Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) (9 page)

Thea stood. No sense in sitting here looking lost and sad. It wouldn’t look good.

She stopped in front of her parents. “May I ask to be excused from anything tomorrow after the noon meal?”

“Why?” Ceridwen asked.

“I was not aware of my engagement, and I do not feel prepared for all that lies ahead. I’d like some time to go through my wardrobe, my jewelry. I assume Sebastian and I will need to travel to Laurycia to meet with his father and their court?”

“I sent out letters announcing the betrothal the day of the ball, so I expect we will have more visitors soon. However, I think we can spare you tomorrow. Would that be agreeable?” Aland asked.

Thea was struck. He’d sent out messengers even before telling the court or her. What was the hurry? This seemed rushed. Pushed along, for some reason. “Father, you sent out letters before you even announced it? I must be open, Father. What is the rush?”

Aland’s face darkened. Before he could say anything, her mother spoke.

“We must have you looking your best, Thea,” Ceridwen said. “Let me know what you feel you need. We’ll have plenty of time to remedy any deficiencies. Shouldn’t we?” She directed that at Aland.

“Yes, I think so,” he said. Clearly his mind was elsewhere. “Be kind to Sebastian today. I am sure our last conversation was not entirely to his liking.”

“May I be excused?” Thea was upset. She wasn’t agreeing to anything.

“Yes. Gather your sisters as you go. We will be dining soon and, as news of your betrothal is spreading, we are welcoming more guests. Tell them from me, if you please, that I expect everyone to be resplendent.” He gave her a sharp glance.

“Of course. I shall see you in the hall later, then.” She left her parents and walked along the path to the castle.

“Thea!” Serafina caught up to her.

“Oh, good.” Thea said with a laugh. “I’m glad I found one of you, at least. Father’s sent me off to start getting ready for dinner this evening. He expects a fair number of guests. It was suggested,” she said, linking her arm with Serafina’s, “That I pass along the message to all of you as well.”

She and Serafina both laughed. Thea knew all her sisters were very familiar with Aland’s ‘suggestions’.

“Let us have a servant track them down,” said Serafina. “Otherwise, we will be
corrected
to stop our dawdling.”

“That’s a fair point. I feel badly for sloughing this off onto some poor servant, who is already running about. But you’re right. If I, at least, am not in the castle directly, he’ll be cross.”

“Hello, you there!” Serafina called to a serving girl walking along the next row over. The girl stopped.

“Your Highness?”

“Please find the other princesses, and send them to their chambers. Tell them, if you will that their father has asked them to retire to ready for dinner.”

The girl bobbed and hurried off.

“Now let us go makes ourselves lovely,” Serafina said. “I do so enjoy all the people who are coming to celebrate. A few more princes would not go amiss.”

“You mean all the people that are drinking our wine and eating our food?” Thea asked dryly.

“What an old crone you are!” Serafina laughed.

Thea shivered. The words brought to mind the crone who had caught her in the woods with Casimir. Thea felt sure that the woman had something to do with her ending up in Catrin’s tower.

“I don’t mean to be,” Thea said. “I suppose it’s because I am not happy with Father’s choice.”

“I don’t understand that,” Serafina said, all laughter gone. “I would be pleased with him as a match for myself.”

“I think it’s that he was not my choice,” Thea said. She felt foolish repeating the same thing over and over. She couldn’t tell Serafina what she was truly upset about.

“That is no fault of Sebastian’s.”

“True, it is not. But he’s taking me for granted and it’s not a good start.” Thea allowed some of her earlier aggravation with Sebastian to show.

“He must have strong nerves to go up against you!”

“That’s it. I don’t think he knows me at all.  I foresee discord between us!” Thea’s voice rose.

“Not so loud, Thea,” Serafina said, casting a glance around. They had been walking in a part of the gardens where there were not many people, but as they approached the castle, there were many, talking in small groups, casting speculative glances at Thea and Serafina as they passed.

“I am sorry, Serafina,” Thea said as they entered the relatively dark corridor of the castle. “I am not myself, lately.”

“I can understand, but you will need to compose yourself.”

