Anthony entered his brother’s chamber “Good morrow, brother”

Valerius looked up from his desk “Good morrow. What brings you here to me?”

“I come.”

“That I see.”

“I come to ask a boon of thee.”

“A boon? You jest, brother. You declare relentlessly you have all you could ever desire.”

“And yet I am here.”

“Aye. So, brother, what is this boon?”

“I wish to come with you to Lady Claudia’s manor”

“Why? Do you wish to be in the company of an angel? I blame you not, for but being in the presence of such exquisiteness could heal any ailment, even such of your vision.”

“I go not to stand before her beauty, but to speak to the other.”

“The raven haired maid”

“Aye”

“I see not what it would hurt. Bring you a serving man?”

“My good man Robert.”

“Can you not bring one more finely bred?”

“Robert is my eyes and ears.”

“So it would seem. Well, brother, I see no harm in the boon you ask of me. It is granted, brother, granted.”

Claudia looked into the mirror at Merle, standing over her shoulder. “How do I look?”

Her attire was a pink gown edged in gold, embroidered with rubies, with a flower in her hair carved from a single ruby, and pearls on her wrist, neck, and in her ears. Merle was not lying when she told her “Stunning, my lady.”

“Good. I wish to be beautiful for Val. That’s what I call him. Val and Claudia. Doesn’t that sound just perfect?”
“Does he know you refer to him with such familiarity, my lady?” asked Merle with a wry smile

Claudia’s eyes grew wide, and she giggled “No, he does not. But it does, doesn’t it? He says I am a flower, a rose in the golden hair of the world. Is he not eloquent?”

“When did he say this thing?”

“A poem he wrote me. Is that not the most romantic thing you’ve ever heard?”

“More romantic that being caught from behind on the wharf, that’s for sure”
“What?”

“Nothing, my lady. I’m sure your… Val… will think you look dazzling.”

“He must. Oh, to be queen!”

“He would be a fine husband for you.”

“That he will. Now, follow behind me, blackbird, and come with me. Wait, no. Your overdress is spattered with mud. How did that happen?”

“I fell”

“Change into something more becoming, Merle. I wish not to look a pauper who cannot provide a dowry, as she cannot supply clean clothes for her maid!”

“Yes, my lady.”