Chapter 15 Inquiries

Lord Roderick received the message from the servant telling that Prince Alasther had come to the manor the day before and that only caused in him to feel uneasy. A cloud of questions hovered above his head. It was because the Prince never came by himself and without prior invitation to Lannishire.  It was strange that he didn't mention the purpose of his unexpected appearance to any of the servants, neither to the duke's mother, Lady Charlotte.

The servants informed that still they noticed in the prince some sort of distress and he only said he would return in a week or so, for he had a very important matter to discuss with the duke. Resolving to send later a note to the prince, he headed to the living area, where his mother was waiting for him, eager to meet the girl that captivated him so much.

Lady Charlotte loved her only living son with all her heart. He was the youngest of two sons. Ralph died five years ago when he was sent to a mission in the southern regions and he was ambushed and killed by Barbarians near the Dark Forests. His father couldn't bear the loss and died two years later of a heart disease. Since then everything became gloomy for the widow and her son.

A charming woman she was, still young and bearing an elegant pose, always dressed impeccably and wearing a tied up chignon, glowed a motherly and affectionate stare to her son, the duke. Her heart belated with so much joy as she listened to Roderick talking so lively about this girl since he returned from King Atharo's Castle. He explained to his mother that Amalthea was the daughter of Anibal de Albis, who Lady Charlotte in fact met sometime in the business of trading and buying fine art. Every detail the duke knew of the red-haired lady, he shared with Lady Charlotte with great emotion.

At the beginning, the duchess couldn't help to be a little concerned about this kind of union, but she loved her son so much that she was willing to pass over any chauvinism on the origin or lineage of Amalthea. Besides, Lord Roderick only spoke of the beauty, charm and good character of Amalthea that she was also falling in love with her too.

A servant opened the door and the girl made her entrance in the sitting room. She dressed a beautiful green gown, one of the dresses given by the King when she went to sing in the prince's birthday. Am looked so delicate and enchanting, her red mane just braided aside her small face with some lavender flowers placed randomly on the braid. Once she was inside the room, she curtsied timidly to both the duke and his mother who scanned her from head to toes.

"My dear, you are a beauty indeed. Now I understand why my son is so enthralled... But, please, come here, so we can talk a little." Lady Charlotte reassured Am giving her a big smile. The woman then spoke to her son. "Roderick, why don't you go and check on the other guests and announce them dinner is almost set."

"Yes mother, I will leave you so you can get better acquainted with each other... you will love her for sure mother." And aiming to Am a mischievous glare, he left the living area.

"Now, my dear... I've heard that you sing like the angels in heaven above. Not only my son, but every single person that was present in the ball praises your talent... I think we must organize some feast where we can enjoy that talent of yours."

"My lady, I feel so honored with your words. Nevertheless, I don't consider myself with that amount of talent. I just love singing since I was a lass. And I will be delighted to sing for you at any time you determine convenient if that pleases you, My lady." Am replied.

"Oh, that's splendid my dear! You know, some of the furniture, books and tapestries in this room were bought through your father's. He was a fine gentleman and very esteemed by my family. Anibal de Albis was a truly handsome man and you have lots of his. It's a pity he had to leave this world being so young and with such a beautiful family... He would be so proud of you..." Am who buried her eyes in the ground. talking about his Papah made her feel a little sad. Lady Charlotte knew it was the time to change the tone of the conversation.  "Now my dear Amalthea, please tell me more about your friends. I want to know, who are the two persons that came with you?"

"They are my best friends, Maeh and Maik. They are brother and sister and I love them with my soul. Maik and Maeh are very charming and honest people."

"Good!I want to meet them right away. I think we should be going to the family dining room. I am a little hungry and I bet you are too." The duchess invited Am to leave the sitting room and both walked to the private dining room.

In the dining room, Maeh, Maik and the duke were already sitting at the table. Lady Charlotte and Am joined them in the dining. Both Maik and Maeh looked nervous. The duchess greeted the guests. "You must be Maeh, and you, her brother Maik. It's a pleasure to meet you both. You are fine people too. Am and my son had spoke only good things about you." Both brother and sister thanked the duchess' words and the group proceeded to have dinner and conversed in a relaxed manner.

"Mother, did you know that Maik is a fine archer and a very skilled hunter? He won the second prize in this year's tournament." The duke spoke.

"That's wonderful. A young, skilled and handsome man is something hard to find these days." Lady Charlotte mother responded with sincerity.

"I was thinking Maik... you and I can go tomorrow to the grove near the manor and hunt some hares and hogs. What do you think Maik?" Lord Roderick proposed Maik who returned him a pry look. "Come on, Maik, it will be fun. Am will be fine with Maeh and Mother here in the house."

Maik didn't know what to say at first. He thought it could be a trick. But finally acceded. "Yes, I think it can be fun. We can bring some fat hogs for dinner tomorrow."

The duchess interrupted the conversation between the young men. "My dear son, I was telling Amalthea I desire to hear her singing. I was thinking we can organize a soirée and invite a few close friends. We can send an invitation to Lord Stevain and his adorable wife. Also we ask Lady Karmine and their three beautiful daughters to come... and of course, King Ataro and Queen Cephora with the Prince and his fiancée, Lady Katharina."

As soon as Am heard the prince's name, butterflies revolved in her stomach and her face flushed. Thank God nobody noticed her reaction. Lady Charlotte spoke to Am. "What do you think, my dear Amalthea? Is that fine with you to ask some of our closest friends to come? Would you sing for them?"

" As you wish Lady Charlotte... and Maeh can sing along with me too, for she sings beautifully too." Am answered enthusiastically.

"Oh that sounds fantastic for me! Let it be then. I will send the invitations tomorrow morning to our acquaintances. Next Week we will have a feast like we did when your father was alive, my dear Roderick." The duchess was very animated, and Lord Roderick could do nothing but accede. He was so happy to see her mother was smiling again.

After the dinner, everyone left to their respective dormitories. Lord Roderick escorted Am personally to her room under Maik's heating gaze. It happened to be that the room next to Am's was the duke's bedroom, what made Maik's body infuriate with jealous even more... but he wouldn't make a scandal out of this. He needed to behave for Am. Maik only wanted to make her happy. This was a small sacrifice for his beloved red haired girl.

In bed, Am thought on what would happen on Sunday. She will probably meet the prince again. How would she react when she meets him after that embarrassing event in the Angeleag Fall? How would he react when he sees her again?

That night was filled with weird dreams like she used to have since the first time she danced with the prince in that awesome ball... Her worst fears had come true... And now this has really become COMPLICATED!!!

Lovely people of Abhainn, what do you think of this chapter? It was short, I know, but what's up with Lady Charlotte? What are your impressions about her?!?!