Chapter 5. Whitestone

The next morning, Lisel got up and, as usual, went to the dining room for breakfast with Margaret. To her surprise, her half-brother Carlier was also present, which was unusual.

The atmosphere was tense, still echoing with the aftermath of the incident at the ball the previous night.

—I’m sorry I couldn’t accompany you last night, Lisel —Carlier commented, his tone attempting to be sympathetic but dripping with barely concealed hostility.

Lisel, maintaining her composure, merely nodded, aware of the duality in her brother's words.

At that moment, Margaret interrupted with some news.

—The King has called a meeting of the four great families —she announced with a tone suggesting the importance of the event. —We must attend.

The meeting had been called due to the recent death of the Duke of the North, who was the widower of the King’s sister. The King’s nephew, the son of the King’s deceased sister and the now also deceased Duke of the North, had been appointed the new Duke.

This was unusual since the King’s nephew rarely visited the capital. And when he did, because the circumstances were imperative, he refused to participate in any event or celebration.

Given the likelihood of the newly appointed Duke of the North’s acceptance, the King had decided to organize a dinner to formally introduce him to the high society and nobility of the kingdom. It was the perfect occasion for the court to meet the new Duke in person.

Hearing this, Lisel reflected on the northern territory.

The North, a land of proud independence and steadfastness, had joined the Kingdom of Castella two centuries ago after a bloody war to maintain its independence that lasted fifty years.

The Northerners were known for their hardness and strength. They always yearned for their own power and independence. To mitigate this, the then King of Castella had married his daughter to the Duke of the North.

And now the title had recently passed to his son.

A man, the offspring of the King’s sister, who had died ten years ago, was proclaimed Duke after his father's death. The fusion of the northern domain with the royal blood running through his veins undoubtedly granted him a position of indisputable power.

But for Lisel, this territory represented much more than a mere strategic area and a fundamental pillar of the kingdom.

It was the home of her only happy childhood memories.

Her mother, Isabela Irell, was native to a small but significant county known as Whitestone, an enclave within the vast domains of the northern duchy.

Although Whitestone only boasted a modest castle and rugged lands, its true value lay in its white diamond mines, unique in their kind. These diamonds had propelled Lisel’s maternal family to a position of enviable prestige and wealth.

Surrounded by mountains perpetually covered in snow, the northern territory maintained its unique character even in summer. Although the climate softened, the snow never completely melted, preserving its white and pure presence.

Lisel’s mother had been brought to the capital for an arranged marriage to the Marquess Luton, while the King’s sister had married Duke Bertram of the North.

This had been a calculated political move. Intended to keep the North under control while offering an illusion of autonomy by linking the royalty with these territories.

In her first four years of life, Lisel visited Whitestone in the summer with her mother, taking advantage of the more benign temperatures.

These cold summers continued until her mother’s early death.

Although her memories were hazy, marked by the brevity of her childhood, something in the essence of Whitestone evoked in her heart an echo of happiness and serenity. A sweet contrast to the shadows of life in Castelar.

The uncomfortable family breakfast ended, and the hours quickly passed until it was time to depart for the Royal Palace for the dinner of the four great families.

Lisel, with her light brown hair with delicate blonde highlights neatly arranged, wore a pale blue silk dress that highlighted the vibrant green of her eyes. The dress, adorned with silver embroidery, was a work of art in itself. Reflecting both her innate elegance and her subtle beauty.

Margaret, in contrast, chose a dark green velvet gown that sparkled with pink gem inlays, each reflecting her power and status.

Carlier, true to his meticulous character, wore a formal dark brown suit. In perfect harmony with his brown eyes and hair of the same hue. Enhanced with golden embroidery that emphasized his position and aspirations.

On the way to the Royal Palace, Lisel lamented internally about returning to a place she so disliked. She had thought that after the annual ball, she would have more time before facing the royalty and their intricate power networks again.

Upon arriving at the majestic hall where the dinner would take place, the opulence of the surroundings was overwhelming. The large chandeliers glittered, casting a golden glow over the vast array of elegant tables and the nobles who were already beginning to take their seats.

Lisel felt uncomfortable under the gazes of the Crown Prince and her half-brother Carlier.

Both observed her with a mix of interest and calculation, making her feel as though she was on the edge of a precipice, where any misstep could send her plunging into the void.

There was a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. Everyone present was eager for the arrival of the Duke of the North. A man who was almost mythical due to his rare appearances in the capital.

Every noble in the room, dressed in their finest, awaited the Duke’s arrival with impatience.

He was more a legend than an everyday figure in Castelar. He had earned a heroic prestige from his numerous victories on the borderlands.

He was known for his bravery and cunning in battle, having successfully defended the Kingdom of Castella against barbarian incursions that threatened to cross the narrow strip of northern land separating the country from the outside world.

The whispers and comments among the guests were not only about his imminent arrival but also about his exploits and the aura of mystery surrounding him. Some admired his military prowess while others speculated about his motivations and loyalties.

Amid this whirlwind of expectations and rumors, Lisel found herself absorbed in her own thoughts, contemplating the figure of the Duke. A man who had achieved what many nobles could only dream of: being respected and feared in equal measure.

His presence at court was not merely a formality. It represented a shift in the delicate balance of power and alliances that defined high society politics in Castelar.

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