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Every pass of a blue painted guard post brought greater and more frequent villages, dwarfing the significance of Freya's home yet somehow solidifying it. Equally spaced pines lined the final stretch of road leading to the eastern Cambrian gate. When the outer wall came into view Freya froze from the magnitude. Square turrets stretched wide in both directions, making the walls edge blend into dense forest. Cambrian flags waved in a northwestern breeze, the legendary barrier towering before her eyes glinted from the morning sun. Constructed of stacked ice-stone, named for its glossy, glass-like appearance. Too strong to break, too slick to climb. Freya jolted with nerves as they approached the city's formidable walls. Her usually dry palms, were damp with anxiety. Within a few minutes Freya would be inside, the closest she's been to her brother in eleven years. A culminating moment, preceded by years of strategizing. Of all the conjured scenarios to bring her behind these gates, a betrothal year invitation was a mere whisper of thought. And for Beatrix and Zephyr to also receive them? It was remarkable odds.

Between the dress fittings and etiquette lessons, Freya had no free time the past several weeks. She had been bombarded by instructions for various aspects of court life. Freya felt she could practically recite the book Cambrian Civilities And Mores after the amount of knowledge she was forced to ingest. If she hadn't possessed a hidden agenda, Freya would have thought the process tedious verging on pointless. Was pouring tea properly or a perfect curtsy the true measuring standard for a bride? However irrelevant it may seem, she took careful note, not knowing whether any information would prove useful in finding her brother.

Freya, Zephyr, and Beatrix would be only three of many girls to join court for the betrothal year. Some selected from nobility, while others from outlying villages. No girl was given advantage over the next. There were no dowries. Only dresses and jewelry commissioned by the palace. The purpose was to offer loyal soldiers, and this year, Prince Callidan, the opportunity to pick a wife amongst the most beautiful. Your appearance being what secures the invitation, but your behavior what secures a suitable marriage.

Origin records were closely guarded and kept so that no family members would participate in the same betrothal year. Aside from being too young, Freya knew her brother would not be at court, otherwise she would not have received an invitation. He would be a standard soldier with an assignment. She would need to look outside of court to find Jayford. Written record of soldiers current names along with their previous ones, that was her objective. If she couldn't track him otherwise, Freya was prepared to find the documents bearing her brother's past and present names.

While Freya was plotting what amounted to treason, Beatrix and Zephyr had concerned themselves with trivial matters of grooming. Both were thrilled to be chosen for court, and Freya struggled to match their enthusiasm. One thing she could match their enthusiasm on was entering the gates of Cambria for the first time.

"Can you believe it?!" Beatrix exclaimed as they rolled beneath the massive stone archway. Blue infantry soldiers lined the path, brandishing steel swords and wearing cobalt coats bearing the Cambria crest.

Zephyr answered, wide-eyed and amazed, "It's like a dream."

"I never thought I would get a chance to be behind these walls," marveled Freya.

"I don't think any of us did. And to be invited to court when Prince Cardin is joining!" Zephyr nearly squealed.

"I guess that's the thing about life, sometimes you're expecting beets, but you get honey instead," mused Beatrix.

"This just might be sweeter than honey." Freya tucked both hands beneath her chin, resting them on the edge of the cart. Freya thought to herself, also might be more dangerous than a hive.

Their cart halted beside a vague doorway on a indistinct street. The three girls were directed up a curved stone staircase that narrowed as they ascended to their private rooms. The ride through the city streets had been a sensory overload for the village raised trio, with unusual sights and sounds. They passed a long alley filled with vendors shouting and selling a variety of items from food and livestock to woven textiles. The Blue brigade was also a sight to see.

Villagers rarely saw any colors other than Red. Red soldiers were tasked with carrying out Palace decrees, recruitments, and settling any matters outside of Cambria's walls. They were usually older men, having served first as combat soldiers in the blue infantry brigade. But within the Palace walls, Blues dominated. They lined the streets, surrounded the castle, occupied the courtyards, and several even stood guard within the castle corridors.

Freya found herself carefully searching each face, looking for the scar she inflicted upon her own brother's cheek. The sheer amount of Blues occupying the city made Freya's heart sink. Like finding snow in summer, she realized the difficulty in her endeavor.

"You will share the Wisteria suite," a maid informed, pointing at the detailed painting of wisteria vines adorning the thick wood door. "Each suite, contains three separate bed chambers with a common sitting room adjoining them. You can decide amongst yourselves which room to occupy. Pull this bell cord if you are in need of anything."

They all nodded in understanding, trying to not look as amazed as each of them felt. This suite was significantly more lavish than their own homes, with high ceilings and thick burgundy carpets spanning the stone floors.

"I will return in approximately an hour, please change and dress for your bearings meeting followed by dinner. We have had ladies arriving for two days already and expect more tomorrow, so things are unusually hectic this first week. It will calm down once everyone settles in."

They all thanked the maid as she left their suite, and quickly scouted out the bed chambers. All three were similar in size and color, so there was little argument as each claimed their room.

The girls helped one another dress for their first evening at court. They wouldn't meet any soldiers or noblemen on their first evening, needing to first attend a bearings meeting. The bearings meeting was simply to outline the betrothal year particulars, general day to day activities, and expected behavior. Many of these things they already knew.

