“Do you find something amusing?” Devon said in an accusing tone.
Kaina sheepishly shook her head and replied, “It's nothing...really.”
Devon didn't appear to be convinced, but he didn't push the issue further.
In an attempt to break the tension, Kaina said, “So, how goes the training? I hear you were top of your class at the academy.”
Devon seemed to be choosing his answer carefully, as he studied his younger sister carefully before giving his answer. “It's going well. After I return from leave, I should have only a few months left before graduating.”
“That's fantastic,” Kaina said. “Perhaps you and I should get together after that and discuss things and catch up? It's been so long since you and I really spoke to one another.”
Devon frowned, although he wasn't really doing anything else to begin with, and said, “Maybe...”
He walked off, leaving Kaina to wonder if he actually meant it. They were close in age, only a year apart, and they were truly inseparable as children. At least, that's what Kaina thought.
“Everyone,” Elias announced, breaking Kaina from her thoughts, “the guests are arriving. All the servants need to be ready to serve the guests, and the family needs to get ready to be announced.”
Matilde giggled with joy as Roland offered her his arm and led her up the stairs. Isa and Hamelin walked up soon behind them, and as usual Isa had a drink in her hand. Her brothers followed, and soon Elias turned his gaze to her. She couldn't help but notice the look he gave her, which was made even more unsettling by the fact that she was sure he was talking about her. There was something behind his eyes that told her he was planning something that involved her, and it chilled her to the bone.
Kaina broke eye contact and made her way to the stairs, careful to avoid her grandfather's gaze. Whatever he had in store for her, she wanted no part in it.
As per the usual at every formal gathering at the manor, every member of the Haventhorn family lined up in the hall to make a grand entrance for all their guests. Elias stood at the front of the line, then Hamelin and Isa stood together behind him. Roland and Matilde followed just behind them, and after that Kaina stood with her two brothers on either side of her. Behind her stood Hugo, in full shining silver armor, with Thea on his arm and Tobyn at his side.
Hugo droned on about something, but Kaina tried her best to ignore them and focus ahead, but that soon turned out to be a mistake, or she soon heard Matilde whisper to Roland, “Isa's already drunk as usual. It's a wonder Hugo survived until birth, what with all the other unborn children they lost. I just wish it was dear Gabriel being celebrated. He deserves it more in my opinion.”
Kaina rolled her eyes, and luckily, no one noticed.
“Not to worry, darling. Gabriel is on his way to knighthood, and Devon will no doubt follow in his footsteps,” Roland said.
Kaina's attention to her parents dwindled until she very clearly heard her father say, “...and even Kaina will soon make her mark upon the Haventhorn bloodline...”
Her eyes shot up to her parents, who evidently didn't know she could hear their every word.
“What do you mean?” Matilde said, almost snickering.
“You'll find out soon enough,” Roland whispered. “We have a special guest arriving tonight, and you'll know him when you see him.”
“Excuse me?” Kaina said before she could stop herself.
Roland and Matilde turned back to face her, slightly unnerved that she heard them. Even Hugo and her brothers had all stopped talking to stare at her.
Roland shifted his eyes and said, “We'll discuss it later, Kaina.”
Kaina was about to protest, but the sound of the steward's voice caught her attention.
“My Lords and Ladies,” said the steward, “the guests have arrived. It is time to make your entrance.”
Matilde squealed and pulled Roland's arm tighter, forcing him to face forward. Everyone in line stood straight and Kaina's brothers locked their arms around each of hers. After a few seconds, the head of household went out onto the platform and Kaina could hear the guests clapping as though waiting for a show to begin.
“Good evening, Lords and Ladies,” the steward said, “I present to you your hosts for tonight's ball, the Haventhorn family.”
The crowd clapped again, and the head said, “First, Lord Elias Haventhorn, Patriarch of the Haventhorn family.”
Kaina's grandfather stepped out first and his entrance was well received. The crowd applauded and after a few seconds, the head continued.
“Lord and Lady Hamelin Haventhorn.”
