Dining Room

The cooks had prepared a most magnificent feast for our arrival and hoped to please our guests too. There were many different fish courses with meats, fruit, a selection of desserts and also wine and ale for everyone too. I had given them my approval and I sent the servants to inform Marie and the others that the dinner was almost ready.

A servant informed me that dinner is almost ready. I come down the stairs and I can see how beautifully the table was set.

Good evening James. The table looks amazing. Do you agree? I am so happy that you are home with me and Kyla. I cannot wait to meet Lucy. I had a servant alert Elizabeth that I needed to speak with her. I thought that it would be better if I spoke to her about Cassandra after dinner. I would like to have a peaceful dinner. Would you be so kind as to talk to her? I would love for you to be there with me. Let us not think about that now. Let us enjoy our meal, laugh and enjoy ourselves. I hope that everyone will be down momentarily.

I came down the stairs and I see my parents standing by the table. Everything looks wonderful. I do not see Lucy yet.

Hello Mother, Father. Everything looks delicious do you both agree.

I had decided to wear my stunning red gown and dyed my hair red for the occasion and I had come down to the feast. I had received word that Marie wished to speak to me and I did not want to at the time. especially after what she had done previously. So as not to offend her, I looked towards her and smiled.

"Marie, we may of course talk, but let it not be hear at the feast, I cannot go through another episode like this morning's one again right now so please, let us enjoy the feast. May I present my daughter Lucy. I say as I call Lucy forward.

I waited patiently outside as I could hear mother speaking to Marie whom I had never met and I was very nervous about it too. I knew that mother would be upset if she saw me not show confidence so when she called me into the room, I smiled and curtsied before Queen Marie.

I had chosen to wear a lovely yellow gown and my hair had been beautifully styled by my maid. I looked towards Marie. "Pleasure to meet you, your majesty.

I watched as Elizabeth came down the stairs.  I wore my lavender gown with lavender gloves.  I had my gold necklace and matching earrings.  James loves this color on me.  I hope that that this evening will be peaceful for everyone.


Well Elizabeth I hoped that you had wonderful visit with Lucy. What an interesting color that you wear.  It becomes you.  Such a vibrant color. Yes I do wish to speak with you but not now.  I would hope to have a pleasant dinner. This morning's events were most unpleasant but necessary.  I would rather not revisit the matter.

Hello Lucy.  I am happy that we finally meet.  My you are a lovely young lady.  You look stunning dear.  You are among family.  I hope that we can get better acquainted if that is alright with you.  Now let me introduce you to my daughter Kyla  I motioned to Kyla to come stand beside me Kyla may introduce you to Lucy .

I smiled to Elizabeth and Lucy.

Nice to make your acquaintance Lucy. You look beautiful. The color of your gown fits you well.

I smiled to everyone and I gently kissed James. Elizabeth has strange look on her face. After all she did not like what I done earlier today. I did not want to do that but she left me no choice and I am happy that I did. I nodded to the cook to have the food served.  

Everyone please have a seat.  Our cook is wonderful.  I hope that everyone is hungry.  Lucy how are you this evening.  I am so happy that we are able to meet.  Are you comfortable in your rooms.  I hope that you know that if you have any needed please do not hesitate to ask.  Elizabeth I hope that you are comfortable as well.  Lucy, did you know that your mother and I are good friends.  We have known each other since childhood.

I looked towards Marie.

"Thank you for your kind words Marie. The colour you chose suits you too. We shall arrange for our talk after the dinner. For now we all become acquainted.

I looked towards Queen Marie and she did seem so pleasant.

"I thank you very kindly for your compliments Your Majesty. I decided to choose yellow to wear as it is one of my favourite colours. I chose to wear my ruby necklace and some pearl earrings, I hope that your majesty is not offended by my choice of jewellery?

I would be delighted to be able to become more acquainted and mother is okay with it too. I have spent so many years in those rooms, never before allowed out to meet with you or your daughter. It is a pleasure to meet you both. I say so kindly and I was very polite.

I smiled towards Kyla.

"Thank you for your kind words Kyla, you look amazing in your gown too. I say as Queen Marie informed us that dinner was ready. I followed everyone through and I gently sat myself down next to Kyla and mother and opposite Marie and father.

"Queen Marie, I am feeling much better this evening. The past few days I have been suffereing from some pain but father has managed to provide the best possible physician to me and I am feeling more cheerful but please excuse me if I need to take a few moments during the feast. I did know that mother and yourself were good lifelong friends as father has told me, but as to how close I would not know. I am 16 now and if you do not mind me asking, how old is Kyla?

