“Lady Lunebleau, may I have a moment of your time?” the castle and the city were filled with the guest for the wedding. He had asked to keep watch over the corridors that lead into the chambers of house Lunebleau, the man who had stopped lady Frey was the second son of duke Monet, the armsman and the city guard had received lists with portraits of the higher-ranking guests.

“Sure, lord Monet” the lord had been probably waiting for lady Frey, he had been passing by the corridor most of the day, he had supposed he was trying to catch lady Noelle, but he had been looking for lady Frey instead.

“I wished to tell you something personal, lady Lunebleau, is there some place where we could talk, alone?”

“I am sorry, my lord, there is hardly any proper place for us to talk with so many guests in the castle for the moment, if you don’t mind, we could speak here? Or I could arrange a proper space later perhaps?” it spoke volumes on the polite smile lady Frey gave the lord, they did not look to be acquainted, he had been prowling near her chambers, and she was engaged. The man looked at lady Frey with hesitation but after a moment he was resolved, he turned to look at him, he focused on the wall as if it was the most interesting thing in the world, but there was no way he would move from there, unless lady Frey asked him to.

“Yes, I understand… I guess this would have to do. Ever since the ball after the first day of conference with the Fey Danan delegation, I have not been able to take you out of my mind lady Frey” was the wall so dirty? He needed to find some of the castle staff to have the clean the corridor properly, this would not do… should he give them more space?

“I am sorry, lord Monet, you know…”

“You had already caught my attention, lady Frey, but at the ball that night, I was enraptured by your beauty. I intended to present myself and asking your father for permission to court you but before I could your engagement was announced, it broke my resolve…” where was lady Siv? She should he here, she would know what needed to be done, what was he supposed to do

“I appreciate your sincerity, lord Monet, yet I am afraid is out of place” lord Monet was tall and handsome, a little thin but his blonde hair and golden eyes were what most girls imagine a noble should look like and yet lady Frey expression was calm.

“That I am, my lady, I am sorry it took me so long to gather the courage to act, but I had to tell you, I was going to keep my feelings to myself, but then you made it impossible after you assisted the trade discussions. You are outstanding lady Frey; I understand how rude it is on my part to tell you this, but I needed to”

“Lord Monet, if you understand the rudeness of your words, I’ll consider letting this matter as it is, I wish you the best” lady Frey turned to leave the troubled lord, he seized lady Frey’s hand, he was about to move on them when lady Frey made a gesture to him to stop, the lord noticed this, but he did not let go of her hand.

“I’ll risk earning your contempt, but I am worried, I heard too many things about your engagement my lady, my bluntness comes from genuine concern”

“What things?” to his surprise the lord managed to still hold lady Frey after the cold tone of her voice, but the lord was shaken by it.

“I understand the need for a marriage between Loire and the Empire, but if they truly wish to establish a true alliance between our nations they should not have forced the issue, I’ve seen how much you care about our kingdom, and how you also consider the Empire at the trade discussions, you are exemplary lady Frey, I don’t know the context behind the prince’s proposal but it is clear to me you would do whatever was best for the country, I heard to many rumors, I won’t listen to them, not before I talked with you”

“What rumors?” the lord was honest, he was sure he was, and yet lady Frey response was the same.

“They don’t matter lady Frey, true they might have been the needed motivation for me to come and talk with you, but I am here not because of them”

“Lord Monet, you approached me in an less than respectful manner, you said your intentions are well meant, and yet you keep words from me?”

“I… am sorry lady Frey, you are right. There’s talk about how the prince forced you to marry him for the alliance, that your father and the king refused at first but then he promised to bring more lands for the kingdom…”

“I understand there being rumors, but considering my father sold me for land is…”

“Stupid, my lady. I am sorry, I dismissed everyone of those, I am sure word about me confronting other nobles might spread around sooner or later”

“And yet these rumors finally convinced you to speak with me?” the lord had to take a step back from the smaller lady Frey, her hands were clenched, trembling.

