Dreams and a Prince

Chapter 3- Rude Stranger

Lenora was hastily ushered into a private salon just as the Duke and Duchess went out to welcome the Royal family. It was customary for the potential bride to be brought in after all formalities were done and social interactions between the noble house and the Royal entourage began. She stood between her two maids, not allowed to sit, they were afraid that she might wrinkle her dress.

“Celia, please may I have at least one thing to eat, I am absolutely famished”, she said, remembering the terms and language used in one of her favorite historical dramas.

“ My lady, I’m afraid now is not the right time, please be patient.”, the maid answered, concern and reassurance in her voice. However, Lenora was not having it, she absolutely needed something to eat. She was willing to accept being stuck in this new world for as long as it took, but she was not willing to die from hunger too. She knew she had to play the game, so she lifted her veil slightly and looked right at the two maids with the most pitiful expression she could master and answered,

“You wouldn’t want me fainting in front of our most esteemed guests… just what will the Prince think..?”

“Alright then,” sighed Celia before Lenora could complete her plea, “Meera please see if you can gather something light for our little miss to snack on. Remember, that I said something light” the head maid cautioned.

Less than thirty minutes after she left, Meera returned with a tray full of light tea sandwiches and delicately shaped sweet cakes. She knew her mistress tastes well, and although it would get her into trouble with Celia, she was determined to do what she could to ease her mistress nerves.

“I said something light” Celia disapprovingly shook her head at the other maid. These two women seemed close in age but it was clear that Celia, being the one in charge had to be slightly older and more experienced.

As soon as she set her eyes on the tray, Lenora charged for it without hesitation, clearly as hungry as a lion. Celia was clearly not happy with her actions, but she decided to hold her tongue just this once. No sooner had she started eating, did the door for the salon open, and in strode a young man so confidently, quite engrossed in his thoughts, it was clear that he was not paying much attention to where he was. Both maids rushed to conceal their mistress but it was a little too late, as she had already made contact with pale blue eyes looking at her holding four tea sandwiched in each hand and ravishing them like a wild monkey.

“My apologies ladies, I appear to be lost”, said the young man, trying to conceal his laugh. The view before him was quite comical. A stunningly beautiful young lady, ravishing through sandwiches like a hungry beggar, while her maids tried to cover her up made for a good comedic scene.

“Thank you sir, you should be with the kings entourage, I’m sure the room you are looking for should be two doors down and on your left.” Celia answered quickly, trying to get the young man out of the salon and as fast as possible without compromising her mistress. If word got out that someone else set eyes on lady Lenora before her presentation, she could be ruined.

“Well, as you were, ladies” the man said clearly mocking, them, forgetting his manners and staring at Lenora a little too long for her liking. If the manners of historical romance movies and books taught her anything, she knew that his being in the salon for such a long time would be deemed inappropriate and rude. Protocol would suggest that he convey his apologies as quickly as possible and leave. Furthermore she was completely aware of the implications of being seen by any man besides her family.

“And what do you consider as so hilarious? Walking into a room full of ladies and, staying in the room despite our clear discomfort and furthermore mocking us? Have you forgotten your manners sir?” Lenora spoke up. She was getting angry and the amusement on his face was not making her calm down any faster.

“I would advise you to leave sir, before I insult one of the Kings entourage.” Lenora was angry at the amused expression on his face and embarrassed by the way he saw her. She too had forgotten her manners, but this was a battle she would win.

The fire in her voice was intriguing to him but, the young man did not want to let it show.

“Well if you will excuse me ladies, I shall take my leave, before I compromise the young Lady any further”, he said, emphasizing mockingly. The amused expression never leaving his face. He was enjoying this unintentional confrontation. As a matter of fact he was quite enjoying the rose color her cheeks turned to when she was visibly upset as well as her feisty little attitude.

“Duchess, to you I shall be known as Duchess.” Lenora replied emphasizing that although he was part of the Kings entourage, she evidently outranked him,

“Duchess Lenora of the Riverlands, and if I were you, I would take care to remember that, whether or not you are part of the Royal entourage” she was not one to abuse her title but she needed to put him in his place. She noticed a slight twitch of shock and what seemed like recognition in his face but he never dropped his amused expression.

The young man did a slight bow and turned to walk away, proud of his little exchange, it was obvious none of them recognized him. Besides he had not been to the Riverlands since he was a mere boy, and each time the Duke and Duchess visited the Royal castle, they always brought with them their son, Caspian, who was like a brother to him. He had stumbled into this little salon by chance, in his bid to catch up to the other Royals and thought that his knowledge of the Duchy castle was still intact but he was definitely wrong. If meeting the feisty young duchess was anything to go by, then he definitely would enjoy this day.