fine for that to be part of her charms.
Better hope Casimir feels the same , the voice jeered. Thea shoved it to the far corners of her thoughts, and took in the court.
Her father had predicted accurately. There were more people here tonight than normal. Many were from neighboring Laurycia and even some from Ethion. Goodness. They would hang about until a wedding date was set, with the distance some had traveled.
As she and her sisters reached the head table, they all drew back to allow the king and queen to seat themselves. Everyone waited to see who the king would call to sit nearest them. The noise level dropped.
“Prince Sebastian, Prince Casimir, would you both join me?”
Then he beckoned to his daughters. They knew their places. Thea sat near Sebastian, and Adelaide went to sit near Casimir. It was their duty. Thea’s happiness faded a little that she would not even be able to sit near Casimir, but at least he wasn’t sitting next to Isobel.
Sebastian answered formally, obviously still sulking. “I did, thank you, Princess. Your father was kind enough to allow me the use of one of his messengers. I am eager to hear back from my father, as you can imagine.”
“I can.” She was determined to ignore his sulking.
“Thea, I would speak with you about our conversation earlier.” His face lost the stiff look, and he turned in his seat slightly.
“Let us eat a bit first, Sebastian, then I would be happy to speak with you about whatever you wish.” She smiled to soften her words, and reached to take some of the fish that the footman offered.
They both ate silently for a few moments. With the head table seated and eating, the rest of the court and the visitors took their seats. Thea watched with interest. There were many people she did not know at all.
Several of the men she didn’t recognize lifted their cups to the king and queen and then to Sebastian. They looked to be knights or nobles of similar age as Sebastian. He raised his cup in return, and she could tell that these were his friends, his close friends.
“I think we are safe to engage in conversation, Sebastian, if you are still inclined.” She kept her focus on her food. The group of men watched them carefully.
‘I would like to offer my apologies, my sincere apologies, for the way I left our discussion earlier today. I will not lie to you. You and I have been brought up differently, and the women of my family are not like you or your sisters. It will take some getting used to. I only ask that you remember that when we do not agree and allow for us to find middle ground.” He let his hand rest on hers.
She knew that everyone who could see was now watching. She turned to him and gave a genuine smile. Not too big, but genuine.
“I thank you, Sebastian. I know that my sisters and I have been fortunate in the latitude our father has allowed us. I would be happy to work with you to find a middle ground should we find ourselves not of the same mind.” She pulled her hand from his to pick up her cup.
“Thank you, Thea. Would you mind if I spoke with your father for a time?”
Someone must have spoken to him, Thea thought. This behavior was so far from his earlier actions. However, she did not wish to look churlish. The thought crossed her mind that if he had continued to be less than noble it would be easier to break off the betrothal, but she pushed that aside to the growing pile of things she didn’t want to think about right now. It was enough that they would be civil to one another.
The rest of the evening passed with nothing of great interest happening—to Thea, at least. Sebastian’s friends drank steadily throughout the meal. By the time the king stood to retire, they were deep in their cups. A loud cheer broke out when the queen stood.
Sebastian immediately addressed Aland. “Sire, I shall keep my men company. I fear they may disgrace themselves or me. I shall get them to their quarters before anything untoward
Better hope Casimir feels the same , the voice jeered. Thea shoved it to the far corners of her thoughts, and took in the court.
Her father had predicted accurately. There were more people here tonight than normal. Many were from neighboring Laurycia and even some from Ethion. Goodness. They would hang about until a wedding date was set, with the distance some had traveled.
As she and her sisters reached the head table, they all drew back to allow the king and queen to seat themselves. Everyone waited to see who the king would call to sit nearest them. The noise level dropped.
“Prince Sebastian, Prince Casimir, would you both join me?”
Then he beckoned to his daughters. They knew their places. Thea sat near Sebastian, and Adelaide went to sit near Casimir. It was their duty. Thea’s happiness faded a little that she would not even be able to sit near Casimir, but at least he wasn’t sitting next to Isobel.
Sebastian answered formally, obviously still sulking. “I did, thank you, Princess. Your father was kind enough to allow me the use of one of his messengers. I am eager to hear back from my father, as you can imagine.”
“I can.” She was determined to ignore his sulking.
“Thea, I would speak with you about our conversation earlier.” His face lost the stiff look, and he turned in his seat slightly.
“Let us eat a bit first, Sebastian, then I would be happy to speak with you about whatever you wish.” She smiled to soften her words, and reached to take some of the fish that the footman offered.
They both ate silently for a few moments. With the head table seated and eating, the rest of the court and the visitors took their seats. Thea watched with interest. There were many people she did not know at all.
Several of the men she didn’t recognize lifted their cups to the king and queen and then to Sebastian. They looked to be knights or nobles of similar age as Sebastian. He raised his cup in return, and she could tell that these were his friends, his close friends.
“I think we are safe to engage in conversation, Sebastian, if you are still inclined.” She kept her focus on her food. The group of men watched them carefully.
‘I would like to offer my apologies, my sincere apologies, for the way I left our discussion earlier today. I will not lie to you. You and I have been brought up differently, and the women of my family are not like you or your sisters. It will take some getting used to. I only ask that you remember that when we do not agree and allow for us to find middle ground.” He let his hand rest on hers.
She knew that everyone who could see was now watching. She turned to him and gave a genuine smile. Not too big, but genuine.
“I thank you, Sebastian. I know that my sisters and I have been fortunate in the latitude our father has allowed us. I would be happy to work with you to find a middle ground should we find ourselves not of the same mind.” She pulled her hand from his to pick up her cup.
“Thank you, Thea. Would you mind if I spoke with your father for a time?”
Someone must have spoken to him, Thea thought. This behavior was so far from his earlier actions. However, she did not wish to look churlish. The thought crossed her mind that if he had continued to be less than noble it would be easier to break off the betrothal, but she pushed that aside to the growing pile of things she didn’t want to think about right now. It was enough that they would be civil to one another.
The rest of the evening passed with nothing of great interest happening—to Thea, at least. Sebastian’s friends drank steadily throughout the meal. By the time the king stood to retire, they were deep in their cups. A loud cheer broke out when the queen stood.
Sebastian immediately addressed Aland. “Sire, I shall keep my men company. I fear they may disgrace themselves or me. I shall get them to their quarters before anything untoward
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