Thea sighed. “I know. Let’s talk of something else. What are you going to wear tonight? You never know, your prince may show up between courses!” They both laughed. After the past few days, it felt good to laugh.

“My ladies?” A deep voice came from somewhere in front of them.

“Oh! Archibald! Why are you lurking? You startled me!” Thea scolded.

“I always lurk, my lady. I would think that fact well known.” Archibald stepped into the light. “It is my command to lurk.”

Thea laughed again. She patted Archibald on the arm. “I am glad that you do,” she said. “Will you walk with us?”

He nodded, not speaking. Archibald had been in charge of the princesses’ guard since her father announced her as his heir, and Thea thought of him as family. Archibald was the only man allowed in the princesses’ chambers. The king and queen trusted him implicitly, as did they all. Remembering how he pulled each of them out of various scrapes while growing up brought a fond smile to her face. He returned the smile as she walked ahead of him with Seraphina. She was even more grateful that he had not exposed her night time walk with Casimir.

He’d not said a word, not even hinted at it. He couldn’t know of her encounter with Catrin, or he would have broken his silence. He did not hold back if he felt she might be in danger.

But prior to that, she felt there were no secrets between her and the rest of her family. Now, she was keeping things from her sisters, from Lisette, even from Archibald. Did that mean that Casimir was not a good choice? Maybe Catrin had been right.

The smile dropped from her face. Serafina noticed immediately.

“Thea, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Thea put a smile back on. “Just thinking about dinner this evening.”

“It will be all right, Thea. He’s a good man.”

Yes, well, we shall see
, Thea thought. He’d been set down by her father sharply earlier. He hadn’t seemed to appreciate it.

“Come. Let’s enjoy this time,” Thea said. “According to father, we should be expecting more people daily. This is no time for being faint hearted!” Her cheerfulness had the desired effect. Serafina clasped her arm, and they hurried to their rooms.

***

The past week had been lonely for Thea, she realized. She also resolved to speak to Lisette, and tell her about Catrin. She had been ignoring everything the woman had said to her, but it remained in the back of her head, a small, awful, hateful voice that chimed in whenever Thea allowed doubt to creep in. This burden was more than she could bear alone.

***

Tonight, she entered the hall with her head held high. No matter what, she would not allow how she felt to overshadow the greater good. Her lack of harmony personally affected those around her, and she owed them better. Even Sebastian.

She walked in next to Adelaide, in front of her parents.

“Addy, I do hope that I can be of assistance,” Thea said quietly, keeping her eyes forward.

“Thea that is most kind.” Adelaide sounded more herself. “There is nothing you can do, unfortunately.” She fell silent, and Thea could tell more conversation would be unwelcome.

It was as she suspected. Adelaide cared for Sebastian. Why could he not have seen that and asked for Addy’s hand? Then all of this could have been be averted.

But Adelaide does not come with a kingdom
, her inner-voice whispered.
You do.

Shut up, Thea told the voice. Casimir had said the same thing, only couched in more loving terms. The fact was she did come with a kingdom. It was 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 happens.”

“See that you do,” Aland said. Thea could hear his disapproval. While he enjoyed the various libations the kitchens produced, as King of Gallivas, he did not believe in over indulgence. He had always told Thea that a muzzy head made for a poor ruler.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Sebastian said, bowing. “May I have the pleasure of your company tomorrow, Thea?”

“Yes, you may.” She followed her parents out, her sisters doing the same. She hoped that Casimir would retire as well. Sebastian’s friends would be quick to resent even the implication of insult to their prince. While he was charm itself to her, she doubted that extended to Casimir away from the eyes of the king.

Her worries were founded when Sebastian grabbed Casimir’s arm. “Cas! Stay and join us! We shall retire to my chambers, so as to not disturb anyone else!” He gave a laugh.

“That is generous indeed, Bash,” Casimir said cheerfully. “Give me leave to stop in my chambers, and I shall join you shortly.”

Thea had moved too far away to hear what Sebastian said. An outbreak of laughter from his friends drew her attention back to them. She could see the various ladies edging away from them. Even as princesses, her mother had drilled into them that they needed to stay far from men drinking hard. That even the most noble of men could be overcome by drink.