Visitors from Kiev

[Lady Edfeil]

It had been an unexpected visit, and one that had been enough to make her slightly nervous. She had welcomed the young woman with Windstorm's usual easy hospitality, till she had heard whom she had come to visit. Nae that hospitality wavered for a moment, nor did the simple warmth with which food and lodgings were offered, but the visitor nae was a simple lady. Princess Amalya from Kiev, accompanied by a personal guard and bearing gifts to celebrate the engagement and letters for Prince Gregor.

For Edfeil the visit brought once more in sharp relief how Gregor's life had been shaped by his birthright so much more than her own. Still, the visit was a welcome one, and the bright and happy "Uncle Gregor!" of the young woman as well as his own puzzled delight had made things easier. It was hard to worry in the princess' sunny presence.

[Lady Edfeil]

She could be mistaken of course, but it seemed to her that the young princess had been simply content to serve as her father's emissary and happy to see one again that had at one time been wed to her aunt. Yet now... it seemed she was more than happy to stay for other reasons. At least.. her gaze seemed to linger longer on one man in particular. A man who seemed perfectly oblivious to glances cast in his direction, and the worry that was stirred in another heart.
How could one nae worry. The princess was well.. perfect. She seemed kind, and God knows she was beautiful. And young. And with perfect lineage and poise and manners, and a joyful disposition as well. A wonderful guest truly. And the letters she had brought had been a source of great joy to Gregor, she knew. Edfeil could nae help but wonder though, iffen the prince had yet noticed how she was looking at his nephew...