Faery Realm | Romantic | Serial
Courtly Love
Chapter 3 : Expecting Visitors
Continuing the story of Vinca & Millville who’s fledgeling love affair has been dashed by social conventions
Vinca had bathed and dressed, now she sat listlessly as a house brownie dressed her hair, a complicated arrangement of plaits piled artfully atop her head. She gazed beyond the mirror, lost in a reverie where she galloped on her horse and sea spray dampened her loose hair. She contemplated the carefree days before she’d caught King Bartok’s attention; the stolen weeks when Millville was her love.
She’d heard he was home from his diplomatic mission to Aquatora, a success if his sudden title of Lord Millville was anything to judge by. He had not come to see her, but she’d heard from her sister Bryony how crestfallen he was to learn of her status as the King’s concubine. She expelled a sigh, reminded sharply how despondent the role made her too, but how did one refuse the king of all the faeries?
Her family was benefitting from the liaison, at least. Gayenne took classes with the children of the court, learning dancing and fencing and how to cast runes. The King sent food to her mother’s kitchens to care for Vinca’s wellbeing, plus dresses and jewels to enhance how she looked. He had even sent workmen to repair the manor house; now the roof didn’t leak when it rained and the windows kept out the drafts. Her mother was delighted with the arrangement, which suited everyone but Vinca.
She became aware the brownie had finished her hair and was hovering nearby for Vinca’s verdict. Admiring herself in the mirror she could admit to looking beautiful, if a little sad. She must set that aside, as Millville had done. She stood and her beautiful peacock blue dress swirled around her legs, it was embroidered with butterflies around its hem and more on the bodice. Butterflies were free, she thought ruefully, they fluttered from flower to flower, no loyalty required in their short lives.
With her shoes fastened and her cloak around her shoulders, Vinca left for the palace to meet with the King. She tucked her bag of runes in the pocket of her skirts, needing something to occupy her while his majesty was busy with court affairs.
