conversation he’d had with Moira the night before.
“You know you’re the worst liar I know.” He set his sword down. “What’s bothering you?”
“You’re going to get mad at me.”
“No I won’t, just talk to me, okay?”
“I made Moira cry yesterday. Not on purpose,” he added hastily as Adrian scowled. “I couldn’t sleep last night so I wandered around and I found the tower with your dad’s things in it.”
“Moira was there, wasn’t she?” Adrian asked. Lucian nodded and he continued with a sigh, “Look, Lucian, we’re only fifteen, right? I know right now Moira’s worried that she’ll end up like our mother. It hurts both of us. When Dad was alive, my mother was happy and outgoing. After he died, she pulled into herself. Anything that reminded her of him was shunned, even me. But, I don’t think Moira will continue holding off from you. I mean, is there a prince at Charming Academy more charming than you?”
“George?” Lucian offered with a teasing smile.
“Okay, point,” Adrian admitted with a laugh. “But I think in the end, Moira will come around.”
“She told me last night that she doesn’t want to fall in love with me. She just wants to be friends.”
“What did you say?”
“What could I say? I couldn’t very well force your sister to fall in love with me. It’d be an insult to her and then she’d hate me forever. I told her I’d respect her wishes.”
“You don’t want to though,” Adrian said, seeing through his friend.
Lucian shook his head, “No I don’t. I never thought I’d fall in love with any girl. Much less Moira. She’s a beautiful girl, but she was always so reserved and frankly abrasive. And really, fall in love with a girl? It seems like yesterday that we were both talking about how gross love is and that we’d never love anyone.”
“Pretty naïve of us,” Adrian laughed. “I know it hurts, Lucian. But I think you’re doing this the right way. She’ll find her own strength. She may think she can resist you now, but it won’t last.”
“You think so?”
“Oh yeah, trust me,” Adrian said, clapping Lucian’s shoulder. “You just keep being the perfect gentleman you’ve always been and she’ll fall in love with you on her own. Then she only has herself to blame. Now come on, you’ve almost got me with that weak arm of yours. Let’s give it another go.”
They continued practicing until Allegra and Moira came in. For a while they didn’t notice the two girls standing in the doorway. Lucian turned and saw Moira watching him, a far away smile on her face. She flushed and said as the boys lowered their swords, “Mother said supper is nearly ready. Oh, and you may want to clean up before you come, Nana is here.” She smiled and then left with Allegra.
When they arrived at supper, Lucian met a woman who, if twenty years younger, could easily have been mistaken for Lavinia. Nana was tall and had the same face, though her hair was silvery white and flowed about her shoulders rather than the severe bun Lavinia favored. She was also a picture of optimism, her face lit with a beautiful smile that Lucian was sure Lavinia probably shared. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite grandson,” she said as Adrian walked in.
“Nana, it’s so good to see you,” he replied, eagerly enveloping himself in his grandmother’s outstretched arms.
“Oh, it’s good to see you too. My, my, you must have grown a foot since last I saw you,” she replied with a smile.
“Only five inches.”
“Close enough. Now, you must introduce me to your handsome young friend here.”
Adrian turned and waved Lucian over. “Lucian, this is my grandmother, the dowager queen Bethany. Nana, this is my best friend Lucian. He’s going to be Moira’s prince when they finish school.”
“Ooh,” she squealed. “Well, you certainly got the luck of the draw, Moira. He’s very handsome indeed. Where are you from young man?”
“Maltisten,” he replied, taking Nana’s hand and kissing it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh I despise formality, Lucian,” she retorted and pulled him into an eager hug. “Welcome to Lictthane. You must tell me what you think of it. I’ve always preferred Fallcrest, being my home province, but it is quite nice here.”
Lucian caught on to Nana’s infectious optimism and laughed. “I like it very well here, though I do miss the ocean.”
“An ocean boy, yes, I could see it in your build.” Nana turned away from him and spied Allegra. “And who might this be?”
“I’m Allegra,” she replied with a smile. “Lucian is my older brother. When Adrian graduates, I’ll be his princess.”
