Chapter 44

"Where are the pearls?!" Atali shouted as one of the other maids was looking through the jewelry box frantically. All the while Astrid was seated on the divan while her makeup was being done and shoes were being selected. They had less than an hour to make her presentable to Royalty and by Thor were they going to pull it off.

Being presentable to visit the Royal Palace and entertaining Royalty at ones own estate were two vastly different situations. Astrid was quite sure the butler and the other maids were checking thrice to see if the reception area, foyer and most of the ground floor was spotless and as it was almost time for a luncheon the chefs were probably running around trying to revise the menu to be more... elaborate.

'All for that pompous Crown Prince,' Astrid thought, though she didn't voice that particular opinion.

"Found it!" The maid exclaimed and then walked towards her employer with a four-string pearl choker necklace. The piece had an elaborate engraving of an agate rose set as its centerpiece. It matched perfectly with the velvet dark blue gown Astrid squeezed into. The ensemble was finished with a pearl and sapphire broach and as she stood up with help from the maids she smoothed out her skirt before being helped to step into the dark blue heels as the crinoline made it impossible to see below her waist.

Rosalinda, dressed similarly to Astrid though sporting a cream-colored gown, met Astrid in the hallway leading to the grand foyer as one of the maids hurriedly walked towards them to announce that the Prince's carriage had entered the estate.

"Why did he come here now?!" Rose whispered as she followed close to Astrid. Edwin too, joined them as he was fiddling with his ascot.

"Sister...s? What is going on?" Edwin asked as Astrid shot him a look to leave the ascot be.

"I do not know," Astrid pursed her lips at the sudden visit. While she didn't know the exact reason the Prince would visit the estate she could imagine several scenarios playing out. None ended well for her family and servants.

"I don't see how he dares to visit after breaking our engagement so cruelly." Rose seethed. "Did his ego deflate just like his endowment?"

Astrid choked upon hearing that crude sentence and nearly slipped on the carpet as they were nearing the stairs. Her head whipped around and she glared at Rose to hold her tongue lest her head fly off her shoulders.

"Welcome your Highness," Astrid quickly composed herself upon seeing Prince Grimmel in their foyer taking off his gloves. "What brings you to our humble abode?"

Edwin escorted Astrid down the stairs as she was higher in position while Atali helped Rosalinda. Rose, not wanting the Prince to see how his cruel words had affected her unfurled her lace fan and hid part of her face.

"I would hardly call your estate humble Marchioness," Grimmel announced as his attendant stood at attention near him to take his gloves. The door was still open and Astrid saw that several knights had accompanied the Prince.

"Sir and Lady Anderson," The Prince greeted to which Edwin and Rose reluctantly bowed in recognition.

"Will you be joining us for our luncheon?" Astrid then asked while inwardly trying to hold back the biting remark she'd wish she'd made.

"I just may. There is a rather concerning matter I wish to discuss with you," The Prince stated.

"Then why don't we adjourn to the parlour?" Astrid suggested and then gave a nod to William who was standing nearby to let the chefs know.

Once in the parlour Rose and Edwin settled on the settee while the Prince and Astrid claimed the single seaters inbetween an ornate lamp. It wasn't long there after when two maids arrived. Each maid was pushing a tray and once uncovered they left the dishes on the wooden table inbetween the room's occupants. The table now sported lemon Pudding, honeycombs, scalloped veal, curried eggs and jam tart. Atali also entered the room with a tray that boasted a very ornate tea set.

"Simply delicious," Grimmel announced as he had tasted the jam tart. "My compliments to the chef,"

"I will pass along the message," Astrid said as Atali offered her some freshly brewed Jasime tea.

Once the Prince had tasted the food both Edwin and Rose joined in as well. Astrid too contented herself with some lemon tart before she asked, pleasantries gone now "What seemed to be so urgent that his Highness visited us this suddenly?"

"I am afraid this matter involves Lady Gretchen of the Lavalout Viscounty," The Prince announced with a grimmace as he placed his teacup and saucer on the table. "She has... since her departure from your estate, inundated my palace with her demands that I recover her honor,"

Rose's sugarcube made quite an audible splash as Astrid just looked at the Prince with a raised brow.

"Why would his Highness concern itself with the matters of a Viscounty?" She asked though she knew the reason.

Grimmel coughed before answering. "As you may know the Lavalout Viscounty and the Royal family have had a long and prosperous relationship." He was trying to be circumspect about the whole matter even though it was an open secret no one really mentioned.

"And what is Lady Gretchen's exact claim?" Astrid questioned. "Because from what my guests that day and staff would testify it was in fact her who besmirched the good name and standing of the Marquisate."

"The Lady in question relaid that there was a breach in the engagement contract and that she was harassed to leave the estate. She even went so far as to claim she was attacked by some vicious animal," The Prince shot Astrid a look though the Marchioness betrayed nothing about the dragon though Edwin did nearly choke upon hearing of the mentioned incident again. Grimmel looked at Edwin and uttered "As you know engagement contracts are binding and..."

"Your Highness, if I may," Astrid cut the Prince off as she folded her arms on her waist.

