It was late afternoon and the weak spring sun was already starting to set down. Seven ships had just entered the safety of the fjord. Only one of them changed course and headed to Widow Island under a black flag. The rest prepared to enter the harbor. Now there was no carefree bustling, only heavy tension hung in the air. As if the two black flags today had cast a shadow on the city and its inhabitants.

In one of the monastery’s rooms, the prioress was shaking her head in disbelief. The Gods were playing with her old heart, no doubt about that. The monastery got information that duke Norden was forced to take his injured men on the long and perilous journey home. The message read that his flagship was carrying the most serious patients and racing against time. What was even scarier was the news that his royal highness himself was seriously ill. And then the ships hadn’t arrived on the expected day. Such a delay could be fatal. The prioress had desperately begged the Gods to protect those young men and their lord. If she had to be honest, the old woman had dreaded the moment when that ship of the dead would dock at her island. The delay had been more than half a week. The death toll should have been immense. So many poor souls, lost without a helping hand to ease their final suffering moments. But her prayers were heard! Instead of a pile of dead bodies, what she was witnessing right now was no short of a miracle. She had even pinched herself a couple of times to assure that her old eyes were not playing tricks on her.

“So, mother prioress, tell me, how are my soldiers doing?”

A male’s whispering voice reached her ears. She threw a stern look at her young lord, who was sitting on the bed and giving her a very undignified grin. However, the old woman couldn’t stay angry at his childish excitement, since she herself was feeling the same way.

“They are all on the path of steady recovery, my liege. The Two Gods’ blessing must have been with you. The abbes will be pleased by the news.” She whispered back and rewarded him with a benign smile.

Noah nodded and motioned to the person lying under the covers. The rhythmical breathing showed that they were asleep, unbothered by the two’s low conversation.

“We owe everything to the duchess’ knowledge and diligence, mother prioress. If not for her, we wouldn’t be having this conversation today. Let her sleep for now. Don’t allow anyone or anything disturb her. She has strained herself a lot for weeks. Tomorrow there will be people coming for her, but until then make sure she sleeps in peace.”

“Do not worry, my liege. The poor child will be in good care. You too should rest. We have prepared your room in the men’s wing. You should use the time to gather your strength. Tomorrow will be a hard day for everyone.”

Throwing one final look at his sleeping wife, Noah stood up. Strangely enough, he didn’t want to leave her alone and helpless like that. What was happening to him? Had he gotten too used to sleeping only a thin wall away from her? There was no way that anything could happen to her here. The monastery was a peaceful place. Then why was he so reluctant to go? Noah sighed and went to the door, but stopped there and turned around.

“Mother prioress, when the lady wakes up, please bring her a cup of warm honey milk.”

“It will be done, my liege.”

With this Noah hurriedly walked out. In his haste, he missed the knowing gentle smile on the woman’s wrinkly face. The old prioress shook her head. From her experience, she could recognize the symptoms right away. Her young lord had caught a dangerous disease of the heart, without even realizing it. She laid her eyes on the thin girl sleeping silently under the covers and sighed. Only time would show whether the young lady was to be a cure or a poison to the duke’s sickness.

***

Lorelei slept like dead for many hours. All the fatigue and relief had overwhelmed her the moment she realized that her patients were in good hands. She vaguely remembered Noah helping her to a room with a soft clean bed. She had resisted him. She was too dirty after all the days spent on the ship, she had to wash up first. The moment he put her under the blanket though, she fell asleep – without dreams, without worries.

When she woke up the gray light of dawn was already creeping through her window. At first, she panicked, not knowing where she was. Was this Sefis? Had everything been just a dream? Was her wedding a dream? Was Noah… was her husband just a ghost of her imagination? Somewhere in the courtyard, someone was shouting. Was that her brother’s voice? Lorelei jumped from the bed and almost fell over while trying to reach the window. Her heart jumped a beat and then calmed down. This was an unknown scenery. Far into the distance, she could see the imposing snowy peaks of mountains. This was not Sefis! It was all real!! Lorelei almost cried from relief.

She returned to her bed and sat down. Slowly, her memories of yesterday returned. This was Widow Island. They had finally reached Norden. They… Lorelei thought for a moment. Where exactly was Noah right now? Was he staying in the monastery too? And what was she supposed to do now? Yesterday he had mentioned some mourning ritual, but nothing concrete. Should she go look for him? Should she wait here? Common sense was telling her to wait. She didn’t know the place. Where should she even start looking? At the same time, she felt restless. For the past couple of weeks on the ship, she had never had a moment without anything to do. If she wasn’t checking on the men, she would be in Noah’s cabin chatting with him. She didn’t want to acknowledge it, but right now she missed her husband. Her friend. She made a decision. No one had said that she is a prisoner, right? That meant she had the right to at least leave her room. Maybe she would find someone who could tell her where the duke was. Or even someone willing to help her draw some water for a bath.

