Alexandria Terramanz

As our carriage approached the city gates the guards in their dark blue gambeson and mail halted the carriage. “Declare yourself!” one of the guards shouted.

Sir Foltest, Brigette, and I stepped out of the carriage. I took a moment to adjust my gambeson and sword at my hip before speaking. “I am Alexandria Terramanz the Baroness of Aquilae here with my companions Sir Foltest and Lady Brigette.”

They did not have much of a reaction when I told them who I was so can assume that some of my siblings have already arrived. How worrying.

I retrieved the invitation from my satchel “Here to attend his Majesty’s King William Terramanz summoning.” I handed my invitation to a guard who was in charge based on his bearings and the fact that he stood in front of everybody. He took a moment to look it over before bowing and handing back my invitation.

“Pass on through my Lady Baroness.” He said somewhat nervously.

I spotted the swelling of his right cheek.

Seems like someone gave him a hard time. I have some guesses.

I patted his shoulder forcing him to look into my eyes and smiled at him “Keep up the good work Sir.”

He blushed looking over my shoulder “My name is Ronald and I’m not a knight.”

“Well then Ronald keep up the good work, and may I ask if any of my siblings have arrived yet? They are not hard to miss they have stark black hair and green eyes like mine.”

He seemed a bit shaken but nodded, “y-yes ma’am, Lord Sylvain, and Lady Ludivine Terramanz have already arrived.”

“Thank you Ronald I will take my leave now.”

On my way back to the carriage I heard him yell “Open the gates!”

The gates creaked open, and we went back inside the carriage though Sir Foltest lingered a while staring at something before eventually joining us inside.

As the carriage made its way to the royal palace, Alexandria fell into thought. I expected Sylvain to have already arrived since Sagittarii is closer to Sagittae than Aquilae, but I did not expect Ludivine who does not care much for politics to have already arrived as well.

Ludivine my younger sister and the youngest of the royal siblings at the age of 20. Though she is at an age where she should start managing a territory father knew she had no desire to do so and sent her to Roban Allard the Margrave of Leonis a territory that bordered the Orion Kingdom. I believe she was to Leonis to toughen her up since Margrave Allard had occasional skirmishes with the Orion Kingdom.

Though I heard she just spends her time watching plays. She paid playwrights quite well if they could write and direct a play that could bring tears to her eyes. As a result, Leonis now had a constant stream of playwrights and aspiring playwrights striving to catch her attention not only for the money but for the notoriety that gaining her attention brought as well. I recalled that such a playwright and his troupe came to Aquilae touting that their play could bring even a Princess to tears showing off a silver inkpot with the words “A Ludivine Favorite” engraved on it as proof. The strategy seemed to work as from what I was told, the troupe had overwhelming success for the week that they stayed.

If I recall correctly Brigette attended that play with Sir Foltest as her escort and when they returned I saw Brigette was wiping away tears and even Sir Foltest had red eyes and a runny nose.

“It seems my Lady has charmed another young man,” Brigette remarked with a smile. Her sudden remark jolting me from my thoughts.

I stared at her then held her hands and gave a half-smile. “It seems my brother Sylvain has already arrived; the poor guard couldn’t even look me in the eyes. Hopefully, I gave him a good memory of the royal family that will overwrite whatever Sylvain said or did to him.”

Brigette nodded sympathetically then looked down, “I see.” That was all she said for she was all too familiar with what kind of person Sylvain was.

Sir Foltest stroked his beard.“really?”

I turned towards him, “what do you mean really?”

He seemed to be thinking about something as he continued to stroke his blondish beard.

“Did that guard seem scared and nervous to you? He was far too composed when you handed him your letter and was only embarrassed and nervous when you continued talking to him. Almost like he was acting.” He said absentmindedly.

“Of course, he was embarrassed he probably didn’t expect me to continue conversing with him!”

“Hmmm, you may be right my lady I am simply seeing shadows where there are none.” He said though he kept stroking his beard which I knew meant he was still giving it some thought.

I sighed, “If it makes you feel better when we arrive at the royal palace, you’re free to ask whoever is in charge of the city guards about Ronald or any other suspicions you have.”

He smiled and nodded at me though he continued stroking his beard.

I cannot just dismiss Sir Foltests suspicions out of hand. He has uncharacteristically good insight for such a boisterous fellow. Well, even if he finds nothing suspicious on Ronald the city guards are not an incorruptible bunch and have been known to take bribes. His investigation should prove fruitful.

Clop! Clop! The horses slowed down. “We have arrived my Lady.” The coachman said as he opened the carriage door.

I fished out some silvers from my satchel and handed them to him. “For making the trip timely and smooth. After you’re done putting the horses in the stable, I recommend visiting a bread shop near the blue tower it’s called “Valeria’s Bread Shop” and it’s just as good if not better than the bread the royal chefs bake.”

Or so I hear I have never been there but has gotten quite popular in Sagittae.

He pocketed the money and bowed. “I will do so my Lady.”

I took a deep breath “Brigette, Sir Foltest are you ready?”

“I’m ready!” Said Brigette also taking a deep breath.

Sir Foltest gave a deep rumbling laugh retrieving his clothed greatsword and knapsack from the carriage which he then tied to his waist. “Remember ladies safe as newborn lambs!” He shouted as he rested his greatsword on his shoulder effortlessly.

Although he has not seen much combat as of late, I may have been mistaken in assuming sir Foltest has grown weaker. I thought looking at him.

Though he did not bring his usual plate of armor for this trip, his height, chain, and gambeson armor accompanied by his greatsword which may as well be a longsword in his hands lent him an intimidating aura. I turned to Brigette and this time she did not seem bothered by Sir Foltests shouts, rather she seemed reassured in his shadow.