"There seems to be a misconception here. There has never been an engagement contract between House Lavalout and Hofferson. As Marchioness Hofferson I have full control over the Anderson Barony until Edwin is of age and all courting petitions go through me." She said in a steadfast tone. "Never has the Lavalout Viscounty formally and informally contacted me about this matter and I was quite aghast at finding out Lady Gretchen made herself at home in my manor while I was away on inspection."

Grimmel was silent, though a frown did start to mar his features as Astrid continued. "Your Highness you can imagine the sheer dishonor and humiliation I felt upon hearing about Lady Gretchen's visit without even a word in advance. Given the circumstances I had every right to turn her away from my estate." Astrid's voice was hard now. "What's more the lady in question dared to barge into my study, wanting to trade her servants' sexual favours in exchange for me approving an engagement." You could literally hear Grimmel choke upon his tea when Astrid stated that so bluntly. Even Rose had to hold in a giggle.

"Surely the Marchioness is mistaken?" Grimmel questioned as he had been caught off guard.

"I most surely am not. If need be you can ask the servant in question as he left Lady Gretchen's abusive employ to work for me," She deadpanned. "What's more Lady Gretchen displayed explosive rage upon hearing and seeing Edwin court another lady. She ended up assaulting two of my maids while leaving the estate."

"I see," Was all Grimmel could say. "What of the animal attack then? Lady Gretchen describe a creature from hell."

It was now Rose who couldn't hold in her giggles as Astrid was trying to think of a good excuse. "Pardon me your Highness," Rose interjected while wafting her fan. "But perhaps Lady Gretchen meant the goats she agitated while she was residing here."

"Goats?" Grimmel questioned as his eyes narrowed.

"Why yes, I would sometimes see the Lady take walks along the pastures from my rooms." Rosalinda uttered. "To think that she would see those poor goats as the devil's kin,"

"Your Highness, perhaps you should question if the Lady is mentally stable. It may be time to rethink your relationship with House Lavalout altogether if they feel it is their right to simply barge into your palace to demand something from you," Astrid deftly commented.

"Then would the Marchioness suggest that the Royal family have a closer relationship with House Hofferson in return?" Grimmel questioned.

"I could honestly not suggest that your Highness. At least not until reparations are made." Astrid deftly unfurled her fan and wafted it gently as the meaning started to sink in for the Prince.

"Marchioness...," Grimmel's tone turned icy yet Astrid just looked him straight in the eyes before saying her next piece. "For all intended purposes the Royal family broke off the engagement to Lady Anderseon one-sidedly. As you yourself had previously mentioned before, engagement contracts are binding. Rosalinda's honor was besmirched by the breaking of this contract. As such reparations are needed. House Hofferson can in no good conscience entertain a closer relationship to the Royal family until this matter is settled."

The Crown Prince said nothing as he would seem a hypocrite as he came for the same reason on Lady Gretchen's regard.

"I will... expedite that matter," The Prince uttered. "If reparations are made before the week is over I would hope the Marchioness will accompany me for the Founding day banquet. As a relative of course. I know you have a suitor intend on courting you."

"If the matter is settled before the Founding day then I will accompany you to the banquet... as a relative." Astrid stressed. "Though I have already promised my first dance to the gentleman in question,"

Once the Prince had left both Edwin and Rosalinda jumped at Astrid for agreeing to the absurd request. "Sister are you crazy? This is just the Prince's attempt to solidify his position with the other Nobles!" Edwin uttered. "If House Hofferson stands with him at Founding Day then no one would go against him."

"What of Sir Hiccup?!" Rose questioned. "Would he not feel shoved to the side by this?"

"What else was I supposed to do?" Astrid quipped back. "I was already stretching my luck with the reparations. The Prince already looked displeased. Besides, House Hofferson will stand with the King at Founding Day and everyone will know it."

"That is only if the plan succeeds!" Edwin uttered.

"And it will," She retorted. "It has to. To think of the Kingdom in Prince Grimmel's clutches is unimaginable. The Prince's support base has been crumbling over the years. Every Noble knows that. They were hoping the marriage to Lady Arkas, as she too was of Royal blood, would solidify his position."

"It doesn't help that there are vast rumors of the Prince abusing opium," Rose muttered. "You know that that substance leads to infertility and erectile dysfunction,"

"Rose I knew what you meant the first time you commented on it!" Astrid uttered.

"I still find this plan you've hatched entirely too dangerous sis," Edwin muttered. "The Prince is for sure to try and get you to agree on an engagement,"

"There is no certainty in life Edwin." Astrid told him seriously. "The plan will go about as stated. For myself, I would rather not see an unstable tyrant, that would lock up and starve his own father, take this Kingdom's throne. I have already asked Sir Hiccup to take you, Rose and any servants that wish to leave with him should the plan fail."

"What?! You never told us that!" Rosalinda exclaimed.

"Be that as it may. This is set in stone. There will be no changing my mind," Astrid uttered before leaving the room. Both Edwin and Rosalinda looked at each other and then at the departing figure of their sister who had just admitted that she would be facing the gallows alone should their treasonous plan fail.

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AN: Hi guys. Sorry I've been MIA for most of December and January. There was a lot going on. Had a death in the family. Moved apartments which resulted in me still not having wifi and now have a job that's more demanding but the pay is soooooo good.