Without bothering to put her shoes on, Lorelei stood up and pressed the handle of the door. For a second, she feared it would be locked, but then it silently opened. Lorelei peeked outside. The large hallway was dim and empty. She tiptoed outside and looked around. There was not a living soul in sight. The wooden walls and ceiling were swallowing the sound of her footsteps. To the right, a staircase led down to the lower levels, from where she could hear some inaudible noise. Lorelei started descending the stairs. Halfway down, the view of the first floor of the dormitorium and the entrance hall came into sight. Many people were coming in and out, carrying large crates inside. Some of the nuns, dressed in black and white gowns, were giving orders and guiding the workers. In all that chaos Lorelei found a familiar face. On a sidewall bench, there was a young silver-haired man sitting oblivious to all the hectic work around him, his crutch leaning on the side. Sir Gregor! Lorelei was suddenly filled with happiness. He definitely knew where Noah was.

She ran the last couple of stairs and approached. As she was about to call out to him, another group of newcomers entered the dormitorium. A stifled cry overcame the hubbub.

“G-Gerash!”

Hearing his name, the knight jumped up, swaying for a second, his eyes flying eagerly over the crowd. A very young woman fought her way to the front of the new arrivals. Her pretty, slightly chubby face was pale white, her ginger-blonde hair coming out of her crown braid. She dropped the bag she was carrying on the floor and flung herself crying in the young knight’s arms.

"The pendant was glowing red... and then... when it stopped... I thought that I've lost you!"

“Hush, my love. I am here. It’s all right now.” From that distance, Lorelei could hear Gregor’s gentle words and see him stroking the woman’s hair to calm her down.

Lorelei’s cheeks flushed. She tried to secretly back away, feeling like an intruder in their tender moment. Unfortunately, right at that time Gregor finally saw her. The young knight whispered something in the woman’s ear and reluctantly let her go. He then turned around and bent in a deep bow, attracting everyone’s attention.

“Good morning, my lady. We did not expect you to be up this early.”

His words shook the surrounding people and a dawn of realization appeared on their faces. The whole hall went silent. Then everyone bowed, leaving Lorelei the only one awkwardly perched in their midst. She panicked. How was she supposed to react? At that moment Duncan’s words came into mind. She nodded her head politely but was internally screaming in full realization of her shabby, undignified look right now. She didn’t even have shoes on!

“Greetings to you too, sir Gregor. I am happy to see you in good health.” Despite her worries, her voice sounded calm enough.

“It is all thanks to her highness, that I am standing here now.” Gregor smiled brightly then motioned to the lady next to him. “Excuse my boldness, but may I present to you my wife – Saya. His highness has assigned her to you as your court lady.”

“Greetings to duchess Norden. May the Morning Star shine over you.” The young woman curtsied deeply.

“Nice to meet you too, lady Saya.” Lorelei nodded again, then turned to the knight. “Sir Gregor, can you tell me where the duke is?”

“The lord is currently busy, preparing for the mourning ceremony in the men’s wing, my lady. You will have to wait a bit before you can see him. The sisters here are pretty strict, especially when it comes to your highnesses’ ceremony preparations.” Gregor’s face had a guilty expression. “Actually, I also wasn’t supposed to be here, but…”

His eyes glanced at his wife, who blushed in response. Lorelei chuckled looking at the two lovebirds in front of her. There was no way she could be angry at them. As if to prove Gregor’s fears, a stern voice interrupted them.

“What do you think you are doing here breaking the mother abbess’ rules, sir knight?”

An old woman in black and white was sailing through the crowd. By the renewed bowing of heads, Lorelei could guess she was someone of status. She stopped and measured the three of them with a strict look.

“I beg your forgiveness, mother prioress.” Gregor lowered his head. “It is just that…”

“Young man, you have nothing to do here, so go back and do not disturb us. We have tons of work to finish before the noon bell. Now go!”

The old woman’s order was unconditional and nonnegotiable. Gregor had no choice but to comply, although, in an obvious sign of rebellion, he gave his wife a long parting kiss. Left alone with the fuming prioress and the flustered Saya, Lorelei was yet again at a loss for words. Luckily, the old lady took matters into her own hands.

“Alright, everyone!” she clapped and declared in a loud voice. “Do not idle around. Her highness has to prepare properly and we have little time. Sister’s Rose and Flore, prepare water for the lady’s bath and bring it upstairs. Sister Lilly, check if the dressmakers have finished already and bring us the garments for a final fitting. Sister Briallen, go to the kitchen and bring some breakfast and a cup of honey milk for the duchess. Everyone else – back to your chores!”

“Yes, mother prioress!” Came a chorus response and the hubbub resumed.

