Thread: "I thee wed, in sickness and in health, in curses and...what?!" (w/ ƒeral)

Kyllar was the only not growing impatient with the guests' tardiness. A merchant stalling a king? Gods be damned, van Buren! I'll have your head on a spike! he should have said when the merchant extended his apologies, Leah thought, but instead she watched her father nod with a confused look and brush his brown beard. He had been drinking merrily, she observed, downing one goblet after the other as they awaited the merchant's arrival. Pure red wine coated his chest like a cobra's venom, yet he kept his composure and focus like a wolf. Drinking came easy to the monarch they said he used to drink a full keg every morning before he rode for war back in the days when he fought to unite the kingdom under his banner. Others said it was one keg a week while some swore it was a keg every battle. Songs praised his bravery in battle and glorified his skill with his scythe, and others told of his passion for drinking and hunting. The Warrior King, they called him. He even spoke more like a warrior rather than a sovereign, closer to a commoner than a nobleman. He was from humble origins and climbed the military ranks until he found himself leading an army to unite Vyllam. Spend twenty years with a golden crown on your head, and people will start treating you as if you were highborn. Long gone were the days of fighting for Kyllar. It has been twenty some years since the last time he was in the front lines. His second son was chief in command now, and Kyllar took to growing a belly and warming a pillow. Whenever he wasn't drinking or eating, he could be found in whorehouses and taverns. Gambling then fucking then gambling whilst fucking. It was not weird that he fathered a handful of bastards scattered across the city. And they all have their freedom, except me Leah thought. Pleased to finally meet you, Lady Raelyn the king smiled and his children nodded. Leah said not a word, she sat politely and silently, watching like an owl. However, her eyes weren't silent. They said all sorts of things they whispered and hissed and screamed. That's not a lady, father. Scarcely a woman even! She looks like a barbaric savage without a mace, barely any manners with that one. Ladies are much more elegant and fair and gentle when we speak people listen - when she speaks people ought to laugh at her dress and courtesies. Meera will sooner wed a man! . Leah's eyes studied the party, they looked around for a son but to no avail, and a puzzled look defied her manners. Her eyes met her older brother's, Baimon, and she could tell he too found it queer that Beric was missing. Tarth only seemed to realize the son was missing when his brother nudged him with his elbow, and little Meera was still working on her soup, perhaps already forgetting what purpose this dinner served. The king had made note of the missing son as soon as the party stood by the doorsteps, and his eyes weren't searching - they were fixed at the bald merchant. At ease, my lord and ladies. Have your seats while the food is still warm The king gestured and the guests soon sat on the table. Food started coming from every angle as the servants emerged from the shadows with warm plates and silver utensils. There was a tray of grilled chicken spiced with lemon, and another of lamb and pork chops cooked with garlic and seasoned with parsley. Centered on the table was an enormous bowl of rice, between another of soup and a third of salad. Each person faced a flagon and servants circled the table with pots of different types of wine red and white and mead and gods know what. Leah could easily tell her father cared for this family much more than he cared to show. Out of all the merchant houses in the city, it was clear to her that this one was Kyllar's favorite. The bride-to-be treated herself to a little less than a goblet of white wine and a small bowl of salad with pieces of apple and olives. Her sister tried to imitate her but couldn't dare missing on a piece of the lamb chops. Her brothers went full berserk on the meat and wine, gradually emptying the trays and filling the empty dishes with bones and skin and grease. I'd expected to meet my future son-in-law tonight, Lord Erik Kyllar addressed the merchant sitting across the table. Master, not lord Leah thought, annoyed that her father was elevating this commoner to their status as nobles after he bought her for his son. Did something befall our groom? he asked, Wasn't Beric his heir? , more and more questions popping up in his mind. Bamion sat between Tarth and Raelyn, while Leah found herself next to her future mother in law. You make a lovely sight, Lady Raelyn Bamion complimented, his knees boorishly brushing against Raelyn from under the table, You'd make a lovelier sight on my mattress tonight