"You need to do all the buttons” their father gently chided. Romello mumbled a complaint, but it was too quiet for her to catch. “You are not some lowborn knight trying to woo every woman you pass by.”

“Your brooches won’t stay in place if your collar isn’t properly done,” Amaryllis added.

“Not you too, Ryll,” Romello groaned and his shoulders sagged dramatically. “Were you like this with Roni too?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Amaryllis fought the urge to roll her eyes. Her father hated when she did that. He called it unladylike. Romy currently had his attention and she was more than happy to keep it there. No need to draw any more scrutiny to herself.

To better hide her expression, she turned to the jeweler and picked up the sapphire brooches she had selected. She walked over with them and passed one to her father. He examined it with a discerning eye while she turned to her brother.

“Go on, fix those buttons.”

He quickly did as he was told. The allure of new, previously forbidden, accessories was too much for him to resist. Once his collar was buttoned, she gently smoothed out the wrinkles his fussing had made before pinning the brooch in place. Amaryllis took a step back to study him.

The duke had opted for a more muted styling for his heir than he had for his youngest daughter. The jackets, vests, and pants they’d ordered were made from premium fabrics, but were neutral blacks and dark browns. The shirts varied in colors from light pastels to vibrant hues but would be mostly covered by the jackets and vests. 

The wheat-colored shirt and dark overcoat he was currently modeling paired well with the deep blue of the sapphire brooch. The muted colors of his clothes made the brooch shine, bringing out the blue in his eyes as well.

“Perfect,” she gave him a smile. “I’ve selected several sets for you and father. They all pair with the jewelry for Veronica.”

“Let me see.”

The duke plucked the ledger from Amaryllis’s arms and walked over to where the jewelers had hastily set up their wares on the nearby tables. Amaryllis tensed as she watched her father study the pieces. He had a far better eye than she did. She could recognize quality of gemstones, but style was beyond her abilities. She wasn’t exposed to the trends in the capital or elsewhere like her father was. That’s why she tended towards simple or natural designs when she was allowed to assist. Those were always the safest option. 

Better to seem old fashioned than have her tasteless choices call attention to the fact that she had never left the castle grounds.

“We will take all of these,” her father stated and Amaryllis relaxed. “Come with me and I shall see to the payment.”

“Of course, your grace,” the jeweler hurried after the duke who strode out without a backwards glance at his children.

As soon as he was gone Romello darted over to the tables. He picked up the cuff links that matched his brooch and started trying to put them on.

“These are nice, Ryll,” he frowned slightly as he struggled with his sleeve. “And father’s in a good mood. The tailor already got a large tip and we’re not even done yet.”

“Did something happen?”

Amaryllis took one cufflink from her brother’s hand. She showed him how to slide it into the small hole on his sleeve and set it. He managed to do the second without her help, looking rather pleased with himself despite the brief struggle.

“Didn’t you hear?” he held up his wrist, twisting it so the gem caught the light at different angles. “The raiders have been defeated. Sir Vincent managed to ambush their leader near their camp with only ten knights. I can’t wait to hear the details! That’s all the report said so I’m sure we’ll be in for some good stories.”

Amaryllis felt her heart skip a beat. Had he purposefully snuck into the enemy camp? Or was it a chance encounter while scouting? But why would a vice-commander have to scout so close to the enemy? She had briefly felt relieved to know the raiders had been defeated but worry had quickly taken its place. Had he been hurt? The fight must have been brutal if they had so few so close to the enemy camp. And its not like her father would care if he was hurt so she wouldn’t know until he came back. The report would only note the dead and since Romello hadn’t said anything she could safely assume he was alive.

“They’re cleaning up the remaining forces, but they should be done by next week. Father’s already invited the neighboring nobles to attend the victory banquets.”

He stopped and scowled.

“Not that Roni and I will get to attend.”

“You’ll be at court soon enough.”

Amaryllis gave him what she hoped was a comforting squeeze on the shoulder. She did her best to control her expression. She was starting to get excited at the thought of seeing Sir Vincent again, but she didn’t want her smile to be misconstrued as her being happy her she got to do something Romy couldn’t. 

Going to court would never be an option for her, but banquets at home were a guarantee. It wouldn’t be much of a leap for someone to assume she felt jealous. There were still many servants in the room watching as they waited to attend to Romello. Any hints of conflict among the siblings would not be tolerated were her father to hear about it. She did her best to push down her excitement and focus on her brother.

“And after that you’ll be able to attend every banquet, ball, and performance father hosts.”

“I’ll be your escort next time,” he grinned and proudly thumped a fist against his chest. “Veronica will be tired of me by the time we get back so it’ll be your turn.”

“But I’m already tired of you.”

“Hey!”

