In Which Falidor Brings the Usual Announcements

May 27, 1162

Though he had been rather starved for a good conversation after sitting at the desk for the better part of the morning, Falidor had to admit that he had been relieved when Tarien had left in something of a hurry. He found Lady Alina's nephew to be pleasant enough, but at present, it seemed too much to bear--seeing this man, a year younger than himself, with a wife who adored him and a child on the way.

What he himself would have given for a wife who even liked him! Once more, he found himself toying with the idea of a mistress... but who? Willing women, he found, did not exactly grow on trees. The only sort he could get were the sort he could buy, and he found he did not want that kind of relationship. No, if he had to be unfaithful, he hoped it could be with a woman he loved, a woman who might perhaps become his wife in all but name. Unfortunately, women willing to embark on such a love affair were few and far between. If it wasn't for Fenrick, Riala, and little Maddie, he might have poisoned himself long ago.

But speaking of children...

"Faldor!" exclaimed young Lonriad from the floor as he and his older sister Viridis played with the ark.

Unable to resist, Falidor gave a tired smile. "Hello, Lonriad... Viridis, Riona, Vera... my lord, my lady... where are the older three?"

"They're out at Armion playing with Lorn and Xeta," Lady Alina explained. "Fortunately, we still have four here with which to bother you, Falidor."

"Oh, none of your children could ever bother me, my lady," Falidor assured her. Indeed, they could not--they were the dearest, most wonderful brood he knew, save for his own.

"Though I imagine Raia is looking to change that," chuckled Lord Severin, facing Falidor with a grin. "Anyway, who was that you were talking to just now?"

"That would be her ladyship's nephew Tarien, my lord," he answered.

Lord Severin rolled his eyes. "Good God, Falidor... always with this 'my lord' nonsense. Anyway, why didn't you invite him in here?"

Falidor shrugged. "He had to inform the others, and he seemed a bit rushed. I imagine he wants to get home to his wife as soon as possible."

His lordship seemed to deem this an acceptable answer. "I see. What did he have to say?" he inquired, gentle bouncing young Riona up and down.

"Just a few of the usual announcements. His sister Lileina had a baby on the thirteenth, Cambrin's heir; they named him Haldred, for her father."

"Wonderful! Now they have a daughter and a son," mused Lady Alina with a smile--however, she almost seemed more jealous than genuinely happy, though he could not imagine why.

But Falidor did not feel it was his place to mention that, so he merely nodded. "Indeed. Also, their brother Searle was knighted on the tenth and married on the eleventh."

A thoughtful expression crossed Lord Severin's face. "I knew Haldred was planning to marry the boy off sooner rather than later, but I still can't fathom his sudden urgency. Is the bride expecting, by any chance?"

"If she is, Tarien didn't see fit to mention it," dismissed Falidor. "However, Searle's twin sister is... but she was married in February, so that's not such a surprise."

That envious grin had returned to Lady Alina's lips. Lord Severin, however, merely sighed. "You know, I get the feeling that there's something that Haldred and Cladelia aren't telling the rest of us. When I ride out to get the kids later, I might stop by the castle to have a little chat with Roderick--not that I imagine he even suspects there's anything to know," he added in afterthought.

Lady Alina shifted slightly. "Laralita might; you know how she loves to sniff out a good scandal."

"Faldor! Pick me up!" Lonriad commanded from the floor.

As Falidor obliged the boy, he briefly locked eyes with Lady Alina before hers flitted back to young Laveria in her arms. God, she was beautiful--so beautiful, so brilliant, and so magnificently beloved. If ever was a woman who possessed everything and was fully worthy of it all, it was she.

And yet, somehow, she looked so miserable.

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