“This is so delightful.” Nana clapped her hands together before clasping Allegra in a tight hug. “Lavinia, dear, you didn’t tell me what a beautiful family your children were marrying into. They are really quite darling. Over supper you must tell me everything there is to know about you. After all, if you’re marrying my grandchildren someday, I simply must approve.” She winked at Lucian and Allegra before the group sat at supper.
It was the most entertaining meal they’d had since their arrival. Nana brought a life and energy to the melancholy home that no one, not even Lavinia, could resist. When the meal was over they sat in the large parlor having dessert and Nana talked about everything under the sun. “Now Lavinia dear, whatever happened to that family portrait that used to be in here? I haven’t seen it in ages and it was a beautiful likeness. I don’t think you’ve seen any pictures of their father,” Nana continued turning to Allegra and Lucian, “but Adrian looks just like him.”
Lavinia hesitated a moment before clearing her throat. “It was unfortunately destroyed, Mother. There was a flood several years ago. Everything on the first floor had to be replaced.”
“What a pity,” Nana replied, not seeming to catch the lie in her daughter’s voice. “I’m sure I could you bring you a new portrait for your parlor. I have two excellent portraits from when the children were young.”
“No, really, Mother, that’s not necessary,” Lavinia insisted. “You would miss it far too much. I, I’ll have to contact the artist and see if he can make a replication.”
Adrian and Moira were looking nervously between their mother and grandmother as the conversation continued. Lucian caught Adrian’s eye. “Queen Bethany,” he began.
“Lucian, dear, I despise formality,” Nana interrupted. “Simply call me Nana.”
“What was it like in Fallcrest?” Lucian asked with a smile.
With that topic in her mind, Nana was off like a racehorse. She spoke long about the province she’d grown up in. The fire was dying in the fireplace and the candle light flickering as she continued her tale. Everyone was captivated by her story. She was able to weave a tapestry of words that was almost visible to her rapt audience. They could see the landscapes she painted and hear the mountain breezes whispering in their ears. After a long while she suddenly said, “My goodness. Listen to me chatter on like this, just like an old mother hen. You must all be exhausted and we have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow. Go on now, off to bed my precious ones. We’ll have all day to chat.” She hugged and kissed each child before watching them leave the room. “You have such wonderful children, Lavinia,” they heard her say as they left the room. “You should be proud of them.”
“I am, Mother,” Lavinia replied.
Nana made the ride to Traifloran fun and enjoyable as she continued to keep each of the occupants busily engaged in conversation. Lucian instantly took a liking to her. She was as giddy as a child and yet held the elegance of an adult. Even Lavinia seemed more relaxed and happy with her mother there. Lucian almost wished that the older woman lived with his friend’s family. He was sure that Nana’s bright optimism could easily overcome the dark shadows of Lavinia’s grief. Adrian was relishing in his mother’s attention as she tried to show equal attention to both of her children. It was obvious to Lucian that Lavinia was trying to keep her mother in the dark about how they lived when she was gone.
&nb
sp; On arriving in Traifloran, Eleanor and Leticia immediately found the travelers. “You’re staying at our house.” Then they giggled as they realized they’d spoken together.
“It’s good to see you,” Allegra said, hugging each girl in turn. “What do you mean we’re staying at your house?”
“Mother and Daddy agreed that you could all stay with us for the competition. It’s only for a couple days anyway, and they’d be happy to house you,” Leticia replied.
“Yes, and we have rooms prepared for you, so you can’t refuse,” Eleanor added with a smile.
Lavinia said, “My mother surprised us with a visit. Will that be a problem?”
“I’m sure we can have another room arranged,” Leticia said.
“Nonsense,” Nana retorted. “I’ll stay with Lavinia. I get the feeling I need some one-on-one time with my little girl.”
“Mother, I haven’t been your little girl in many years,” Lavinia teased.
“Darling, even when you’re as old as the dust, you’ll still be my little girl,” Nana replied.
“Well, it’s settled then,” Eleanor said. “Come on, we’ll show you to the castle as soon as you’ve both set up your exhibits.”
After dropping off the pieces, the group followed Eleanor and Leticia to their family home. It was built at the base of a large mountain range. Snow covered trees surrounded the grounds like silent citadels. “Welcome to our home,” the queen said as they came inside. She