Chapter Text
Presentation day was important to all those who wanted to have entrance to the highest balls of the Roan Kingdom. Without the monarch’s approval even a high ranked noble would only be able to attend those events were all nobles regardless have access such as those celebrating the monarch’s birthday.
Cale Henituse was the last of the ladies to present and compared to all of them Alberu found her slightly lacking.
Let it not be misunderstood he didn’t talk about her beauty or her dress. Cale Henituse at sixteen years old deserved to be called the Flower of the North and maybe even the entire Kingdom. Her white dress which was without sleeves of a back reminded him of an upside down trumpet flower and decorated with silver thread embroidery and beautiful beading and delicate embroidery reminded she showed of the wealth of her family while staying within the dress code.
What he meant was that she looked as if presenting herself to the King was a last minute event she decided to do on a whim. There was no overly complicated or overly decorated hairstyle and no natural looking but multistep makeup. In their places were a high pony tail which was not adorned with ribbons and a pair of simply, if smudged, lined eyes which came as a set with smiling red lips. Her dress despite the expensive materials and embellishments didn’t consist of many layers and in fact looked like something she could put on by herself.
Alberu could hear the Queen huffing beside him.
Once the kissing of the King’s hand and her curtsying to each royal member individually was over it was time for her to kneel before the King.
If normal procedure was followed the King would order her to stand, welcome her with words and the dismiss her.
“Miss Henituse, you take a lot from your mother’s side of the family. Not only in appearance but in character as well.”
Apparently Cale Henituse was not the only one going off script.
“This lowly subject is honored how his Majesty, the light of our Kingdom, remembers my mother’s fallen family enough to notice the similarities. Few people remember the Thames nowadays.”
“Indeed.”
Zed Crossman spend a few seconds just staring at the top of her red head and Alberu made a note to look into the Thames.
“Rise, Miss Henituse.”
Still smiling she changed her position.
“Before I welcome you, we must express our wish of there still being a kingdom for us to rule.”
Cale Henituse smile grew wider.
“Do not worry, your Majesty. I am aiming neither for Roan or the crown.”
“Then you may leave.”
“What was that about, my King?” inquired the Queen once the door closed.
“You will by the end of the week.”
Three days later rumor had it of how brave and smart Young Mistress Cale was and had set up a trap with the help of the Captain Knight using her Presentation Attire to lure a rich merchant named William Vit who was also the Moonlight Killer, a murderer who had killed many noble women. She refused a reward claiming she didn’t do much.
And while that was very interesting there was something else which bothered Alberu.
“Were did the man’s money go?”