Gasp

Ethyn had belonged to a land-owning family, so his ascension to knighthood had been a legitimate claim. But his strange childhood was not exactly something he wanted to share with the king.

Thankfully Sir Ultrian answered the call first. "I was raised in a decent home with kind parents. I was provided for adequately in our home just outside the city and although my brother is to inherit the family title, my parents never made me feel less because of it. My brother is a proficient statesman. I do think he will fill the role of patriarch quite adequately. I myself was a decent swordsman, so my parents rightly thought to secure me a position to become a knight."

"How good of your parents to have such foresight," Rose complimented the knight. While she felt no attraction to the gentleman, she could also find no actual fault with him beyond his less than exciting personality.

"Indeed. I would have been quite lost without their steady guidance. I do hope when I marry, I will find someone who can guide me in the same manner when it comes to matters of the home." Ultrian's face changed ever so slightly. He looked at the princess expectantly.

"I am sure you will find someone." The princess placed a large bite of food in her mouth hastily to avoid saying more.

"Thank you for your kind words. I hope to find someone most decent and soon. Maybe even someone as illustrious as Your Highness." Ultrian watched the princess's bite catch in her throat.

She coughed lightly, trying to avoid the small amount of panic she now felt. Her face paled. Rose found she could not gasp or even call for help.

Without warning, Rose's chair was pulled backwards as strong arms yanked her from her seat. They wrapped around her middle and squeezed her stomach, pushing the stays of her dress uncomfortably into her abdomen. Rose would have squealed if her airway had not been blocked.

Instead the remaining air in her lungs dislodged the large morsel from her throat. The piece flew swiftly into a white handkerchief that suddenly appeared by her mouth. Rose wretched once more, and the arms around her held her as she steadied herself. Thankfully, no more food followed the first.

"Just take slow, deep breaths..." She heard Ethyn's voice say. His scent filled her nostrils and quieted her beating heart.

"Thank you. That was quick thinking, Sir—" Rose looked up to her rescuer. "Sir Ashton." Instead of a redhead with green eyes, a dark haired man stared back at her with a tense expression.

'Why am I disappointed? Ashton just saved me from dying! With how quickly the matter was handled, it is no surprise that my rescuer is the stalwart knight sitting next to me. Who else could it have been?' The woman quickly dismissed the delusions she had heard and smelled before.

"Are you alright?" Ashton asked in a low tone.

"I'm fine. Thank you." The princess felt the pressure around her middle ease as the man released her.

Rose surveyed the room. Rhodri and Ultrian had risen from their seats but had not left the table. Caitlyn was now bringing her a sip of water for her to settle her stomach. But Ethyn was nowhere in sight.

At least he wasn't until she turned to look behind her. Ethyn was quietly handing something to a servant to be taken away.

'What is he doing over there while I am over here dying…?'

She felt movement beside her as Ashton bowed formally. "I am most sorry for assaulting you in such a manner, Your Highness. I hope I did not cause you too much distress."

"On the contrary, it is I who owe you. It would be quite at a loss without your help." Rose curtsied.

"I shall get you a medal or a token of your choice for your service!" Rhodri was finally brought from his shock as he surged forward to check on his daughter.

"It was nothing really. In fact…" Ashton's face contorted into a funny expression. "In fact, it would do me very well if this were never mentioned outside this room."

"Fine by me," Rose coughed lightly. Caitlyn held up the glass in her hand. Rhodri took up the Princess's palm and patted her back nervously.

"I am alright, father." Rose accepted the cup of water from Caitlyn and took a sip. "Please all of you be seated so my embarrassment can be only a faint memory."

Reassured by the color in her cheeks, the others dutifully took their places around the table.

"I am sorry that the food did not agree with you," Ultrian looked with the same perfectly neutral expression which he always did. Only the small amount of regret in his voice told of his utter despair at the development. "That was not very decent of it."

"On the contrary, the food was quite adequate." Rose winced, hoping the blonde knight did not think she was making fun of him for mirroring his speech a second time. "Where were we? Ah yes, the topic of childhood. Sir Jayce, it is your turn."

"Me? Your Highness?" Jayce smiled so big that his dimples showed. He was not used to hearing his first name from royal lips. "There is not much to tell really. The Ashton family has had very close ties with the royal family as far back as the history books go, and my parents raised my siblings and I with a deep sense of duty. Growing up in the countryside, I had no idea just how vast the city was nor how grand the palace might be. I farmed the land alongside the workers until I was old enough to start an apprenticeship. While it was hard to leave the family land, I know it was the right choice."

"Indeed the Ashtons have always been great supporters of our kingdom. I was most pleased to see you were recommended in the last trials." Rhodri had also knighted the young man's uncle. Both Sir Ashtons were well thought of by those who knew them. "You are a great boon to Birle."

"That is most kind, Your Majesty. Knowing you now, I can see that our loyalty is well placed. I hope to defend Birle as Valiantly as my ancestors." Ashton lifted his cup to the king and then brought it to his lip in a silent toast to his host.

"Quite the humble hero," Rose gently touched her throat. It still ached, but she had been able to take a couple of small bites and swallow. "You have already behaved valiantly even if you want no one else to know."

Ashton shifted uncomfortably. Nodding politely, he looked across the table at Caitlyn. The blonde also seemed most grateful for his help in saving Rose. Lady Caitlyn would only prolong the spotlight on him if he asked her a question. Desperate, he turned to the redheaded knight instead.

"How bout you, Sir Samberg? I don't think I know your background at all. Your relationship to Sir Cyneheard has shrouded you in mystery. You must be very prestigious indeed for he has not taken on squire in ages! Believe me, my family tried." Ashton said it merely as a matter of fact. There was no animosity in his words.

It was Ethyn's turn to shift uncomfortably in his seat. "I'm not prestigious at all. Quite the opposite, in fact..."