Lady Juliana Hyland
Interacting with: Emmaline @HushedWhispers and Hyland Family outside the Castle
I am a Hyland. I am a people of the mountains, a people of strength. I love my family. All in Good Time; I am a Hyland.Juliana had repeated the words as she had left the safety of Mount Promonon for the first time, repeating them still in her head like a prayer to the gods as she rode with their party. She had never had a reason to leave their lands, to seek adventure in the great lands of the Kingdom. Or so her mother and nurses had pointed out to her at a young age; pointed out to her as they corrected her needlework and clicked their tongues at her questions and natural tendencies towards mayhem. A trueborn lady does not need to leave her home until her marriage, Juliana. A Lady does as she is told; she is quiet and meek and supports the adventures of the Lords of the land. The nurse, an older woman of her mother’s religion that helped the Lady of Mount Promonon with her children, was a hateful woman. Or at least to Juliana. Saying goodbye to her to attend the tournament had made a wicked smile touch her lips that only a stern look from her mother was able to distinguish.
I am a Hyland.The words range true and instilled her with a sense of purpose and pride. The woman would still be back at their Keep, but in truth the years had worn her down and Juliana was well past the age she could fend for herself. Her parents preferred she stayed carefully watched, but with four siblings and a large castle to explore, Juliana was able to slip from sight with the ease of a shadow, hardly missed. It was both a curse and a gift being the youngest child of five; no one worried or looked for you unless you were missing for more than two meals. One if with your Lord and Lady.
The trip had been uneventful, and Juliana had found the steady pace of the horses and company of her brothers and sister enjoyable. The long seasons and isolation at Mount Promonon often left much to be desired for company, and she knew too well that she had been blessed with a family that was able to tolerate one another even when bickering amongst themselves. Juliana loved them all, none more than her older sister, Emmaline. But their unity only lasted until they reached the city, where they all became consumed by the majestically decorated castle and hive of excitement. Corevial Castle sat glistening like a jewel, ready to host the largest tournament many had seen in half a century for the honor to marry the princess.
Juliana snorted to herself as she made her way on foot through the crowd. The princess was only a child, the sole heir to the crown and giant thrown that dominated the rest of the territories of Lhivoria. A girl heir, whose husband was to be chosen by a tournament of brute strength. A pity for the poor princess; a pity for Juliana would be forced to sit and smile during the tortures of court and bloodshed. Despite her contempt for the whole event, she would force a smile and pray for the safety of her brothers, a deep seeded fear of their passing causing her a pang in her chest.
She had dismounted what seemed like only moments before, but in reality may have easily been an hour since their arrival outside the castle gates. Juliana was now thoroughly lost and from her position on the ground had difficult spotting the small party of her family. She had jumped from her horse so quickly she had startled those around her, and had heard her name called as she blended with the crowd. Her eyes had spotted two boys chasing a cat through the street, and without thinking she had sprung after them. The cat was a beautiful animal, black as night and yowling as they cornered it. Juliana had ushered them away, she assumed looking quite deranged in her fine red silk dress as she scolded the boys and scooped up the cat from their powerful blows.
The kitten was now nested against her, purring as she cooed to the creature while walking with the crowd towards the gate, keeping a sharp eye for her family, and hoping against hope they had not somehow entered the castle gates without her. Her green eyes spotted a familiar figure on a horse, and her nose twitched as she recognized her bastard half brother. He was scarcely older that she was, and yet he rode like a man twice his age, his face grave. Juliana stayed out of his sight, but followed at a steady pace, knowing he would lead her in the direction she desired. Although Gods save her, she would need to time it so to avoid the tongue lashing from those who had noticed her missing.
If they noticed. She mused to herself with some hope.
She lost track of time moving through the crowd, her eyes always watching until she finally spotted a group of black haired, richly dressed nobles, surrounded by men wearing the crest of her family. Juliana tucked the kitten in the nook of her arm, protecting the black cat from the eyes of strangers as she spotted her sister, a feeling of relief washing over her. She made her way quietly towards her, attempting to avoid the watchful eyes of the guards and get her sisters attention.
“Emmaline.” She spoke up,
“Emma! Emma, I’m relieved you are still outside the gate.” She had the decency to look slightly apologetic to her sister, the smile holding humor she could not hide.
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