Chapter 81 - (2)

The king slapped his desk in anger and the attendant shivered. Lady Raine walked in and stared at his frowning face.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Go and ask the Holy Tower of the wedding date that was prepared for Lady Steinhouse." he instructed his most trusted attendant and the man bowed and withdrew, leaving the king and Lady Raine in the the study.

"You have not said what the matter is. You intend to marry off Lady Steinhouse?" she asked.

"Not I, Lady Wickshire." he answered.

"To whom?" she was curious what this elusive lady had planned.

"The boy from before; Walter. She made it clear that it is a wedding more important than mine. She has given this task to me." he said and she frowned. No woman wanted to hear that her wedding is not as important as another's; but remembering the origins of Lady Steinhouse and the power of Lady Wickshire, she swallowed her discontent.

"She wants it small but graceful; meaning, friends and family. I must attend to make this important." the king explained.

"I wonder what she is planning." Lady Raine muttered.

"That is what bothers me. Why do people always bring Helen into things like this? What she has planned, does anyone care about my poor niece?" the king was angry, but helpless.

"But this is the outcome Lady Steinhouse wanted. At least she will be happy with this plan." Lady Raine comforted. She was from a powerful family; even first rate kingdoms had to be respectful to her. But, when it came to the ancients and Thraines, she dared not spread her wings.

***

When the king had informed Lady Steinhouse of his intention to have her married to Walter a day before him, she almost fainted from excitement. She had also been informed of a wedding dress was prepared for her by Madame D'huile, and could not wait to go and try it on. She had been disturbing the two lords for two days to take her to go see Walter, but they had stalled. Now that her wedding was but two days away, she informed them and they had no choice. Sitting in the carriage, Lady Steinhouse had a smile about her while the two lords looked as though they had swallowed a whole chicken. They wondered, is the groom aware of his wedding? Does he intend to marry her at all? A woman running off to tell you her family has prepared a wedding and you just have to appear, was not something men took well; especially if they were not the ones to propose the marriage. They had only worked with Walter, and did not truly understand his personality, so they were not sure how this would go.

They arrived the Krain estate to meet a gathering. Walter's mother was entertaining a few friends and some young masters were there as well. Walter's mother had refused invitations from Mrs. Fionette for a while. Soon, she was entertaining guests, whom Mrs. Fionette had used to gain an audience after being refused severally. She could only smile and talk. Many asked of Walter and if he would join the young masters for a chat, but she declined. She had looked round to discover a lot of young masters from several households had arrived too and Walter was no where to be found. She knew he was talking to the farmers for his father, but nothing else.

"He is busy." she had always answered when asked. Imagine her surprise when the two lords arrived with a lady.

"My lords." she curtsied and the rest hurried to do the same.

"Forgive me Mrs. Krain, we were here for Walter." Lord of Merve said with his signature side smile.

"He is out taking care of something with the farmers; would like to join us? He will be back soon." she invited them in. the lords glanced at each other, but Lady Steinhouse had already sat down and glared at them to do the same. The presence of nobility caused the guest to be flustered. They had not expected they would have this chance and were mocking those who had not come.

Walter's mother introduced them to the guest, but paused at Lady Steinhouse.

"This is Lady Steinhouse." Lord Morge introduced.

"Pleasure to meet you." Lady Steinhouse said warmly to Walter's mother. She intended to make a good impression. She saw the girl from before, Lana, by the corner, but ignored her. Lana, on the other hand, did not like being ignored and used this time to make herself heard.