Ysolde smiles, "I am obliged by this opportunity even if it was not what I had fixed in my mind"
___________________
Seeing the Duke and Duchess so pleased, Ysolde breathes a sigh of relief. The whole plan was very reckless; showing up unannounced at the Duke's manor, asking for a chance to sing at the royal banquet despite her being a commoner and a stranger. She could have never stepped foot in the near vicinity of the manor if they were nobles who despised commoners.
The Duke speaks up, "You have proven yourself worthy and I acknowledge your voice. However, I must decline your request of being a part of the banquet"
Ellowen was stunned, she looked at Ysolde who had already started overthinking about this,
"Why was my request declined?
They seemed quite pleased... What went wrong?
Is my voice not worthy enough to sing at a banquet?"
Before Ysolde could fixate on such negative thoughts, the Duke speaks up again,
"My child do not think it is because we question your abilities but rather because we cannot trust you. The banquet is going to be attended by many nobles from the capital as well as distinct lands. We need to ensure that no harm befalls on our guests. You are a brilliant lady Ysolde, however you are also a complete stranger to us. I am not pointing you out as someone suspicious but I believe you have understood what I mean"
Ysolde indeed understood. The factors Duke Theodor laid out were indeed reasonable. Even then she could not help but feel down about this.
Ysolde replies, "Receiving honour from the Duke and Duchess was more than what anyone can ever desire. My request was indeed illogical and I apologise for my inability to think about this beforehand. With gratitude for your audience, Your Grace, I now depart"
Before the Duke could say anything the Duchess motions him to lend her an ear. she whispered some words to him. The Duke after giving it some thought nods and then motions to Ysolde,
"We might be unable to let you sing in the banquet... however, if you desire you might sing at the church"
The Duchess speaks up, "You must be aware of the ceremony we are holding at the church, we first start with a prayer then we go along with the usual distribution and blessings to the people. If you like we would love to hear you sing the first prayer song at the ceremony"
Ysolde could not believe her ears. Her voice starting a ceremony so close to The Almighty God? A simple girl among saints and elders, having the first prayer start from her lips?
Her eyes get teary as she bows down and thanks the Duke and Duchess. After a brief discussion on how the event is going to play out and the Duchess instructing Ysolde to visit the church the next day, Ysolde and Ellowen take their leave.
As they walked out, Ellowen hugs Ysolde, "You were amazing Yeus! I always believed how high you can go if you tried! But tell me you aren't disappointed right?"
Ysolde smiles, "I am obliged by this opportunity even if it was not what I had fixed in my mind"
As the two were chatting their way was blocked by Reignhart. He again leans towards Ellowen and smirks, "You weren't planning on leaving without telling me your name, right?"
Ellowen gave a disgusted look while Ysolde watched at the tension between the two. She knew she was sensing something.
When Reignhart realised Ellowen was not speaking up he pouts, "Hey I got rid of those bad guys and even helped you get an audience with father and mother! In return I deserve your name and not that expression of yours"
Ellowen grunts as she introduces herself, "Thank you for helping us Lord Reignhart, my name is Ellowen Fretz"
Ysolde couldn't help but chuckle at her grumpy friend. Then she introduces herself while trying her best to not burst out laughing, "Thankyou Lord Reignhart, my name is Ysolde Thorne"
Reignhart slightly bows, "Pleasure meeting you Miss Ysolde, and your lovely friend Miss Ellowen. I hope we meet more often" with this he winks at Ellowen and leaves the two.
After leaving the premises, Ellowen grunts "Ugh what a pervert! If he was not some Lord, I would have punched him in his gut"
Ysolde laughs out loud and smirks, "Well he didn't seem that bad also I never heard about Lord Reignhart being a womaniser so maybe you are his first"
Ellowen starts pinching Ysolde over this and they both retire for the day.
The next morning Ysolde wakes up Ellowen to get prepared for their visit to the church.
"I just hope I don't have to meet that jerk again", murmurs Ellowen.
Before visiting the church, they pay a visit to Sir Arvion. Ysolde recounts the incidents of the previous day purposely omitting your interaction with Reignhart to avoid Ellowen cursing loudly in front of the knights' quarters.
Sir Arvion smiles as he speaks "I am proud of you Ysolde. Going forward and facing the Duke and successfully winning his praise on your very first meet is no easy feat. And you being the first person to start the prayer clearly shows that the duke and duchess deem your voice to be worthy enough to be sung to the God. I will surely attend the ceremony"
Both the girls smile. Sir Arvion gives both of them a slice of cake before they depart.
"Goodfye Fir Arfyon we wilf fisit afwain!" yells Ellowen as she struggles to talk with cake in her mouth.
Sir Arvion chuckles. They made him recall his daughter.... a daughter he's unsure he would ever see again.
Somewhere in the capital of Miranor
In a gloomy cell, two figures are rambling on and on,
"When is this ritual going to end?"
"We need him to wake up before 'The Summit' starts"
A masked figure shushes them as he speaks, "Patience is the key to achieving the wonders of this mortal world. So please be patient"
One of the two figures shouts,
"Well, you should be able to speed up the process at least! We are almost at our wits' end!"
The masked figure laughs hysterically as they reply,
"Your Grace it takes a significant amount of time to alter someone's soul completely; That also someone with such a strong will"
He glances at a corner of the room. A figure can be seen chained to the wall with various potions and tools used in sorcery surrounding them.
___________________