What happens when a Belgian-German princess, Lady Calliope, is declared illegitimate and thrust into the heart of the British Royal Court?
"The Yorks" delves into the remarkable life of Lady Calliope, a princess who lost her royal title due to her p...
After an arduous voyage of more than three days, we have at long last alighted upon the soil I have long aspired to tread – England.
Portman: Your Ladyship, we have reached the shores of Britain.
Myself: Oh, and I offer my gratitude, sir. May divine blessings be upon you.
Butler: Your Ladyship, I shall forthwith dispatch your chattels and accouterments to your abode, the House of Dietrichshire. They await your presence, as decreed in the epistle.
Myself: Very well, my lord. Pray also make preparations for our conveyance. I shall shortly disembark from the vessel.
Butler: (swears an oath) As you wish, Your Ladyship.
He took his leave and executed my commands. Perchance you wonder why they address me as Ladyship? Forsooth, do I not iterate? I have long ceased to be a princess, pfft.
And thus, I disembarked from the ship, with the aid of my attendants.
End of Perspective -
Queen Amanda's Perspective:
Word hath reached me of the arrival of my goddaughter, Calliope, in the realm of England. In preparation, I yearn to convey that even though she shall nevermore behold her mother, there exists one who shall extend her welcome – a feat that Emmanuel, her sire, cannot fulfill.
Butler (Paul): Your Imperial Highness, what further orders shall we execute?
Myself: Relay to the Mistress of the Bedchamber to prepare Lady Calliope's chamber. She is no ordinary guest; she is also linked by kinship to the Yorkists and descends, several generations removed, from the cousin of Richard I, rendering her a member of the Royal Family.
Butler: A matter of great complexity, Your Imperial Highness.
Myself: Indeed, it is. Now, depart and carry out my directives that all may be made ready for her arrival.
And so, my messenger arrived.
Reporter: Queen Mother, I crave your pardon, but I bear disconcerting tidings regarding Lady Calliope's arrival. (He uttered breathlessly.)
Myself: What? Has her conveyance been ambushed? Pillaged? Assailed? Abducted? What is the matter? I am fraught with concern, Simon.
Simon: I beseech you, Queen Mother, collect yourself. Your assumptions veer far from reality.
Myself: What, then, Simon? Do elucidate.
Simon: She shall not lodge within this palace but shall proceed to the dwelling of the Dietrichs. Furthermore, her initial shipment of possessions hath set forth thither.
Myself: What? Wherefore? I was under the impression... This is inconceivable. She must make her way hither.
Simon: But how, Queen Mother?
I clutched my brow, uncertain of my course.
End of Perspective -
Richard II's Perspective:
I traverse the corridor with a sense of bewilderment, occasioned by my mother's reaction to the arrival of her goddaughter, Lady Calliope, who is akin in age to myself. I am likewise fervent to encounter her in person. Rumor has it that her beauty is unparalleled, and her eloquence matches her grace, qualities I seek in a woman I am to espouse.
Upon entering the chamber, to my dismay, it is my mother whom I encounter. I approach her.
Myself: Mother, wherefore this despondence? Shall Lady Calliope not grace us with her presence?
She gazes upon me and lays her hand upon my arm.
Queen Amanda (Mother): My son, Richard, I am despondent solely by reason of my knowledge that she shall not come directly to the palace but to the domicile of the Dietrichs.
Myself: What? Why so? This cannot be, Mother.
Queen Amanda: Precisely, Richard. You must devise a remedy for this.
Myself: Magnus!
I summon my retainer.
Magnus: Yea, Your Imperial Highness? What be thy command?
Myself: Issue orders to our retainers that they intercept Lady Calliope's entourage and transport her directly to the palace. Swiftly, now.
Magnus: As you command, Your Highness.
With a bow, he departs.
I turn to my mother.
End of Perspective
Lady Calliope's Perspective:
We journey towards the heart of London, where the air bears a refreshing zephyr that lulls me into a momentary slumber. Thereafter, I discern a retinue of servants adorned with the coats of arms of nobility blocking our path.
Moved by curiosity, I resolve to alight.
Butler James: Your Ladyship, I beseech you not to disembark, lest you be imperiled by these individuals.
Myself: (I signal to him that I shall manage this.)
Their leader, perchance a Knight, approaches me.
Knight: Might you be Lady Calliope from Belgium, perchance?
Myself: Indeed, sir. For what reason dost thou obstruct our path?
Knight: My apologies, Your Ladyship. It is the command of the Imperial Majesty, the King, that we convey thee and escort thee to the Palace.
Myself: To the Palace? Yet my possessions have already arrived at Dietrichshire. How can this be?
Knight: I have no answer to that, Your Ladyship. Thou shalt need to converse with the Queen Mother and the King.
Myself: Ah, I see.
Knight: Come, and thou shalt proceed first. We shall follow to ensure thy safe arrival at the Palace.
Myself: Very well.
I re-enter the carriage, and he does likewise.
Butler James: Your Ladyship, what...
Myself: Nought, James.
Butler James: (He falls silent.)
They clear our path and allow us to precede, following closely in our wake.
To be Continued ✯¸.•´*¨'*•✿ ✿•*'¨*'•.¸✯
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