ARRIVAL OF THE MARQUESS

Awoken by the sound of galloping horses, Gabriella pulled herself out of the bed and went to the window. Pulling the curtains open, she could feel the kisses of the morning breeze on her face. Soon it would be winter.

Looking down through the window, there was Vanessa's chariot, galloping hastily towards the castle door.

Seeing it was Vanessa's chariot, her lips curled up in a smile. She couldn't wait to see her reaction.

A quiet knock drew her attention to the door as Priscilla entered with a gentle smile and a tray with a cup of tea.

"Good morning, My Princess," Priscilla greeted softly.

"Good morning, Priscilla." Gabriella returned the greeting, taking something out from the dresser.

"I know you would wake up very early for the preparation today, so I made tea in time for you. It's an energetic tea, to help you for the day's activity." Priscilla said, setting the tray on a nearby table.

"Thank you very much, but I will drink it later. I need to be there to hear Vanessa's report to the King. I must know if truly she got the divine blessings from the priest." Gabriella made haste towards the door.

"But you are still on your night..."

"I got this," Gabriella showed her the robe she took from the dresser. Pulling it over her shoulders, she made haste out of the room.

'Just as I knew her reaction would be.' Gabriella thought to herself as she appeared from the other side of the hallway.

Vanessa's angry footsteps could be heard, each guard bowed on seeing her muttering a quick greeting at her sharp movement as she hastened through the entrance and into the hallway keeping her shoulders poised, her hands clenched on her raised gown and her footsteps a harsh echo.

Gabriella halted in her light-hastened footsteps as she saw the King coming back from his early morning walk in the castle garden. He was heading towards his chamber but stopped when he saw Princess Vanessa. She decided to stay behind the pillar and listen to what would become of Vanessa's report to the King.

The moment Vanessa saw the King, she turned her heavy footsteps into a soft echo. From where Gabriella peeked, she could see Vanessa forcing a smile to her face and straining to keep her anger in check.

"Good morning, your Majesty." Vanessa curtsied.

"Oh, Vanessa my dear, I'm surprised to see your return so early. I thought you wouldn't have made it early for the breakfast with the Marquess before the party."

"Marquess Brutus is a renowned man in the kingdom, missing the breakfast with him at the table is something impermissible. So, when I got your message from the messenger, I decided to have a night ride to get here as early as possible so I wouldn't miss welcoming him at the breakfast table."

"That is so diligent of you, Vanessa," The voice of the queen interrupted as she walked in, obliviously angry at the sight of Vanessa.

"You should have thought of your eyes that will have bags at your lack of sleep which is already there, sweety."

On her face? Vanessa unconsciously touched beneath her eyes as if to feel the bag. Anything that had to do with her face always got her alerted and greatly concerned. Her reaction only got the queen laughing hysterically at her. Gabriella from where she stood shook her head.

The queen continued to laugh, her laughter making Vanessa feel embarrassed and she only stopped when the King called for her attention. He returned his gaze to Vanessa and asked, "How did it go with the priest?"

Vanessa remained silent for a long moment making the queen snort and say, "Vanessa, the King is asking how it went at the priest's house. Tell us how you feel after receiving the blessings."

Vanessa shifted in place before she managed to say, "Um... Your Majesty, the blessings... The priest..."

"Urgent message, your Majesty. I'm sorry to interrupt." Vanessa was interrupted by a servant who walked in.

"Go ahead," The king ordered the servant.

"A message had come from the Marquess, stating he would arrive in the castle in few minutes."

"Good. Let him in when he arrives."

"Yes, your Majesty." The servant responded, bowed and left.

"Your Majesty," Vanessa spoke immediately. "Since the Marquess is very close to the castle, I would like to hurry and get myself ready before he arrives in the castle. I am messed up after the night ride and wouldn't want to appear before him looking like this. I will properly discuss with you after the breakfast with the marquess."

The king nodded and said, "If that is so, I will permit you to return to your room and get yourself ready. After breakfast and the party, I will be waiting for you in my chamber."

"Thank you, your Majesty," Vanessa bowed and hurried out before the queen could speak a word.

As expected, the queen turned to the king not happy the King permitted Vanessa to return without giving the report. "Your Majesty, it wouldn't have taken the whole day for her to say..."

"Not now, Queen Catalina. You can as well return to your chamber and prepare yourself."

Again, the queen held back her words as she forced herself to bow and hurry out of the king's presence. Gabriella also turned and headed back towards her chamber.

Nearing the stairways towards her room, the air held a crisp freshness, carrying the faint scent of freshly baked bread and a mixture of several other dishes wafting from the nearby kitchen.

The sound of footsteps which usually echoed softly on the other days as the maids and servants carried out their morning duties now moved in haste in preparation of breakfast and arrangements of other things in welcome of the Marquess and other guests.

"That was a lucky escape for Vanessa." Gabriella mused the moment she entered her room. "Nevertheless, that would be for the main time. She wouldn't stay with an excuse for long."

'The game of securing the throne' Gabriella thought and shook her head 'This game must be played wisely or one ends up a trap in one's own web.' She sighed.

Priscilla had arranged the things in wait for her but had left the room. Where had she gone?

She took off the robe and led it on the bed. After some minutes, she heard the wheels of the approaching carriage again. Gabriella hurried to the window. Upon looking down through the window, this time a grand carriage approached the castle's looming gates.

Her attention was drawn closer, scanning everyone in the open carriage. The coachman, adorned in resplendent livery, expertly guided the team of horses down the winding cobblestone path. The sound of the horses' hooves and the creaking of the carriage echoed through the air.

Inside the carriage was the Marquess seated within the luxurious confines of his carriage, his posture confident and composed.

She could see his gaze drifting over the lush castle grounds, taking in the carefully manicured gardens and towering stone walls. Beside him was who she believed was his son. However, she could not properly see his face up from here.

As the carriage drew near the castle entrance, the guards snapped to attention, as they positioned in protection and guardian of either the Marquess or the castle. The coachman brought the horses to a halt, and a footman hastily moved to open the carriage door.