Her aunt and uncle went out next, and humorous as it was, Hamelin had to hold Isa up to prevent her from falling over.
“Lord and Lady Roland Haventhorn.”
Her parents walked out next and they moved up in the line. Kaina could see from where she was standing how Matilde even blew kisses to the crowd.
“Lords Gabriel and Devon Haventhorn and Lady Kaina Haventhorn.”
Kaina and her brothers walked out next, and her cheeks flushed when she saw that there were at least two hundred guests, possibly more, and each one was more polished and proper than the last. Waves of nobles wearing multiple layers of brightly colored clothing in fabrics ranging from velvet to satin, all embroidered with the finest threads in lavish designs. While they appeared to be prim and perfect on the outside, Kaina could only imagine the ugliness they concealed within.
Kaina's brothers led her down the stairs, and that was when she saw Elias, Roland, and Hamelin huddled together again off to the side of the room. She tried to read their lips again, but the only thing she could catch one of them saying was, “Where is he?”
“And finally, tonight's guest of honor,” the head announced, “Lord Hugo Haventhorn.”
As Hugo and his family walked out, the crowd roared and cheered with such vigor that Kaina swore the ground shook. Hugo threw his free hand up in the air and waved it around as he and his family made their way down the steps.
“Lord Hugo is accompanied by his wife, Lady Thea, and his son, Lord Tobyn.”
Hugo and his family walked down the stairs, and both Tobyn and Thea stared at their feet as they did so. Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, Thea and Tobyn joined the rest of the Haventhorn family while Hugo stepped out onto the ballroom floor.
A hush fell over the crowd as Hugo raised his hands and said, “My guests, I thank you all for attending this event. It is such an honor to hold the title of Crimson Knight, and just as much an honor to hear your praise. I invite you all to enjoy the feast prepared by our personal cooks, and dance to the music of the finest bards in all of Ilesia. We have also brought up our finest wines and brandy from the cellar. Drink, eat, and dance!”
The crowd roared once again and Kaina turned her attention once again to her grandfather, father, and uncle, but they had gone off to another side of the room where they could speak privately. She knew they were up to something, and that something involved her.
“My love,” Hugo said to Thea, breaking Kaina's trance, “shall we have the first dance of the evening?”
Thea's gaze emitted a seething ire that threatened to stab Hugo in the heart should it even be possible. Hugo gave her a cold look when she didn't respond right away, but she soon accepted by placing her hand in his. Hugo smiled again and led her onto the dance floor.
Upon command, the bards picked up their instruments and, beginning with the lute players, started up the graceful, upbeat melody. The flute players joined in, followed by the drummers, until every bard played in perfect harmony to create an uplifting beat.
As Hugo led Thea to the slow but celebratory music, Kaina shifted her gaze to Tobyn. He crouched against the wall with his knees to his chest and with his arms wrapped around them as he watched his parents dance.
Kaina picked up her skirt and marched over to the little boy. He looked up as she approached and the color drained from his face as though he were waiting for a scolding or
even a beating from her. She saw him flinch, so she stopped in her tracks and in a gentle voice, said, “It's all right, Tobyn. I just want to talk.”
The boy didn't appear any less agitated, but he didn't move again as Kaina moved closer.
Kaina crouched down in front of him to the best of her abilities with the mountain of a skirt she wore and said, “You and I have never had a chance to talk much, have we?”
Tobyn didn't reply, but he did shake his head.
“Well, I say we change that,” Kaina said as she sat on the floor beside him. Since it didn't appear that Tobyn was ready to fully talk to her, she thought it would be best that she stick to simple questions.
“Your mother seems like a lovely person,” Kaina said. “Is she?”
Tobyn hesitated, but to Kaina's relief he nodded.
“Have you been behaving yourself?” she asked.
Tobyn nodded.
“Good,” Kaina replied with a smile. “I saw you playing with your knight toy earlier. Do you want to be a Crimson Knight like your father?”
Tobyn hesitated, then he nodded.
