As she walked down to the private dining room that was attached to the dining hall the Gala had been held in the night before, Marie braced herself for a lecture. She knew that she would be scolded about her dress, as well as her behavior the night before. When she reached the door to the dining room, the same herald from the night before was waiting there to open it. Before he could alert her father about her arrival by opening the door she quickly asked,

" What is your name herald?” addressing him by his position as she had no other way to do so.

The herald was obviously surprised that Marie, the second highest ranking member in the whole keep was displaying such interest in him. Being new, he had no idea that Marie made it a point to know the names of all the workers that she came into contact with regularly.

“My name is Jacob my lady” he responded.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Jacob”

Marie said, smiling as she committed his name and face to her memory.

Jacob then opened the door for Marie, and when she walked in, she felt tension in the room. It was so thick she thought she could have cut it with a knife, had she brought one with her.

“Hello, my daughter,”

The duke said frostily, his displeasure evident in his tight body posture as well as his tone.

Choosing to ignore her father’s less-than-welcoming greeting, Marie curtsied gracefully,

“Hello father, how do you fare today?”

The Duke was visibly startled at her formally polite greeting, but he quickly regained his equanimity, his lips curling up into a smug smile. Marie could practically see his thoughts flitting across his face.

"He’s probably thinking that he should have been sterner with me years ago."

she thought to herself bitterly, regretting that she had promised herself to act the perfect daughter so that he might let his guard down. Her actions and polite greeting had their intended effect, much as it rankled Marie to put on the charade. Seeing his usually bold offspring so demure and polite caused the old duke to soften his tone and he gave Marie only a gentle scolding for her rude behavior the night before. Marie hung her head and looked a the floor. Her cheeks took on a subtle red tinge that her father took as a sign of embarrassment from the scolding. When he finished she lifted her head slightly, looking both apologetic and ashamed.

“I apologize for questioning your authority Father, it was wrong of me to do so. You are very kind to give me the chance to choose a husband for me.”

Marie murmured softly when her father had finished his scolding. Inwardly, however, she was seething with rage, hating how meek and docile she had to be to make her father happy. Her cheeks had been flushed by anger and it was taking all of her self-control not to spit out a dozen curses at her father. Emboldened perhaps by Marie’s sudden submissiveness he said,

“When you dine in the company of a man you must wear fine gowns. After all, I buy you the best and I expect you to act and dress as befits your position as my daughter .”

“Save the simple dresses,” he made a disgusted gesture at the one that she was currently wearing. “For when you are with other females.”

Marie nodded her head “Yes Father, I shall do as you say.” she replied softly.

"Now that we have that out of the way, join me for lunch my darling."

"As you wish father."

Marie replied. One of the servants from the night before brought them their lunch. Her father was served a plate of oysters, the smell of which made Marie's stomach churn, along with a spoonful of mashed potatoes and freshly picked broccoli. The servant also poured him a glass of his favorite dark ale before moving over to Marie. Her lunch was a light salad with chicken strips and a slice of rye bread.

"Would you like water or some kind of juice my Lady?"

The servant asked. Opening her mouth, Marie went to reply but before she could her father said,

"She will have a glass of water."

Marie was quick to agree with her father for the sake of the confused servant. Laughing lightly to dispel the renewed tension in the room she smiled and said,

"You know me far too well if you can tell what I wish to have for a drink Father."

The servant poured her a glass of water and retreated from the room as fast as was politely possible. As they ate the only sounds were that of their chewing and the occasional clink of silverware on the plates. Once they had both finished their lunch her father stood and said

“You are dismissed, Marie.”

“Thank you for lunch Father” she replied and made her way out of the room.

“That was insane!” Marie thought to herself. I show him the picture of a perfect daughter and he replies " Wear fancier dresses, Marie. Impress other men with my wealth.” she thought scathingly.

When she entered her room, she sensed that something was amiss. Turning slowly, she kept her eyes and ears hypersensitive to her surroundings. When she looked at her west-facing wall, she noticed that the large, oval-shaped window, which was above her writing desk was open.

Trying to calm her nerves she called out to Nadasia, wondering if the new maid had opened the window. Her hope was dashed however when she examined her desk a little closer and noticed a large muddy boot print right at its center. Just to the right of it was a letter written sloppily on rough parchment. Go to the north bank of the Winding River in 10 days’ time at 9 p.m. if you wish to see the maid again. Come alone and bring the Golden Phoenix.