The land is recovering from a recent plague and is embroided in a bitter, stalemented conflict with it's neighboring lands, over a magically - fertile river valley. At least that's all she know's.
Idonea slided into a corner with it in her hand's, she was scared but she had to do what her father asked of her. As a daughter of a noble man being seen in corners and creeps like this was forbidden and not to talk of the image of her family.
The "Equine Blight" as it was called has been targeting horses, from the low to mighty, only the "vale" horse has not been affected as rumour says by the ugly disease. She thought as she soon came face to face with the "man", he wore a helmet and beside him was a "palfery",( The riding horse, a preferred mount for noble's, priests and wealth merchants).
She shoved her hand forward at him. "Here it is mister". In one swift he took it and sniffed it , after which he mounted the palfery and away he rode into the night without saying a word to her.
With pounding heart she retraced her steps back home.
§
What do you think of prince Alaric ?
What do you want me thinking ?
Uhmm.. he's cute. Came the shy voice.
Shh.. don't let father hear you say that!
Sorry.
Isn't it beautiful ? Leticia said as she beckoned on Beatrice to see her reflection on the mirror before her.
It's beautiful. Came the reply from Beatrice as she examined herself on the mirror.
I hope this will make prince Alaric notice me. She said shyly.
He's a prince, you shouldn't forget that.
I know... Beatrice cut in...and I'm a lady, and a pretty one at that. She giggled.
Now behave, Leticia said authoritatively before leaving the room.
Down the hallway and into her mother's beautifully decorated chambers she went into.
Is Beatrice on her best behavior, asked the older woman.
She's just being Beatrice, replied Leticia.
With a sigh the older woman let out, "She's just being childish, if someone in this family was to noticed by the prince, that should be you".
Leticia chuckled.
Her mother's "very dark brown hair" ( Black), pin straight, fine and soft which can be usually challenging to hold a curl, mesmeried into a beautiful cascade down her shoulder's. Just like that if Beatrice, when she was done with it.
You look stunning my lady, she whispered closer to her mother's ear.
Her mother turned to her. You look more beautiful there.
She stood to take a good look at her. Patting her gently on the shoulder, "Be a lady you have always been, because it's not just the king's birthday but where all the noble young men and ladies would be present". I want the prince to take notice of you, you and you alone.
Lady Conrad.... Came a voice from the door which interrupted their conversation.
Father and others are waiting, said the younger voice.
We won't take much longer, Leticia said to her.
She nodded.
With graceful steps she walked slowly towards the front yard to an awaiting carriage after leaving her mother's doorstep.
"Eleanor, the second daughter of lady Conrad ( as she prefer to call her instead of mother, like other girls would), and third daughter of Sir Conrad".
Once on the carriage she sat opposite her step sister " Lady Idonea" who wore a calm smile, and younger sister "Lady Beatrice ", who wouldn't stop patting gently on her hair.
Lady Conrad and Leticia later joined the carriage.
The journey to the palace was brief but it seemed long to Eleanor, but to Beatrice who wouldn't stop talking about prince Alaric, it seemed to take forever. Eleanor just wanted to be home and not in some stupid carriage on the way to an old man's birthday.