XVIII

PRINCESS ROSHANNE

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Roshanne sat by the side with the other noble ladies as well as some of her father's concubines, lady Clementine sats besides her, though they are not that close, lady Clementine has always had the habbit of annoying her.

"Yesterday's event had stir quiet a trouble within the inner circle." Lady Clementine began, Roshanne already knows that she would open up this topic about the nobles that she ordered to be arrested for slandering and harassing Dae.

"Noble lords and ladies alike questions your actions for choosing the side of the bronze cunt over your own subjects." Roshanne only smiles when lady Maud spoke before taking a sip of her tea, Roshanne had already noticed their foul mood since earlier, some of them didn't fawn over her like they usually do. Roshanne find funny, because they think of her as someone stupid who will beg them if they pretend to lose interest in her. But she couldn't be careless. They are of no importance.

" As much as we hate her, it is important to remember that she is a daughter of a strong lord. The former king of Lysos is a formidable force, his kingdom managed to held long against us despite being a small kingdom, the war with them cost us more than the war we have against the Kingdom of Adari." She explained to them watching their reaction, the lower ladies didn't gave her a pleasant reaction, some of the other nobles though have already guess what she's meaning to say, the Marchioness remain nonchalant with the conversation, but Roshanne knew she's listening.

"Insulting her is insulting her Kingdom, she maybe a savage, and simple minded, but let us remember that her brother is already here, she may not pay any close attention to the way she is treated here, but her brother isn't, the accident that happened yesterday could be taken as an insult, lord Frederick might think we are belittling them." She added before casting a quick glance to where Dae is, she is now having a very quiet conversation with the 14th princess, and the youngest princess. Adelaide, she is a daughter from one of her father's former paramour, though that woman already died when the princess was only seven, The king for some miracle took pity with the girl and adopted her, making her his legitimate daughter.

Among all of Roshanne's siblings, the Young princess is the only cordial sibling she have.

"Still princess, don't you think your punishment is a bit to harsh? Lord Borrow's son have suffered a great injury from lord Alastair when he broke his arm." Roshanne's brow raised, she looks at Alastair who's talking to a couple of young ladies along with his fellow knights, probably wooing them.

"The lady Dae will soon became a part of the royal family, insulting her is like insulting the power of the Royal Family and the king himself." She heard lady Clementine scoff, so she turns to look at her.

"She isn't still a part, so that law won't work on her." Lady Clementine sounded so bitter, she's still moody about the fact that she had been ignored by the king, that she is no longer his favorite. It's truly amusing to see her act like a child who's toy had been confiscated.

"It's only right that we start implementing and practicing the law early. Don't you think? Should we wait until more make the same mistake? Should we wait for the king to see it himself before we take action? Remember, the king is a Fickle man, you will not know what will be his next move. He could ignore you today for insulting his wife then kill you the next day for doing the same against his favorite concubine. We are doing an intervention lady Clementine, to avoid accidents like that." She finishes, hoping she got the message across clear.

" But still, that woman is far below us, even a common folk from the king's street could be treated more respectfully than her... Just look at her." Everyone looked at Dae who's still unaware that she is being the topic of the conversation in most circle, Roshanne smiles a little when she saw her laughing, t'was rare to see, and seeing her smile makes her feel light. She's adjusting well. She'll just have to train her more. For her to be able to carry on.

" She looks dirty, her hair looks untidy." Roshanne's brow raised, dirty? Dae doesn't even look close to a dirty woman. The way lady Maud explained her seems unjust and too much, her hair isn't untidy, Dae has a curly hair, that's wild to look at but refreshing to see, it adds to her look more, making her look like a bubbly girl.

"She looks dirty and untidy yet your husband's fawn over her. Young Lords were even making bet on who could fuck her the moment the king leaves." Marchioness Eufreme suddenly speaks startling the ladies, it also surprises her that she even bothers to join.

"Well it must be because she's a witch! She's doing it on purpose, seducing men." Lady Natalya spoke, she's a concubine of her father.

"I agree with her. It must be because she had black magic flowing in her veins." Roshanne's eyes squinted when Lady Jane, the sister of lady Natalya spoke, they're tarnishing Dae's image, it's not good. But before she could speak the Marchioness spoke again.

"Don't be silly. The lady is as harmless as a lady bug. What the princess was meaning to say is be careful. You could slander her name all you want but be discreet, she is the King's favorite at this moment, and it would be more pleasing if we all get to her good side rather than her bad side... It could benefit us all with befriending her. Don't you think princess?" She looks at the Marchioness who's wearing a smirk on her lips, Roshanne smiles and nods her head... She just saved her. But it didn't please the other concubine, Lady Clementine without a word stood up and left, lady Natalya and her sister followed suit And the other ladies followed them. Now it leaves just them. The Marchioness, Lady Lara, and Lady Meera. They were quite for a few moments before lady Meera spoke.