Amaryllis snorted and ruffled her brother’s hair. He was taller than her now so she had to stand on tiptoe to do it. He was still frowning, lips pressed firmly together in a thin line, but his eyes sparkled. Nothing was going to dim his excitement over finally heading to the capital.

“How much do you have left?”

She stepped back and glanced at the tailor waiting at the side of the room.

“Not much, there’s maybe two more shirts,” he sighed.

“Then go so we can eat. It’s time for lunch and Roni is already finished.”

“I’m going, I’m going.”

 ***

The next week passed by in a blur. Amaryllis spent her time overseeing all of the preparations for the banquet. Food needed to be ordered and prepared. The banquet hall, entry way, guest quarters, and every space in between had to be thoroughly cleaned. 

The smiths, fletchers, and stables had to prepare to receive the knights and their mounts. Their armor and weapons would surely need repairs. The sound from the smithy was deafening as they worked endlessly to prepare the hundreds of horse shoes that would be needed by the farriers.

Amaryllis checked each area every day, making sure everyone was on task and on track. These banquets were set to be the last event before the social season. Many nearby nobles, who were also headed to court within the next month, were coming. If everything went according to plan the nobles would bring up the banquets in passing conversation but not make much of it. 

But, if something went wrong, then all of high society would hear about it and it would set the tone of the season for her father and siblings. Amaryllis had never felt more pressure to be perfect.

Her only bit of reprieve came from the fact that her father was too busy with travel preparations for the twins to hover over her. Or to have someone else hover in his stead. He reminded her every morning that mistakes were not going to be tolerated, but that was it.

When he wasn’t directly preparing for the trip, Duke Lavalham spent every spare moment giving the twins private lessons in his office. Veronica and Romello had both been educated like Amaryllis had. Etiquette, history, mathematics, science, art, estate management for Veronica, and heir lessons for Romello. Their tutors had never relented until they knew it all perfectly. They could name and identify the crests of all the noble houses in the kingdom, as well as prominent houses in other kingdoms. Their histories had also been drilled into them too.

But the subtleties of each house the duke taught the twins personally. Who was on their house’s good or bad side. Who the correct person to contact for art, who had a habit of selling forgeries, who would keep their word like their father before them or who had broken the line and was not to be trusted, and so much more. Those finer details that time and experience taught were now being passed onto them.

Amaryllis pitied the haggard looks on their faces whenever they were released from those lectures. She had no doubt they were being given an overwhelming amount of information and that they’d be drilled on it during the long carriage ride to the capital. 

There was nothing to be done though. She had no knowledge to help quiz them, nor did she think her father would ever impart those things to her. That was simply not her role.

The duke, with his focus on the twins, left Amaryllis with the task of greeting guests when they arrived. The vassals who had come early were clearly surprised to see her welcome them, but recovered quickly. They’d rushed to greet her, complimenting her dress and accessories while subtly trying to inquire about her father.

She wanted to scoff at how quickly their treatment of her had changed. Their eager compliments all fell flat when she recalled how often they’d ignored her in the past. 

Did they think she was so shallow as to not notice? Or so power hungry that she’d be pleased with just a little flattery? Either was insulting but she kept her mouth shut, only smiling in response to their nonsense.

Finally, the swirl of activity came to an end and it was time for the first banquet. The preparations had gone smoothly and were now back under her father’s purview. The last thing for Amaryllis to do was to get changed.

She didn’t usually pay much attention when her maids got her ready. Her father selected her gowns and her nursemaid styled her hair and accessories. Even feigning excitement for jewels and pretty dresses had been difficult. 

Feeling excited about any of it felt like the surest way to be disappointed. She was dressed nicely to represent her house and attract a suitor. She had no say over any of it. She would wed whoever her father chose, just as she wore what he chose.

Enjoying the lavish banquets felt foolish. Except for the royal family, no noble was as wealthy as her father. She knew she would have a comfortable married life, but expecting more would only lead to disappointment.

Similarly, liking a suitor meant little because her opinion would not sway her father. She’d already had one broken engagement because the man had offended her father in an argument. She feared setting her expectations too high and getting hurt. She’d had enough of that already.

But the temptation of meeting with Sir Vincent wore down her walls. It was just one week. One week where she had someone she wanted to look pretty for. To see her and compliment her. Even if they could only talk afterwards when she was back in her simple dresses. 

That actually made it easier. There was a limit to what she could hope for.

At the end of the week Sir Vincent would be gone and she doubted she would ever see him again. It was a miracle they’d reunited at all. There was little reason for him to return to the duchy. He was not one of her father’s knights and as a commoner knight he wasn’t an option for her.

He could be a happy memory though. A safe one. A childhood friend who had become a heroic knight. Someone she could feel proud of whenever she heard stories of him. 

And that could be enough, had to be enough, to soothe the small ache in her heart.