The Loneliest Ballad

Celia sat up straight in her chair and shook her brooding thoughts away. She knew she shouldn't judge her friend - her only friend at court, truth be told - so harshly. Sabine's timid nature and aversion to risk were to be expected. She was merely a result of her upbringing, like all women.

Sabine's father was a viscount who'd fallen from his king's favour several years ago and never seemed to have recovered his position. As her parents' fifth child and fourth daughter, there had been neither money nor interest for educating her.

The one time Celia had offered to teach her to read a little, Sabine had literally shrunk back with fear at the idea. Celia had shrugged in defeat and muttered to her horrified friend, "Stop looking at me like I offered to commit murder in your name."

She still teased Sabine about her reaction that day.

She had to admit though, that Sabine was also gentle and very patient. Celia appreciated her calm demeanour and her company.

Her lady now stood behind her in faithful attendance. Sabine reached out to hand her a fan and carefully adjust Celia's long veil. "You look lovely, my lady. Despite this accursed heat."

"Thank you, friend." Celia smiled back even though she felt like she was sweating through her heavy satin gown. She tried to look as dainty as possible fanning herself, though what she really felt like doing was ripping off the cumbersome, itchy veil and plunging headfirst into one of the water troughs set up for the horses.

That would be a sight to behold, she smiled. I'd be sure to win over my subjects by doing that.

Tobin was also sweating profusely, especially in that ridiculous breastplate. He was barely able to mount a horse, she thought with a touch of spite, so who was he really trying to fool?

With a muttered curse, Tobin stood up and stretched his neck out, not caring that he was turning his back to the parade moving in his honour. "I'm going to speak with my lady mother for a while. Perhaps her pavilion will be cooler than this one." he said.

Celia nodded, though she doubted it. Apart from the silk pavilions, there wasn't a single spot of shade anywhere nearby.

Tobin headed for the exit. A moment later, she heard his surprised exclamation, then he joined in murmured conversation with someone. Not wanting to look nosy, Celia kept her eyes fixed forward until she heard her name being called.

She turned to look behind her and saw Tobin standing next to an unfamiliar lady in an opulent golden orange gown and a pearl diadem. The lady's lips were pinched into a thin smile.

Tobin gestured for Celia to join them, only to then say casually to her, "My sister is visiting court for a few days. It'll be up to you to make sure she's well looked after during her stay. I'm heading off to find Mother now."

And with that, he slipped through the pavilion's entry flap and walked out. Celia was left stunned, standing next to a complete stranger.

Tobin's sister looked equally blank.

The two women stared uncertainly at each other for what felt like an age. Celia was mortified. No one had told her about her sister-in-marriage's visit, yet she'd been made responsible for keeping her company? She didn't even know the woman's name! "It's my pleasure to meet you, uhhh…"

"Sarai."

Celia nodded. "Will you have a seat then, Sarai?" she gestured to the two empty gilded chairs on a small dais.

Sarai nodded stiffly and sat down. The intricate beading on the hem of her gown clicked against the pavilion's raised floor as she drifted towards the chairs.

Now what, Celia thought as the two women sat side by side in awkward silence? Couldn't someone have warned her that Tobin's sister would be visiting?

She forced herself to stare at the never ending pageantry for a moment, before giving up and turning to look at Sarai.

She found the other woman already staring at her, appraising her with shrewd blue eyes.

"So you're the one they chose for Tobin all those years ago. You're rather on the young side, aren't you?" It was more of a statement than a question from Princess Sarai.

Celia instantly bristled at being spoken to like a child. "Not really. I'm older than your brother."

"Yes, well. That's hardly an achievement, is it? Everyone's older than the precious little prince."

"I'm sorry that no one told me beforehand that you'd be joining us. If I'd known, I would've made arrangements…" Celia's words trailed off. In truth, she wasn't sure exactly what she would've done to prepare for Sarai's arrival.

She just didn't appreciate her husband springing the news on her at the last possible moment and then making it her responsibility.

Sarai smirked. "It's quite alright. I lived here all my life. I don't need special arrangements made just for a visit of a few days. So typical of Tobin though, to give an order without thought and then expect everyone to just scramble and do his bidding flawlessly. And then when they stumble, he genuinely can't fathom why."

"Do you not get along with your brother, then?"

Sarai shrugged listlessly. "We sort together well enough. You can get along with someone and still see their faults clearly."

"And what would you say are my husband's faults?" Celia was immediately intrigued. This was the first person in Havietten she'd heard speaking about Tobin in less than glowing terms.

"He's spoiled, of course." Sarai spoke as if it were the most obvious thing. "I guess he can't be blamed for it, though. He's been told since the day he was born that he's the answer to all of the kingdom's prayers, just by existing. He's never learned that to solve problems or resolve a crisis, he actually needs to step in and do, well, something. And this has made him lazy."

Celia huffed a little laugh at Sarai's painfully accurate summary of her brother.