Kaina pursed her lips as Tobyn lowered his head and stared down at his feet. “You know, Tobyn, just because your father wants you to follow in his footsteps doesn't mean you have to. Do you really want to be a Crimson Knight?”
After a moment of staring at his feet, Tobyn shook his head.
“I didn't think so,” Kaina said. “That's all right, though. You can be whatever you want to be.”
Tobyn looked up at Kaina with a glint of hope in his dark eyes, and she smiled right back.
“What do you want to be, Tobyn?” Kaina asked.
Tobyn shrugged his shoulders.
“Well I didn't know either at your age. You don't need to worry about all that now, of course,” Kaina said. “In time, you'll discover what you want.”
Then Kaina saw something she never thought she would see: she saw Tobyn smile.
Kaina opened her mouth to speak again until she heard the furious clicking of heels approaching. She looked up to see her mother marching in her direction, and before Kaina could even react, Matilde hissed, “What are you doing sitting on the floor?”
Matilde reached down and yanked Kaina's arm to pull her to her feet with strength she was certain even the best warriors in Ilesia didn't have. “Ladies do not sit on the floor! You could have ruined your dress!”
“My dress is fine,” Kaina snapped as she yanked her arm away.
Kaina rubbed her arm to get the feeling back, but Matilde continued, “I've about had it with your behavior! You're lucky I got you up before anyone noticed what you were doing.”
As Kaina tuned out yet another lecture, she remembered Tobyn and turned to see him. She was surprised to see that he was no longer where she left him, but a quick scan of the room showed that he was now perched atop the stairs. He sat cross legged on the very top and looked down at Kaina. When their eyes met, he smiled slightly and waved at her.
Kaina smiled back and was about to wave, but Matilde's shrill voice caught her attention.
“Look at me when I am speaking to you!” Matilde screeched.
Kaina turned back around and braced herself for the scolding of a lifetime, but the sound of fanfare soon drowned out Matilde's wailing.
Both women turned to the ballroom entrance across from the stairs, and that was where they saw two men blowing into horns in a melodious rhythm. Once they had everyone's attention, the steward approached the entrance and said, “My Lords and Ladies, it brings me the utmost pleasure to announce one final guest.” The steward held out his hand palm up towards the door and said, “May I present, the heir of King Torald III, Prince Casimir.”
Before the applause began, a collective gasp formed among the crowd. As soon as the steward had announced the prince, the trumpeters played the same tune again as a man in a flowing cape, red and black and gold doublet with matching gloves, black trousers and boots. A gold crown sat atop his neatly cropped dark brown, almost black hair walked gracefully into the room. His face had a hint of a beard, and his smile entranced everyone and anyone caught in its path. He was older than she thought he would be, in his late twenties, if she had to guess. Each step he took was deliberate and calculated, as one would when they had business to conduct rather than attend a party.
Following close behind the prince was an old man with a long, black beard with gray streaks. He wore a long, violet robe with his hood up with wisps of black hair peeking out.
Elias stepped forward as the crowd began to bow before the prince. “Your Majesty, the Haventhorn family is honored to be in your presence.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Lord Elias,” Casimir said. “I was so pleased to receive your invitation to this wonderful ball. I would also do anything for a Crimson Knight of Hugo's status.”
Hugo stepped up and knelt before Casimir. “I am humbled, My Lord.”
The old man stepped forward and said, “Lord Elias, it is an honor to be at your home. I have heard many a tale of your family's fame and influence.”
Elias shook the man's hand and said, “I apologize, but I'm afraid I do not know your name...”
The old man wasn't the least bit offended, but instead bowed and replied, “Azemar the Wise, at your service. I am the first adviser to King Torald III, here on Prince Casimir's behalf.”
“Ah, then I welcome you, Azemar the Wise,” Elias said.
Without a word, Roland rushed over to Kaina and Matilde and gestured for them to follow. Within moments, the entire Haventhorn family was present to greet the Prince.
