Subsistent Lies

King Arthur’s ball was a big success, everyone who had been at the tourney showed up to the ball dressed in their finest. I had every reason to believe half the success belonged to the King’s guest of honor. Part of my reason in showing up tonight was to learn more about the guest of honor myself and to finish striking a deal with King Arthur that King Vincenzio would be proud of. I still had not been able to change Arthur’s mind about sharing Valence with my King. “Your grace I really must talk to you about Valence.” I said as Arthur took a goblet of wine.

“Not now Gabriel. Tonight we feast and make merry. Besides I have already told you my requirements if Vincenzio wants Valence.” Arthur said gulping down the wine.

“Aye, you have, but….” Arthur waved the last of my sentence as the trumpets sounded and he stood up to greet his guest of honor. I followed suit.

“Presenting the greatest swordswoman in Anevia, Lady Gabriella Fairavard accompanied by her mother, Lady Lyonne Fairavard and sisters, Lady Zaria and Isabella Fairavard.” The herald cried.

As Gabriella walked through the doors with her mother and sisters following, everyone turned to look. Even though I had witnessed it, I still couldn’t believe a woman had bested Darius Harte and Blaine Jacqui’is, King Arthur’s greatest and well renowned knights. Arthur stepped away from his throne to meet his guest and I followed. As I followed and looked upon her it was still unfathomable to me that this fair maiden had done this unimaginable thing. “Lady Gabriella it is nice of you to have accepted my invitation.” The King said taking her hand and kissing it.

“I would never dream to turn down an invitation from a King such as you.” Gabriella said curtsying.

“You honor me my lady.” Arthur said clasping a hand over his heart. “I’m sure you remember the Ambassador of Vespar, Duke Gabriel Giovanni.” Arthur said stepping aside to present me.

“How could I forget?” Gabriella answered with a hint of annoyance as she held out her hand for me to kiss.

I couldn’t blame her for her annoyance with me, I knew it was due to the way I had stared at her throughout the rest of the tourney when the King had invited her to sit with him. “My lady.” I said grabbing her hand, bowing, and kissing it.

As I stood up my eyes caught sight of the emerald necklace around her neck. She must of sensed my gaze on it because she relinquished her hand from my grasp and clasped the necklace from my view. “I see you like my necklace my lord.” She said.

I looked up into her face. Those bright green eyes stared back at me, the same eyes that stared at me from underneath the helmet, the same eyes that reflected mine. I will be the best swordswoman in all of Vespar even better than you. I shook my head at the flashback. “Aye I do. The jewel is exquisite, it reflects the extraordinary color of your eyes.”

Gabriella tucked the jewel under her bodice to release her hand from holding it. “Aye it does. My papi had great taste when it came to jewelry.”

Her father gave her the necklace. Why do I feel like that is a lie? “Enough about jewelry. For no jewelry can outshine you and these lovely young ladies you have brought with you. Gabriella please, introduce them.” The King said trying to break the tension between us.

“Yes, your highness.” Gabriella answered curtsying. “Allow me to introduce my mother Lady Lyonne Fairavard and my sisters Lady Zaria and Lady Isabella Fairavard.”

Each of the women curtsied and I bowed as the King took each of their hands and kissed them. “Why is it your names sound so familiar to me?” King Arthur asked looking at each of the sisters. “Fairavard. Fairavard.” Arthur tapped his chin. “Ah yes, now I remember. Lord Jacquet Fairavard brought you three to my court when you three were just young lasses. I do believe I dubbed you three the fairest ladies in all of Anevia. It looks like you’ve lived up to the title, look how you three have grown.” The King said looking at one sister to the other. Each beautiful in their own right, but each so different. Why was that? I thought as I looked from one sister to the other. “How is your father by the way? I do not see him with you this night.” The King asked.

At this question the faces of all the women fell. “I’m afraid to inform you your grace, that my husband has passed away.” Lady Lyonne answered.

King Arthur stood stricken. “I am sorry to hear that my lady. Your husband was a great asset to my court. He kept Anevia in equal ranking with Vespar when it came to his peddling of goods between the two kingdoms. If there is anything I can do please let me know. As for now please enjoy yourself tonight and I hope each of you young ladies will save a dance for me.” The King said bowing.

“We will.” Gabriella said. The women curtsied and the King departed with me following close behind him after stealing one more look at Gabriella.

Instead of taking his seat, King Arthur left the ballroom and went to his studies. It was apparent I wouldn’t get anywhere with the King tonight pertaining to Valence. Apparently the news about Lord Fairavard’s death hit him hard. In defeat I turned to retire to my quarters. As I was leaving I saw Darius ask Isabella to dance and a few feet from him, Blaine ask Gabriella to dance. That will be interesting to watch? I thought as I noticed Gabriella accept reluctantly. As I reached the stairs I spotted Lady Zaria off in one corner of the ballroom politely refusing dances and watching over her sisters. Why let my night be ruined? Might as well try to learn what I can about Lady Gabriella from her sister and get one part of why I came to this ball accomplished. I thought walking up to Lady Zaria. As I neared her though all thoughts of why I wanted to dance were briefly forgotten. “No lady as beautiful as you should be standing here alone why her sisters have all the fun.” I said clearing my throat.

She looked away from her sisters to look at me. My breath caught. If I thought Gabriella’s eyes were extraordinary, Zaria’s surpassed the limits of extraordinary. They were a rare turquoise color that I had only seen in my travels to Egypt. They can’t be sisters. “May I have the honor of this dance my lady?” I said grabbing her hand, bowing, and kissing it before she could dismiss me.