“It is almost Papa’s birthday,” Wraenne said with obvious excitement over the event.

“Oh, it is? I like birthdays, don’t you?” Geolna asked as she raked the comb slowly through the little girl’s waist-length hair, using her fingers to carefully unsnarl any knots she encountered.

Wraenne started to nod her head but stopped when the tangles caught in the teeth of the comb, “I’ve had five of them. How many have you had?”

“Twenty-one.”

“Oh, that’s a lot.”

“When is your father’s birthday?” Geolna asked as she plaited the soft hair into a long braid.

“Soon, probably a week, but maybe tomorrow.”

Geolna couldn’t help smiling at the young child’s perception of time. “And just how old is he going to be?”

“It will be his twenty-eight birthday.”

“His twenty-eighth birthday!” Geolna stated, emphasizing the correct form of the word.

The princess nodded vigorously, “Yeah, he’s going to be old, even older than you.”

“Is that so?” asked Geolna with a smile, then teased, “Maybe I can let him borrow my father’s cane.”

“Oh, Geolna, he’s not that old,” Wraenne corrected, but then thinking it might be offensive to refuse the offer, added, “Grandpa might could use the cane though if you want.”

“It’s alright Little Bird, I was just teasing anyway. I know your father doesn’t need a cane, but maybe we could think of something he would like for his birthday.”

Wraenne tipped her head to one side, her eyes focused upward, and her pink mouth pursed in concentration. She tapped her finger to her lips as she formulated a list. “Umm. He likes reading, playing checkers, wrestling, eating, going on walks, and swordfighting with the knights. Sometimes I get to watch. Once when he was jousting in a tournament I got to sit with Grandfather. Oh, he likes Grandfather too and me and Judith and Bella.”

Geolna was surprised at the way her heart clenched at the mention of an unknown lady’s name and the exclusion of her own. “Of course he knows other women. Why wouldn’t he have friends I’m not aquainted with? It’s not as if we are from the same backgrounds. Just because I teach his daughter and we spend a little time together each day before I go home doesn’t mean anything.”

“Geeeooolllnaaaa,” Wraenne stretched the name out to get her teacher’s attention, all the while impatiently patting her arm.

Geolna, berating herself for her silly jealousy, turned her attention to the little princess. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I wasn’t paying attention. What was it?”

“I said will you come to eat with us on Papa’s birthday? It’s going to be a big feast and you can sit with Papa and me.”

“That’s sweet of you, but I think that’s something he needs to ask. He might not want me to come.”

Wraenne’s lower lip grew into a pout. “Well I want you to.”

“And when it is your birthday I will be happy to come, but this is your father’s birthday and he would probably rather have one of his friends with him. What about Bella?”

“Bella?” Wraenne asked with a quizzical expression.

“Yes, you said he liked her.”

“He does, but horses don’t eat in the great hall; they eat in the stable,” Wraenne explained, perplexed by her teacher’s apparent lack of knowledge.

“Bella is your papa’s horse.” Geolna confirmed with dawning understanding.

“He has lots of horses, but Bella is his favorite. She is really pretty, but Papa says I can’t get near her by myself because she is really big and I might get hurt.”

“Your papa is right. Horses are very beautiful and very useful, but they are also very dangerous.”

“I still think he would want you to come,” said Wraenne, returning to the previous discussion. "I know he would. He said he had a good time the last time you stayed and ate with us.”

“Well, honey, I did too, but just because we had fun that evening doesn’t mean he wants me to attend such a public event as his birthday celebration.”

A third voice joined the conversation, “But I would.”

Geolna spun around as his entrance caught her off-guard yet again. “Prince Caedmon, I didn’t hear you come in.” She forced her voice to remain normal. “I have got to start being more observant,” she thought to herself. Missing his statement in her fluster, she asked, “How long have you….?

He laughed, “Oh, not long. Why? Have you been talking about me? Don’t worry, any birthday secrets are safe.”

Geolna realized that she and the princess hadn’t actually gotten around to discussing gift ideas and reminded herself to talk to Wraenne about it later in private.

“So will you?” he persisted.

“Will I what?” she asked in confusion.

“Will you come to the banquet as my guest?”

Wraenne added her own plea, “Do come, Geolna. Please. You can sit with Papa and me and Judith.”

“Wraenne,” her father warned, shaking his head. She understood his reprimand and sucked in her lips, pressing them tightly together before covering them quickly with her hands. She must not pester others into doing what she wanted.

Though Geolna was sure she would regret placing herself in such a conspicuous position when the time came, she could not resist the invitation of the attractive man waiting for her answer. “Yes, Prince Caedmon, it would be a privilege to help celebrate your birthday.”