“My Lord, it is an honor!” Hamelin said.
“Nise to mee you...” Isa slurred.
Matilde could barely contain her giggles, which reminded Kaina of a spoiled child receiving a toy she had just been kicking and screaming for, and Roland furiously shook the prince's hand.
To Kaina's astonishment, Roland hurried over to her and pulled her closer to Casimir and said, “Prince Casimir, it is my honor to introduce you to my daughter, Kaina Haventhorn.”
Casimir's eyes fell on her. They were rich green, much like a forbidden forest that appeared beautiful but held a dark secret. His smile spread, attempting to lure her in, and before she knew it he had her hand in his and pulled it up to his lips. He kissed the top of her hand and said, “My Lady, I've heard nothing but good things about you, and I must say they don't do you justice.”
Kaina felt her cheeks flush, and if the prince had noticed, he didn't acknowledge it. “Thank you...”
Casimir stood up straight and said, “It's a sin to allow a lady of your standards to simply watch the festivities. Might I have the pleasure of dancing with you on this fine evening, Lady Kaina?”
Kaina's heart dropped and she felt her blood freeze under her skin. The one thing that made her family gatherings tolerable was that no one asked her to dance, and now here was a suitor staring her in the face asking for the one thing she didn't want to do.
Kaina uttered something, but it was nothing that would even remotely be considered a viable form of speech.
“I beg your pardon?” Casimir asked.
Kaina cursed her own polite nature as she muttered, “Y-yes, I would love to dance with you...”
Casimir's smile grew. “You worried me there, for a moment. I thought I was going to miss the chance to dance with the most beautiful girl in the room.”
Kaina was positive that he noticed her blushing now, for he chuckled and pulled her closer. Kaina turned to see Roland furiously gesturing for the bards to begin playing again, at which point they responded by playing a soothing, romantic melody.
Casimir began before Kaina was ready and she felt her feet stumble awkwardly for about a second before she managed to correct herself. To make matters worse, she could hear the sounds of chuckles from the crowd at her mistake. This was further agitated by the fact that she and Casimir were alone on the dance floor.
“You should relax, my dear,” Casimir said. “You
'll have more fun.”
Kaina laughed nervously, trying to remember the dance lessons that she ignored as a child. “I'm just not used to being the center of attention.”
Casimir smiled and said, “I used to be the same way. Of course, when you're first in line to be king, the attention is thrown at you from your first hour out of the womb.”
They remained silent for the remainder of their dance, and Kaina explored new ways to deter her thoughts to keep herself from growing anxious. She found herself thinking about the mysterious book again, how its contents were a complete mystery to her. She began to wonder about different methods she might try to use to open it, when Casimir spoke again.
“Your eyes are so intense, purposeful,” he said. “I'm curious to know what you're thinking about.”
Kaina met his gaze, but instead of telling this man she barely knew about the book, she said, “I was just thinking of how beautifully the bards play.”
Casimir looked over to the bards and said, “You're right, they are quite talented. Perhaps they could play at our wedding.”
Kaina was ashamed to say that it took her a moment to realize what the prince had just said. When she did, she pulled away from him and stopped dead in her tracks.
“What did you just say?” Kaina asked. She tuned out the whispers and gasps from the rest of the guests and kept her gaze stone cold and fixed on her dance partner.
Casimir stared at her in confusion and said, “I said perhaps the bards can play at our wedding--”
“What wedding?” Kaina barked.
Casimir furrowed his brow and said, “Lady Kaina, surely you have been told of our engagement? Your grandfather--”
Before he could even finish, Kaina's eyes snapped to Elias Haventhorn's and locked onto them. The latter stepped forward, and with the utmost cold expression, he said loud enough for the entire ballroom to hear, “It has been decided that my granddaughter, Kaina Haventhorn, will be wed to Prince Casimir before the first snow of winter. When the time comes for Casimir to claim the throne, Kaina will be crowned Queen of Ilesia.”
Kaina's Dawn (Kaina Saga Book 1) Page 4