“Not those lady Frey, they said the prince is primal a battle hunger maniac who relish on war, that he went half naked on your estate in presence of your entire family. I will not judge a man by rumors, but I worried about you lady Frey, late as it is you should know there’s a chance to get away from this, it is still not too late” lady Frey was looking straight at the young lord, he could not see her properly but his was nervous, what about those claims, no, the prince was not a maniac.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Marry me, lady Frey”

Lady Frey took her hand from his, she recoiled from the lord, confused? No, she was upset, she was trying to calm herself, the lord seemed to be mistaking her response for nervousness, he reached for her again.

“I am the second son, but house Monet will answer and stand with house Lunebleau. We can talk with the King and the royal Duke, if the Empire wishes and alliance forcing a marriage is not the proper way, I am sure we could reach a proper understanding, I know how important it is for both our countries, but we could solve this properly, my lady. For all the rumors about the prince, I consider him a reasonable man, even if you don’t feel attracted to me my lady, we could cancel our commitment later if that is what you want, but there is no need for you to sacrifice for the kingdom, and how I claim to fell anything for you if I would not put everything on the line, you are not alone Frey”

“Lord Monet, I hope one day you and I could become friends, I understand how much you are willing to consider, I am humbled by your intentions and in awe by your determination and honesty, I wholeheartedly hope you find someone to reciprocate your feelings and drive, but you are mistaken. I accepted the prince proposal by my choice. I will go no further on the matter; I respect you enough to trust my words will suffice. I am grateful for you dismissing these… malicious rumors, I won’t entertain them in any way but one, which I will trust you in response to your honesty. It was the King who demanded the Empire for a marriage, for the rest I’ll say nothing more. I understand my hoping to become friends might be out of place, but I truly wished you the best, lord Monet, I suggest we let this matter end this way” lady Frey took her hand from the lord, gave him a small bow, and left him.

The lord stood there for a while, he dared not look his way. He was a man who had come guided by his heart and ready place everything on the line, he deserved nothing less. This might have been one of the best gossips of the year, there might had even been some coin to gain from this, but he was and armsman of house Lunebleau, and the man was a noble who had earned his title by his actions.

“I’ve already sent word to lord Meier; he will send a representative to your lands to establish a more efficient trade route, I’ll head towards the border once, lady Frey and I had a chance to settle down, and we could discuss matters personally” Aedrik had his most charming smile as he talked with lady Alarie.

“Marvelous, prince Aedrik, we’ve always had a rocky relationship with the Meier’s but a relationship still, my family is looking forward to easing things with them and make the most of the chance that our alliance presents” lady Alarie was a plump older lady, she had a prune dress and curly chestnut hair, she was truly enjoying Aedrik’s company, they were on the east hall, the main hall of the east wing of the castle, most of the guest who were staying in the castle were spread around the large space.

Even though the name was not as inventive, the hall was one of the newest additions to the castle, the west wall was covered with paintings, most were portraits of members of house Lunebleau, but there were also some of knights in service of the family. The ceiling was dominated by two large chandeliers.

“House Alarie is invested in lady Frey’s idea of leasing part of the water near the Boreal Glades, and also in helping you establish a proper fishing fleet in any way we can”

“Thank lady Alarie, we will be counting on you, the Empire is preparing some changes we hope might be for the better, we hope to make the best of our alliance”

“I’ll take your word for it, prince”

Lune de Neige was in filled, the wedding was set in two days, almost every noble from the kingdom was already on Loire. The castle was also full of guests, the main wing had the entire house Lunebleau and its relatives, house Beaumont, lord Feris and his family, the royal duke and Aedrik and his sisters.

The west wing held a mix of friends, acquaintances, and potential allies, René’s family the Delacroix was staying on the west wing, only her parents and siblings were sating on the main wing.

The east wing was smaller, it held several members of the Fey Danan delegation as well as knights, merchants, and other important guests. Sir Belmont and Sir Larouse had been given a room there.

“I hope the marquis will join us in the north as well” Frey’s initial reaction to the marquis was less than convenient.

