Chapter 4 Six Days Until Unification Day
Royal castle of the kingdom of Costa Lunas.
Guillermo woke up with the first rays of the morning sun. The herald of King Aloisio seldom went to bed late or slept late. He had left the grand banquet hall much earlier than most of the nobles.
Herald Guillermo in a cheerful voice: Dear Alicia, are you here yet?
Alicia had arrived two minutes earlier with a tray of tea, bread and sweets. She had waited while listening to the stirrings of her noble patron. She now entered the room, approached the table, and set down the tray. She was sixteen with pale skin, very dark brown hair and matching eyes.
Alicia said brightly: Yes, Your Excellency. I have some tea and bread with honey and jam. I always know you will rise early.
Guillermo entered the main chamber from his bedroom with a wide smile: You are the best girl in this castle. Sit down and talk to me if you do not have other duties. I always prefer to start my day with your lovely company and any juicy gossip.
Alicia giggled: Of course, my Lord. The castle is still asleep after the festivities last night.
Guillermo: Have you eaten yet? Please enjoy this lovely breakfast with me. We can eat freshly baked bread while the others sleep. I expect most of the royal court will wake up around noon if not later.
Alicia let out a small laugh: Probably. Last night the pages served a lot of wine and ale. And tonight, I think they will serve even more. The nobles were in the grand banquet hall until past the second bell of night from what I heard. As for gossip, there are rumors that the lord of Isla Rica was seen entering the chambers of a certain lady from the Ridges. One wonders how their spouses would react to this news. Also, I think the rumor about the maid of Lady Marisela and a Sister of Shadow is true.
Guillermo through a mouthful of bread: Yes, I am not surprised. This does occur often at these gatherings, often with that same lady. Two young women having an affair, one hopes they are careful, although such liaisons are less scandalous than if they were both men.
Alicia: I think many men find this less offensive and more...titillating.
Guillermo giggled a bit: Yes, we are a silly lot are we not. The king wants this unification celebration to be the largest in history. It is the twentieth anniversary of his coronation. Unification, an interesting word to describe the conquest of White Hall. I was only seven years old when the war ended. I was training to become a royal page. But I remember the shortages of food, the heroes who lost an arm or a leg, and the stories of the blood-stained streets of Puerto Blanco. Still, our kingdom is grander now with the addition of their territory.
Alicia exclaimed: Ah, yes! Please pardon my lapse in memory. There is a lord who is already awake. Lord Heinrich of Blasser Hafen is in the great hall awaiting the king. His castle servants told me he was angry because he was promised an early meeting with Our Majesty.
Guillermo scoffed: And the idiot believed this when His Perfection was drinking wine? The Duchy of the west sends a more stupid man every time the king dismisses one for some offense. But you do not have to worry about the Lord. After I have breakfast and get dressed, I will talk to him and calm him down.
Alicia smiled: Good luck my Lord. Do you need help this morning? I laid out your clothing last night, after you took your night-time medicines. I am always happy to help the kindest man in the castle.
Guillermo: Dear sweet Alicia, I would be lost without you. But there are more bread and jam here if you want.
Alicia: No, no, my Lord. The rest is yours. I did eat a bit when I rose and I am full now. There will be much work today to prepare for tonight.
After the man had eaten all the pieces of bread and the rest of the jam and the teapot was empty, he got up with difficulty to dress. Lord Guillermo of Colina Verde was a little taller than most men, and his body was twice the size of many. His eyes were almost black, and his short hair and well-trimmed beard showed a salt and pepper pattern common for his age. His health had begun to fail of late. He had used a sharp mind and charm to rise to become the right-hand of the king. His favorite servant helped him dress in embroidered blue tunic and loose trousers, a new fashion popular among the fashionable nobles of the castle. When he was dressed, she brought him his belt and two pouches of coins.
Alicia: My Lord, there are twelve golden unicorn coins inside one purse and a variety in another, as per your instructions.
Guillermo beamed: Alicia, this bag is for your older sister Juana. She is getting married next month, right? I want to pay for the ceremony, the food, the wine, everything.
Alicia covered her mouth in surprise: My Lord! My family cannot…
Guillermo with false sternness: None of that! Your mother served me for many years, and so did your sister before Captain Handsome conquered her. Your family lacks nothing if I can help them.
The young servant laughed at the humorous nickname for the man that would be her brother of the law.
Alicia said with a small tear of happiness: Thank you so much, my Lord. You are always kind to my family.
The tall lord leaned down until his head was level with hers. He tapped his cheek with his finger and waited. The girl smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
Guillermo stood up and gave a broad smile: Thank you. Now, no matter what might happen today, my day will be wonderful.