October 1, 1146

I have mixed feelings about the castle at Valcria.

Don't get me wrong, I like most of the people, there... but sometimes I get the feeling that the count isn't too keen on me. Apparently, I rub him the wrong way or something, or maybe he has something against my mother. Whatever it is, it tends to ruin my visits, now matter how well they go otherwise.

Oh well. I suppose I was lucky to arrive late last night, at any rate. Both the count and my father had already retired by the time I rode through the castle gates, so I suppose I should take that as a good omen.

I spent the night in the company of a scullery maid--Miara, I think her name was, or something to that effect. It was all right, I guess; she definitely knew what she was doing, but at the same time, it seemed a rather hollow pleasure. Oh well, beats sleeping alone.

She was still asleep when I pulled myself out of bed, but seeing as I had a wedding to attend, that could have been expected. I decided to just leave her be, since my bed was probably a lot more comfortable than wherever she usually slept, and even if I thought she would steal anything of mine, I didn't have anything I'd really miss--after all, I'd just come from the house where my mother lives with my stepfather, and by this point, I know better than to bring anything I'd miss within a five mile radius of that house.

Not sure how much time I had, I dug through the dresser for the best clothes I'd brought--I'd been in a bit of a hurry to unpack, and didn't really remember where I had put everything. Finally, I pulled them from the depths of the second drawer from the top. I made a weak-hearted attempt to smooth the wrinkles in the fabric by stretching each article against the wall, but soon gave up and just put the damn things on; I figured since it wasn't my wedding, no one would be looking at me anyway. I pushed the drawer shut, then proceeded to the mirror.

Not flawless, but better than I might have expected. It had been a few days, so at least my eyes were nearly healed, but the scratches were still rather obvious. That bastard--who attacks a defenseless kid with a fork, for God's sake? It's almost embarrassing, actually; I guess whatever pride I still have comes from the fact that he didn't manage to maul me with a spoon.

...Father, if you're reading this, kindly mind your own damn business. Thank you.

Sorry about that. Anyway, it hadn't been my plan to show up at this wedding looking like something the dog tried to eat for breakfast, but all things considered, I figured there was no point trying to make myself any more presentable, so I just sent the girl a parting glance and stepped into the corridor, making my way to the castle's northeastern wing.

If I'd known my father would be there, I would have found a different way down to the chapel.

He seemed to be preoccupied with one of the tapestries--more portable works of art have been known to vanish from other castles and then mysteriously reemerge in his own--but I was only safe while standing behind him. I would have to cross him to get where I was going, and he would see me; the damage already done, I figured I'd better at least stop him from swiping the tapestry.

"Father."

He laughed in relief as he slowly turned. "Oh good, you managed to get here after all! What time did you arrive, brat? After I turned in, cor--oh my God!"

His eyes were wider than I would have thought they were capable of stretching. He looked almost frightened. I'd never seen him so alarmed before; I almost felt sorry for him.

"Severin... what the hell happened to your face?"

I didn't really know how to answer that. I think I ended up just smiling sheepishly. "Oh. Uh... you noticed that?"

Of course he had--I must've sounded like a damned imbecile.

He took my chin in his hand and jerked my head upwards, seemingly examining me for any injuries other than the obvious. "Did something hit you in the eye--both eyes? And dear Lord! Did someone claw at you with a fork?"

Damn, he's good.

"I'm fine, Father. I just, uh... walked into a stone wall."

I still can't believe that was the best I could come up with--idiot!

My father seemed to be thinking along similar lines. "You walked into a stone wall?"

"Well, ran, I guess," I offered as a compromise, trying to keep smiling for as long as I could, "but yes, that's the general idea."

His skeptical expression didn't change--not that I expected it to, with that pathetic excuse for a lie. And now that I'd told him that, I was stuck with that explanation for everyone else who asked as well; I really should have thought this through beforehand.

At long last, he sighed. "All right, you don't want to talk about it--I get it. I hope you'll at least give Viridis a more plausible story when you see her."

"Fair enough," I agreed, relieved that this conversation was finally over. "Anyway, I have to be somewhere before the ceremony starts."

Resigned, he closed his eyes. "Do as you please--you always do anyway."

This being as close to a blessing as I was ever going to get, I brushed past him and hurried along on my way. Of course, knowing my luck, it was only a few seconds before he stopped me once again. "Severin, wait."