"Princess Margaret and her daughters has traveled to the city of mines, do you think they will make it back before the wedding tomorrow?" Roshanne looked at Lady Meera, it is true that her princess had already traveled, trying to woo the lone Duchess in the city of mines, she just hoped that Duchess could be swayed.

"We already sent a letter to the Duchess about the wedding that is to be held, but still she has no reply, my sister will try and convince her to come even if it is to attend the celebration, but Margaret will surely make it in time. Her dragon Morvane is swift." She took a sip of her tea, her father will be arriving any time tonight, she must prepare lady Dae for it. Tomorrow morning the great hunt will begin, and in the afternoon the wedding will be held in the temple. The letter of approval shall come any moment today.

" Well today will be a grand celebration, but I heard from some minor Lords that the temple of the Goddess Imyrill is already set up. Saying it was to prepare for a wedding. Is someone from the royal family getting married next week? " Lady Lara asked curious which made Lady Meera smile.

" Could the princess be marrying someone the next week?" She teases her, Roshanne had played a long, the Cardinal is doing his job well, and the words about a wedding that is going to be held in the temple is already going around, it's making everyone curious.

"Marriage is still not in my mind as of now." She lied, but the lady Meera just scoff.

"Oh please, News about you and the 11th prince nightly rendezvous had been circulating and it became a popular topic among the young ladies and lords." Roshanne fake a bashed look and tried to make it look like she's stopping herself from looking so obvious. Trying to fool them. So someone already beat them to it, it couldn't be Odette, maybe some other maid had seen Alastair leaving her room.

"Oh please, tis nothing but a rumor." She added before taking a sip of her tea.

"A rumor?! Is that why the prince would stare at you every now and then like a lover would?" The Marchioness asked making lady Meera giggle, while it make lady Lara look appalled by the notion, well some lords and lady are against the practice of inter marriage in the Royal family but they couldn't stop it, it had been a practice every few years to ensure the survival of the line. As well as to keep them pure.

Just as they were about to talk again, a servant approached her and whispered.

"You're highness, A letter arrived from the temple of Imyrill." He gave her the envelope, Finally it arrived, she opened it and read the content, written on it is the formal letter of approval for the King's wedding to be held at the temple, Roshanne faked a look of surprise.

"What is it?" Lady Meera asked. Curious.

"The temple had written a formal letter allowing the King to be married at the temple of Imyrill." This made lady Meera and Lara gasp in surprise, lady Lara borrowed the parchment and read it herself before giving it to lady Meera.

" Really? But what about the queen? She is still alive and married to the king. To do this is to insult her." Lady Lara asked worriedly.

" The queen had been indispose for the past couple of months. Maybe the temple saw this as an intervention, maybe to knock some senses to her?" Lady Meera suggested.

" But to do this, means they bypassed the senior concubines... There surely will be some negative reaction from the other noble families." The Marchioness then reads the content of the paper and they waited for her reaction. Her eyes squinted.

" The Cardinal Lupe spoke of having a vision here... The Goddess gave her blessings.... This could only means that they are blessing the king further more." She spoke making sure she looks at Roshanne who remained looking surprise.

"This could be a sign that that girl, could indeed give him another golden heir." The other two ladies looked at her, waiting for a reaction, the feign look of surprise was quickly replaced by a frown, the Marchioness' statement had ired her, she doesn't like that conclusion.

"If that is indeed true, then the line of succession will be changed, meaning that bastard could be removed from the line." Lady Meera spoke looking excited for some reason, the Marchioness gave the letter back to Roshanne.

"If that happens it would be you, your Highness against the children of that woman." The Marchioness pointed Dae who's still talking animatedly with Princess Adelaide .

"Let's not think of that for now. Tis a great news, don't you think? I'm sure the king would be pleased, please help me announce this to our leal lords and ladies." She stated marking the end of their conversation, she stood up and so the other ladies did, they curtsy before going on in their own way to spread the news, well except the Marchioness who approached her.

" I can see what you're trying to do your highness." The Marchioness whispered, a smile remained plastered in her lips but her eyes tells her she knows something. Roshanne didn't speak and just stared at her.

"Befriending the girl, who's a daughter of a potential strong kingdom and your father's favorite is a good idea. It draw you closer to the throne isn't it?" Roshanne is amazed by how perspective the Marchioness is, she's not wrong but she's not right either, to some it may look like that but it was entirely something else, something more deeper and Bigger..

