A bell chimed, and without a word, everyone began heading for their dining rooms.
Dominic naturally fell into step beside Princess Alexis, his spot as advisor. Then tried not to trip over his feet after seeing the gentle smile on her face when she placed her hand on his arm for him to escort her in.
As they approached their table, a servant pulled out the Princess’ chair for her, and Dominic smoothed her skirts as she sat, then realized his seat was assigned immediately to her left.
The Advisor’s position, but also the seat of honour, he realized. Crown Prince Claudius was seated to her right, which would normally be the most coveted seat in the room, as it made it easiest for her to speak with him.
Marquis Bridgegover was seated beside the Crown Prince, while Thorvald was seated at the foot of the table.
There was one notably empty seat at the table, with the cutlery crossed on the plate and the glassware turned upside down. That would normally be the sign of an honoured and recently deceased family member in Wavemates, with their place held as a memorial.
But today it marked the first contestant for her hand to have been eliminated.
Wine was brought, and the Crown Prince addressed the room.
"Today, I will explain to you the trials that Our Royal Father and the Princess have set for the contestants. They are not many, nor are they particularly difficult. But the judging will be done entirely by the Princess, who has reserved the right to refuse all suitors, or challenge the winner of the contest to a show of arms in the arena to prove themselves worthy."
The Nobles nodded nervously, except Dominic and Thorvald, who looked a bit too excited about the prospect.
Whether that was of her rejecting everyone, or getting to fight her in the arena, Dominic wasn’t sure. Thorvald was a bit of an odd one, and Dominic suspected that he was only here because he had been ordered to participate.
He was still the most formidable contestant, though. Not just by lineage, but by attitude and talent.
"The first trial will be to prove your competence as a potential Prince Consort. So, each of you will be given an assigned task, which will be part of your Royal duties in the future, should you be successful.
Advisor Dominic has been excluded from roles that he already performs as her advisor, so as not to give him an unfair advantage."
The Crown Prince paused, and Dicky cleared his throat.
"With all due respect, Your Highness, but does the advisor not have an immeasurable advantage, no matter how we look at it?" He asked.
Crown Prince Claudius turned to Dominic, nodded once at his choice of outfit, then turned back to the son of Count Herthamia.
"I will admit, the Advisor has some unique advantages in this case. But the trials remain the same for everyone.
The first challenge is one that may be easier for some of you than others.
The maids have a slip of paper with your assigned duty. You may wish to request advice on the Princess’ preferences during dinner, or make idle conversation."
A small envelope, sealed with the Crown Prince’s signet, was placed in front of Dominic, who hesitated to open it until he saw that everyone else already had.
He moved the paper under the table, and ran a fingernail under the wax to pop it open.
{Lord Sorcerer Dominic
Your first task of this trial shall be a simple one, befitting a Prince Consort of Cygnia. You shall present a proper educational regimen for a daughter and a son of your family, with justification as to why this training course was chosen.
PS Keep your hands off my sister}
Dominic smiled as he finished reading, and the Crown Prince gestured at the paper in his hands with a stern look, indicating that the note was personal, not a sentiment he had given to everyone.
Most of the Nobles looked pleased with the letters, and with the assumption that they had all gotten different tasks, all of them were attempting to hide their letters from the others.
So, Dominic folded his and placed it in the inner pocket of his coat.
The first course came out, and for a moment, there was silence. Then Dominic started up a conversation to break the tension.
"Now that hostilities have ceased, will you be visiting the Paladins of the Order? I suspect that they would appreciate the Royal visit." He asked.
Princess Alexis smiled gently, a genuine response to the mention of the Paladins.
"Yes, perhaps that would be a fine way to spend the day tomorrow while you all work on your trials. I could bring my Royal Guard and go visit the barracks of the Order." She agreed.
That gave the others a small opening to join the conversation.
"Membership in The Royal Order is quite an accomplishment, was that a personal preference during your youth, or something that you would like to continue in the future?" Marquis Bridgegover asked.
Alexis shook her head. "I wouldn’t push any of my children to try so hard for a position within the Order. It would be a great honour to have another Paladin in the family, but I understand that Midfield has their own Paladins."
The young Marquis smiled. "Indeed. Not so prestigious as Cygnia’s Royal Paladins, but devoted War Clerics of the Battle God nonetheless. Many from the Midfield Academy go on to join them. Unfortunately, that was not my duty, as the oldest son."
Alexis nodded. "I believe that you went to the Cygnia Royal Academy here in the Capital, did you not? Before you left to take over your father’s estate."
"Indeed. Most of the gentlemen here attended either the Royal Academy, or the Biverlow Academy in the south." He replied, a pointed jab at Dominic’s lack of known education.
"Yes, where did you study, Lord Dominic?" One of the Nobles from the Biverlow group asked.
Dominic shrugged. "I was assigned a tutor by the Wavemates Family as a youth, and chose to take up the forge as an adult. I am currently an Apprentice to the Master of the Royal Forges, but I am hoping to make an attempt at Journeyman, should my duties not take me in another direction."