Lorelei was fascinated by the near military discipline but felt a bit lost. All this chaos was partially her fault. The old lady, however, didn’t give her any time to think. She brought Lorelei, now closely followed by Saya, back to her room and told her very politely, yet still as unyielding, to wait there for a bit.

The door closed and the two young women were left alone. With nothing to do and no idea what to say, silence filled the room. Suddenly without any warning, Saya fell on her knees and stretched her hand to touch Lorelei’s still bare feet. This act startled Lorelei so much that she jumped back with a small shout.

“What are you doing?!”

Her bewilderment was unfortunately wrongly interpreted by the other woman who winced terrified. Tears gleamed in her eyes.

“I beg the duchess for forgiveness!” Her voice was choking. “Forgive me, my lady, I touched you without permission. Please, my lady, be lenient. I meant no harm. It’s just… kissing your highness' feet is the only way I can express my gratitude for saving Gerash…”

“No, Saya, stop.” Lorelei herself was getting more and more emotional. “Please, stand up. I won’t do you harm. I’m sorry, I appreciate your gratitude, but… no! You shouldn’t do this. I’m… too dirty. And even if I was clean, I don’t deserve such honor, lady Saya!”

The two looked at each other confused and overwhelmed by the sheer absurdity of the situation. Suddenly they burst into laughter. This took away the nervous tension between them. A wall was broken and the two young women made a truce, under the condition that Saya would never prostrate herself like that again, and that Gregor would hear nothing of what had transpired. By the time the sisters started coming back everything was normal and peaceful.

Then the torture began.

The sisters, together with two other women and Saya, who had lost all her timidity from before, started her preparations. They washed, and scrubbed, and rubbed, and combed and braided. It was even more thorough than what she had endured for her wedding night. After they finished, Lorelei sat exhausted on the bed in her chemise, dreading what was coming next. On the order of the prioress, her official garments were brought in. At their sight, all the women in the room gasped, Lorelei being no exception.

The long soft underdress was at first glance pure white, but when the light fell on it some fine wave-like satin patterns appeared. It covered Lorelei’s shoulders, crawling up her neck and reaching almost to her chin in a fashion, so different than the one in Sefis. Saya conveniently explained to her that it was specially made to ensure the duchess won’t be exposed to the cold spring winds of Norden. Then came the true marvel – the trailing sky-blue and white outer dress. Lorelei ran her fingers over the brocade, mesmerized by the fine patterns. They looked like feathers, flowers, leaves… she held her breath. No, that was wrong. She knew what the white patterns were – the skilled fingers of the weaver had recreated the frost-flowers during a winter morning. The sleeves were masterfully cut in several places to display even further the shining underdress. Lastly, the broad square neckline and the cuffs were trimmed with snow-white furs.

“White and blue are the official colors of duke Norden, my lady,” Saya said quietly. “All seamstresses and dressmakers in Yalda worked day and night for the past weeks to finish it, my lady. The time was a bit short, but they all did their best for the duchess.”

“It is gorgeous!” whispered Lorelei. This was no mistake, right? This was her dress? It was too good for her!

Smiling at her hesitation, the sisters and Saya helped her to put on the dress. They clasped a finely ornate silver belt around the high waistline. Then they started arraigning her many braids in a complex hairdo, entwining them with blue and white ribbons and pinning them with pearl hairpins. As a finishing touch, they attached a translucent veil, interwoven with silver threads, to her head. Finally, they hung a long dark-blue cape, padded with soft black fur, over her shoulders.

The women stepped aside and the prioress threw an evaluating look at the finished work.

“May the Saints bless you all! Incredible!” The old woman’s words made Lorelei feel strange, and so were the proud grins of everyone present. “Bring in the mirror.”

Two of the sisters hastily ran out and soon returned with the largest mirror she had ever seen. She could bet that her sister, Pricilla, would kill to have it. Although it was embedded in a simple wooden frame, the mirror was almost as tall as a person and crystal clear. The reflection that greeted her from its surface, made her understand the prioress' praise.

Lorelei knew very well that she was scrawny. Her breasts were not voluptuous. Her hips were too narrow. Even though she was twenty, she looked younger than the seventeen-year-old Pricilla. But the woman that stared at her from the mirror was different. For the first time in her life, Lorelei was wearing such gorgeous gowns that fitted her perfectly. They were broader where they had to be and tighter at the exact right places. Her hair matched with the dress, almost looking like she was wearing a real crown. That confident and dignified person… it was impossible to be her!

The prioress coughed lightly and pulled her out of her dreamland.

“Soon the procession will start, my lady. The duke is waiting for you.”

Oh, Gods! She was supposed to appear like that before Noah! Lorelei’s heart pounded. What would he think? Would he be surprised?