"Though by the looks of it, and by the way of your actions as well as your favorite brother, I knew it involves something bigger." She froze, she schooled herself to remain clam, how did she know? How can she tell.

"It's really is a smart move... But take it easy... It's becoming too obvious princess." The Marchioness then curtsy before leaving her there staring, she doesn't know what the Marchioness meant by it, was she an ally? Or was she an opponent, or perhaps a person who's moving in her own accord. It is something Roshanne must know to determine whether she should dispose of her to prevent a bigger scale of trouble in the line of succession or try and gain her support to make her claim stronger.

"Sister?" She looks up at Alastair who approached her, still smiling.

"What news have you had?" He asked looking at the envelope in her hand, she gave it to him, and returned her gaze to the Marchioness who's back is on them.

"Gather some information about the Marchioness, I want everything in my desk by the week." She told him, before leaving to go and talk to Dae, she must prepare her now.

"And when she grows up! She'll be as big as Wildfyre and as strong and and as fast as her!" She heard Adelaide said while Dae remained listening politely.

"I'm sure she'll be as big and as strong and fast as her highness's dragon, and you'll be as pretty and as strong as her." Dae replied making the princess giggle, though their conversation was interrupted by her once they saw her.

"Lady Dae, Princess Adelaide." She greeted them, the two curtsy in respect to her.

"Princess Adelaide? Do you mind if I talk to lady Dae for a moment?" She asked her little sister and smiled, Adelaide of course nods her head and curtsy to her before leaving them, but not without saying goodbye to Dae first. Once alone Roshanne pulled her outside in the balcony, away from the prying eyes of the guests.

"Are you doing well?" She asked her first, looking at her dress, at least she's wearing something good today, she must buy her more dresses that are suitable for different gatherings and events.

"I am doing well your highness." She told her before smiling.

"Good... A letter arrived today from the temple of Imyrill. It's a letter of approval of your marriage in the temple." She paused and let Dae absorb and digest the information she's giving her, Dae's brow furrowed.

"But... Lady Diana told me in our lesson in history that Only the chosen queen should be married under the temple with the blessings of the Cardinals."This actually made her smile, Dae is learning well, and she's keeping in mind the smallest details which is good.

"This is a good sign Dae. It means that you are blessed by the Gods, they are accepting you. And this will make his grace happy." She then turned serious and put her hand on Dad's shoulder, squeezing it a bit

" Now listen, you remember your promise to me right?" She asked her and watches as Dae nods her head, although her eyes still screams fear and doubt, she cannot have that. She needed her to be determined.

"Good... Tonight the king returns with his bastard from the golden Hills, as well as to prepare for your wedding. It will be held tomorrow remember that." She told her, and Dae stiffly nods, she was already turning pale.

"I want you to go to his room." Dae's eyes quickly snaps towards her, wide and... As usual scared, she sighed and shakes her head.

"There's nothing to fear, he won't touch you nor do anything bad to you... He will save it for the wedding night." Roshanne looked away, refusing to see Dae's reaction, she looks at the clear sky instead. Dae has to learn that the wedding night is something inevitable, she has to accept her faith to make things more easy for the both of them, especially for this mission to be a success.

"Just go to his room, bring a bottle of wine and offer it to him." She returns her gaze on Dae.

"Engaged in a conversation with him, talk to him, get to know him. Ask him about the war. Of what happened. Just makes small talk. And then tuck him in bed." She smiles and pat Dae's hair.

"The king cannot stay awake for long when he drinks wine, he'll feel drowsy and eventually sleeps." She assures her, Roshanne knows it well, she knew her father cannot handle wine very well. Specially when he's tired.

"Then I want you to look for something inside. Here, take this." She gave her a key. It was a key to one of her father's drawer, he had something of important hiding in his drawer and she will be needing it.

"Look for a crystalized dagger hidden in a secret drawer along his book shelves. Get it and give it to me. Can you do that?" Dae swallowed and took a deep breath, before nodding her head, although she seems scared Dae had actually tried her best to look determine, which made her smile and as a reward Roshanne gave her a quick kiss on her cheeks.

"You can do this. Just have faith in me, like you would to a God." She whispered again before turning around to leave her there, Roshanne didn't look behind to see if Dae had followed her not, she looks around just in time to see people looking away from her, she has nothing to fear, the balcony is hidden from anyone, it was covered by a thick curtains, as Balconies are reserved for those who wanted to take a break from the ball. Deciding to ignore them she started talking to some guest informing them of where the Wedding shall be held. She looks at her brother who was doing the same and to the others... Tomorrow is the mark of an ending that will soon come to the kingdom.