Zephyr chose a deep green silk dress with fitted three-quarter sleeves and a long gold belt hung low about her hips. The deep green emphasized her copper-toned hair. Beatrix didn't want to waste her best dresses on her first night, and chose a simple rose patterned linen dress, and secured her blacks curls in a low bun. Freya had larger things on her mind and allowed Beatrix and Zephyr to choose a dress for her. Two fights later, they finally agreed on a red damask dress, and encouraged Freya to leave her beautiful brown waves down.

Zephyr and Beatrix were attractive girls, but dulled next to Freya's effortless beauty with golden smooth skin, full lips, and light gray eyes. Fortunately, Freya had escaped the bulk of vanity due to her mother never overusing praise or emphasizing appearance.

The maid reappeared and ushered them into the grand hall, several more girls followed in their wake and exchanged smiles. More than fifty girls were already seated in the rows of padded wooden benches facing two large chairs.

Most girls wore excited expressions with the exception of several whose nerves were clearly rattled. Freya hoped she wore the former, although feeling the latter.

Quiet chatter filled the large room as the ladies made new acquaintances, and a steady stream of new girls poured in.

A loud bell sounded bringing all the girl's attention to the front of the room. There stood an older petite woman with silver hair. She loudly addressed the crowd.

"I am Lady Cleves, and this is Lady Germaine." She gestured toward a middle-aged blonde holding the bell, and wearing a welcoming smile. "Welcome to your bearings meeting! We are happy to have you all for this very special betrothal year! We have much to go over, so even though your excitement may be a distraction, try to pay close attention...Alright, first thing, while you are a member of court, you will be referred to as Lady and your first name. If your name is Rose, you will be Lady Rose. Understood?"

Collective nodding.

"Lady Germaine will be handing out your brooches. Each bear the Cambria seal and other than in your rooms, you are to have it pinned to your dress at all times. It's an outward sign of your place at court. Next, if at any time you wish to return home, just inform myself or Lady Germaine. Your appearance at court isn't mandatory, despite what some of your ambitious mothers may have told you."

That comment earned Lady Cleves a rumble of laughter.

"So, if you hate it here, miss home, don't like any of the men who've offered for you, or just plain never want to marry, don't worry, you may return home at any time. Now, let's discuss your daily schedules...you will all take breakfast in your own rooms. Lunch will be served in the dining hall for two hours beginning at noon. You may dine at anytime between then. Dinner, however, is at eight and if you are late, your dinner will be served in your room. The men will dine with you for both of those meals. Dining with Prince Cardin or other noblemen, will however, be by personal invitation only."

Beatrix and Zephyr exchanged curious glances, while Freya tried to focus and keep her mind from wandering.

"Any questions thus far?" Lady Cleves asked. "No? Good. Now, for daily activities..."

The older woman discussed things from embroidery to archery, weekly monetary allowances, behavior towards men at court, the expected length of stay and their ability to send you home at a moments notice.

"Your purpose here is to hopefully get betrothed. Each one of you has something special to offer beside your beauty. May I suggest, you highlight whatever that may be. Our soldiers are trained to be honest and kind. We expect the same from you. Lastly, with this being a Dynasty betrothal, there are several additional matters to discuss. For many reasons, you are not to speak to Prince Cardin unless he first speaks to you, nor will you enter the imperial wing. Even though Blues are always posted at the entrance, we thought it important to mention. All dinners, outings, or activities will be strictly by invitation only....I believe that about covers it. Any questions you may have, please seek out myself or Lady Germaine and we will be happy to help. Last thing to remember is this....have fun. Make the most of your time here and savor each moment. You only get to meet your future-husband for the first time once, so make it memorable. Now please remain seated and we will dismiss you individually for dinner."

The crowd of girls let out a collective sigh of relief. Now they knew what to expect and what was expected of them.

They began dismissing girls with the exception of maybe ten or so. Beatrix was dismissed, and then Zephyr. When it was Freya's turn, instead of being let go to dinner, Lady Cleves requested she join the small group of ladies. Freya's stomach knotted, hoping they weren't already sending her home. She had to stay. Freya hadn't even scratched the surface of searching for her brother.

After all the girls had gone except those asked to remain, Lady Cleves addressed the small group. "I am sure you all are wondering why we've asked you to remain here. Well, you can breath easy. It is not for any nefarious reason. Rather, it is a privilege that you've been selected. We have chosen each of you for a private dinner reception with the Navy coats."

Several girls couldn't hold in their excitement and squealed like pigs. The rest exchanged joyful grins. Freya, however, was more nervous than ever. She began thinking irrationally, worrying if they somehow discovered her treasonous plan. Freya knew that would be impossible, but fear tends to overthrow rationality.

An entire dinner with only Navy coats! Freya wished to trade places with Beatrix and Zephyr. Funny how one person's advantage can be another's noose.

Before she could overthink too much, the remaining girls were ushered into an empty dining hall with several long tables and two small round ones. Fresh fruits and meats lined their centers. Four Blues guarded each entrance.

The girls were instructed to sit wherever they would like. Freya chose the seat at the small table furthest from the doors. It was her attempt at being as inconspicuous as possible in such a small group. A lovely blonde girl asked to sit beside her and Freya readily agreed. Most of the other girls sat at the two largest tables anchoring the room.

After being served drinks, one set of doors opened and several men wearing deep navy coats, the color of nobility, strode into the dining room....

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