Post by Layonette Liatris(I) on Jul 30, 2008 23:23:53 GMT -5
I was sitting in the study, attempting to read a book about Aragonia. It sounded like a wonderful country, some place that I might like to visit, someday possibly. I was distracted though. I kept thinking of Father. He had been in the City for some time now, and although he sent letters home, I was beginning to miss him. I sighed softly, as I heard a horse galloping up to the front door. That was certainly odd, why would Benedict ride up to the front door? He had left earlier in the day, for a ride through the country. I got up from my seat, and walked over to the window. I nearly leaped out the window in shock as I saw a messenger that I didn’t recognize. That could only mean one thing; news from Father.
Racing down the stairs, I paused before I opened the door, making sure I didn’t look like some bumbling fool. Opening the door, just before the messenger knocked, I gave him a small smile. “Have you word from the City? Please, what of my father?” The words stumbled out of my mouth, unable to hold back my anticipation.
“Forgive me, ma’am, might I have a glass of water? I have ridden hard to get here as fast as I could. Important news for your family.”
“Of course.” I had almost forgotten my manners. “Please, come in.” I called to a passing kitchen maid to bring two glasses of water, and to tell my mother to please come to the sitting room for important news. I offered the man a seat, but he refused, citing not wanting to get trail dust all over our furniture. I smiled as the maid came back in with two glasses of water, and my mother following right behind. Sitting next to me, uncertainty marked her features.
“Please, pray tell, what of my husband?” She seemed slightly tense, and I rested a hand on her arm gently, excitement flowing through me.
“M’lady, I do believe you have a new title, of Duchesse d'Neige. Your husband is now the sovereign Duc of Camlach.” He gave my mother a formal bow. “He wishes that you might report to the City as soon as possible.”
It was all I could do not to dig my fingernails into my mother’s arm. I was going to the City. I was going to see my father.
Racing down the stairs, I paused before I opened the door, making sure I didn’t look like some bumbling fool. Opening the door, just before the messenger knocked, I gave him a small smile. “Have you word from the City? Please, what of my father?” The words stumbled out of my mouth, unable to hold back my anticipation.
“Forgive me, ma’am, might I have a glass of water? I have ridden hard to get here as fast as I could. Important news for your family.”
“Of course.” I had almost forgotten my manners. “Please, come in.” I called to a passing kitchen maid to bring two glasses of water, and to tell my mother to please come to the sitting room for important news. I offered the man a seat, but he refused, citing not wanting to get trail dust all over our furniture. I smiled as the maid came back in with two glasses of water, and my mother following right behind. Sitting next to me, uncertainty marked her features.
“Please, pray tell, what of my husband?” She seemed slightly tense, and I rested a hand on her arm gently, excitement flowing through me.
“M’lady, I do believe you have a new title, of Duchesse d'Neige. Your husband is now the sovereign Duc of Camlach.” He gave my mother a formal bow. “He wishes that you might report to the City as soon as possible.”
It was all I could do not to dig my fingernails into my mother’s arm. I was going to the City. I was going to see my father.