Sunny’s accident broke the tension int the room and woke up Void. The panther jumped down and chased the dog out of the living room. As soon as Sunny’s lips and Void’s growling disappeared into the corridor, Mrs. Elsworth ordered for the door to be closed.
Meanwhile, Lady Silver was staring at her daughter with raised eyebrows, her expression calm but surprised at the same time. "Did you just threaten to throw me out?" she asked, her voice uncertain.
Mauve nodded. "Yes mother, I did. I love and respect you but not even you can tell the crown princess to shut up. People have lost their heads for smaller things than this. I implore you to understand and sit down." She was polite, but forceful.
Lady Silver’s lips trembled. It was hard to tell if she was biting back a response or trying to smile. But, she sat down and clenched her fists. "I am calm." she forced out of her mouth. "I am sorry for losing my mind crown princess." she stood up again and bowed slightly.
"Sit," Sigrid waved her hand, nonchalant about the whole thing. "I cannot fault you for worrying about your daughter. However, I would like to make it clear that I am not the one that decided she should go to war, the king did."
Lady Silver whimpered.
"Well, not me specifically but the mages." Mauve came in with a clearer explanation. "And not just mage knights but all the mages whose magic is strong. You saw what we need when the mine collapsed mother. The king ordered for a mage battalion to be formed. In times of war we must do our duty for the kingdom."
"That cursed magic." Lady Silver cried out. "What duty? The king is not sending his daughter to war, why is he sending mine? Ever since your awakening, the troubles don’t seem to end. I thought it was a gift your magic. You attracted more suitors, three princes and dozens of titled Lords are vying for your hand in marriage from the day you were seen on television saving lives. In the end, you are choosing the worst of them."
"Is this about Prince Firron again?" Mauve rolled her eyes.
"Allow me to weigh in here. Lady Silver," Sigrid jumped in. "maybe we should revisit my last question, the one I raised before Mauve joined us. What do you know about prince Firron? Does anyone here know his character well enough to say with absolute authority that he is the man best suited for Mauve?"
They all traded gazes, the answer was silence.
Sigrid opened her arms and said, "So we all know nothing except for the fact that he is a charming prince which is literally in his job description. A prince is supposed to be charming, he is taught how to smile, what to say, how to dress. His hair is always combed to draw attention to the best features of his face. He is always supposed to be a gentleman.
Has any of you looked beneath the perfect princely image he presents. Have you been to Solandor? Do you know if he keeps a mistress or two in his kingdom?
What is the relationship with his family like? Is he a friend or foe to the current crown prince of Solandor because in every kingdom or empire, the siblings that are against the one that takes the throne end up dead, disfigured or exiled."
Lady Silver had been ready with a response but it dwindled. Reality hit her like a tempest breaking against fragile glass.
Sigrid continued smoothly, "He expressed interest in Emmah, Thalassa, Mauve, Anna and Keeley. His actions were subtle, not particularly seeming to settle for one Lady but all his choices are chosen carefully. A princess, a powerful mage, the daughter of the richest commoner in Eldoria and the daughter of the strongest family of knights in the kingdom.
The Valerius house is not noble but they are some of the greatest sworn protectors of the kingdom. They have a legacy, fiefs and two castles. They own the entire island of Sunrise peaks.
Honor is their code, the king trusts them like no other family in the empire. Miss Keeley Valerius was not even at that lunch when the princes arrived and yet Prince Firron sought her out.
Her closest friend is Anna Selwyn, the granddaughter of the richest merchant. Prince Firron has been seen with both of them on separate occasions. To me, Prince Firron is calculating and in his wake, he will leave many broken hearts and unfulfilled commitments."
"Maye he has a betrothed at home, it is why he won’t commit." Mrs. Elsworth mentioned.
Sigrid nodded.
"Prince Eron has been pretty faithful to Brynlee Thorin." Mauve chipped in. "He chose her from the beginning and he has not so much as looked at another woman in Eldoria. He has been living on the Thorin estate for a week now I believe."
"It is true." Sigrid confirmed. "He asked for Brynlee’s hand in marriage. My grandfather rejected the proposal and he raised the same questions I am raising about Prince Firron. We know next to nothing of these men except for their royal titles.
We have never seen their empire. It could be fictional, they could be bandits or Medorian spies pausing as the Princes. My grandfather said that some representatives from the family led by John will have to take a trip to Solandor first.
After confirming Prince Eron’s identity, roots and good character, then Brynlee can marry him. After the wedding, then Brynlee can follow him to Solandor but she will not go alone. Some of the young men looking to spread their wings in business and retired knights from our family will have to follow her.
In a strange land, she will have family and protection at least. If she is wronged, they will all pack up and return home immediately. Those that wish to stay at the time will do so but Brynlee must return home."
"Wow!" Mauve exclaimed.
Sigrid beamed with pride that was excreted from all her pores. "We Thorin’s look out for each other." She turned her eyes to Lady Silver and asked, "Has Firron verbally expressed a desire to marry Mauve?"
Lady Silver thought about the times Prince Firron had visited. It was always with flowers and a smile. He had not expressed a desire to marry her but he had called her impressive, beautiful and memorable. This did not always equate to a desire to marry. Marriage in royal families was much more than finding one impressive and memorable.
Sigrid took that silence to mean no. "Prince Firron is looking for a prize, not just a wife but a woman to use to show off or consolidate his position. I think that he is hoping to compete for the position of crown prince in Solandor. As of yesterday, Thalassa awakened as a mage. I suspect that he will be proposing to her soon.
Now while Prince Galen is divorced, at least we know he is not looking a prize or else he would not have divorced his wives. He is not looking for to ally with a house in power or a mage, like Benjamin. His character is excellent, I can vouch for that. And I can promise you that he will give Mauve the whole world if he gets the chance to be with her.
If Roland and I die without heirs, he is the next best candidate for crown prince. If Mauve likes him, they have my full support and I will make sure everyone knows this. Why don’t you go home and think things over Lady Silver?"