I stopped, but I wasn't about to turn around. "Yes?"

"I want you to come home with us when we leave," he commanded in the guise of a request. "You've been at your mother's house for a while now, and I think I speak for your stepmother as well when we say we want our fill of you."

In spite of him, the prospect of going to live with my father for a few months was rather appealing--in fact, I had been toying with it myself for quite some time--but at this point, it was out of the question. "Mother needs me there."

"Your mother is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. I know you don't like me, but Laveria's a busy woman, and I'd rest better knowing that someone was keeping an eye on you."

I scowled. "I'm not a kid anymore, Father."

My father tapped his foot impatiently. "I don't care. You're coming home with us, and that's final."

I couldn't really argue any more without being indiscreet. There are certain things I can't trust my father with, and I doubt that will ever change. I'd figure out something later; just then, all I wanted to do was get away from him.

I strode through the nearest door and firmly closed it behind me, even going so far as to lean back against it. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that he didn't try to barge through. Maybe some part of me wanted to tell him everything, but that would have been a horrible decision; my father is not the sort of person who listens.

Or maybe I just wanted him to figure it out on his own--not that he ever would.

"Get out of here! No boys allowed! Get out, get out, get--dear God, what happened to you?"

It seemed that I had stumbled into the bride's dressing room.

"Mother! Alina took the Lord's name in vain!" tattled Laralita from behind the screens.

Alina sniffed. "It's not as if Mother never does the same thing. Anyway, I believe I asked you a question--what happened to you? You look like you got mauled by an angry badger or something."

Somehow unable to think of a better excuse myself, I nodded. "That sounds about right."

She raised one perfect red brow. "Seriously? Even you're not that pathetic. Anyway, why are you here?"

"I just want to wish your sister good luck before the ceremony, Princess."

Finally--I was due for a convincing lie.

Her pretty mouth curled into a frown. "Mother? Renata?"

"It's fine, Alina," the countess assured her from the enclosed part of the room.

"Yes, send him in here," Renata confirmed.

Sending a quick smirk Alina's way, made may my way around the screens and past her sisters, sure to address each of them. "Laralita, Meraleene, Cladelia... Cladelia's stomach."

Cladelia's eyes bulged, but she's grown large enough to merit the notice. Besides, I have an interest in this baby--if it's a girl, my brother owes me thirty shillings.

"My lady," I addressed the countess with a nod before embracing the bride. "Renata, if there is an epitome of beauty, it sits upon the podium just beneath your own."

Back at the room's entrance, Alina groaned; Renata, however, merely smiled. "Thank you. You, uh... you look all right."

She must have figured Alina had been blunt enough for the both of them. "Are you kidding? I look horrendous! But then again, I suppose that only makes you look even prettier in comparison, correct?"

Renata laughed. The Sadiel girls have this way of laughing--not giggling, but still sufficiently feminine. I have to smile every time I hear one of them laugh... well, except maybe Laralita. "I suppose so. Anyway, I think we'll be starting soon, so you'd best head down to the chapel."

I nodded. "All right. Would any of you ladies like to join me?"

"Perhaps Alina would," Laralita offered smugly; for some reason, she's been rather cool to me ever since she caught me kissing the steward's daughter. "In fact, it appears that she's already leaving. Perhaps you should try to catch up."

I peered through the gap between the screens for a clear view of the door--sure enough, she was halfway gone.

"I'll see you angels later," I bade her mother and sisters before sprinting after her, nearly colliding with Laralita in the process. "Alina, wait!"

She stopped at about the place my father had been standing before. I closed the door, then caught up to her, taking her by the waist and looking squarely into her eyes. "Are you all right, Princess?"

Alina sighed. "Just go away."

"No--not until you tell me what's wrong."

Her eyes narrowed--despite that, they remained sufficiently blue. "Nothing."

"But you're being moody."

"When am I not moody around you? Let's just go, shall we?"

Unsatisfied, I found myself playing with one of her curls; either she didn't notice, or she somehow didn't mind. "Princess..."

"Don't call me that!" she snapped. "Why do you always call me that, anyway?"

"Mainly just to annoy you," I confessed with a laugh, "but you must admit that it suits you."

She didn't look convinced. "How so?"

What a silly little girl she is! Never fails to amuse me, that one. "If you can't figure it out, then I see no reason why I should tell you. Now, let's just go see if we can still get some decent seats."