Erin headed back toward her room fuming with anger at Rory. Having not seen Liam, she decided to check on him first. Knocking on his door, she was met with silence. She tried again but still silence. Erin then realized it could be dinnertime so she walked toward the dining hall. It was troublesome finding that room empty as well.

As she listlessly strolled back toward her room, brows furrowed and deeply confused, Erin almost missed Alice walking down the hall carrying a tray.

"Alice," Erin called, walking a little faster to catch up to her.

"Hello, Miss, erm, Erin," Alice bowed her head. "I was just bringing you dinner since you were absent for the meal. Miss Ashlynn ate and is now with Princess Ryan in her room."

"Awesome, thank you Alice," Erin sighed in relief to know and hear others were watching out for her daughter. "I'm actually looking for Liam. Have you seen him?"

"I'm afraid not, Miss," Alice replied sadly.

Erin sighed heavily "Alright, thank you. I'll take the tray and eat in my room."

****

Noon the next morning, Erin nervously knocked on Liam's door but again was met with no response. Were the meetings going into a second day? Rory had mentioned the feast was tonight so the committee must have come to an agreement. So where was Liam? Erin stood in front of his door staring, baffled about where he could be and nervous to go looking for him. Alice came down the hall with a tray, smiling warmly at Erin.

"Good morning, Miss," she called.

"Good morning, Alice," Erin sighed but managed a friendly smile.

"Busy day! I have your breakfast then I will help you get ready for the feast tonight." Alice continued toward Erin's room.

"Alright, I'm coming Alice," Erin followed dutifully but not before giving one last longing look at Liam's door.

****

The warm bath was relaxing and Erin felt rejuvenated afterward. For a little while, all her stresses melted away. Having someone brush her hair was a treat, too. That was secretly one of Erin's favorite things: having someone brush or play with her hair. Alice was extra attentive at the task, massaging her scalp while she was at it. This helped Erin's hair dry faster and form slight waves.

Erin requested her hair be left down. Her thick, luscious hair was her best and favorite feature of herself. She was always complimented on it. Every guy she dated, even her ex-husband had been fascinated with her hair. Liam hadn't discovered it yet but Erin found herself secretly hoping he would and soon.

Alice formed delicate braids from Erin's temples, twisting them as she guided the braids to meet in the middle where they were twisted again in such a way that they stayed put. Alice had a real talent for hair styling.

Next came the dress. This had been a special project. Erin was excited to find out she would have an occasion to wear it. Set in a deep purple, Erin's favorite color, first the underdress slipped on over her head. The straps, Erin would call it a spaghetti strap, connected to a fitted bodice that hugged her chest nicely and flared out from her hips, falling to the floor.

The rest of the dress, in a lighter purple shade, was almost like a long coat with bell sleeves and they tied across her stomach just under her bust. The long tie would fall down the front. Perhaps Erin's favorite part was the thick outline of silver embroidery along the hem of the outer portion. There was also a band of it around the middle upper arm part of the sleeves.

Erin looked herself over the an oval mirror and smiled to herself, very pleased with how the dress turned out. Alice appeared at Erin's side holding a flat square box.

"This was left outside your door, Erin," Alice explained. "I found it before I went to get your breakfast."

Maybe Liam left it, Erin thought to herself. When she opened the box, her breath caught. It was a beautiful silver circlet with a purple gem, an amethyst perhaps? Carefully Erin lifted it and set it carefully atop her head. The gem matched her dress perfectly.

"I think I need to go find someone and thank him," Erin smirked at Alice who, surprisingly, winked back.

****

The sun was setting by now, casting warm colors into the castle hallway. Liam had bathed and dressed for the feast, his heart and mind heavy with not only the meeting yesterday but also the scene he walked in on last night between Rory and Erin. It didn't surprise him that Rory was making a move but it did surprise him that Erin hadn't heeded his warning about how Rory could be. He thought Erin would have trusted him more than that.

Other council members and their accompanying guests were steadily streaming to the dining hall for dinner. Liam nodded his greetings to each of them ever searching for Erin to be arriving soon. A pang of guilt rang in his gut. Maybe he should've escorted her to the hall. She had come with him, after all, no matter what Rory had done. Some date he was turning out to be.

When Liam made it into the dining hall, he saw many guests mingling and visiting until the King arrived. He scanned the room for one particular face. A singsong sound hit his ears, the laughter he had heard many times and grown incredibly fond of. Fiercely Liam scanned the room then found her.

The violet silhouette of Erin caught Liam's eyes as he scanned her form. Her hair done beautifully, the color of her dress complimenting her skin in a breathtaking way. As if sensing he was watching her, Erin turned to look over her shoulder and their eyes met.

Erin smiled brightly at Liam when she saw him. He looked so handsome in his formal outfit. The brown boots and breeches were not a new sight, neither was the dark blue tunic. What made him especially impressive tonight and look the role of a leader was the plaid draped over one shoulder and across his back, bearing the colors of his clan.

