Astra and Belboz Do Lunch

"Good."

"I imagine that as a magic user you can tell me what time it is?"

"About eleven forty-five."

"Then I've time to have lunch before the ceremony at two. Exotica did bring me some breakfast, but that was some time ago and I'm hungry. I suppose that I have no choice but to go to the Grand Hall stark naked?"

"Yes. I'm afraid that your nudity curse [94302] will prevent you from wearing any garment other than the wedding dress, and Fred wouldn't be at all pleased if you were to wear that other than for the ceremony itself. Anyway it sounded from what he said that he intends for you to return to being naked right after the ceremony, so you might as well get used to it."

"I'm hoping to wring a concession from him about that, as I did with the chastity belt. Even if I fail, I'll be gone from this mad-house by the end of the evening if your scheme works."

"Indeed. I fancy some lunch as well, so I'll join you."

Astra had hoped that the Great Hall would be deserted like it had been the previous evening. Unfortunately for her, Fred having let many of the nobles return to the castle [97725] meant that there were quite a few other diners. Making the best of it, she kept her back straight and held her head high as she and Belboz made their way to an unoccupied table at the side of the room. Not surprisingly, her arrival sparked a hubbub of conversation. She tried to ignore overhearing any of it, as she doubted that she would find what was being said about her very pleasant.

As they ate, Belboz told her: "I shall have to leave you as soon as we've finished eating. I'm to be Fred's best man, remember, and will therefore have to be with the groom. [94050] You can stay here until one, if you want to. That's when the servants will start clearing away the dining tables and readying the Hall for the wedding. Or if you'd prefer, you can go to your room. Your wedding dress is ready, and you will find it laid out on your bed, together with a matching pair of red shoes. Your four bridesmaids will come to your room at 1:50 to collect you, and then the five of you will make your way back here. The bridesmaids whom I've chosen for you are young daughters of some of the nobles. Not including Exotica, by the way. She is much too low in the pecking order now."

"I'll need to have a bath and to have my hair done," Astra said. "I can't go to my wedding dirty and with my hair dishevelled."

"Just pull the rope that you'll find in the corner of your room. That will ring a bell in the servants' hall, and a maidservant will come to see what it is that you require."

1. Fred enters the Hall. Apparently not believing in the old superstition that it is unlucky for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, he joins the two of them.
2. Belboz leaves. As soon as Astra has finished her own meal she intends to leave as well. She'd sooner not have everyone staring at her when they think she isn't looking their way. But before she can go, an unfamiliar man sits down at her table.
3. Belboz leaves. Astra gulps down the remainder of her meal, and then heads to her room. The Hall's grandfather clock tells her that it is now 12:50.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree