adeline finally answered her question, "would you be satisfied if I told you I was able to find a man that meant all your qualifications?" Jane paused and tried to remember what her "qualifications" even were, "no mother, I need to know who." Adeline released Jane's hand in a huff, "he is young, you know him, and he will allow you to continue your knighthood. This information should please you." Jane was thankful for the reminder regarding the requirements she previous told her mother. However, it surprisingly didn't serve to ease her mind. It was someone she knew. Her stomach turned as her mind thought of only one person and one person only, Gunther. Jane didn't know how to feel about her mind jumping to him first. Surely it wasn't him. He would have told her... right? She nervously played with the ring which she just noticed was still in her hands. Yes, he would have said something. He wouldn't break her trust like that. "He wouldn't!" she felt sick, and not the "good" kind of sick she had been feeling the past few days. Her quietness didn't go unnoticed by her mother. "Jane, dear, look at me," Jane reluctantly did so, but said nothing. "Jane, he cares about you immensely and I know for a fact you care about him." Jane felt her face grow warm with anger again, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. Her mother faltered at this reaction, "Jane... if I tell you, what are you going to do?" Did she really even want the answer now? What if it was Gunther? Jane cursed her warped mind. It. Was. Not. Gunther. There were many men in the castle she knew! It could be any number of them! She didn't know why she was getting so worked up over this. Her mother said her requirements were met. She felt tempted to leave it be, but she knew she needed an answer, no matter how much she dreaded it. "I'll do as I please, as I always do." Her voice was low and quiet.
Adeline didn't seem to appreciate Jane's answer as the softness in her voice disappeared and was replaced by annoyance, "I'm well aware you are going to do as you please. For my part, I will also continue to do what I believe is best for you." Jane shot up suddenly, "and who are you to decide what is best for me?!" Adeline briefly looked hurt by Jane's words, but overall did not respond with a large reaction. They hung in a silent staring contest for what felt like ages. Her mother broke contact first as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "Jane, I do not want to fight about this any longer..." she sat a little straighter and met Jane's gaze again, "I will tell you." Jane blinked in surprise a few times before settling back in her chair, almost feeling embarrassed by how heated she became. However, her mother had a glint in her eye that caused Jane to remain on guard, "but first, I need to discuss with you something that, although I dread as well, I feel is important to do so. I will tell you who you are betrothed to only afterward." Jane gulped, unsure what on earth her mother wanted to talk about that would cause her also to dread. Before Jane could interject, Adeline got straight to the point, "intercourse is painful for a woman their first time." Oh my god, this wasn't happening. Jane's face grew pale as she felt all the blood rush from it, "N-no thank you, mother! I am not having this conversation!" Jane made to stand up but Adeline gave her a pointed look, "then you will not know who you are betrothed to, and you will have to figure this out on your wedding night without my help." Jane swallowed some bile and nodded absent mindlessly as she slowly sat back down. Her mother continued despite how uncomfortable her daughter was. Jane did her best to tune out the conversation but the shockingness of it forced her attention. Her mother backtracked into the basics of intimacy and anatomy before reiterating the supposed pain and discomfort a women would feel when a man first... entered her. Jane felt like she was being held hostage, she supposed there was some truth to that thought. Although the conversation was very informative, it was horrifying in it's own right. She was to face pain, bleeding, and possibly no orgasm? All for what? A child she didn't want? Jane doubted her mother intended to turn her off from ever wanting to participate in sex but that was what it felt like. Nevertheless, she found her mind drifting to a certain squire who had recently kissed her, with their bodies pressed against each other. She didn't enjoy it at the time, but as she replayed the moment in her head, the memories grew sweeter and her insides grew warmer. Could she ever... "No!" Jane suddenly yelled, startling her mother into silence. "Sorry, I mean- you've made your point. Please tell me who I am betrothed to!" Her hand was clenched so hard on the ring it hurt, but the pain was currently the only thing grounding her.
Adeline opened her mouth as if to continue the previous conversation, but closed it in thought. She ended up scooting her chair closer to Jane's and took her daughter's hands in hers. Jane cringed at how much her mother was coddling her, knowing full well she expected her daughter to react like a feral animal to the news she was about to receive. Jane wished she could defy those expectations, but found that it was, unfortunately, a reasonable assumption to make of her in this moment. It was at this time, Adeline discovered the ring Jane had been fiddling with. She took it in her own hand and held it up to her face to inspect it's engravings. She gave a small chuckle at the realization it was, of course, dragon themed. "Where did this come from?" she asked innocently, as if she wasn't changing the subject. Jane hesitated to answer, as if even mentioning his name would seal their fates together. She thought of a way to bring the subject back to focus, "who do you think gave it to me?" Her mother smiled despite looking frustrated and placed the ring back in Jane's hand. "If it isn't from who I assume it's from, that would be a quite an interesting development," Adeline commented absent mindlessly. A brief pause fell over them before Jane broke it, "Please just tell me who is my betrothed." She could tell her growing lack of patience was starting too get the better of her. All her words were monotone and felt hollow in her mouth, like she was a spectator instead of a participant. She was tired of these games everyone seemed to be playing with her. Her mother looked down and rubbed her hands over Jane's, seemingly battling her own inner turmoil. Jane did not reciprocate any motions of comfort. She wanted this over with. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Adeline responded, "The ring is from Gunther Breech, I sincerely hope."
The world felt like it collapsed from under Jane. Every shred of normalcy gone in a blink of an eye. She gripped her mother's hands tightly and leaned forward until their faces were an inch apart, "Mother, please tell me, he's not my betrothed is he?!" Her hands shook and they felt hot and clammy. Adeline squirmed her hands out of Jane's painful hold and placed them on either side of Jane's face instead, "Jane, dear, listen to me. This is a good thing. Please, think about it for a moment-" Despite her mother's efforts, Jane was no longer present in the conversation. Gunther had broken her trust. He hadn't said anything. Everything everyone had ever told her about Gunther Breech was true. He was nothing but a liar and a cheat, not worth her kindness and friendship. Yet her mother's words continued to pour out, trying to convince her otherwise. However, Jane wasn't listening and she refused to do so. She stood up quickly, forcing her face to break from her mother's hands, "How could you? T-to Gunther?! You must be jesting, please!" Adeline's hands were still held upward before she waved them downward in a signal to calm down. "Jane, I have spoken with him and I am confidant-" Jane cut off her mother, "and he lied! Whatever Gunther told you was a lie! I hate him and he hates me! There is nothing more to discuss!" With that, Jane took her leave. Rushing past her mother and out of their living space. Adeline called out after her but it was no use. Jane only had one goal in mind, and that was to find her "betroth" and strangle him. Ending all this nonsense once and for all.