I thought to myself Lucy seems to be a kind young lady. Nothing like her mother and I hope that she keeps her gentle disposition. Elizabeth on the other hand can be cruel especially when she is angry. She does not take will to a strong person especially one stronger than her. I am sure that she is planning a way to get back at me for the way the morning went. She wanted to show me that can once again have whatever she wants. Right now she wants her family including James. She usually got whatever she demanded. And she was denied James and Lucy. Well that is of no importance. I will not have her treat me as she has done in the past. Like when she gave me that horrid bracelet. She enjoyed causing pain so I will have to deny her that joy.

Thank you.  I hope that we can be friends and possibly sisters.  I am sorry that you are not feeling well.  Our physician is very good.

I thought to myself that she is lovely and I wished that Father told us about her sooner.  I guess I understand why he kept her away from me.  Elizabeth may not have wanted us to meet her. But I am happy that I have met her now.

I looked at James and smiled.  

May I say James you look most handsome.  This suit looks well on you.  I am happy that we are here together.  A toast: to old friends and new friends that we may come together as family. Such beautiful smiling faces it warms my heart to see.

"The physician that father assigned me was able to relieve a lot of the pain, I have a remedy to take for the next week and he says with it I should fully recover within the week. When I was 14, I caught a horrible strain of the sweating sickness and I feared for the worse, but luckily mother and father were there to help me and now I am much better but I do get ongoing headaches too if there are a lot of loud noises around. It is a condition I have always had.

I will be sure to let you know if I need anything, but please may I have the lady physician attend to me as she always has? I am pleased that you were able to meet Aunt Charlotte, she is so kind and caring towards me and you have met my cousins Nadia and Talia? Did you know that we all do fencing together? Aunt Charlotte is a very good fencer herself and I myself have my own tutor here each day in the private garden out the back of the Palace, perhaps you would like to join me for my fencing lesson this evening Princess Kyla?, if your mother allows it at 14 as I know fencing can be dangerous?

I am feeling much better, but with my illness that I have, I may not always be around as I can spend many days in bed unwell, but I do very much hope that we can become more acquainted Kyla if you would like that? I say as I dabbed my lips with my napkin after having some of the fine soup.

I smiled at Marie.

"Thank you Marie, you yourself look very beautiful in your gown too. I say as I signal to the musicians to play us a song.

I smile brightly to Lucy and then at mother and father.  I have wanted a sister for fo long.  This will be refreshing.

]Thank you Lucy I would enjoy studying fencing.  I have always wanted to learn but I was unable to because I was to young.  Mother has taught me archery.  I am pretty good at it.  I am sorry that you suffer from headaches.
They can put you in bed.  Too much sun and noise can cause an attack.  I would like to get better acquainted when you are up to it.  If you like and you are up to it I could visit your room.  To keep you company if you like.

I smiled at Marie.

"I am so relieved to be feeling better. The sweating sickness was horrible and I am glad I recovered from it. I do still get pains from the ongoing condition I have that Aunt Charlotte also has, so I apologise if I need to take remedies quite often to ease the pain. Do you know any special strong remedy that can help to ease pain, but I must warn you, I have an allergy to some plants.

I have never before learnt archery, it is something that I would like to do, however I would need to ask mother if she is okay for you to teach me it. I am very happy to include Kyla, she is such a lovely person and I am so pleased that I have met her.

I smiled back at Kyla.

"Fencing is very meaningful and part of my life and I would very much like to show you now that your mother has allowed it. My lesson is this evening, perhaps you would like to join me for that?

I would like to get more acquainted with you, we can even begin this evening if you wish? I usually retire to my room after the fencing as I get tired too, all part of my illness, so I apologise if I have to lie down in bed when you come to my room. I asked mother about it earlier and she said she was okay with you coming to my room, I hope you will like it.

I smile at Lucy.

I think that I would like to join your fencing lesson.  I will just watch and then if your tutor thinks that I can participate then I would enjoy trying it out.  Duchess Elizabeth would you please let Lucy learn archery.  You do not have to apologize for anything.  I know that the headaches can cause you to need to lay down with the windows close but I would like to come to your room if you want company

I turned my head towards mother as Marie asked her permission for me to learn archery with Marie. I was so excited about it but being under 18, I had to seek my mother's permission and given how things had gone of late I was not sure that she would give it.

I looked at Kyla. "It will be nice having you at my lesson, my tutor she is one of the few female fencers there are. Do you have the clothes and a fencing sword, if not I have a couple of spares I can lend you? Tonight, I would like it if you came and sat with me for a while, we can talk.

I heard Marie ask me a question and at last I finally felt like I was in control over her as my decision was final. I noticed how Kyla begged me to allow it too. James had already agreed but then he was always easy to convince.

I gathered my thoughts for a moment then thought to myself that I could quite easily teach Lucy archery myself, however I could see how happy she was around Kyla and Marie and I did not want to upset her. I looked at Marie.

"Very well Marie, you may indeed teach Lucy archery, however, Lucy is to accompanied by Matthew at all times. Can we agree on this?