Chapter One
The dark-haired young man had a smug, satisfied grin on his face as he walked through Weldon Manor with a slight spring in his step. His long, wiry legs carried him with an awkward gait as he made his way through the large, fortified manor and headed outside in search of his brother. He knew that his younger sibling would either be outside in the stables, fussing with one of his prized stallions, or over at the military barracks, carousing or sparring with the guardsmen or some of the foot soldiers. Entering the stables, the young man smirked as he spied a familiar, dark-haired figure brushing down a cream-colored horse.
He walked up behind his brother, leaning on the wall of the stable, "Brushing, brushing... you're always brushing and pampering this blasted beast of yours." Aldred said without greeting.
The dark head turned and light blue eyes regarded the young man coolly. "This 'beast' is a trusted friend and deserves to be pampered, brother... not that you would understand that in any regard." Anton responded, lifting an eyebrow at his always irritating elder sibling.
Aldred laughed, "You count an animal among your friends? How very provincial of you, Anton!"
The antagonistic banter between the two brothers was common, and as always, Anton didn't refrain from being pulled into a battle of words.
"At least I can say that I have friends... unlike you, brother dear." Anton said, smiling with false sweetness as he resumed his brushing.
"Pah," Aldred sniffed, "I don't need friends. Especially now." He walked around Anton, dragging a hand along the horse's smooth, shiny coat as he drew in closer to the younger man. "Do you want to know why?" He asked, smirking again.
Anton rolled his eyes and sighed, pausing his brush strokes. "Alright... 'why, Aldred'?"
"Father has finally chosen my bride-to-be." Aldred said, a broad, smug smile filling his sharp-featured face.
"'Finally'? don't you mean 'again'?" Anton asked sarcastically, shooting his brother a sideways glance.
"No, no... this is it. This time the girl will be my bride. Father said the deal is good as sealed."
"Deal? What happened to the 'deal' that was supposed to be struck with Viscount Langeley?"
Aldred huffed, "Pah! Langeley was practically a peasant... he didn't have nearly the money nor holdings that he claimed. And besides, his daughter isn't as fetching as this new one."
Anton rolled his eyes again and shook his head at his brother's comments, then turned his back and resumed his brushing. "Well, congratulations, brother; I hope it all works out for you." He said, his voice intentionally flat and monotone to prove his lack of awe.
"Anton!" Aldred scolded, "Come on! Aren't you curious? Don't you want to know who she is?"
Anton sighed again and pushed away from the horse, crossing his arms. "Very well, Aldred... who is the lucky wench?"
Aldred glared at the younger man, "She's not a wench... she's glorious! The most beautiful girl in the realm!"
"If I recall, that's what you said about Celene of Langeley." Anton dead-panned.
"Oh no, no," Aldred shook his head forcefully, "Lady Gwynneth is much better than Celene. Earl Leopold of Clarendon has vast land holdings and numerous knights sworn to his service. It's a much better alliance than Langeley. Father feels certain."
Anton's brows frowned in question, "Father feels we need an ally for war purposes?"
"Not necessarily war, Anton. He just feels that it would not be unwise to align ourselves with someone who possesses a reasonable amount of strength, that's all."
Anton considered the words for a moment, filing them away for later contemplation. "So... Lady Gwynneth, hmm?" Anton asked, an eyebrow creeping upwards again.
"Indeed. 'Lady Gwynneth of Clarendon'... isn't it a lovely name? ...A beautiful name for an equally beautiful woman." Aldred said, his chest puffed out in pride.
"You've already met her?"
"No."
"Well then, how can you be so certain of her beauty?"
"Father said she's reported to be very lovely. 'Young, pure and beautiful' is what the rumors say."
"Ha," Anton sniffed, "Rumors are rarely true, Aldred. You may find yourself dreadfully disappointed when your wedding day arrives and you lift your bride's veil to find a gawky, pimple-faced child staring at you."
Aldred shook his head and made a clucking noise with his tongue, "Poor Anton... of course you would react negatively to this news. You won't ever be able to experience your own wedded bliss, so you can only stew and fret over mine." He gloated, smirking at the younger man. "I suppose you'll always be envious of me for that, won't you?"