“He will, I won’t excuse my son prince, our countries had a history, house Alarie holds one the doors to the kingdom, though his prejudice is inexcusable, it is the result of mistaken points of view, I welcome our alliance more than most of my peers, not only because there is much to gain, but because I am tire of being cautious and afraid” they were talking near the fireplace, most of the guests of the castle were being entertained in different places, the main hall would host everyone for dinner, but not for the moment.

“I understand, lady Alarie, neither me nor the Empire takes offense on it, instead we welcome any opportunity to change those points of view, I hope to have a moment with the marquis, before the wedding”

“You will, after sweet lady Frey exchanged messages with me, I was aware we started with the wrong foot, after some diligence on my part my son understood his point of view was mistaken, yet his pride did not allow him to come sooner like I did, but he’ll be here tomorrow” lady Alarie had come a week before the wedding, she had found Frey’s ideas to her linking, she was still the head of her house finances, a job at which she had proved superb since she married the late marquis.

“Thank you, lady Alarie, I’ll appreciate a moment with him”

“Don’t mention it, now you’ll have to excuse me but I must accompany lady Neuville, her husband does not feel comfortable with me being so close with you, it is important to reassure him, lord Lunebleau has been invaluable in that, I think they never had much chance to talk with one another but they found some common ground, an unexpected result both beneficial from both of them, I am sure” since Frey was inviting house Alarie it would be rude not to invite to the castle, lord Neuville who has the direct liege of house Alarie.

“I also think there’s a valuable opportunity besides friendship” house Neuville and Lunebleau were alike and opposite, they both had part of the kingdom’s borders, they had never been enemies, but their allies had often brought them on different sides, having the support of the other could be decisive.

“Good thing both lords are so measured on their decisions” the royal duke intervened. This hall was meant to entertain those close to Frey and Aedrik, Luka and René as well as the royal duke and his wife were on the east hall.

“We’ll see, if you excuse me” lady Alarie left to head where the rest of the guest were being entertained by lord and lady Lunebleau.

“I’ve considering if these opportunities are not by chance but by design”

“Though I have no doubt Frey is capable of thinking that far, I don’t think she had considered before, or I could be wrong, and she had us all inside her game”

“Wouldn’t you, be her accomplice?”

“I’d be almost anything she asked of me but if this the result of her design, I am lost in it, though I won’t complain about the part she’s given me” the royal duke smiled, the man was serious by nature and a sharp mind, he played his part wonderfully, everyone agreed on his capabilities and intelligence, but Aedrik was sure the man was sharper than he let on.

“By the way, where is lady Frey?” Frey had gone to talk with her mother, but it had been a while since she left.

“She was supposed to meet with lady Lunebleau to see the preparations for dinner” the duke nodded “I haven’t seen much of the rest of the guests, but I understand you and Luka entertained some of them yesterday?” the rest of the guest had stayed on several parts of Lune de Neige, the best inns were reserved by nobles, everything had been arranged in advanced. The few nobles had some animosity with house Lunebleau had presented little issue after they were informed the royal guard would be present to escort them.

“House Rosseau and Lunebleau had some history, but both lords had managed to always be civil about it, Luka and I managed to ease some tension, vast amounts of sweet wine did most of the hard work, but all in all I think things will carry on smoothly at your wedding”

“Had you managed to find any leads on our irregularities?” the duke scowl was clear on how his investigation was going.

“I am almost certain none of the dukes had anything to do with it, the marquises have proven more difficult to pick properly, I’ll try to on these days” the fact there were no real leads was concerning, neither the kingdom nor the empire had made any progress.

“Vania tells me there no progress on our part as well…”

“Gentlemen you need to stop looking to bleak, you can look nervous, prince, but I would not recommend it, any word on your fiancé?” Fleur the royal duke wife had become very familiar with most of them in the last days, she had bonded with Lucy and that lead to speaking more frankly with Aedrik.

“I, there she is” Aedrik spotted Frey heading their way, his smile disappeared when he noted she was distressed.

“Excellent we need to plan her schedule for tomorrow and the big day, we’ve been discussing it with the girls, I’ll round them up” Fleur left to gather the group she now referred as the ‘girls’, it was made by Frey, Noelle, Danielle, René, Lea, Anne, Cecile, Ide, the princesses, and herself.