Cautiously Erin wove through the crowd, making her way to Liam. The people she passed moved easily to make a path for her. Their eyes were still locked. Liam felt his breathing speed along with his heart rate. Was Erin feeling the same thing? She was almost to him biting her lower lip in anticipation, hiding a smirk when suddenly she disappeared from the crowd of guests.

Rory had come in from the side and grabbed Erin by the upper arm and pulled her out a side door. Liam caught sight of them just before they went through the archway. Anger swelled within him again.

Erin yanked her arm out from Rory's grasp and poked his chest hard with her finger. "What do you think you are doing?"

"It's time you choose, love, who will it be?" Rory stepped forward and Erin stepped back until she felt her back touching the stone wall. His lips lowered dangerously close to hers.

"I don't have time for this, Rory," Erin shoved at his chest hard. He stumbled back just enough for her to brush past him. Entering the dining hall again, Rory was on her heels but Erin didn't care. She had to find Liam again.

Erin caught sight of him again but her legs being grabbed caught her attention. "Mommy, you look so beautiful!" Ashlynn beamed up at her.

"Hi, honey!" Erin grinned lovingly at her daughter who was dressed in a blue period dress. It made her sapphire eyes even more noticeable. "You look beautiful, too. I'm glad to see you here."

"I know," she giggled. "I'm sitting with Ryan, OK?" And she scampered off not even waiting for an answer.

Erin smiled as she watched her daughter run off to her new friend. As she scanned the room again, she found Liam and quickly walked toward him. Just as she made it to his side, a horn blew announcing the King's arrival. She brushed Liam's hand with her fingers which caught his attention. When he looked at her, Liam was angry. Erin hadn't seen this emotion on him quite this intensely.

"What's wrong?" Erin whispered to him as they slowly took their seats.

"I told you he is trouble," Liam whispered harshly. It bordered on a growl.

"He followed me then grabbed my arm. I didn't go with him willingly," Erin tried to explain. "I've been-..."

"What about kissing him yesterday?" Liam interrupted.

Erin frowned. She hadn't kissed anyone at anytime on this trip except Liam. She was truly confused.

Just as she was about to reply, the King stood to welcome the guests and then the food arrived. The variety was vast and unlike anything Erin had ever seen in person. She had only seen pictures or paintings depicting feasts and never thought they had been that accurate.

A variety of meats from game and fowl to a large pig left whole and stews, breads, cheese, fruits and vegetables adorned the table. Their goblets were never less than half full of wine or ale. The flowing conversation was wonderful for Erin and meeting the people around her. Liam, however, was relatively quiet.

Erin could see Ashlynn at a smaller table with several children. She recognized Princess Ryan but the other children must be from other families represented here. She also saw Connor and Princess Reagan sitting next to each other down closer to the King. They were lost in each others eyes, blissfully in their own world.

The musicians were enjoyable as well. Erin strained to remember what instruments were native to Ireland around this time period and some she recognized, like the harp. Others, she was sure were from other countries. Perhaps the King had invited other court musicians for this particular occasion.

At the clinking of a glass, all attention went to the King who was now standing at the head of the grand table.

"Honored guests, friends," The good King began. "I wish to give special thanks to our musicians for the evening." He paused giving time for applause, then continued once it had quieted. "I have invited some new instruments that are common in other courts from other kingdoms such as this violin and other strings which are gaining popularity in Italy. We also have many guests here tonight who will be participating in our musical entertainment."

As the King sat, a woman stood from the table and took her position in front of the instruments. She had a beaming smile and perfect posture. I bet she's a singer, Erin thought to herself. Then, after one chord from the harpsichord and a deep breath from the woman, she began belting a beautiful, tear rendering opera in Italian.

Erin was riveted by this music and had her eyes glued to the vocalist. Liam stole a glance at Erin as she watched finding himself smiling a little at the passion that had been lit inside her. He hadn't seen this from her yet. He watched her roll her eyes closed, a small yet sweet smile pulled at her lips, body swaying slowly side to side in time with the music.

Liam slowly leaned in toward Erin's ear. "Can you understand what she's singing?" he whispered.

Those hazel eyes turned toward him, that smile still on her face as she shook her head. "No, but can't you feel her sadness in her voice? That's the beautiful thing about opera. You don't have to know what they are saying or singing about to feel their emotions. You as the listener are able to interpret yourself."

"And how are you interpreting it?" Liam questioned further, his own eyes locked on hers.

Erin thought for a moment before answering. "She started out so happy and now she's sad like...she misses her love and maybe he's mad at her for unknown reasons or perhaps...a misunderstanding. All he needs to do is talk to her." She cast her eyes down shyly then lifted them back up at him.

Liam's lips parted to say something but the King's booming voice stole his chance.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the King chuckled, holding a grinning Ashlynn on his knee. "We have a surprise you all of you!"

Ashlynn grinned deviously straight at Erin whose eyes had gone wide and her jaw dropped.

"Oh, Lord have mercy," Erin muttered.

Happy Tuesday!  Anyone else wanna slap Rory or Luke? LOL  Slap away!

Now for some humor and highlighting moments!

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