The Four Swords

Chapter 20: First course

Welcome honored guests!" The king bellowed in his deep baritone.

"Glad you could join us for such a joyous occasion" The queen added with sincere warmth.

"The pleasure is all ours, Your Majesties" my father bowed. My mother and siblings also bowed in respect. It took me a moment to find my manners as I wondered if I would have to bow to my in-laws once I was married. Why was protocol so hard to pin down?

"I'm sure everyone is starving after so much excitement. Let's find our places." Queen Valerie led everyone toward the table.

"Can I sit next to you?" I heard Liliana sheepishly ask Alina.

"Of course!" Our country could not have a more doting Princess.

King Caderyn took his place at the head of the table. Queen Valerie sat to his left. Alina sat next to her mother and pulled Liliana to her side. Guess I wasn't sitting next to Alina. My father sat to the king's right while my mother ushered Abrin to the place setting furthest from the king. I think she was hoping to try and tame a four year old in front of royalty. I ended up between my mother and father across the table from Alina. At least I would have a good view.

"Let the first course begin." The king instructed the servant nearest to him. Servants began to bring bowls of butternut squash soup. After the king had the ceremonious first bite, I got to have the first spoonful of my own. That bite was heavenly. I never knew food could taste like that. The spices mixed with the squash in a mix of tangy goodness that ended on a sweet note.

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"Sir Jacobson, I can't tell you how surprised I was today during petitioning. I have watched you two, and dear Cali, grow up together. I suppose it shouldn't have come as a shock, but I am so pleased it did. I did not think I could be more ecstatic for our Alina to have found such an upstanding gentleman" Queen Valerie gushed.

I wasn't sure if the queen knew that it was her husband's idea that I propose today. A quick look around the room reminded me that if the queen was in the dark about the situation, then she was the only one in the room above the age of 6 that had no idea. Maybe that was a good thing. She seemed genuinely happy that I was going to be joining her family.

But it did make me wonder, what else had she been left in the dark about?

"We are equally as thrilled that Jack made such a friend as Princess Alina. Who would have thought that their friendship would blossom into such a happy occasion as this?" My mother is the sweetest.

Alina smiled at my mother. "Jack, I mean Jacobson, is a devout friend. Loyal, understanding, thoughtful and gracious. He is far my superior in these traits."

I chuckled lightly, feeling uneasy. Were these thoughts her actual feelings? "Our princess is too kind. She trumps me in every aspect." These words rolled off my tongue. They were true.

The king cleared his throat. A sign he was done with his soup. No one told me. I was hoping for another spoonful before my bowl was swept away. Sadly, I wasn't fast enough. My bowl was replaced with some type of fish dish. We all looked toward the king, who again ate the first bite.

"My daughter chose well in her friendships." The king added after his bite.

"I'm her friend now too!" Liliana answered loudly.

The royal family and my father giggled politely. Kids will be kids. My mother looked a tad embarrassed.

"Honey, we do not have to yell at dinner." My mother tried to correct Liliana's manners. Liliana crouched down in her chair, trying to be small after being reprimanded. I knew that feeling all too well. Too many eyes on you, made you want to disappear.

Alina broke the tension, "Lady Raley, I am ashamed to admit that I have not spent much time around you, or the rest of your family besides Sir Jacob in his official capacity. I would like to get to know my future mother-in-law as well as future siblings-in-law a bit better. Would you permit me to visit you sometime soon?"

Liliana still kept her face downcast, but her eyes swept in my mother's direction. A hint of a grin peaked through her ready-set frown. Liliana liked this idea.

My mother's face was harder to read. I'm sure she was slightly panicked at whatever state our house was in, although it always seemed perfectly clean to me.

"It would be my absolute pleasure." My mother replied.

"Maybe it would be better if those visits were at the palace. So that Lady Raley does not have to have your new guards all over her home." The king eyed his daughter.

"Father..." Alina began her rebuttal like any true teenage daughter.

Abrin, who has been quietly sitting like the picture of perfection, could not hold it in any longer. "Wait! If Princess Alina visits us, she will bring guards? Will they dress in armor like Daddy and Uncle John do sometimes?" His voice was dripping with excitement and anticipation. Alina had a new admirer among my siblings.

"Maybe they will. We will have to see." Alina found her tongue first. I could tell she was not done discussing the new guards with her father, but I could also tell she did not want to disappoint her littlest admirer.

I missed the signal this time, because my plate changed again in front of me. This time it looked to be some type of chicken and vegetable dish. I had enjoyed the fish, but this chicken almost rivaled the soup that I had on my mind since that first course.

At least the food surpassed all expectations, even if my conversation skills didn't. Maybe this evening would only be full of pleasant surprises, but somehow I felt luck was not on my side.