“I don’t think Lucy’s been a good influence for your wife”

“Au contraire, she often represses some of her impulses and princess Lucy has helped her with most of them” it seemed he was not the only one who noticed something was wrong with Frey, she was stopped by Siv, he was about to head their way, but Siv denied with her head.

“It could be a trait of her Belmont heritage”

“My lord, prince Aedrik, I have been wanting to express my gratitude and promise of paying you back for your generosity” they were interrupted by Sir Larouse, when Aedrik invited him to the wedding, the knight wanted to excuse himself, after a short talk with Sir Belmont he was informed the knight was saving every penny for his wedding. Sir Belmont share the same detail with the royal duke, Sir Larouse trip and accommodation were financed by them both.

“You are my guest Sir Larouse, you owe me nothing”

“Our alliance with the empire is of the utmost importance Sir Larouse, if you were invited to the prince wedding, then you shall assist, no need for anything else”

“I…”

“You heard them Lance, I told you there was no need for it” Sir Belmont had come with his knight friend, the day before “You said you could try to present me to a lady, prince Aedrik, is your offer still valid?”

“I meant northerners, I think you intimidate most of the ladies here, Sir Claude” the black rose of Loire honored his nickname by dressing with black motifs, he was taller than Aedrik and well built, he had a delicate but fierce face, he and the royal duke were clearly better looking than Aedrik and the gruffy Sir Lance.

“Claude you dog, I’ve had a few cousins who are into you”

“With the proper respect for your cousins, they are not my type, Lance”

“I don’t blame you, still if I did my offer, and I have two witness whom my cousins can’t refuse” Sir Larouse smiled widely.

“I can introduce you to my sisters, but I can’t make no promises” the other three man turned to look at Aedrik with dumbfound expressions.

“You would?” Sir Belmont asked clearly interested in the matter.

“Sure”

“Why would you?” Sir Larouse asked surprised, he clearly considered his friend a fine candidate for any lady, but he lacked a better title for a princess.

“I’ll be more surprised if he would agree to accept Vania or Lucy after getting to know them, but they had some more interesting friends, come it is not a bad idea”

“Now?” Sir Belmont melodic voice failed with nervousness, both the royal duke and Sir Larouse looked with surprise at the formidable knight.

“Sweet Loire, that’s why you haven’t found a lady for yourself, I used to think you had an eye on someone already, but you haven’t even tried it” the royal duke had the most mischievous smile Aedrik had ever seen on him.

“You rat, you throw shit at me for a week until I went to speak with lady Velden”

“AND YOU ARE ENGAGED WITH HER”

“Yeah, but you are a hypocrite, now move along before I start telling everyone about this”

“You will not, don’t you forget covered for your fiasco with the roses sent to lady Velden” Sir Larouse confidence disappeared in that instant, his smile became a mask of nervousness.

“Well, well, what is this? I was about to go for Frey for a girl coven, but this is an interesting conversation” Lucy appeared next to Aedrik with her toothy smile “I am sorry, there hasn’t been a chance for introductions, I’m princess Lucylle, Frey’s sister to be, and Aedrik’s most interesting sister” both knights went mute as Lucy presented herself with a fey traditional bow.

“Sir Claude Belmont, at your service, princess Lucylle” as expected of the black rose of Loire, he managed to salute Lucy properly, after surpassing his initial dumb expression.

“Sir Lance Larouse, my lady” his knight companion made a clumsier bow to the smiling princess.

“Lucy, come, Frey says dinner will be served soon, we need to discuss things before” Luna called for his sister, Fleur was already gathering the girls across the hall.

“Well continue this conversation at dinner, a pleasure meeting you good knights” with those words Lucy left them bouncing all the way to her sister, to the surprise of most guests on the hall.

“Perhaps I was mistaken, you’ve already caught her attention” Aedrik could not hide his smile towards Sir Belmont. He had been worried about Frey, but it seemed she had eased up after talking with Siv, she gifted him a glance before she was dragged out of the hall by the rest of the ladies.